When renovating a home, even a tiny one on wheels, time and money spent on projects can quickly add up. Luckily, DIY RV renovation doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. Here are a few DIY RV projects for your home on wheels.
How to remodel a camper interior
Apply a new coat of paint
You’d be amazed how a coat of paint can freshen up the most dated RV. Painting the interior of an RV can be tedious and tiring, but it’s an affordable DIY RV project to change the overall feel of the space. In other words, it’s worth it. Most RV walls are made of lauan plywood and have a wallpaper texture on top, which you can paint right over. Some walls, like those in your kitchen or bathroom, may have an added wallpaper border, which you can remove or paint over.
When painting the walls or cabinets in an RV, the first step is to sand the surface and clean it with TSP (trisodium phosphate). Once the surface is ready, you can apply a coat of primer and paint. Chalk paint is another option to consider when it comes to painting your cabinets because it allows you to skip the sanding or priming process.
Replace old furniture
When buying a used RV, most of the standard furniture in RVs is dated or covered in flourishes. While you can add a slipcover or have it reupholstered, you may want to consider replacing it with something else. Removing the sofa or dinette booth in your RV may seem like a daunting DIY RV renovation, but it’s relatively easy. Ikea is a great resource for affordable sofa options, or you may be able to modify existing furniture you own.
When updating furniture, it’s also a good idea to create a drop zone in your RV near the door to help keep the cabin from being cluttered with your most-needed items.
Update appliances
Depending on the year of your rig, the appliances may be extremely outdated or worn out. If this is the case, you may want to replace them as one of your RV DIY projects.
Looking for a budget-friendly option? Consider replacing wood panels with sheet metal. Installing sheet metal gives the illusion of stainless steel. It creates a magnetic surface that you can write on with dry-erase markers. Some other ways to update the fridge panels would be to paint them, possibly with chalk paint. Or you could add color, texture, or pattern using contact paper.
Update faucets and hardware
Chances are, the faucets in your RV are cheap and made of plastic. Not to mention they may be using more water than necessary. Give your kitchen or bathroom a quick facelift for a quick and easy DIY RV project. You can update the faucets to a style you love that will help conserve water simultaneously.
You can purchase faucets from any home improvement store. You’ll need to know the correct measurements. Determine the max height and spout reach you want before heading to the store or purchasing online. To help conserve water, consider going with a faucet that uses no more than 2.2 GPM.
Update light fixtures
Have you felt the heat coming from the light fixtures in your RV, or are you just looking to lower your energy footprint? Either way, installing LED lights is much easier than you think. While you can swap out the bulbs in your dome lights, you can also replace the older ones with brand-new ones. This process can help those lights disappear into your ceiling.
You can replace just about any light fixture with a new one, as long as it takes the correct bulb. For example, you can replace any 120v light with another fixture that uses a 120v light bulb. The good news is that more stylish options are becoming available to the RV market. You may also consider adding a voltage regulator wire to ensure your bulbs last longer. If you’re nervous about installing lights, hire a licensed electrician to do the job for you.
Update window treatments
Have you ever wondered where RV manufacturers get the fabric for their window valences? And does anyone like them? The good news is that valences are easy to remove. You can take them off completely, replace them with something else, or even reimagine them with new fabric.
You can switch out blinds for more modern-looking roller shades or curtains to give your RV an updated feel.
Add decorations and accessories
Adding your favorite decor is an easy DIY camper renovation that helps create a space that reflects your style. You’d be amazed at what a difference swapping out the wall decor, throw pillows, bedding, and rugs can make.
You can use screws, nails, and pop rivets to hang decorative items. Command hooks, industrial-strength velcro, and mounting tape can also come in handy. You’ll be glad you did when you’re bumping down the road, and your favorite things aren’t crashing to the floor.
A DIY camper renovation doesn’t have to happen overnight. Small, intentional improvements along the way can help make your RV a home you love. Protect your RV upgrades with a customized RV insurance policy and keep your family and belongings safe while out on the road.
