You can completely revamp your old camper to breathe new life into it. Whether changing the decor, introducing new lighting, or renovating it with new equipment, I’m here to give you my best ideas for your old camper remodel job, turning it from dated and boring to new and exciting. Once you have finished, you’re sure to feel fresh and rejuvenated.
As someone who has spent many years camping, I have done my fair share of revamping and remodeling my trailers. Besides keeping things fresh and exciting, an old RV remodel also helps to prevent the buildup of mildew, dust, and other pathogens that can accumulate in a living space and present a health hazard.
My guide presents detailed but straightforward ideas for renovating your camper. I’ll also dig into some frequently asked questions about the topic towards the end. So without further ado, let’s get started!
Top 5 Old Camper Remodel Ideas
I’m brimming with ideas to share with you about how you can transform your camper. I hope that by the time you reach the end, you will appreciate that any space holds great potential for improvement. Here are my top 5 camper remodeling ideas:
Let There Be Light
Extra light sources in your vintage camper can make a difference between night and day. Whether you plan on adding interior lights to your trailer or upgrading the ones you already have, this is one way to revamp your camper to transform its look and feel.
You can try a whole host of different options when it comes to artificial interior lighting, like:
- LED lights: According to Energy.gov, the US consumer resource for saving energy and using renewable energy sources, LED lighting is highly energy efficient, using at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting while lasting up to 25 times longer. They are much cooler than incandescent lights, dramatically reducing the risk of overheating and fires.
- Fairy lights: Fairy lights are small colored electric lights you can use for decoration. They are arranged as a string of lights and can be hung from walls and ceilings to create an enchanting effect. While fairy lights were predominantly incandescent in the past, there are plenty of options for LED fairy lights in the market today.
- Ring lights: Ring lights are circular focus lights that are a good choice for lighting specific areas of your camper. They create a good effect for highlighting ornaments, illuminating dark spaces, and more. They often have different settings that allow them to light up in patterns or as a strobe.
Increase Natural Light
If you’re looking for a solution for your old camper remodel that includes natural light, you can even go to your local hardware store and look for fixable windows. These frames can be easily mounted onto the walls of your RV to let in more natural light that can have a host of aesthetic and health benefits.
According to North Carolina State University (NCSU), natural light boosts vitamin D, improves mood, regulates sleep, and much more. Conversely, a lack of natural lighting in your day-to-day life leads to multiple health problems, including poor sleep, low mood, and depression.
Melatonin is the hormone the brain releases in response to natural light that regulates sleep and mood. Without proper exposure to natural light, your melatonin levels can be suboptimal, leading to many consequences that can negatively impact your sleep, including dementia, irritability, and even cancer.
Once you have installed your new windows in your vintage RV, you should already be letting in a lot more natural light, creating a much more pleasant ambiance. The next step is to find some elegant drapes or curtains, which is an excellent opportunity to customize the interior of your camper. With a good imagination, creativity, and a little effort, you can completely revamp your camper experience with this tip.
The Power Of Paint
More likely than not, your vintage camper could do with a new paint job. I repaint my caper at least every 3-4 years. By doing this, I cannot only refresh the entire interior of my camper but also reseal any cracks or openings that can invariably develop over time. This helps protect you better from moisture and mildew, which is not only unsafe but also draws away from the aesthetic of your camper.
When revamping your RV’s paint job, keep in mind the rule of three. This implies that you use a dark, light, and a third, more neutral color. This is more likely to look aesthetically pleasing, as it pleasantly eases the eye to absorb all the different colors without being too jarring or looking out of place.
When choosing the color for the interior of your camper, it helps to be as creative as possible. This is your chance to use your imagination to create the surrounding you will feel comfortable and relaxed in. Mix it up by mounting shelves and displaying exciting items on a theme wall.
Here’s a short video that illustrates the difference a new paint job for your camper can make:
With a new paint job on your camper, you’re more likely to feel pleasant and refreshed while camping and traveling. Not only that, but I found the experience of applying a fresh coat of paint on my camper quite therapeutic!
Multifunctional Marvels
Compared to a house, remodeling a camper can be limited in space. That’s why every inch matters. When remodeling your trailer, making the best out of every inch of space is crucial. This is where multifunctional furniture comes in.
Multifunctional furniture is furniture that you can use for multiple purposes. For example, a couch that can double as a bed and a table can fold into the wall to create more space.
Flooring Transformation
Some of the best options for an old trailer remodel when it comes to flooring are vinyl planks or easy-to-clean tiles. When looking for the best material to suit your needs, it’s safest to go with one of these options because they require minimal maintenance and can last for years, precisely what we want when we’re busy having fun in the great outdoors.
Personal Touches
One of the things that can make the most significant difference in the look and feel of your RV is the personalization you can do with your interiors. Even if you went through the trouble to purchase expensive lighting and fixtures and remodel your floor, you could still be left with a lackluster result if the space feels lifeless and impersonal.
When renovating your camper, don’t just replace old and outdated items; consider how to make the space your own. Color combinations and themes that you like can help project your personality into your living space. You want the interior to tell a story to your guests when they walk in, and you want it to reflect your lifestyle and who you are.
While looking into different color palettes for the interior of your RV, the choices are virtually endless. If you don’t know where to start, the Hearst UK-owned home magazine HouseBeautiful.com has produced an excellent article that dives deep into each room’s best color. By carefully choosing the right colors for each area of your RV, you can successfully create a mood that enhances your interiors and uplifts the energy of the surroundings.
If you want something less conventional and bold, try Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2023, Viva Magenta. It’s a shade that is hard to miss and would make a perfect feature wall or way to highlight chosen areas of your camper.
To take this a step further, hanging paintings, photographs, or placing ornaments around the interior of your camper can be a great way to personalize it and make it a place that you and your loved ones will enjoy being in.
Additionally, one of the best things you can do to revamp the look of your camper is to reduce clutter and keep away items you don’t use every day. This is where shelves and storage space can be handy, as it keeps unnecessary things out of view, creating a much cleaner and more aesthetic look.
Conclusion
Congratulations! Using these top remodeling ideas and a dash of DIY magic, you can convert your outmoded RV into a fashionable and cozy home on wheels.
With new lights, multifunctional furniture, a new paint job, flooring, and some personalization, you can get a new look and feel for your vintage camper in no time. Once you’re finished, you will have a great place to live, camp, and work and an excellent place to entertain guests and have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some popular ideas for a diy old camper remodel?
Some of my most popular ideas for remodeling an old camper are new lighting, replacing old fixtures, and introducing multifunctional furniture.
How much does it typically cost to remodel an old camper?
Depending on the complexity of the remodel you are looking for, a typical camper renovation can run you a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Lights and wallpapers can be competitively inexpensive, while the most expensive items include bathroom fixtures and furniture.
What are the essential steps to consider when remodeling an old camper?
The steps you want to focus on include planning your layout, repairing structural issues, and assessing damages.
Are any specific tools or materials required for an old camper remodel?
Yes! For your camper remodel, you will need tools like a screwdriver, tape measure, brushes, power tools, adhesive, and any furniture you want to install.
