Many motorhomes and travel trailers are designed to make the most use out of a tight space while still providing all the comforts and conveniences of life. From under the bed storage to smaller showers, space is at a premium, which is why there is always more that you can do to optimize this small living space.
Here are some valuable storage hacks that might be good to use.This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’ll help you get started. Your own creativity and innovation are your best tools. Please share your own ideas – as comments or as photos – on our Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest page!
Hooks, hooks everywhere! And making good use of walls.
Installing more hooks around the RV helps keep the clutter off the ground or on top of furniture. They can have a multitude of purposes as well. Place hooks or a wall coat rack – that isn’t very wide – behind doors for towels, coats, hats, and leashes. If you really want to conserve space, use hideaway hooks, which fold in and out depending on whether you need them. Likewise, broom holders and Velcro are efficient flashlight holders. Make sure you always have one flashlight within easy reach in the bedroom and main living area. (Actually, think about doing this for any loose remotes, too, so that they are always in the same spot.) A bulky organizer for the wall can break if it gets too loaded down, and freestanding ones take too much space in the bathroom; hang multiple plastic or wire organizers instead. Use towel racks on the inside of the shower to hold shampoo bottles and other bath products.
Collapsible and nesting products are your friends.
Nesting bowls and measuring spoons ensure that you use space going up, not out. Shoppers at major department stores must agree as most well-known stores carry these for residential home use. Garbage bins, especially one for outdoors, can take a lot of travel space. Instead, use a collapsible laundry basket, which can be folded between uses – it’s easy to spray down, too.
Go vertical.
Though it may look like there is a lot of space in your cupboards and closets, they can fill quickly. Add wire shelves and plastic storage drawers in closets to help expand the space. Most articles of clothing don’t need to be hung up anyway. Use square containers instead of round ones to house things in your kitchen; they stack much better. Better yet, make sure they are transparent so that you can see what’s inside at a glance. Add lightweight shelves or plastic or cardboard file holders in the kitchen cabinets to maximize use of vertical space (such as dishes), even on the doors to house things such as tin foil, plastic wrap, and spices.
Empty space means storage potential.
If you have a couch that doesn’t already include built-in storage drawers, find some wicker baskets or collapsible bins that can be easily marked and stored underneath. Store things such as extra shoes and games so that they are within easy reach.
Maximize your kitchen space.
It’s said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and that isn’t more true than in an RV. Put your walls and surfaces to use. Hang utensils instead of stuffing them in a drawer. Knives can be on the wall, too – just use a magnetic tool or knife holder. (But be careful if you have small children.) Purge the kitchen regularly for items that you don’t absolutely need. Install a slide-out cutting board so that more of the counter is free for preparing and cooking food.
What other ideas do you have to maximize the storage potential in your RV and decrease the clutter? Maybe think about what you don’t need to bring along, as we discuss in this article “RV Packing List: What Not to Bring.” As always, please share your ideas on our Facebook,Instagram, or Pinterest page!