When you live in your RV full-time, it isn’t just a camper anymore—it’s your home. And just like any home, we wanted it to reflect our personalities and work better for the way we live.
None of the changes were necessary. Brinkley builds a beautiful camper, and we loved the layout from day one. But after living in it for months, we started noticing little things we’d tweak if this were a traditional house. So that’s exactly what we did.
Today I thought I’d take you on a room-by-room tour of everything we’ve changed so far.
Our Bedroom
One of the first rooms we tackled was our bedroom.
The biggest change was painting the cabinetry. While the original gray color was plenty nice, we wanted the room to feel a little cozier and more like “us.” A fresh coat of paint completely transformed the space without changing the functionality. It still amazes me how much paint can change the feel of a room. As I said in our previous blog post, we received some less than helpful advice for painting over the gray color and it did not turn out exactly as we were hoping. We know the paint may not hold up and we may need to sand, prime and repaint some day. For now, we’re just going to let it as is and enjoy the coziness of the space!
Our Bathroom
The other room we tackled first was our bathroom. Just like our bedroom, we know the paint will not hold up long term and when the time comes, we will sand and redo everything properly. For now, it is what it is, flaws and all!
Just like the bedroom, we painted the cabinetry the same cozy green, but we didn’t stop there. We also added wallpaper to bring in a little personality.
Wallpaper in an RV might sound a little intimidating, but it was actually a fairly simple project and it made a huge impact. It’s one of my favorite spaces in the camper now.
While we were at it, we also made one change that wasn’t just about looks—we removed the glass shower doors…Okay… maybe it was about looks after all. I was completely over staring at water spots on the glass no matter how often I cleaned them!
Now, I know some of you are probably thinking, “What’s the big deal? Just wipe them down after every shower!” And while that’s certainly an option, if I’m being honest, I don’t want to wipe down shower doors every single day. More realistically, I don’t want to remind my 9-year-old—or Derek—to wipe them down after every shower either!
By replacing the glass doors with a shower curtain, we’ve eliminated the constant battle against water spots and made cleaning so much simpler. As an added bonus, we also removed a little unnecessary weight from the RV. When you live and travel full-time, every pound matters, so we’re always looking for small ways to lighten the load without sacrificing comfort.
The Kitchen
The kitchen was another space that got a fresh coat of paint.
Since it’s where we spend so much of our time, we wanted it to be a color we really enjoy. As I said in our previous blog post, we actually used the same color we painted the kitchen cabinets in our house before we sold it. I loved the color and did not get to enjoy it nearly long enough so I decided the best way to make our Brinkley kitchen feel like home was to paint it the same color. And I am so glad we did, I absolutely love how it turned out and it looks great with the countertops and backsplash.
One of my favorite finishing touches was hanging the painting Derek’s dad created of our favorite boondocking spot in Arizona. We’ve made so many wonderful memories there and every time I look at it, I’m reminded of peaceful desert sunsets, wide-open skies, and why we fell in love with this lifestyle in the first place. The rich blues and warm desert tones in the painting seem to come alive against the darker wall!
One thing we haven’t touched yet is the TV wall.
Believe it or not, this is one design decision Derek and I can’t seem to agree on! Normally we’re on the same page when it comes to colors and design ideas, but this wall has us both stumped.
So we’re throwing it out to all of you…
What would you do with the TV wall?
Paint it? Wallpaper? Wood slats? Something completely different? I would love to paint it a deep charcoal/black color and then add wood slats to make the space feel a bit warmer and give it a bit of a retro feel. Derek does not love that idea…I am thinking it has more to do with the amount of work involved and less to do with the actual design idea!
Leave your ideas in the comments—we’d love the inspiration!
Trygg’s Bathroom
I think this might be the most fun transformation in the whole camper.
We painted the trim and bathroom door this blue color that Trygg picked out himself, but the biggest improvement was getting rid of the fold-down sink. While it was a clever space-saving idea, it just wasn’t very practical for everyday use.
In its place, we installed the cutest little sink along with a smaller medicine cabinet that fits the space much better.
To finish it off, we added a playful fish wallpaper that gives the room so much character. It’s fun, cheerful, and feels perfect for a kid’s space.
Trygg’s Bedroom
Once we finished Trygg’s bathroom, it only made sense to carry the same fun theme into his bedroom.
The first thing we changed was all of the gray trim. We painted it the same cheerful blue as the bathroom door and trim, which instantly brightened the room and tied the two spaces together. It’s amazing how something as simple as changing the trim color can completely transform the feel of a room.
To add a little more personality, we installed a section of fish wallpaper that coordinates with the bathroom without being overwhelming. It adds just the right amount of color and makes the room feel fun and inviting.
But we didn’t stop with paint and wallpaper.
One of the biggest changes we made was removing the two sofas that originally sat underneath Trygg’s loft bed. While the extra sleeping space might have come in handy if we ever had overnight guests, the reality is that it’s almost always just the three of us. Instead of keeping furniture we rarely used “just in case,” we decided to make the space work better for our everyday life.
After removing the sofas, we lowered Trygg’s bed down to where the sofas had been attached. Now he can climb into bed without needing a step stool, which has been a nice improvement. The extra floor space also gave us room for his new cozy chair that folds out into a bed—a perfect spot for reading, relaxing, or hanging out.
One unexpected bonus was finally having a place to hang Trygg’s hammock. It has quickly become his favorite spot in the camper, and you’ll usually find him snuggled up there with a good book.
We’re not quite finished with this room yet, either. Our next project is to install a fold-down desk on one of the walls under his bed so he’ll have a dedicated space for homeschooling, building LEGO creations, and all of the other projects that seem to spread across the camper!
But my favorite part of the room isn’t something Derek or I did—it’s what Trygg did himself.
He carefully picked out and placed all of the sea creature decals on his walls, creating his own little underwater world. Watching him decide where each fish, octopus, turtle, and other sea creatures should go made the room even more special. Now every time he climbs into bed, he’s surrounded by something he helped create, and I think that’s what truly makes it feel like his room.
It’s colorful, playful, and full of personality—just like Trygg.
Making It Ours
One of the things we’ve learned over the past year is that living in a smaller space doesn’t mean giving up the feeling of home.
In fact, because we spend every day here, the little details matter even more.
Each project has made our Brinkley feel a little more personal, a little more functional, and a lot more like our home.
And while we’ve crossed quite a few projects off the list, we’re definitely not finished yet. We still have that TV wall to figure out (seriously…send us your ideas!), and I’m sure there will be plenty more little projects along the way.
One thing is certain—we’re having a lot of fun making this little home on wheels uniquely ours.
Have a favorite transformation? We’d love to hear which room you like best!