Camper Decorating: Creative Ways To Spruce Up Your Mobile Home

Decorating a camper is a fun and creative process, and there are many ways to make your camper feel like home. From simple changes to more complex renovations, you can customise your camper to reflect your unique style and personality. Whether you own a motorhome, travel trailer, or a fifth-wheel camper, there are numerous ways to give your mobile living space a makeover.

Add pops of colour

Adding pops of colour to your camper is a great way to make it feel clean, cozy, and inviting. This can be done in a variety of ways, from painting the walls to adding colourful accessories.

One way to add colour is to use vibrant rugs, throws, and patterned pillows. These items can be easily changed out and are a low-commitment way to bring colour into your space. You can also add colour by choosing colourful accessories when buying basics like blankets and towels. For example, a bright set of striped sheets can make your camper feel beachier and road-ready.

If you want to make a bigger change, consider painting your camper's walls or cabinets. This can be a simple way to add a pop of colour and refresh your space. You can also add colour by using peel-and-stick wallpaper, which is easy to change if you get tired of the design.

Another way to add colour is to hang up wall art or family pictures. You can use Velcro Command strips to hang paintings, photos, and other lightweight fixtures. Adding a few well-placed accessories, like a flower basket or a lantern, can also bring colour and personality to your camper.

Don't forget about the power of plants! Plants can add a touch of colour and are also natural air purifiers. Air plants, aloe, and edible herbs or greens are all great options that hold up well to travel.

Display personal items

Displaying personal items is a great way to bring your personality into your camper. Here are some ideas to help you achieve this:

Display your collections

If you collect items such as books, albums, or artwork, bring a few of your favourite pieces and display them in your camper. This could be on shelves, in a display cabinet, or even hung on the walls if they aren't too heavy.

Custom stickers

If you want to decorate in a more direct and bold way, consider using custom stickers for window treatments or exterior decoration. Personalise your camper with fun stickers in any theme you like and place them on the windows, the back, the sides, or anywhere you choose.

Hang curtains

Curtains can transform your windows from casual to elegant, and they also provide privacy. Choose fabrics based on the look you want and how much light you want to let in. You can also hang curtains wider or taller than the windows to make the room feel bigger.

Display personal photos

Print out some of your favourite photos and put them in lightweight frames. You can hang these on the walls using adhesive hooks or command strips. Alternatively, you could create a photo collage or display board.

Display souvenirs

Display souvenirs and mementos from your travels. You could collect magnets and hang a magnetic board on a wall to display your treasures. Alternatively, you could display items such as postcards, small artworks, or other items from your favourite places.

Remember, when decorating your camper, it's important to consider the limited space and the fact that items will need to be secured when you're on the move.

Change curtains

Changing the curtains in your camper is a great way to transform its interior and make it feel more like home. There are several options for curtain styles, from hanging slide-open curtains to roll-up curtains, and different methods for attaching them.

Planning and Preparation

Before you start, decide on the style and function of your curtains. Do you want blackout curtains for privacy and climate control, or lightweight curtains that are easy to open and close? You should also consider the weight of the fabric and the method you will use to mount the curtains.

When buying fabric, check the price of different options, such as buying fabric by the yard, repurposing sheets, or buying premade curtains to cut to size. If you want patterned fabric, remember that there is a top and bottom to the fabric, so cut your pieces accordingly to ensure the pattern is level and hangs in the same direction for each curtain. Wash and iron new fabric before cutting.

Attaching the Curtains

There are several ways to attach your curtains, depending on the style you choose. You can hang curtains from a rod, attach them to the window frame or vehicle headliner with velcro or magnets, or wedge reflective window insulation into the window tracks. If your windows tilt outwards at the bottom, you may need to add an extra rod at the bottom to hold the curtains in place.

If you choose to attach your curtains with velcro, opt for sew-on velcro rather than adhesive velcro, as it creates a stronger bond and allows you to wash the curtains. If you are drilling new holes to mount a rod, be careful not to interfere with the sun visors, clips, and rearview mirror.

Finishing Touches

Once your curtains are attached, there are a few extra steps you can take to improve their functionality and appearance. If your curtains are constantly damp from condensation, consider removing and cleaning them regularly to prevent mould or mildew. You can also add magnets to the bottom hem to hold the curtain against the frame, or use curtain ring clips to raise the top of the fabric and cover the window frame.

Repaint walls and cabinets

Painting the walls and cabinets of your camper can be a great way to give it a new look and feel. Here are some detailed instructions to help you get started:

Preparation:

• Remove all cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. Label the hardware and keep them organised to make reassembly easier.
• Clean the surfaces with a suitable cleaner, such as Simple Green.
• If there is any damage to the walls or cabinets, repair them. For example, if the paper coating on cabinets is peeling, use wood glue to re-adhere it and cover any cracks with wood filler. Sand the wood filler smooth once it's dry.
• If there are large sections of the paper coating missing, you can remove the rest with a hair dryer or heat gun, then sand the exposed MDF and remove any residue.
• If your camper has been previously painted, you may need to sand the surfaces to remove any gloss and create a better adhesion for the new paint.

Priming:

• Use a good quality primer, especially if the walls and cabinets are not made of real wood. Zinsser is a recommended brand.
• Apply two coats of primer, especially if you're painting over a non-wood surface. Allow the primer to dry completely between coats.
• Lightly sand the primed surfaces to create a smooth finish and better adhesion for the paint.

Painting:

• Choose a suitable paint for the job. Oil-based paints are more durable, but latex paints are easier to clean up. You can also use chalk paint, but it requires additional finish work.
• Apply two to three coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
• Use a paint sprayer, foam rollers, or woven rollers for a smooth finish. Brushes may leave bristles in the paint.
• If you're painting the walls, consider using peel-and-stick wallpaper instead for a quicker and more temporary solution.

Sealing:

• Once the paint is completely dry, seal the surfaces with a suitable product. Wipe-on-poly and water-based poly are recommended options.
• Test the sealer on a small area first to ensure it doesn't cause any discolouration or streaking.
• Allow the sealer to cure for several days before using the cabinets or putting hardware back on.

Reassembly:

• Reattach the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware.
• If you're using new hardware, fill in the old holes with wood filler, sand it smooth, and drill new holes as needed.
• Enjoy your freshly painted camper!

Use maps as wallpaper

Using maps as wallpaper is a great way to decorate your camper van and show your love of travel. It is a simple home decorating project with beautiful results. You can use maps to cover a whole wall or cut them into sections and create a collage.

Before you start, make sure the wall is clean and free of dust and grease. If you want to be able to remove the maps from the wall in the future, prime the wall with wallpaper sizing or primer first. Once the wall is prepared, cut and arrange your maps. You can use maps from an old atlas, or order them from state tourist sites, which will often send you maps for free.

When you are happy with your arrangement, use a foam brush to coat the back of each map with wallpaper paste or Mod Podge. Carefully place the maps on the wall and use a smoother or spatula to flatten them out and remove any air bubbles. You can use a plastic spreader or spatula to smooth out the maps and remove any wrinkles. Firmly run the spreader over the maps in all directions, pushing out any air bubbles to the edges.

Once the maps are on the wall, you can add a clear coating to add a glossy finish. You can also seal the maps with a water-based sealer to protect them and make them wipe-clean. If you want to be able to wash the papered walls, you can use a matte water-based polyurethane or a matte decoupage medium.

If you want to add further map-themed decorations, you can reupholster cushions with map-inspired fabric or add maps to your dining table or kitchen counter using Mod Podge.

Frequently asked questions