Whether you own a small motorhome or travel trailer, keeping things organized in the RV can be a headache. But with a simple organization system, more items can fit in than before, and you can stop clutter from piling up.

Here, we’ve put together some of our favorite tips and hacks for storage and saving space while camping and living in a mobile abode.

Multi-Use Items Are Your Friend

When you want to save space:

1. Minimize clutter, and reduce your RV’s load. Think of how many uses an item has before purchasing it.
2. Put simply, shop for multi-use items over those that serve a single purpose.
3. In your kitchen, get mason jars which you can use to store leftovers, pack spices, and put away small accessories and craft materials.

A roll-up dish rack can also double as a rack for drying washed fruits or a surface for placing hot pots. And if you want to buy small furniture pieces for your rig, look for coffee tables or ottomans with hidden storage compartments.

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

One of the best RV organization ideas is to use vertical space. This RV storage hack reduces the floor space needed to store items, gives you more room to walk around, and frees up counter and table space.

To maximize your vertical space:

1. Get stackable storage bins.
2. Use them to store cosmetics, pet food cans, cleaning supplies, and even clothing.
3. Just make sure you secure the containers in place so they don’t tumble down when you’re driving.

Use Foldable or Stackable Items

One of the simplest ways to make the most out of the limited space inside your RV has nothing to do with adding new storage compartments. It’s as easy as investing in items that can occupy as little space as possible.

 For instance, when purchasing pots, pans, bowls, containers, and cups, look for those that come in stackable, foldable, or collapsing models. Solutions like the pop-up laundry hamper can be used to store dirty laundry, then folded into a small size when not in use.

Place Storage Baskets Under the Bed

Don’t let the space under your bed or table go to waste. Stashing a few things underneath your bed is one of the oldest but most practical RV organization ideas. You can use the basket to store items you don’t frequently use, such as extra blankets, pillows, or seasonal belongings.

Look for a sturdy and durable handwoven basket with a lid, and measure the dimensions of your under-bed space before you go shopping. If you plan to drive your rig off-road, consider getting a clear plastic bin or zippered fabric bin that will keep dust out.

Use the Power of Magnets

If you enjoy cooking and have a collection of knives, it can be tricky fitting all your silverware into the RV’s drawers. Use the power of magnets to keep your blades on hand and sharp as possible. Simply fasten a magnetic strip in your kitchen tools organized.

Another option is to put your spices in a metal container and store them in a magnetic rack mounted on the wall. This smart RV organization tip will also prevent items from moving around your RV when you hit the open road. Just make sure the magnets are strong enough.

Install Removable Shelves

Another bright RV storage idea is to install removable shelves in areas where there is dead space. If you have particularly tall cabinets, adding stackable wire shelves and stacking two or three high will get the most out of that space.

The other alternative is to clip on some shelves to the side of the RV or on the underside of roll-out draws. Don’t want to drill your walls? Use adhesive floating shelves or tension bars to make your own RV shelves without requiring any tools.

Make Use of Hanging Storage

If you can’t stack it from the ground, hang it from the ceiling, RV cabinets, or off the wall. For instance, the back of a bathroom door is a great space-saving way to hang and store your towels and toiletries.

You can also use hanging baskets to store snacks in your closet, air fruits below your kitchen cabinet, hang pillows from the ceiling, or as a wastebasket near the kitchen sink. Hanging pocket organizers can also fit anything ranging from clothes, shoes, and small gadgets.

Get Fold Out Hooks

Install hooks throughout your RV and use them to hang everything from bags, throw blankets, reading glasses, dish rags, utensils, or any other items you use often. Even better, get fold-out hooks to store multiple jackets and hats all in one small space.

If you don’t want to drill holes, suction cup hooks in the bathroom will keep things looking neat. Tired of misplacing your keys? Stick-on hooks near the door will keep your keys in plain sight while also eliminating countertop clutter.

Install LED lights

After creating so many storage compartments in your rig, one of the biggest problems you may face is insufficient lighting when looking for an item. To locate things faster and prevent rummaging, which can create a mess, add LED lights on the wall or ceiling of your storage bay, closets and cabinets.

Get a light design that can be easily removed and placed anywhere you need extra, temporary light. You can also use these lights to illuminate the camper stairs at night or over the cooking area.

Meticulous Organization Will Make a Carefree Life on the Road

When you hit the open road, the last thing you want is to rummage through messy cabinets each time you’re trying to find a particular item.

So how do you organize all your belongings in such a small area? Take advantage of vertical space, invest in double-duty items, install hooks and hanging storage, and use the power of magnets.

Using the above RV organization ideas will not only keep your camper looking orderly but running smoothly too.