“Honestly, the nice part of living the RV life is that home is always where you are.”
This is a quote from a fictional character in Lisa Sampson’s book, “Finding Hollywood Nobody,” but it aptly summarizes the real-life feelings of many RV enthusiasts. A Class A RV or other RV is your home on wheels. Whether you use an RV for long vacations or you’ve adopted full-time RV living, one thing is for certain: you spend a lot of time inside your motorhome. Because of this, you need it to be comfortable and organized in order to best enjoy your time there.
With an RV, you don’t have to shell out a lot of cash for hotel stays. The RV lifestyle is about doing more with less; more adventure with a lower budget, and more storage with less space. But before your Class B RV or other RV can take you places, you need to optimize your storage. Fortunately, this can be done on a budget with DIY space solutions.
Here are some useful DIY storage hacks for your RV. You might want to bookmark this page for later reference.
1. Shipping Pallet Rack
This is a true DIY project that can help you save cabinet space. Upcycle a wooden pallet into a rack that you can hang on the side of a cabinet. Secure this in place with nails.
Such racks can help you create vertical space in your RV. Fashion a wooden rod underneath for your kitchen towel, foil, or cling wrap. You can also store your cooking spices in this kind of rack. This is a super versatile DIY solution that can be used for many purposes around your RV.
2. PVC Pipe Organizers
PVC pipes can solve storage issues that you never even realized you had. These pipes are available in different sizes and can be used to create organizers for both big and small items.
These organizers will make it easier for you to use the vertical space in your RV. The best part is that these pipes are available in different colors, which means you can color code your storage. This will make it easier to find items when you need them.
Cutting the pipes at an angle will help you screw them to the sides of a wall, cabinet, or door. PVC pipes can also be cut and added inside drawers, to help you organize and store smaller items more efficiently. This will help solve the problem of things sliding around in your drawers when the RV is moving.
With PVC pipes, you can basically create and add modules to your storage wherever required. If you know what a sectional home is, this space hack works on the same concept.
3. Repurpose Pillow Covers
You’ve heard of using plastic vacuum-sealed bags to pack away clothing for long periods of time. However, there’s an eco-friendly alternative that you can use instead. Pillow covers! You can then use these ‘pillows’ as padding in the cabinets so things don’t get shuffled around on-to-go.
4. Create Extra Storage With Pegboards
With some S-hooks and other upcycled materials (like denim), you can come up with creative ways to maximize space in your RV. If you’re worried about things falling out of the pockets you create, add some buttons or zips. There are numerous methods to secure things in place.
5. DIY Coat Racks
You can find and use vintage door knobs or old faucet handles to make coat racks. These racks/hangers can be used for much more than just hanging coats. You can also hang backpacks, keys, hats, scarves, and more.
6. Dollar Store Solutions
The dollar store has several items that can help you make the best possible use of the available space in your RV. You can pick up bungee cords, tension rods, suction cup hooks, command hooks, S hooks, command strips, magnetic strips, wire racks, over-the-door hangers, and door shoe organizers at your local dollar store. These items are indispensable in an RV. You can use them alone or in combination around your RV. Get crafty and brainstorm some innovative ways you can DIY storage space solutions in your RV with these items.
These DIY storage solutions can not only transform the appearance of your space by making it more organized, but they also make your fifth wheel or other RV more cozy and warm. Be proud of how well you’ve organized your RV while also showing off your creativity and craftsmanship. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
By Kevin Fagan, Editor, Next Modular