Every home needs a little sprucing up every once in a while — yes, even our little homes-on-wheels. Fortunately, there are tons of awesome RV renovation options out there, and some of them can be done by any handy person with the right tools and a bit of time.
Read on to discover some of our favorite DIY RV renovation ideas so you can make your camper look as good as new.
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Paint Everything
It’s amazing what paint can do for a space. Painting the walls or cabinets in your RV is an excellent way to spruce things up and add a little color and personality without breaking the bank.
It should be noted that while painting is definitely a DIY RV remodel project, it is rather time consuming, as you really have to sand and prime every single surface well in order to make sure the paint sticks properly.
Be sure to use the following steps for a paint job that stays put:
- Remove any window coverings and nearby outlet and light switch covers. Put down painters plastic to protect the flooring.
- Use a heat gun and acetone to carefully remove any wallpaper border.
- Patch any screw holes by shaving off the raised part with a razor and filling the hole with wood filler.
- Prep by cleaning every surface with TSP that will be painted later.
- Tape off edges and corners to avoid painting surfaces accidentally.
- Use a bonding primer to primer the surface well.
- Paint over the primer, using at least two coats and allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.
- Once everything is dry, remove the tape and replace outlet covers, light switch covers, and window coverings.
- Enjoy the new look of your space!
Upgrade the Flooring
If you have an older RV, chances are the flooring is looking pretty tired and likely pretty outdated. Fortunately, you can change that by replacing the flooring with something a bit more modern.
Like painting, replacing RV flooring is a big RV remodel project. That said, it is totally doable even if your DIY skills are limited. We recommend using floating vinyl plank, which is very easy to lay down once you have the furniture and old flooring removed.
This video is a good example of how an RV floor replacement goes.
Replace the Furniture
Is the couch in your rig looking a little worn out? Is the dinette wobbly and uncomfortable to sit at? You could of course simply cover worn cushions with stretchy covers or by reupholstering them. However, if you have the funds available, we recommend replacing the furniture entirely for a fresh, new look.
Unless you plan to use a seatbelt with the piece in question, it is possible to replace RV furniture with regular household furniture from anywhere. If you do plan to buckle up while sitting at your couch, it’s probably best to order an actual RV couch from somewhere like Flexsteel.
When replacing RV furniture, make sure to keep the following things in mind:
- Size – Make sure to measure your space before you start shopping.
- Weight – The carrying capacity of your RV matters. Try to pick lightweight furniture to avoid going over this capacity.
- Door Size – Fitting assembled furniture through an RV door is sometimes impossible. Look for disassembled pieces that can be assembled inside the RV instead.
- Multi-Functional – Obviously you want your couch to function as a couch, but it’s even better if it can also serve as a bed or as storage. Look for multi-functional pieces.
- Anchor Everything – Remember that every piece of furniture you put in the RV will need to be bolted to the floor (“L” brackets work well) in order to keep everything in place during travel.
Change the Window Coverings
Even something as simple as removing the ugly RV window valances and adding curtains instead can make a huge difference in how your RV looks and feels. Removing valances is as easy as removing a few screws, and hanging curtains only requires adding a couple of screws. Should be an easy enough job!
Switch up the Lighting
RV lighting fixtures don’t tend to be very pretty. In fact, most are nothing more than plastic ovals. Why not add in a cool light fixture or two to spice things up in your tiny space? You do not have to use an RV-specific light fixture, so you can get creative with it. Just make sure you don’t choose anything too fragile or heavy.
The video below will help walk you through the process of changing an RV light fixture.
Try New Cabinet Hardware
A super simple way to brighten up the look of your kitchen is to add some new cabinet hardware and drawer pulls into the mix. Older RVs often come with cheap-looking hardware that just doesn’t look good. It’s very, very easy to remove this old hardware and twist some new hardware into place, changing the feel of the place entirely.
Add Backsplashes
Another quick and easy RV renovation idea that absolutely anyone can do and will make a huge difference? Adding backsplashes in the kitchen and bathroom.
A backsplash is the perfect way to break up the monotonous beige RV walls, and it makes cleaning food and toothpaste splatters a whole lot easier. We like using colorful backsplashes in RVs in order to add something bright to the space, but you can use whatever you like best.
The trick to making this an easy job is to buy peel-and-stick tile. This stuff can be cut to size with scissors and applied like a sticker. Surprisingly, it stays in place quite nicely, so you won’t have to worry about it falling off. For a finished look, add a peel-and-stick trim as well.
Replace the Countertops
It’s a pretty well-known fact that RV countertops don’t hold up very well. Many are made with particle board, meaning if they get wet regularly, they’re bound to start swelling. Besides all that, old RV countertops are usually out of fashion.
Replacing your RV countertops with something that will 1) hold up for a long time and 2) give the rig a more modern look is a great way to add to your RV renovation. However, many products are very heavy, expensive, or require minimum orders that you will never meet when remodeling an RV.
The thing many RVers have found works best? Wood! The video below gives step-by-step instructions on how to replace your old countertops with beautiful wood.
Replace Sinks and Faucets
While you’re replacing kitchen and bathroom counters, you might as well replace the old plastic sinks and ugly faucets.
Depending on the size of your counter, you might be able to get away with using residential sinks in your RV. If a smaller-than-average sink is required, you may have to look at RV-specific sinks, but should still be able to find something better than what the factory put in.
Replacing the sink faucets and bathroom shower head and faucet can also make a huge difference, making this a great DIY RV renovation project. Generally, you do not have to shop for RV-specific faucets. Instead, you can use any residential faucet that you love and will fit the space.
Cost of RV Renovation
Of course, you will want to consider the cost of the RV renovation you plan to do before you dive in. Because RVs depreciate in value over time, throwing a lot of money into an older RV is not always a good financial decision.
The good news is that you can give your entire RV a pretty major makeover without spending a ton, but that will mean budgeting carefully and picking and choosing which things you update.
Some of the best ways to save money include:
- Doing It Yourself – A professional RV remodel is going to be expensive. A DIY RV remodel is much more affordable and can even be fun.
- Using Remnants – RVs are small, meaning you need less of pretty much everything. Using somebody’s leftovers can save a lot of money.
- Choosing Projects Carefully – Some projects will be a lot more expensive than others. On top of that, some projects will make a bigger difference in the overall look of the RV than others. If you’re strapped for cash, choose projects that will make a big difference without costing an arm and a leg.
As you can see, there are lots of amazing DIY RV remodel options out there. Why not pick a couple that will make your tiny-home-on-wheels look amazing and then dive in? If you work hard, you can have everything looking spiffy before your next trip out!
