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Inexpensive RV Remodeling Ideas For A Fresh New Look

This post was updated on April 25th, 2024

Why Remodel Your RV?

There are two basic reasons you may want to consider some inexpensive RV remodeling ideas for your RV. The first would be if you want a different look or feel. While the second reason would be to add features like storage or a dedicated workspace. Many RVs come with really (yawn) neutral decor, and older RVs can have dated colors and fixtures. Just replacing some fixtures, adding modern accessories, and changing the valances can make a world of difference for the interior of an RV.

We’ve got some simple, inexpensive RV remodeling ideas that can really make a big difference. If you’re in need of a little inspiration for your RV remodeling project, read on.

Inexpensive RV Remodeling Ideas Start With A Plan

You don’t have to break the bank to make your RV as beautiful as the memories you make in it. Here are some inexpensive ideas that you can do, even with a low RV remodeling budget. To start, the key to any successful remodeling project is planning ahead. Before you start your project, try to visualize the look and function you want to achieve. Additionally, you may want to try out color samples to see how the colors you like will look in the lighting inside your RV. When deciding on colors, it’s a good idea to keep all the walls in the same color family. Then, you can add a pop or two of color with accessories like throw cushions or rugs.

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Give Your Walls a Brand New Look with Wallpaper

Peel and stick wallpaper is available to suit every taste and style. It’s usually easy to apply, but it can also go wrong. The key is to ensure that the wall you are putting it on is prepared properly before you attempt to stick the wallpaper on. To do this:

  1. Wash the wall thoroughly with warm water and mild detergent.
  2. Wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
  3. Allow the clean wall to dry thoroughly.
  4. Wipe the wall down with rubbing alcohol.
  5. Allow the wall to dry again.
  6. Adhere the wallpaper, using a smoothing tool to remove any air bubbles as you go.
  7. Use a blow dryer to warm the wallpaper a little to activate the adhesive.

Make Your RV Kitchen Feel Modern With A Backsplash

Many RVs still come without a kitchen backsplash. A tiled backsplash can make a big impact on the atmosphere and general vibe of an RV kitchen. Backsplashes can add a pop of color or an aura of sophistication to the kitchen area of the RV. However, you may not want to get into the mess (or added weight) of ceramic tile installation. Fortunately, there are some really good peel-and-stick tiles on the market. Unlike installing ceramic tiles, installation of peel-and-stick tiles can be fun because they are easy to install and they go up so fast. You can literally see a big improvement to your kitchen walls in under an hour.

However, peel-and-stick tiles really vary in their quality, along with the quality of the adhesive backing used on them. If you are ordering peel-and-stick tiles from Amazon.com, you’ll get the best results with popular brands that get a lot of good reviews. Installation instructions are all fairly similar. The preparation of walls for peel-and-stick tiles is the same as for peel-and-stick wallpaper. The walls must be perfectly clean and dry for the wall tiles to adhere to them. Adding heat with a blow dryer after installation will help the tiles to stick to the walls.

One of the coolest things about peel-and-stick tiles is that you can easily change them as decor trends change. Simply apply heat to the tiles and gently peel them off the wall. You’ll be able to clean the walls again and apply different tiles for a new look.

Use Toss Cushions and Rugs To Liven Up The Living Area

Small details like toss cushions and rugs can really help RV living areas feel like home. Both of these innocuous items can tie together the decor style of a room. Pick colors that complement other colors in your decor palette. Because you’ll be camping with them, it’s smart to choose cushion covers that are machine washable. For ease of care and cleaning, look for area rugs that are stain-resistant with a non-slip backing.

Create a Dedicated Office Workspace.

If you work from the road at times, this inexpensive RV remodeling idea is for you. Having a dedicated workspace in your RV can easily cost well under $200.

If you have a toy hauler or bunkhouse model RV, you can probably set up a small, out-of-the-way desk for your computer and printer. Your desk doesn’t have to be fancy. However, it needs to be a comfortable height and big enough to hold your computer and other work-related devices.

Heavy items like a printer can go on or under the desk. A free-standing shelving unit could also hold the printer and be a home for paper, stationery items, and small file organizers. You’ll also need a comfortable office chair.

Your office furnishings don’t need to be permanent or fixed in place. In fact, if you plan to sell your RV in the future, many buyers will prefer to have options instead of a single-purpose space.

Upgrade Your Valances by Changing the Fabric

RV valances can really date your RV. It goes without saying that fashionable colors and pattern styles change over the decades. Fortunately, with a little ingenuity, know-how, and a stapler, it’s pretty easy to upgrade the look of your valances. Recovering valances is a very inexpensive RV upgrade that can be done in just a few hours.

Cozy up To a Portable Electric Fireplace

Adding a portable electric fireplace to your RV will make your RV into a cozy retreat. Today’s electric fireplaces can be used without heat if you want the warm glow of a fire without the heat. But they are also an effective way to provide heat to take the chill off cool evenings.

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Let New Lighting Light The Way to A Fresh New Look

Another thing that really ages the look of an RV is old, outdated light fixtures. It’s easy to upgrade your RV light fixtures with new, energy-saving LED fixtures. However, since the electrical systems in your RV were designed to work with your 12V DC electrical system, you can’t simply use a household light fixture. To avoid wreaking havoc with your RV’s electrical system, you should only ever use light fixtures that are designed for use in RVs. Camping World has many different styles that could help to modernize any RV.

Conclusion

RV remodeling ideas can be inexpensive, and fairly simple but make a huge difference. Sometimes a little fabric change here or a color change there can make a huge difference in how the space feels when you’re out camping and traveling. Do you have any RV remodeling tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments.

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Thank you,

The Camper Smarts Team

Product data was last updated on 2024-04-26 at 18:31.

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1 thought on “Inexpensive RV Remodeling Ideas For A Fresh New Look”

  1. All the peel and stick tiles I have looked at have a warning regarding heat.
    They cannot be placed behind a stove or gas grill. This then leaves very little space where they can be useful in an RV, trailer setup.

    Reply

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