So you’ve had the same RV for the past 3 decades, or maybe you got a great deal on an older RV. Either way, you don’t want to drive your RV around the way it is. Time for some remodeling! Because RVing is supposed to be a great fun get-away vacation, you should feel confident and comfortable in your RV. These 35 clever tips will help you decide what you have the time and money to afford to remodel.
35 Clever RV Remodeling Tips:
- Replace the Dinette Table With a Table and Chairs
- Replace Dinette With TV Station
- Install Computer Desk/ Workstation
- Replace Worn-Out or Drab Carpet
- Install Vinyl Flooring in the Kitchen
- Remove Fold-Out Sofa
- Install Wainscoting/Paint/Wallpaper
- Install Curtains in Your Windows
- Reupholster Your Furniture
- And an Inverter for 110v Power Anywhere
- Update Your Plumbing
- Install Porcelain Point
- Replace Your Pantries
- Install Digital Thermostat
- Add Interior Fan
- Repaint Exterior
- Repaint Furniture
- Replace Tires
- Replace Your Battery
- Replace Your Windows
- Replace Entry Door
- Add Bigger Mirror Doors
- Add a Backup Camera
- Add A Solar Power System
- Install Washing Machine
- Add a Few Plants
- Add Mirrors
- Add Scented Candles or Incense Burner
- Install New Backsplash
- Add Pressure Head to RV Shower
- Replace RV Mattress
- Maximize Space in RV
- Replace or Fix Awning
- Add Exterior Entertainment
- Start Using a High-Tech RV GPS
One important thing to remember is to personalize your RV so that it most resembles you and your family’s camping style. The goal is to make the RV feel new, look new and most importantly make you feel at home!
1. Replace the Dinette Table With a Table and Chairs
Nothing can be more obnoxious or more telling of an RVs age than an old crusty dinette table. While there’s nothing wrong with having a nice place to sit and eat inside, often people would much rather have a welcoming table and chairs, as this is much more inviting than a dinette.
If you take out this dinette if you feel it’s dragging down the look you’re going for, often people will replace the dinette with a small table and chairs. With these, you can really creative and bring your taste into your RV.
Before deciding to be rid of the dinette be sure to know where you will store the things that were kept underneath the benches of the dinette.
If there is space elsewhere for these things, and you have a clear idea of what you want to put in the dinettes place, you’re ready to start replacing!
2. Replace Dinette With TV Station
Often when camping, I for one, always either eat outside or eat out at a restaurant. Needless to say, the dinette in my RV doesn’t get very much use. Many people relate to this, and so often dinettes are not replaced with another table and chairs, but rather something they will actually use, like a TV station.
In the dinette section, they’ll install an entertainment center with a TV and some cabinets. This is a good option as it provides a little piece of home to come back to at the end of a full packed day of adventure.
Also, the cabinets in the entertainment center help to replace some of the storage space that was lost from losing the dinette. Then with the couch, beds or other relaxation pieces of furniture, you have you own personal theater right in your RV.
3. Install Computer Desk/ Workstation
Another popular installment that people opt for is a computer desk/workstation. People often put this in place of a dinette, transform a dinette into a workstation, or if there is enough room in the RV have a workstation and a dinette! It all depends on personal preference and RV size.
This is a great option for anyone who will have any need to be working on a laptop while out on the road. This is great for travel bloggers, mobile businessmen, etc. Anyone who works remotely will find this be a lifesaver.
It’s actually such a popularly desired feature that most new RV’s have a workspace inside. Any of the older RVs don’t though of course which makes this a great remodel that can instantly make your RV look newer.
4. Replace Worn-Out or Drab Carpet
One of major things that defines a space is carpet/flooring. Any nicer or newer RV, room, building, etc. can be made to look drab if the carpet is old, ugly or just off.
When remodeling RV’s replacing carpet is often one of the first things that remodeled. Not only will nice carpet improve the interior by a landslide, but it also gives a great opportunity for the owner to personalize their RV.
While there are other options for flooring, most campers stick with carpet because it “is relatively quick to install [and] is cheaper overall” according to The Fun Times Guide.
This website also suggests that when looking for new carpet for your RV, look for a color that won’t show dirt, search for carpet that is low pile (easier to vacuum and clean) and look for carpet scraps as these are cheaper and most often will still cover the floor space of your RV.
5. Install Vinyl Flooring in the Kitchen
Again, with the flooring. It really is so powerful to have nice looking flooring! Especially with something that gets as much wear-and-tear as the kitchen floor gets.
With the constant cooking, food mess, and the many other things that happen to the vinyl flooring found in RV’s, replacing it is very important.
While this may sound like quite a feat, you can actually do it yourself! The best thing is that it isn’t that expensive! All that is required is some patience and some time.
According to Do It Yourself, there are eight simple steps to your new kitchen floor.
- Wash the Floor
- Remove all Portable Appliances
- Remove Existing Vinyl
- Remove Excess Adhesive
- Clean Surface
- Add Adhesive
- Apply New Laminate Flooring
- Clean
6. Remove Fold-Out Sofa
Same as the dinette, fold-out sofas are a love-hate object of the RV. Many people love having a fold-out sofa while others can’t stand it. If you decide that you’re not a fan of the fold-out couch, and you think you have enough space for a couch in the RV.
Some things to realize before deciding whether to rid of the fold-out:
- Often fold-out couches are hiding some nasty sites such as heavy wiring or uncovered floor. Be sure this isn’t the case, or that you can find a way to cover it after the fold-out is gone.
- Removing a fold-out will leave holes in the floor when you unbolt it. Be sure that if your new
couch isn’t going to cover the holes that you fill them. - Be sure to measure very carefully. Measure not only the potential space the couch will go but measure the doors and windows. It doesn’t matter how much room you have inside if you can’t get the couch into the RV!
7. Install Wainscoting/Paint/Wallpaper
Secondary to flooring, walls are the biggest concern when remodeling. The choice you make with your walls can either make an RV seem too small to stand
They hold a lot of power! There are three popular options for wall decor and those are wainscoting, paint,
Wainscoting (wall paneling) is a popular option. It is a classy look in any room or home, and that includes RVs. Panels come up about halfway up the wall, and make for a classy and home-like feeling.
This option is often combined with paint, as the wainscoting only covers half the wall. The other half of the wall is often painted. Back home we have a room that has white panel wainscot on the bottom half and is painted this perfect pastel yellow color on the top half.
It’s a great balance of color and white space, and it’s personally my favorite room in the house!
The other option is wallpapering. One thing to note, RV wallpaper is NOT the same as normal wallpaper. Often older RVs will even have wallpaper on it that was bonded to the plywood of the walls. No worries though, this can be painted or wallpapered over without concern.
People also often suggest to only wallpaper an accent wall, as this can bring some diversity and personality into the RV without overwhelming it, and making it feel smaller.
8. Install Curtains in Your Windows
Curtains is always a sure-fire way to make any place feel more home-like. My camper has curtains on all of the main windows, and it makes all the difference. Even when I was a kid, the first “remodel” I did to my tree house was I added curtains to the windows.
Not only is it a nice privacy feature, but you can add so much personality with curtains. There is no limit of fabric and patterns that can be used to make your RV feel like home. You can either by RV curtains or make them if you have the desire to. Making them isn’t hard, but rather just requires some patience.
Another nice thing is that whether you buy or make them, they’re going to be pretty darn cheap. Which makes it nice if you have to replace them if they get too much sun damage.
But, they protect the inside of your RV from sun damage, as well as keep the inside cool. There are so many benefits of RV curtains that it’s hard to imagine not wanting them!
9. Reupholster Your Furniture
So, maybe replacing all of your furniture just isn’t realistic. Well, even if you are keeping the fold-out couch or the dinette you still have an option that will help you make the RV feel completely new. That is you can reupholster your furniture!
Sometimes this can be more expensive, but it is still a popular option for those wanting to remodel, but want to keep the bones of their RV the same. You can look around for local upholstery shops that can reupholster your furniture.
10. An Inverter for 110v Power Anywhere
Adding an Inverter is very helpful for those who travel a lot, and often to places where there won’t be any full hookup sites that you’ll be able to connect to.
According to Road Trippers, “an inverter takes the 12VDC power from your RV’s batteries and converts it to 110VAC – the type of power you need to run almost every common appliance”.
11. Update Your Plumbing
This remodel tip isn’t only a great way to spruce up the RV, sometimes it’s a necessity! It’s a good idea to be checking up on your plumbing and making sure that everything is in tip-top shape.
This will prevent any plumbing disasters from occurring. It will also keep your RV looking, feeling and smelling brand new!
12. Install Porcelain Toilet
This is a great remodel to do when remodeling or updating the plumbing! You can do it all at once! This is sure to make your RV feel more home-like and keep it looking classy and new.
Porcelain toilets are usually only found in homes, so having one in your RV will bring your RV to that next level!
13. Replace Your Pantry
A pantry is most often the most used piece of furniture in an RV! Remodeling this is one sure way to make your RV feel and look a lot newer! While this is one of the more strenuous remodels, it is so worth it!
After emptying out the dry foods, cleaning out the pantry, removing it you are on your way to a better pantry.
This is great because its a good way to do inventory and find out what you have and what you need. But most importantly, once you remove the old pantry you can build one that fits your needs and your style to a tee.
14. Install Digital Thermostat
This is one clear and obvious way to remodel your RV to feel newer. With the older analog thermostats, they can be slow to kick in and inaccurate.
Switching over to a digital thermostat not only improves accuracy and efficiency but also immediately makes your RV feel newer.
15. Add Interior Fan
Any avid camper knows that airflow within an RV is very important. Anyone who has felt trapped in a hot, stuffy RV knows that airflow is crucial. Especially in the warmer months when the sun bakes the RV and the air has nowhere to go.
That’s why adding an interior fan will not only make the RV feel newer but also keep everything and everyone in the RV safe and happy.
16. Repaint Exterior
A good paint job can turn any old rust can into a lean-mean adventure machine. The outside of your RV is what sends a message out to the rest of the world.
When repainting the exterior, it is a great opportunity to class up your RV. You can paint it so that it looks brand new!
You can also paint so that it is protected against weather damage. It is suggested though that if it is a large RV that you have a professional paint it.
17. Repaint Furniture
While you’re repainting, you might as well repaint some of the furniture! If you are replacing your table, for example, you can paint it to match your RV. This one family painted their chairs white to match their RV. And they used chalk paint so that they didn’t have to sand and prime!
18. Replace Tires
Replacing tires is both essential and cosmetic. It is very dangerous to drive any car on bad wheels, but especially an RV. The law says that the tread on the tires has to be 2/32″. If it goes lower than this, you need to get new tires!
19. Replace Your Battery
Replacing your battery is another one of those remodels that will make your RV run newer, smoother and avoid any horrendous accidents. Batteries can run even when they’re running down.
That means that your battery could be on its way out and you wouldn’t even know. If your RV is older and you haven’t had your battery replaced recently it’s time to check under the hood!
If your battery is corroded, beat, or just looks off then it’s definitely time to throw it out and bring in a newer battery. A newer battery immediately makes for a newer RV.
20. Replace Your Windows
Replacing your windows can be a great way to spruce up your RV. Once the windows start getting scratched, old or worn not much can make it look newer until those windows are replaced!
For a windshield replacement, you’ll have to hire a professional, but the other windows can be replaced by you after a little research, time and patience!
Fun Times Guide offers a great guide to replacing the windows, so you’ll be sure to have a safe, comfortable and new-looking RV on your hands after your hard work.
21. Replace Entry Door
The entry door on a lot of older RV’s can get run down after running for so long. While replacing this door is quite easy, finding the correct door for your RV can be a lot harder. Especially if your RV is much older, and they aren’t being made anymore.
Do It Yourself offers a great step-by-step telling you exactly how to replace the door. In their instructions, they offer more detail, but the basic steps are to remove the old door, use putty tape, screw in bolts and check the door’s swing to make sure you did it correctly.
22. Add Bigger Mirrors
One big thing about keeping your RV looking new is keeping your RV safe! An RV isn’t going to look new if it’s bashed in on the side of the road.
One way to do this is to replace the side mirrors and rear-view mirrors with larger ones. Especially with such a large vehicle, it’s very important that the mirrors allow you to see as much as possible while driving.
23. Add a Backup Camera
Along with this note, something that will definitely make an RV look newer is if there is a backup camera installed. It also increases
It’s that extra bit of safety insurance that is great to have when driving around (or backing up) an RV! It will make it a breeze to get out of those tricky back-in spots at RV camps!
24. Add A Solar Power System
Solar powered systems are becoming more and more popular! Adding this system to your RV will benefit you in many ways. It’s great because it will make your RV look, feel and function like a new RV.
With solar power, you can truly take your RV anywhere! You aren’t tied down with electricity hookups, etc. It’s also great for the planet! Win-win!
25. Install Washing Machine
Many RV camps have laundromats and places to do laundry, but if you are going to be staying more in the backcountry, it is a great idea to have a washing machine inside the RV.
Installing a washing machine will help improve the lives of the campers as well as feeling new.
26. Add a Few Plants
Plants always add some life and joy in
27. Add Mirrors
One thing that is common with newer RV’s is that they larger than older ones. There is no better way to make somewhere feel larger than adding some mirrors. When placed in the right place, a mirror can double the size of an RV.
28. Add Scented Candles or Incense Burner
Nothing gives away an old vehicle like a splattering of different smells being infused into the walls. And nothing gives the sense of something being new than a fresh clean scent wafting through the light air.
Candles or incense burners will, of course, do the job greatly! While it’s important to stay very safe when using these things, nothing works harder at masking the age of something
29. Install New Backsplash
Installing a backsplash in either your bathroom or kitchen is a great way to class up the joint without spending too much time or effort. While it sounds difficult and expensive there are more affordable options.
Amazon gives some great options of tile-like substance sheets that do great in an RV.
30. Add Pressure Head to RV Shower
While many may already have a decent RV shower, but getting a pressure head for your RV shower will change the game! Depending on which one you get there are many crazy convenient options such as increased water pressure. personal customization and there are so many quick
While most RV parks have shower facilities, who likes showering in someone else’s shower? No one I know! That’s for sure! Also, this renovation makes it incredibly easy to go off the beaten path. You’ll still have your efficient and ready shower!
31. Replace RV Mattress
Nothing ruins a good camping experience than a sore back. Replacing the mattress in the RV will instantly make the place feel new. RV’s are notorious for having the worst mattresses known to man, especially older campers. Tossing the old and bringing in the new will instantly improve the quality of the RV.
32. Maximize Space in RV
Maximize the space in the RV by taking out what you don’t need and keeping or installing what you do. Often there are cabinets on shelves on more cabinets!
If there are some of these that you never use, and never think you will use, it makes such a difference just ripping them out using the space for something that you want!
33. Replace or Fix Awning
Although sometimes the awning is easy to forget, it is as important a component as the rest of them. It is both stylish and useful.
An awning also provides more space to the overall size of your camping area and it protects from too much sun coming in and fading the inside of the RV.
34. Add Exterior Entertainment
Something that is very popular in new RV’s is “outdoor entertainment”. There are many different things that you could include such has a tv area, portable grill, or a built-in-bar! It all depends on how much time do you want to i
35. Start Using a High-Tech RV GPS
Something that accompanies many new RV’s is a fancy new RVs have a high-tech GPS! They both look and function newer. You can drive safely on the highway or freeway without having to pull out a large stack of maps or a giant book. It is much safer and more efficient.
Related Questions
Can RV walls be painted? While the walls of RVs are more difficult to paint than regular walls (because they’re made of vinyl and wood veneer) they are still possible to paint! It just requires a bit more work. The veneer can make the surface really slippery while you’re trying to paint it. But all that is required is a couple of coats and a little bit of patience.
Can you wallpaper an RV? While wallpaper for an RV isn’t quite the same as wallpaper for a home, it is still a popular option for those who want to add some flair to their RVs. While old wallpaper may be difficult to get off the walls, many opt to simply cover the old stuff with the new. This way they can avoid hefty costs to have someone professionally do it.
