8 Ways to Make Your RV Feel Bigger Than It Actually Is
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Living in an RV can sometimes feel a bit cramped, especially when you realize that an average size for an American house is 2,500 square feet, but the LARGEST RV allowed on the road by law can only be a maximum of 400 square feet!
So, we can’t make more extra space in our RVs, but we can definitely make them appear larger – read my 8 tips below on how to make your RV feel more spacious.
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1 – Declutter and pay attention to storage
Clutter doesn’t only make the space look untidy, but it also makes it look much smaller. Get rid of everything you haven’t used for over a year/six months. Keep the decor minimalistic with not too many knick-knacks on display – maybe create a changing seasonal display or organize them by color?
Look into getting some pretty, simple in design storage baskets, for a coherent look.
2 – Go for light colors and simple patterns
A classic decorating tip for small spaces. Light and cool tones make space appear larger, as they are reflective and maximize the natural light effect. Use glossy paints to maximize the effect even further.
Simple is usually better when you want your space to appear larger. Use a simple color palette and pick only a few colors, three to four usually work the best. Use the same color palette throughout the RV to create an illusion of space and flow.
If you paint your ceiling in a different color, it will drive the eye upward and creates an illusion of height. Another way to create a similar effect is to paint vertical stripes on your walls.
One good and tested way to make your RV appear more spacious is to paint the walls the same color as your bulky furniture – like your sofa. When you choose upholstery for your RV furniture, go for plain colors, or choose small patterns.
3 – Improve your lighting
Natural light is the key to a spacious feel. The more natural light you can draw into your RV, the better. If you only have small windows, make sure your lighting is bright enough, not too yellow, and that there are enough light sources – several lighting elements make space look more expansive as there are no dark corners. Swap your old-fashioned fluorescent lighting to LEDs and it will also save your battery.
Read how to install LEDs to RV here.
4 – Swap your window treatments
As mentioned above, the natural light is the key. Swap your old thick, bulky, and heavy curtains to light fabrics – sheerer, the more they let the light through. Remove your thick valances and consider curtains the same color as the walls, as this also creates an illusion of space.
Also, as with any vehicle, the windows get really easily dirty when driving. Make sure you have clean windows to let the maximum light in.
5 – Hang your curtains higher
This is a classic tip from a house decoration which I also used in our RV, which, by the way, is tiny. So to create an illusion that the van is much higher inside than it actually is, I hang it from the ceiling.
6 – Choose the right furniture
Could you replace some of your furniture for ones that can be folded or stacked, like your dinette with a folding table and chairs? If you choose low furniture, this creates an illusion of higher ceilings. Also if you find suitable furniture with exposed legs, this gives an impression of more open space.
You could also look for multi-functional furniture that has some hidden storage compartments. Ottomans, for example, are great – they work as storage, seating and a coffee table.
Or, as for an example, in this fantastic glamper redo Meseidy used chairs with exposed legs and created an airy, inviting space to dine. To see the rest of the makeover and before and after photos, visit here.
7 – Replace the carpet with hard flooring
Carpets and big rugs make the space cozy, but they can also make it appear smaller. Hard flooring is easier to clean and you can still add some small area rugs to create coziness.
8 – Finally, use mirrors and reflective materials
As mirrors reflect the natural light, they are a forever interior design classic in creating the illusion of space. Mirrors can be quite heavy though, so look out for plastic ones that are easy to hang on RV walls. You could also include mirrors in other elements in the RV, like in a kitchen backsplash, tabletop, or in decor items like trays.
How have you made your RV appear larger?
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