Tips for Making your Rental RV a Temporary Home

By Megan Buemi
How To Guides and Hacks

For many campers, decorating the inside of your RV is almost as exciting as the actual traveling part. After all, it’s not called a mobile home for nothing. Part of the appeal of RV camping is that you get to create your own personalized private oasis on wheels!

But if you don’t have a rig of your very own and you’re not quite ready to head out and buy one, you might think you’ll be forced to miss out on the decorating fun. Major interior design elements and even accessories like towels, sheets, and dishware are likely already chosen for you, making it a little bit more difficult to customize.

If you get a little creative, however, it’s still possible to transform your rental RV into your private paradise — even if it’s only temporary!

Here are some unique travel trailer and RV decorating ideas for your next journey in a rental.

Camper Decor Ideas

When you’re decorating an RV you’ll have to return in a week or so, it’s all about finding easy, affordable ways to transform the interior from stale to snug in a flash. Even if it’s only for a few days, you want to make your space your own so you can fully enjoy your vacation!

So instead of focusing on major interior design changes, like re-covering the couch or mounting artwork and family photos on your RV’s walls, you can achieve optimum coziness by adding in small, homey touches that you’ll still find useful once your vacation is over.

For example, a favorite blanket or a set of trendy throw pillows will make your RV couch much more inviting, and can easily be repurposed and reused once you get home. (You can even find fun matching sets, or mix and match — there are so many options out there, so you can find great camper decorations no matter your taste and style!)

And don’t underestimate the power of scent: a simple candle or incense set can create a tranquil and cozy atmosphere even in an otherwise sterile camper.

We especially love the products made by “Homesick” candles, which create a scent profile of each state — for example, the Florida candle smells of “warm white sand beaches mixed with a touch of Florida orange,” while the Texas candle has the scent of “ruby red grapefruits and a hint of leather.” These candles are a perfect way to bring a little touch of home along no matter where your adventure takes you!

A kid climbing into an RV bunk

Camper Decorating Themes

Another way to approach your camper decorating extravaganza is to choose an overarching theme and purchase (or create!) a few relevant pieces. That way, you can make your rig have a specific atmosphere and feel even though you didn’t get the opportunity to customize its interior.

From retro to shabby chic, here are a few cute camper decor ideas.

1. The Country Camper

The perfect blend of rustic Americana for seeing the country at your own speed, decorating your rig to remind you of the wide-open west can be as simple as a well-placed cowboy hat and or an American flag. (Check out this neat piece of artwork featuring the stars and stripes, as well!)

If you want to get really fancy, check out this Texas Star throw rug. You can easily use it at home once you’re done with your vacation.

2. The Beach Mobile

Can’t wait to get to the coast? Make the inside of your rig match your relaxed, beachy attitude with nautical decor, from netting that’s easy to hang from your exterior awning to seaglass and driftwood wind chimes. You’ll be feeling like you’ve spent a beach day well before you get actual sand between your toes!

3. Bohemian Rhapsody

You already know you’ve got a wandering spirit, so why shouldn’t your decor match — especially since this RV is what you’re wandering in right now?

This cozy bohemian throw blanket will keep you warm no matter where the road takes you, or you could hang this beautiful feather decoration in a window to remind yourself that life is all about taking flight.

4. Antique Road(trip) Show

You don’t have to be traveling in a vintage trailer to play up the rustic, shabby-chic glam look of the past. Some shaggy pillows or even just some well-placed kitchen decor will bring back the good old days in no time.

5. The Cozy Camper

It’s called a motorhome, not a motorhouse… so make it feel cozy and welcoming.

A simple sign reminding you that, no matter where you are, home is where the heart is or just some nice soft throw pillows, a good book, and your favorite mug for coffee or hot cocoa make any camper a great place to cuddle up.

DIY Camper Decor

Although it’s a lot of fun to load up on great RV decorating accessories, you may quickly start to notice it eating into your travel budget. Home and kitchen decor items aren’t cheap!

But luckily, there are lots of DIY decor projects that are both affordable and fun to take on… and they’ll help make your rental rig feel more like home in no time.

DIY camper decor can be as simple as taking an object you love from home and placing it on display in your RV. Or, if you want to spend more time and energy on a project, you could try making a DIY rug or throw pillow. There are plenty of great ideas out there — it’s a really easy way to lose several hours browsing Pinterest!

How to Decorate a Camper

Hopefully, this post has shown you that decorating a camper doesn’t have to feel impossible or unaffordable — and in fact, it can actually be one of the most exciting parts of your vacation. Plus, by decorating your rental vehicles, you’ll have lots of practice when it finally comes time to decorate your very own RV.

Because, let’s be honest… if you’re drawn to nesting while you vacation, you’re going to be doing this camping thing for the long haul. It’s the perfect combination of hominess and wanderlust!

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