What makes traveling in an RV different than a regular road trip?
Although it’s not the only thing, one huge differentiator between regular car trips and RV travels is having your very own furniture.
Obviously, it’s convenient not to have to worry about booking hotels ahead of time… but there’s also something comforting about having your own bed, couch, and dining table. When you’re done with a long day of driving, you know exactly what to expect when you sink back onto your sofa or mattress. You can learn your way around your rig so well you don’t have to turn on the lights when you get up for a snack in the middle of the night.
But as comforting as having your own interior features can be, if you’ve had your rig for a while (or recently purchased a new-to-you, but pre-owned, vehicle), it might be time for some RV furniture upgrades.
Depending on how involved you want to get, you could have a pretty serious project ahead of you! When you start to think seriously about all the different furniture items in your RV, you realize exactly how much there is. You’ve got:
- RV bedroom furniture
- RV dinette furniture
- RV chairs & recliners
- RV sectional sofas
- RV hide-a-bed sleeper sofas or couches with pull-out beds
Depending on the unique setup of your rig, you might have even more furniture — and there are other items to consider, such as window treatments, cabinetry, and carpet.
But although it seems like a lot, there’s no need to be overwhelmed! We’re going to help you find out where to buy new RV furniture… and also give you some simple DIY tips if you’re looking to renovate your RV while staying thrifty.
Where Can I Buy Furniture for My RV?
Does the very idea of reupholstering something make you nervous? Have you never even touched a needle and thread, let alone a sewing machine?
DIY RV furniture renovation isn’t actually all that difficult, we promise. But before we get to that, let’s talk about the simpler option: Just purchasing new pieces. After all, in some cases, a new seat cover won’t do the job.
Where should you go if you just want to buy affordable RV furniture from someone else and have done with it?
There are actually lots of places you can purchase RV furniture, from big RV stores and camping shops (like Camping World) to smaller, privately-owned companies that specialize in RV furniture. Depending on where you live, you might even have one of these outlets near you, so it’s a good idea to run a search for RV furniture for sale in your area.
Of course, otherwise, it’s always possible to order RV furniture online, either from these sorts of vendors or even on sites like eBay. You can also have RV furniture custom-made to fit your needs, although this option can be expensive.
High Quality RV Furniture
If you’re going to buy new RV furniture, you likely want to ensure you find the very best deal possible while still acquiring a high-quality piece. After all, new furniture isn’t a small investment… so you want to make sure it lasts for a while!
So although they’re not always the least expensive options you have, it’s a good idea to go with a high-quality, reputable brand — like sofa beds from Flexsteel or recliners from Lambright Comfort Chairs. Many RV-specific vendors sell these kinds of brand names, which can be difficult for the consumer to purchase directly from the manufacturer.
If you have a custom-built RV or are outfitting a box truck or vintage bus, you can also look into “regular” furniture. Just ensure that anything you install in your RV’s interior is well-grounded and secured so it won’t move when you’re driving!
Luxury RV Furniture
Although buying the most luxurious fixtures for your RV might seem like a smart idea, keep in mind that “RV” stands for recreational vehicle — and vehicles depreciate, even if an RV’s cost is closer to a house than a car! You want to avoid spending too much money on an investment you’re unlikely to ever see any return for.
That said, you also want to make sure your rig is comfortable and well-appointed for your trip, and that you’re happy with the furniture you acquire. It’s all about finding balance!
So — want to give your RV’s interior a shine-up without forking out a huge hunk of cash? Here are some ideas for DIY RV furniture renovations. (We promise it isn’t as scary as it sounds!)
RV Furniture Ideas
Want to make your retro or vintage RV furniture look brand new?
When it comes to your sofa or dinette cushions, it could be as simple as doing a quick re-upholstery. And although that might seem like a big deal, it’s actually really simple… in many cases, you don’t even need to sew!
Here are a few tutorials for reupholstering your RV furniture:
- Easy RV Camper Cushion Covers
- How to Upholster WITHOUT Sewing (not RV specific, but it’ll still show you how it’s done!
If you’re really adventurous, you could even build your own RV furniture from scratch. Check out this homemade RV dinette set. These people even built their own conversion sofa!
There are also lots of other easy, DIY ways to make your RV feel spic and span. For instance, you could re-cover your RV’s window valances… or even just try out these cool storage solutions. Getting everything tidy can really make your space seem new again!
And don’t forget — if you really need extra sleeping space for a trip, you can always invest in an air mattress. No, it might not be the best-looking solution in the world… but once you’re done using it, you can simply deflate it and store it until next time. Easy as can be!
Enjoy your new — or renovated — RV furniture… but remember, you didn’t go camping to stare at your RV’s four walls. As comfy as that luxurious couch might be, make sure you get up and go outside! That’s why we camp in the first place, right?
