It’s been a long year, defined by lockdowns and listlessness, by bottoms parked on the sofa rather than being shaken on the dancefloor, and camper vans parked in the drive rather than rolling on the open road.
But what’s that we see? Is that a light? At the end of the tunnel? The proverbial one, of course; we’re not back behind the wheel just yet. That said, in just a few weeks, day trips will once again be permitted, and by summer, experts are cautiously optimistic that staycations will be up and running, with the rev of campervan engines following suit.
Rather than let your campervan gather dust, why not spend these next few months of downtime getting it glammed up and ready for an adventure? There are several little tweaks and tricks you can do to ensure that you’ll be living life in the fast lane (if your maximum laden weight doesn’t exceed 7.5 tonnes, that is) and in style, as soon as possible.
To go glamping in style, here are 10 ways to glam up a campervan.
USE THROWS & CUSHIONS
Give your campervan plenty of glamour by choosing modern fabrics in rich, bright colours. Deploying these vibrant shades isn’t only for aesthetics which might ultimately gather dust. Rather, you can use these fabrics to make curtains in order to hide unsightly storage or cover the bed; home away from home, indeed.
You can also incorporate pillows and throws inside to make it look as bedroom-y as possible. Alternatively, go for a minimal boho vibe with lots of macrame and neutral colours in several different textures.
PUT RUST TO SLEEP
If you’ve bought a second hand campervan or yours has been gathering dust on the drive during lockdown, then a little rust is an inevitability. The sands of time aren’t always kind to a vehicle’s bodywork, and rust can start small and innocuous, creeping up under the vehicle’s paint job, taking the protective paint with it and exposing metal as it goes.
As a general rule, if you can see a spot of rust, there is likely much more lurking beneath the surface, and the appearance of rust just isn’t very ‘glam’, now is it?
Don’t ignore the warning signs. Fill seams where paint has cracked with flexible sealant and deploy a rust remover or converter to deal with the issue before it gets out of hand. Always finish with an anti-rust coating.
ADD A CHALKBOARD WALL
If you’ve got kids coming on your road trip, then a chalkboard wall will provide hours of frivolity and fun for all the family. Draw pictures, write notes to yourself and your family or let the kids create a mural with depictions of their favourite parts of your glamping getaway. If you choose chalkboard paint that is magnetic, you can also put up a few photos, too!
ADD CABINETS
Because clutter is the ultimate obstacle to that sense of freedom that the open road provides, don’t you think?
Instead of storing all of your glamping essentials in plastic bins or piling them in a corner of the campervan, consider adding real cabinets to your campervan, adding a certain sophistication to the space and giving you plenty of storage for the supplies that you’ll need at the campsite or on the road.
Check out this cracking guide from the guys at DIY Campervan on how to build your own campervan cabinets for just a few quid to get an insight into just how easy this thing can be!
A QUICK PAINT JOB
If you need to give the whole campervan a fresh coat of paint then the main option is to fully respray it, though there are ways to repaint your van without respraying it. Otherwise, you could just add a bit of character by adding some stylish decals, touching up little bits or painting. You could even go crazy and embrace the iconic “flower power” designs of sixties and seventies campervans.
PUT UP A NET
An easy way to upgrade your campervan whilst ensuring you’re able to bring as much of the outside in as possible is to add a net to the back door area of the vehicle.
You can lower it when you have the back open, letting in the sunshine and fresh air, but keeping out the bugs. A net also optimises airflow inside the campervan, which is especially helpful when you or your children are trying to nap inside.
MODERNISE THE KITCHENETTE
They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and this is certainly true for a mobile one. It’s wise to invest a fair amount of time and energy, then, in refurbishing the kitchenette, modernising its appliances and eking out any extra prep space you can with smart, savvy storage solutions. If you make the kitchenette a place you enjoy cooking and spending time, then you’ll save a big chunk of your holiday budget on eating out.
Items such as magnetic spice racks, foldable chopping boards, and durable crockery which won’t break if you suddenly have to, erm, brake, are all wise investments.
You can make your campervan’s kitchen space look more glamorous, too, by adding a tile backsplash to it. It’s fast and easy to achieve for such a small space but really upgrades the look. Choose something timeless like white subway tile or opt for something with a bit more personality that matches the rest of the space.
OR, CREATE OPEN AIR COOKING OPTIONS
By adding an island to the kitchenette that can slide in and out, you can create an open style cooking space that adds a touch of glamour to even the most mundane of meal preparations. Be sure to make it convenient so that it faces the door of the campervan and features enough space and storage so that cooking is easy and fast.
INTRODUCE FUNKY LIGHTING
When it gets dark, the summer party doesn’t have to stop. Invest in a range of portable garden lamps that you can stick outside to enjoy those warm evenings, or add some light strips to the outside wall that can be easily turned on. Inside, it’s amazing how effective it can be to string up a few fairy lights to create a nicer atmosphere, rather than relying on those bright overhead bulbs.
Consider adding a charming, fun, quirky neon sign to the inside of your van – perhaps in the form of an inspirational travel quote; live, laugh, love, indeed.
BRING NATURE INSIDE
Going on a campervan adventure certainly does bring you closer to nature, but you can get even closer to it and improve your van’s style by introducing some interior design flourishes made from natural materials. Wooden furniture and panels create a cosy feel and when mixed with white colours look classy. Add a few plants for fresh smells and a bit of visual interest, and it will nearly feel like you’re camping out in the open, even when you’re indoors.
THE BOTTOM LINE
After all those upgrades you’ve made, and the anticipation of a great summer of adventurin’ that’s building, it’s essential you invest in new campervan insurance or update your policy’s most recent terms to cover any new investments you’ve made.
After that, the open road is yours. Now, where’s my Motorhead CD?
If you’re looking for some itinerary based inspiration, then check out this guide to the UK’s most popular holiday destinations for motorhome owners. Same rules apply, right?