The idea of hitting the road in a small RV or van is usually appealing to people who value experiences over possessions. However, the reality is that even the most minimalistic humans do need some things for basic survival and comfort. Once you start assembling all the things you need for life on the road, you realize that there is not much room in a van or small RV. In this blog post, we will discuss how to use the limited space in your van to your advantage to get the most out of your van life or RV experience. 

Staying Organized Is the Key to Happiness in a Van or Small RV 

The less space you have for your possessions, the more critical it is to be extremely organized. Finding creative ways of organizing your van life or camping essentials is usually a fun part of preparing for your journey. There are so many travel bloggers and vloggers that you can find endless ways to organize yourself in a small space like a van or RV. Of course, Pinterest is perhaps the best search engine, and social media platform rolled into one where you can find ways to solve any storage issues you might encounter.

The real key to having “a place for everything and everything in its place” is to return the item to its designated space after using it. Clutter becomes annoying and intrusive much more quickly in 80 square feet than in a 2,000 square home. Since many spots in the van serve multiple purposes, it is important not to fall into the bad habit of leaving things out to be put away later. Later becomes tomorrow, and before you know it, you have a messy, uncomfortable, and unpleasant space. 

Use the Walls, Doors, and Ceiling for Storage

While places like under the bed or seats are obvious places to add storage to your van or small RV, you should also utilize the walls, doors, the backs of the seats, and even the ceiling for storage. You can get creative with everyday items like shoe organizers, spice racks, mesh bags, file organizers, shower curtain rods and hooks, magazine holders, bungee cords, and carabiners. Whether you use magnetic hooks or install permanent hooks, you can use these items to create storage for your supplies throughout the van or RV. 

When planning your storage systems, it is essential to remember that there will be many moving and jostling as you drive your van or RV. Keep this in mind as you create storage solutions so that your items will not fall as you drive. It can be particularly dangerous if you must stop suddenly or get in a collision if your items are not secure. An item that is not secured can become a projectile and cause substantial injury to you or damage your vehicle. 

Plan on Doing Most Activities Outside of the Van

No matter how much you downsize your possessions, you still need to own some physical things so that you can eat, sleep, work, keep yourself groomed, and have fun and enjoy life. That limited storage space fills up quickly, no matter how creative you are. There is no way around that, as you can only downsize so much, especially when you consider how much space some sporting goods take up, like bicycles, surfboards, kayaks, and all the gear that goes with a love of the outdoors. However, you can maximize the time you spend outside of the van so that you can use more of the space for storage without feeling cramped and stressed. 

Of course, there will be days with inclement weather when you are forced inside the van for extended periods. But the more you can spend your time working, preparing food, eating, and enjoying your downtime outside your van or small RV, the more you will enjoy your experience overall.