Summer is here and that means one thing: ROAD TRIP!!!
With June being National Camping Month and states reopening after the long winter and spring of COVID-19, it’s a great time to hit the highway. And a great excuse to renovate the RV. Whether you’re rolling in a vintage Airstream, custom Sprinter van, 5-wheeler, or converted Partridge Family-style bus, here are some easy and flat-out kickass ways to update and makeover your mobile motor home on wheels … with gas money to spare.
Paint Over the Past
Refresh that boring brown or beige RV interior with bright white and bold color. With a little sand paper and elbow grease, your existing laminated particleboard cupboards will look like a breath of fresh air once you give them a coat or two of new paint. Let nature be your palette!
Get a Foothold with New Flooring
Pull up that peeling kitchen tile or matted and moldy old carpet and put down new, road rugged vinyl or wood laminate planks. Throw in a colorful area rug to brighten up and separate small living spaces.
Sizing Up Your Sleep Space
We all know that the mattresses that come with your RV are pretty terrible. Not only are they uncomfortable but they break down very quickly. Before you buy anything though, make sure you get the right RV mattress size. Most are about 5 inches shorter than what you’d normally find in your home.
Lighten Up the Look of Windows & Doors
Mini blinds have long been the standard for RV windows, but if it’s time to replace those old, cracked, cheap plastic slats, try all-aluminum minis in shiny new colors. New solar shades or blackout cellular shades are also a great choice to reduce road glare and to keep out prying eyes at the campsite. Consider motorized blinds for your motor home, too, so you can adjust incoming light without taking your eyes off the road. Need more ideas? Check out our RV Window Covering Buying Guide.
What About the Walls?
Treat your walls on wheels just like the ones at home. Paint them over in a contrasting color to complement your new cabinetry. Turn a small space into an eye-catching accent with a bold, patterned wallpaper. Recover them with shiplap (real or wallpaper!) or repurposed/reclaimed wood, which makes a great headboard in the bunk area. Add inexpensive peel and stick subway or glass tiles in the head or behind the kitchen sink for an updated backsplash.
Pull Out All the Stops
Even tiny touches like unique cabinet pulls can make a BIG difference in your RV’s decor without putting a big dent in the budget. Change out your old standard pulls with new ones that express your personality on galley cabinets, desk drawers, closet doors and storage cubbies. They make great hooks for towels, outerwear and the dog’s leash, too.
Leave the Light On
Light up mobile living spaces or set the mood with fun, fresh new wall sconces, generator-saving, under cabinet LED lighting, or sleek new track lighting, like this:
Who says you can’t roll on down the highway in style without breaking the budget? Happy trails!
