Have you thought about buying a used RV? If you have, then we’ve got 10 RV renovation ideas that will transform your camper into a beautiful and practical space for you and your family.
RV remodeling possibilities are rather endless. There are so many things you can do from a complete gut job to simple cosmetic renovations. As you ponder which of the ideas we present you’ll implement in your RV renovation project keep in mind weight. You need to be cognizant of the original dry weight of your RV. When renovating you will undoubtedly add new material that might be heavier than the original material that came with the camper. Stay within the weight specifications of the camper and you should be fine. Let’s get started with some RV renovation ideas.
#1 Floors
Old RV flooring is one renovation that adds a lot of value to the interior of your RV. An old camper may have a carpet that needs to be ripped up and replaced. Linoleum may have been used in the kitchen and bathroom which today may be worn and tattered. In addition, the pattern is probably antiquated as well.
Replacing the flooring can be a complex job so if you are not up to it hire a professional. If it’s something you want to tackle the skills are not too difficult to learn. Lots of Youtube videos will show you how. We recommend replacing your old floor with waterproof vinyl planking. It’s durable, easy to cut and install, and looks fantastic. Here is a video showing how to replace and RV floor.
#2 Let The Sunshine In
Older travel trailers typically have windows that are outdated, scratched, or have turned yellow because they were not made from glass. If that’s the case with your RV remodel then replacing the windows makes perfect sense. With a little research, you’ll come to realize that replacing an RV window is a pretty easy DIY project.
You can either find a replacement window that will fit just right or you will need to order a custom window. There are many places online where you can do that. If you want to learn more about replacing your RV windows check out this article by RV Geeks. It also includes a video of how he did the work.
#3 Replace Worn Outdated Furniture
If your RV furniture is still hanging out in the 70s considering replacing it with modern furniture. If your camper has a sofa/sleeper those can easily be replaced with nice-looking ones that are upholstered with better more durable fabric.
The dinette is another piece of furniture you can replace. Many RV dinettes are fixed to the floor so you’ll need to do some work or remove it. Depending on the type of you might also have to do some work to the floor was the dinette was installed.
Once you removed you can replace it with a dinette table and chairs of your liking. Check out IKEA for affordable compact furniture suitable for an RV.
#4 Paint The Interior
Painting the interior of your RV is an awesome renovation project. It can totally change the look and feel of your camper’s interior. However, painting the inside of your RV is not an easy task. First, you need to decide if you are only painting the walls or the walls and cabinets.
You also need to determine what kind of surfaces you have so that you can prep them properly. The paint will not adhere properly to an unprepared surface such as laminate. A quality primer is recommended before you apply your paint.
When choosing a paint color white is the preferred color for many RVers. If you don’t like white do choose a light color that will brighten the interior. Choose quality interior paint and take your time. It can take several days to over a week to paint the interior of your RV, however, the results are well worth it.
#5 Add A Backsplash
One of the easiest RV renovation ideas I have seen is adding a backsplash to your kitchen or bathroom. The easiest backsplash to use is the peel-and-stick like these ones on Amazon. They are lightweight and are super easy to apply. They come in a variety of colors and patterns so chances are you’ll find one that you like. This RV renovation tip is just as good for new travel trailers that might not have a backsplash.
If you are interested in learning how to apply a peel-and-stick backsplash take a look at the video below.
#6 Replace Valances and Curtains
Replacing or adding curtains can make a big difference in your camper’s interior look and feel. With this RV renovation, you have the opportunity to buy off the shelf products or you can also sew your own. The type of material you choose is very important. We recommend a light canvas type material since it will block some light once they are closed.
As for the style of placement, we like the pleated look with over-sized rings or holes simply because they are easier to slide open and stay open as well. For some removing the valances that are usually found on RV is also an option since they do tend to make the interior outdated.
#7 Add Personality
One of the cool things about an RV remodel is the ability to personalize the interior in just about any way you want. You can add lots of personality to your RV by adding photos of you, your family, and your pets. You can add pictures on the wall of places you’ve been to or would like to visit. You can add accessories that mean something to you making the interior unique to you.
Though we have not done this inside an RV yet, we did do this family tree mural in a manufactured home. So if you happen to have some wall space in your RV that needs a little spicing up try a smaller version of this family tree mural we created.
#8 Paint The Exterior
This RV renovation tip is not for the faint of heart. It is a renovation that should only be undertaken if you know exactly what you are doing. The reason you want to get this right is that your RV exterior is exposed to the elements. Painting the exterior incorrectly will lead to a paint job that will deteriorate rather quickly. So what do you need to do to get an exterior paint job right? Here are some tips:
- Use oil-based paint that sticks to fiberglass or aluminum (auto paint works best)
- Properly wash the exterior of your RV
- Mask off areas you don’t want to be painted
- Make sure to prime first
- Apply one coat let dry
- Apply second coat let dry
If you like you can also paint your RV a little differently and Sara Lemp over at All Things With Purpose shows you how.
#9 Replace or Clean Awning
One of the exterior components that tend to wear out and shred is your RV awning. Older campers have an awning that is so badly damaged it’s not even possible to open them up. If you have one of those your best bet is to replace the awning entirely or of the awning mechanism is fine then replacing the awning canvas will be more affordable.
If your awning is in good shape and it just needs a good cleaning this article on RV share will show you how to do it.
To add a little pizazz to your awning consider installing RV LED awning lights. They look great and are easy to install.
#10 Replace Tires and/or Wheels
Another exterior renovation you can make is to replace the tires on your camper. Many times they are just old and worn and need replacement not only for the look but for safety as well.
Take a look at your wheels also. If they are rusted on the surface you can use a steel brush to remove the rust. Then just prime and paint and they will look great. If the rust has penetrated the wheels you should just replace them instead of trying to repair them.
Want some tips on how to keep your RV wheels in shape? Check out this article by Platinum Surface Coating.
RV Renovation Ideas
As you can see many of the RV remodel ideas above are very easy for a DIYer to do. A project like replacing your flooring or exterior painting can seem complicated but can be done with some planning, prepping, and patience. Doing as much of the renovations yourself will save you a lot of money whether you are renovating a pop-up camper or motorcoach.
