Ten Things to Remember When Remodeling an RV
Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2007
by Julee Meltzer
Desert Winds Press
Remodeling an RV can be an exceptionally rewarding process. Not only do you get the features and furnishing you need – you can also obtain the look and the style you’ve always wanted. That’s why the most appealing RVs are invariably the ones that have been improved and decorated by their owners. On that note, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your own RV remodeling projects.
1) Make sure that your upgrade and remodeling plans fit your lifestyle
Always tailor your remodeling plans to the way you actually live. The plush interiors seen in million-dollar RVs may look fantastic, but they aren’t exactly designed for “real life". When you’re planning your projects, try to use durable materials, easy-to-maintain colors, flexible furnishings, time-tested layouts, and user-friendly accessories.
2) Address functional shortcomings first
When planning a remodeling strategy, address the functional and practical requirements first. For example, if you don’t have enough counter space in your kitchen – fix that shortcoming first before you install a new faucet or upgrade the flooring.
3) Know where you’re going
Before you start any remodeling project, create a “master plan" for your RV that’s based on your idea of the perfect RV. The concept can come from anything such as a picture from a book, an ad from a magazine, an image in your head, or a sketch on a napkin. It doesn’t matter – as long as you have something. If you try to remodel your RV without a visual target, your efforts will almost always end in disappointment.
4) Make quality a high priority
Many RVs have more than their share of glitches and problems. You can offset this shortcoming by doing quality work and using high-quality parts and materials whenever possible. When you’re working on various projects, use the opportunity to make incremental improvements to your RV.
5) Use color to create the illusion of space
Neutral colors will make an interior seem more spacious while darker colors have the opposite effect. This is particularly true for walls, window dressings, and large pieces of furniture (like sofas). To keep things interesting, take advantage of vividly colored lamp shades, table cloths, throw pillows, area rugs, artwork, and accessories. The result will be a roomy looking RV with lots of color and plenty of style.
6) Design storage solutions for specific items
A common RV remodeling mistake is to build nonspecific storage provisions without actually knowing what you’re going to use it for. Invariably, the new space ends up becoming a magnet for miscellaneous belongings and orphaned objects (i.e. a big junk drawer). Before you begin, decide exactly what you need the space for. Then create a customized storage solution that works for you.
7) Optimize the space you already have
RV storage provisions usually consist of cupboards, cabinets, drawers, and closets. However, these traditional storage solutions are inherently inefficient because they lack organizational components. Before you start building more storage capacity in your RV – find ways to optimize the spaces you already have. Use shelves, dividers, bins, hooks, racks, and anything else you can think of to help organize the stuff you already have. You’ll be amazed at how much storage capacity you have when everything is organized and efficiently arranged.
8) Use all of the available space
In an RV, wall and floor space is always at a premium. Consequently, when purchasing or designing furniture, try to use pieces that fill up all of the available space. For instance, it’s better to install a sofa that spans the entire length of a wall than to put in a loveseat that leaves a small, unusable section of wasted space at one end. Similarly, take advantage of space that is overlooked. For example, the area above your RV’s doors and windows is often a good place to install a bookshelf or a cabinet.
9) Focus on the lighting
Effective lighting can make an RV feel comfortable, stylish, and inviting. In general, look for light fixtures that eliminate glare, add some color, and illuminate specific areas. Examples include track lighting, recessed under-counter lights, wall-mounted sconces with colorful shades, and table lamps. Stay away from lamps with multiple bulbs and oversized shades. Don’t rely on florescent lighting for night-time illumination. It’s too harsh and institutional. Instead, use smaller, more stylish lighting fixtures that can be moved around. A table lamp can be placed on a dinette table or on the dash. Likewise, a standing floor lamp can be located near a chair or a sofa. Whenever possible, use dimmer switches so you can fine tune the level of light.
10) Let the light in
Many RVs arrive from the manufacturer with ornate fabric-covered window enclosures, known as cornices. The rationale for these decorative additions is to add a touch of elegance while covering the ‘unsightly’ aspects of your windows and blinds. However, these enclosures achieve this questionable objective at a fairly high cost. First, they block valuable light in addition to reducing the viewing area. Second, they tend to get in the way of the operation of the window locks as well as the blinds. Lastly, cornices, by way of their bulky appearance, violate one of the primary principles of decorating small spaces. As a result, most RV interiors are significantly darker and more confined looking than they have to be. By using fabric shades, mini-blinds, or honeycomb shades, you can now enjoy lots of light, great views, stunning color, and high levels of privacy.
Resource Box - © Julee Meltzer (2007) Authors Jack and Julee Meltzer have traveled more than 150,000 miles with dogs across the
website: http://www.desertwindspress.com
I just bought an old American Clipper 1976, and now need to learn all about it and make it mine. I will live next to my daughters house in Sacramento and travel for the summer. One of the first tasks will be to remove those valances and replace them with roman shades or whatever. I keep looking at these pressboard and paper cabinets and wonder what I can do with them. I'd love to have the highly polished look at least, and also wonder about painting, facing with mirrors, papering, or whatever for the doors. I'll keep watching your tips. .... Mary Lou
Now that we are both retired; we are fulltiming in our motor home in FL in a '99 Allegro Bus. So far we have had new carpet installed while the slide was getting a new seal, took out the J sofa and added recliner with footstool; added a select comfort bed, and added flat screen (sitting on dash above the dashboard TV). I'm trying to think of something to do with that space. The TV cabinet in the bedroom is now a display cabinet. I'm looking for drapery fabric for the windshield and side windows and replacing the day/night shades with woven wood blinds. Debating on whether to take out the dinette. I would like to know what other people have done to upgrade their interiors. We don't care for the newer floor plans; we like our walk through bathroom with the 48 inch garden shower.