RV Decorating Ideas to Make It Feel Like Home

Regardless of whether you plan on living in your RV full-time or you just plan to take extended semiannual trips, you want to make your home on wheels feel as comfortable and accommodating as possible.

Creating a comfortable, peaceful, and cozy environment in your RV can help you feel more relaxed and less anxious—which is particularly important when you’re adjusting to the ever-changing surroundings associated with RV living.

However, recreating the comfortable and peaceful environment of a home in your RV isn’t as easy as it sounds. This guide aims to provide you with actionable ideas, tips, and tricks that will help you decorate and equip your recreational vehicle to make it feel just like home.

Tips Before Deciding How to Decorate

While RVs are all about the function and the most efficient use of the already limited space, it doesn’t mean that you should forsake the form. With a structured approach, you can have both the form and the function when it comes to decorations.

Here’s what we mean: 

Assess Available Space

RVs come in different sizes, and each model has its own unique layout, underscoring the importance of assessing your space. The best way to do this is to take measurements and note down different areas where you can add décor or furniture.

This will help you understand the amount of available space you have to work with, allowing you to make informed decisions on what items you can bring into your RV without having to sacrifice functionality for the sake of form. Knowing your space available to you will open up a wide range of decorating and storage ideas, for example.

Identify Functional Areas

The functional areas within your RV are those areas that serve a specific purpose, such as sleeping, cooking, dining, and lounging. Identifying and defining these areas can help you identify practical solutions that could increase the efficiency of your limited space—regardless of how spacious the RV might be.

Choose a Color Scheme

Color affects our perception, physical and emotional, so adding pops of color on your RV walls, fixtures, kitchen, and outside will go a long way toward making your RV feel like home. Light colors can make small spaces feel larger, while darker tones add to the feeling of comfort and coziness. However, consistency is key, so regardless of what color scheme you choose, make sure that it’s used consistently throughout the vehicle’s interior.

Don’t Forget About Lighting and Brightness

Lighting complements colors. Natural light is ideal, mainly because it doesn’t affect color rendering (the way we perceive color), so it’s a good idea to keep the windows unobstructed. You can use transparent curtains to maintain privacy while still allowing natural light in.

However, you need artificial lighting for all your nighttime activities. Using color temperature-adjustable LED lighting is the best and healthiest option. Opt for daylight color temperature when you need plenty of light and for warm yellow before going to bed—the latter mimics the natural light during sunset, so it won’t adversely impact your circadian rhythm.

Prioritize Storage

As previously stated, RVs have limited storage space, so it’s really important to consider how to store all your belongings. While most manufacturers equip their RVs with furniture that often has built-in storage, the limited space that’s still unused can be further optimized for storage.

This is where getting the sense and the measurements of your space comes into play; you can buy and use under-bed storage, hanging organizers, command hooks, and stackable bind to maximize available storage and keep the rest of your space looking tidy.

Decorating Ideas for Any RV

Now that we’ve provided you with some foundational tips, tricks, and knowledge to help you decorate your RV and turn it into a real home, let’s take a look at the actual decoration ideas.

Always Add Splashes of Color Where You Can

Adding splashes of color, especially contrasting bold colors, can add more personality to your interior. There’s really no need to re-paint anything; simply add colorful throw pillows, blankets, artwork, peel-and-stick wallpaper, or other decorative items.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors are often used to make small spaces feel larger and more open, and they also allow for interesting lighting management—since they reflect light. Besides that, mirrors are also quite functional. You can make your RV feel more spacious by simply adding a large mirror near the entryway or somewhere in the living area. 

Air Plants and Artificial Plants to Add Some Green

Exposure to natural green environments is known to provide a relaxing effect. While you can’t bring the entirety of a grassy field inside your RV, you can add bits of nature to make your interior design more relaxing and inviting.

Air plants, or even artificial plants, are perfect for this purpose, as they don’t actually require much maintenance. On top of that, these plants aren’t as sensitive and are more than capable of withstanding the bumps of travel. You can easily place them on shelves and countertops.

Display Souvenirs

Showcase the adventures of your travels by displaying the souvenirs and keepsakes you acquired. Regardless of whether it’s a collection of postcards, small trinkets—fridge magnets are great for this purpose—or photos from all the places you’ve visited, these souvenirs tell a story and add a personal touch that makes your RV feel like a true home.

Hang Pictures and Photos

Wall art, such as pictures, family photos, and paintings, can enhance the interior space of your RV and make it feel more like home. It’s best if you use lightweight and durable frames in combination with adhesive strips. This avoids having to drill or nail into the walls of your vehicle to hang any artwork.

Pain Mural or Add Wallpaper

Additionally, consider painting a mural on one of the walls of your RV since it’s a great way of adding a focal point to your RV. However, it’s much more practical to use peel-and-stick wallpapers, as they’re easily tailored, cut, and adhered to the interior walls of your vehicle.

Find Ways to Add Counter Spaces

Counter space inside recreational vehicles is also quite limited. However, there are still ways to expand it, such as using over-the-sink cutting boards, foldable countertop extensions, or even portable kitchen islands. This would allow you to create more workspace and keep your RV organized. It also helps you avoid using the RV’s seating area dining table for meal prep.

Install Fall-Proof Shelves

Installing fall-proof shelving is a great way to maximize storage without sacrificing safety. These shelves have raised edges or come with containers that rely on magnets to secure them in place. This keeps various items from sliding off the shelf while you’re on the road. Besides storing cooking ingredients, these shelves can also be used to store books, decorative items, and even kitchen essentials in kitchen cabinets.

Bring Nice Dinnerware

Having nice dinnerware can make the meals you prepare and eat in your RV more enjoyable. However, road environments and ceramics don’t mix well; one sharp turn can lead to massive damage and even personal injury.

Melamine and plastic are much better at handling road bumps and sharp turns, and they’re less likely to break upon impact. There’s a variety of different models, and some even come with lids that feature a one-way valve, allowing you to vacuum your leftovers and prolong their fridge life.

Set Up a Coffee Station

A great cup of coffee can jumpstart your day, and if you’re traveling with other family members who enjoy this magic brew, having a dedicated coffee station isn’t just practical, but it also adds a touch of luxury to your RV.

You can set up a coffee maker, mugs, and supplies in a small corner of your kitchen or dining area, taking previously mentioned factors into consideration. You can also add a few personal touches, like your favorite mug or the previously mentioned plant life.

Get Comfortable But Anti-Slip Rugs

Rugs are great since they can add warmth and comfort to any space, including an RV. However, given the space constrictions, it’s important to choose an anti-slip rug that adheres to the floor surface for added safety.

Look for rugs that have a non-slip backing, or simply add rug grippers to keep the rugs you have secured in place. Of course, choose the colors and patterns that complement your interior design.

Bring String or Fairy Lights for When Camping Under the Awning

Awnings are a fantastic way to create shade during the day, and they even help keep the inside of your RV cooler and more comfortable. However, they’re also great during the nighttime because you can use them to string lights or fairy lights, which will illuminate the outdoor space and create a cozy setting for you to enjoy.

Ready For An RV That Feels Like Home? Contact Southeast Financial For an RV Loan

Employing these decorating ideas will help you turn your RV into a true home on wheels, offering comfort and style wherever your travels take you. If you’re new to RVs and looking to purchase one, we at Southeast Financial can help you obtain an RV loan and make your dream of a home on wheels a reality. So, if you’re looking to buy an RV and need financing, don’t hesitate to contact Southeast Financial—we’ll offer competitive loans to make your dream of RV living a reality.