Calling all campervanners; after two long years of downtime and drudgery, of stagnant, stationary living, the road is once again calling your name!
We can’t wait.
Interestingly, but perhaps not too surprisingly, 2020 saw a record jump in campervan and motorhome sales, with pent-up demand due to lockdown and the fact such vehicles are ‘socially distanced by nature’ both believed to have brought about the huge rise in interest.
For those who made an investment in the open road during lockdown, a few home truths may have quickly been realised. One such realisation is that, when you initially buy your campervan, it can look a little bare. Bleak, even.
Now restrictions in the UK have lifted and spring and summer holidays beckon, you might be looking to spruce up your vehicle so it’s as comfortable and welcoming as possible. With that in mind, here’s how to make your campervan more cosy.
PERSONAL DECORATIONS
Decorating the interior of your van can make it feel more welcoming, and when this is your transport and your hotel during life on the road, it’s essential that it does feel that way, don’t you think?
Surrounding yourself with photos and objects that you love can make you feel more grounded when you’re on the road. Moreover, with all sorts of familiar pictures and postcards lining the walls, it’ll quickly become a more homely place, so do just that; find your favourite photos of friends and family, pictures, wall hangings and paintings and arrange them in an eye-catching manner.
Read: How to frame, hang and display your artwork to catch the attention of guests
LIGHTING
Lighting can make a significant difference to your campervan’s cosiness, too. In the mornings, you’ll want to make the most of all your windows by allowing natural light to pour in to the van. Accordingly, it’s a good idea to swap out those dusty old drapes for some simple, easy to activate blinds, to allow for maximum light coverage.
In the evenings, on the other hand, you’ll want a lighting setup that can make the van feel cosy. By fitting fairy lights to the walls and ceiling, you can enjoy a relaxing, romantic ambience in your van anytime of day or night.
GREENERY
Why not try adding some plants to the campervan to offer some vitality and life? Because, let’s face it, a fair portion of campervan life is spent on concrete and tarmac, rather than out in nature and under the stars.
A little greenery goes a long way. You can introduce some by buying little pots and planting small green plants all around the interior. Alternatively, you could go for a more unique look by adding a few rare and strange-looking house plants to the inside of your campervan.
It’s a good idea to opt for hardy plants that won’t damage easily. The best campervan plants tend to be succulents as they can handle variable conditions. Moreover, some have medicinal purposes; consider aloe vera, which can also be used to treat sunburn.
There are also some edible cacti and succulents that you can adorn your van with, including Elephant Bush, Prickly Pear and Glasswort, the latter of which is sometimes called the poor man’s asparagus; useful if there aren’t any shops open near where you’ve parked up for the night, perhaps!
HAMMOCK
A van hammock can be an excellent way to wind down and relax. Whether you want to set it up outside and doze in the sun or you’re keen to settle in during the evenings, a hammock is a versatile, comfortable option.
THROWS, BLANKETS & SCATTERED CUSHIONS
When you settle down in the evenings, you’ll want to be as comfy as possible. But ordinarily, your van might not be too suited to colder evenings. Consider purchasing some throws and blankets to up the ante on that cosy factor. These can help soften the texture of the interior and they’ll allow you to wrap up snugly when you’re settling in for the night.
Introducing patterned scatter cushions can really help change the whole dynamic of your van’s interior. They not only bring texture and warmth to your van, but they make any seating so much more comfortable. Experiment with a number of patterned and plain cushions together to create a cohesive look for best results.
Remember that you can change your cushion covers with the seasons. When the temperature drops, we love adding cushion covers in jewel-toned colours, the same hues as gorgeous gemstones, to our sofa; think sapphire blue, ruby red, amethyst purple, citrine yellow and emerald green. When it’s autumn, cushions in autumnal hues can bring the requisite warmth to your sofa.
UPHOLSTERY
In a similar way, the upholstery matters, too. By adding different colours and patterns, your van can quickly become more homely. You can achieve this by upholstering the seat cushions to something more comfortable.
The fabric of your cushion requires some serious thought, both for your own comfort and for practical reasons. Avoid fabric that can be easily stained or fabric that might cause irritation to those sitting on the sofa. Also, make sure the fabric can be easily washed.
You could also try repainting your cupboards to breathe new life into the van.
UTENSILS
Eating with plastic cutlery and plates can be useful as a one-off, but if you’re spending a long period travelling in the van, it’s best to have something more luxurious to hand to make your meals feel all the more special.
Try bringing your favourite plates and utensils from home to make meal time that bit more elegant. We’re huge fans of enamel plates for vans, as they’re pretty much impossible to break and look great, too. Today, alongside the standard white plates with a blue rim, you can vibrant Colorama plates which offer a contemporary twist on classic enamelware.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Making your van cosier can be a fun and rewarding project. By changing the lighting, decorations, and upholstery you might quickly find it becomes a second home.
Go further; check out these 5 top tips for a campervan renovation project, and we’ll see you on the road!