Coming up with efficient and creative storage solutions in a campervan is essential to maximize the use of space and keep your belongings organized. Space comes at a premium in a small to midsize campervan such as a VW Transporter or a Ford Transit and having to hunt around for your gear can be time consuming and frustrating. Here are some creative storage ideas for a campervan to make sure that everything you need can be close at hand when you need it:
Under-Bed Storage: Utilize the space under your bed for storage. You can install a bed with built in storage or build drawers or slide-out storage containers and this is probably the best place for clothes. Organise your clothes so that the things you need frequently are closest to hand.
Hanging Storage: Install hanging storage solutions on the back of seats or inside cabinet doors (hooks!). These can hold items like shoes, toiletries or kitchen utensils.
Overhead Cabinets: Install overhead cabinets above the bed or seating area. These would be best used to store clothing, books or other lightweight items if they’re above head height, to avoid any potential accidents.
Shelves: Use adjustable shelves to make the most of vertical space in cabinets. The shelves can be moved depending upon the size of the items stored. These are great for organizing dishes, cookware or food items.
Magnetic Strips: Attaching magnetic strips to the inside of cabinet doors is a brilliant idea for maximising storage space use. They can be used to hold steel items such as cutlery, scissors or spice containers.
Pegboard: Hang a pegboard on a side wall or the inside of a cabinet door. These are ideal for hanging and organizing tools or utensils.
Sliding Baskets: Add sliding wire baskets under the sink or inside cabinets to keep items such as cleaning supplies, toiletries or food stuffs such as fruits and vegetables, organized.
Bungee Cord Netting: Stretch bungee cords across a section of the van to create a net for storing bulky items like backpacks, jackets or sports equipment.
Fold-Down Or Collapsible Table: Install a fold-down table that can be used as a workspace or dining area and neatly stored in a small space when not in use to provide extra room in your campervan.
Hidden Compartments: Create hidden, perhaps lockable, compartments under the floor or inside seating areas for storing valuables such as watches or jewellery, or important items that you want to keep out of sight such as passports or other documentation.
Movable Storage: Use collapsible storage bins or crates that can be easily moved around to accommodate changing storage needs.
Curtain Pockets: Sew pockets onto curtains for storing small items like reading glasses, notebooks or torches.
Cubbyhole Bed Frame: Build a bed frame with cubbyholes underneath for shoes, blankets or smaller items of camping gear.
Pull-Out Pantry: Create a pull-out pantry in the kitchen area to store dry goods, spices and cooking utensils.
Multi-Purpose Furniture: Invest in multi-functional furniture, such as a bed that will convert into a sofa, or a table that can be flipped and used for both dining and working.
Roof Storage: Install a roof rack or roof storage container for items like surfboards, kayaks, or camping equipment that you don’t need to access daily, but which can be easily removed if your campervan has a pop-top roof.
Folding Furniture: Consider folding chairs and tables that can be stowed away when not in use.
Vacuum Storage Bags: Vacuum-sealed storage bags to compress clothing and bedding are an amazing, and very simple way, to save space.
Mason Jar Storage: Attach mason jars under cabinets or on a wooden board, to store small items like spices, dried fruit and nuts or utensils.
Bike Rack: Whether you have bicycles or not, install a bike rack on the back of your campervan to free up interior space. You can use it to carry all sorts of things such as camping tables or other large items that will pack down reasonably flat.
The key to successful campervan storage is staying organized and minimizing clutter. Plan your storage solutions to suit your specific needs and make the most of the available space.