One of the biggest talking points for campervan owners is how to maximise the small amount of space in your beloved van. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a VW transporter, a converted transit van, or one of the other DIY conversions like a Renault traffic or Mercedes sprinter, you’ll always be looking for new ways to maximise the space you have.
You need to be thoughtful about the things you intend to take with you when staying in a campervan. People always tend to overpack and try to prepare for every eventuality, but this can take up valuable space and lead to huge amounts of clutter, and if you’re on the smaller end of the campervan scale with a Volkswagen California, space can become limited quickly.
As specialist providers of campervan insurance, you might say we know a thing or two about campervans! To help ensure you have everything you need, without compromising on campervan space, we’ve put together a handy guide on what fantastic storage hacks and tips you could use.
How to identify items you don’t need
The first thing you need to do is get rid of the unnecessary stuff. If there are only 2 people in the campervan then you don’t need 4 plates… here’s some other things to consider:
Plates, pans, cups, towels shower gel to name a few…
Try making a list of all the items you’re going to take and list a reason why you need it. If the reason isn’t good enough then you can leave it at home for your next trip.
Amazing storage ideas that you could implement
Secret Wine Cellar
If you enjoy a glass of wine whilst taking in the wonderful scenery at a beautiful campsite then this idea will be the one for you. You can keep your wine in a hidden compartment under the floor with a secure wine rack. It will keep your wine safe and hidden whilst saving extremely valuable space, especially when you think about how big a wine bottle is! It will also stop any moving around whilst driving and avoid breakages which can be dangerous if you have children with you.
Carabiner Coat Hooks
One amazing idea to save space and reduce the clutter in your campervan whilst on the move is to use carabiners as coat hooks. The handy clips will ensure no coats falling off hooks whilst you’re travelling over bumpy terrain. They can also be used for lots of other things like holding metal/plastic mugs or put them on your keys to clip onto your pants to ensure you never lose them.
VHS Photo Frame Storage
This genius storage idea uses old VHS tape boxes as photo frames which also double up as secret storage! You can use it to store maps, keys or even money. Don’t worry, you can pick up old VHS tapes from most local car boot sales or you can head to eBay.
Hanging Jam Jars
If you’re struggling for worktop space, then this storage hack may be of interest to you! Instead of putting these jars into the cupboard where they can move around and potentially break during transit, one person decided to fix the lid to the underside of a cupboard which then holds the jam jar in place perfectly! No more smashed jars and it also looks pretty cool.
Nesting Bowls
Earlier we spoke about unnecessary items you may have, like excess plates or forks, well, one way around this is to use nesting bowls. You can get a set of nesting bowls that contain various bowls, colanders, sieves and measuring spoons but take up a fraction of the space to store. You can pick up a set of Joseph Joseph nesting bowls for under £50.
Fruit Hammock / Kitchen Roll Holder
If you’re as healthy as we’d all like to be and often take plenty of fruit with you on your trips, then this next hack may appeal to you. You can save your fruit from going bad and getting bruised by investing in a fruit hammock, this can also double up as a kitchen roll holder! The brilliant little hammock swings freely whilst on the move but ensures your lovely fresh fruit stays bruise-free.
Pull Out Chopping Board
One of the ultimate space-saving hacks for a campervan is a pull-out chopping board/table. This is essential if you’re looking to save space and it can transform your kitchen in seconds. If you didn’t want it to pull out from inside the worktop, then you can opt for a fold-out table instead! These are easier to fit and can be folded down when not in use.
Microfiber Towels
Microfibre towels are great for saving space and cutting down on weight. They also feel super soft on your skin! You can pick up a microfiber towel cheap and they can also double up as a blanket if the weather takes a turn for the worst. One of the brilliant features about microfiber towels is how quickly they dry, you’ll be able to air them out in no time ready to be packed away.
Fitted Sink Chopping Board
This is another super space-saving idea and you can minimise the amount of mess you create as you’ll be working directly over the sink. If you opt for this storage hack, then just remember not to switch on the tap or you’ll end up turning your campervan into a dampervan.
Thinking Of Converting Your Van?
Converting a campervan can seem like a daunting task but there’s plenty of step-by-step guides on YouTube like the video below which includes some nifty ideas to consider when planning your DIY campervan conversion!
Do you have any genius campervan hacks? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter or tag us on Instagram.
If you liked this blog, then check out our motorhome hacks article for more great ideas.
