Upgrading Your RV Interior | Ultimate Guide to Follow

Are you tired of the outdated and cramped interior of your RV? Fear not, fellow travelers, the magic solution lies in upgrading your RV’s interior. 

For there’s a road paved with easy, affordable, and downright exciting upgrades that can transform your rolling abode into a cozy haven on wheels. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a space that enhances comfort, increases resale value, and lets you add a personal touch to your nomadic lifestyle.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll navigate the twists and turns of RV interior upgrades, exploring the benefits, planning strategies, and the step-by-step process to take your RV from meh to magnificent.

The Benefits of Upgrading Your RV Interior

Upgrades breathe new life into your motorhome living quarters with improved style and comfort. Enhancements range from simple cosmetic facelifts to reconfiguring layouts and adding luxury touches. Customizing your surroundings motivates you to look forward to upcoming vacations even more. Interior modernizations offer advantages like:

1. Enhancing RV Comfort and Livability

Improving aesthetics and fixing flaws that bother you heightens day-to-day enjoyment. Ergonomic furniture, ambient lighting, and rich textures make inhabiting your RV more pleasurable. Smart upgrades also enhance convenience through added storage, better insulation, and technology integration.

2. Increasing Resale Value

A dated, worn interior significantly hurts resale potential. By contrast, RVs with finishes in good shape command higher valuations from buyers. Modern styling likewise boosts appeal to prospective owners. Properly chosen upgrades done well recoup 60-80% of project costs.

3. Personalizing Your RV Living Space

Factory-direct RVs feature cookie-cutter decor more generic hotel room than home. Customization allows imbuing your unique personality into the motorhome. Express personal tastes through color schemes, layouts, appliances and tech gadgets tailored specifically to how you RV.

How to Plan Your RV Interior Upgrade

Strategically approaching improvements prevents wasted effort or spending. Consider these planning pointers:

Step 1: Assess Your Current RV Interior

Note which areas bother you most day-to-day plus flaws diminishing enjoyment. Survey furnishings, storage, flooring, walls/ceilings, and infrastructure like plumbing and electrical. Capture thoughts on paper to conceptualize aspirations for upgrades.

Step 2: Identify Areas for Improvement

Catalog specific locations or components needing modernization. List existing interior aspects satisfying you alongside targets for enhancement work. This inventory focuses efforts on elements offering the most impactful returns.

Step 3: Determine Your Budget and Priorities

Set realistic constraints around project costs and selection criteria before selecting upgrades. Prioritize changes providing the best balance of visual appeal and practicality. Maintain sight of end goals for interior improvements without overspending.

Step 4: Consider the Size and Layout of Your RV

Floorplan dimensions limit some upgrade options. Measure carefully when picking new furniture or appliances. Simulate layouts first when reconfiguring walls or slide-outs. Double-check clearances for ceiling height changes too.

Step 5: Prioritize Projects Offering Significant Impact

Not every upgrade bears equal weight. Cosmetic paint refreshes seem simpler than technology integrations for instance. Expect results commensurate with complexity. Focus initial efforts on one or two high-value modernizations for starters.

Easy and Affordable RV Interior Upgrades

Begin upgrading an aging RV interior without breaking the bank using these budget-friendly refresh ideas:

1. Refreshing the Walls and Ceiling

Factory white surfaces turn dull over years of UV exposure. Inject new vibrancy by repainting walls in lighter heirloom colors like antique white, pale blue, or sage green. Accent walls in bold tones add character too. Consider beadboard paneling for ceilings.

2. Updating the Flooring

Worn carpet and dated linoleum flooring detract from the interior ambiance. Replace tired surfaces with wood-look vinyl planking. Warm up slides with colorful woven area rugs. Change floor textures to delineate spaces too.

3. Revamping the Furniture

Reupholster or repurpose existing furniture when suitable. Replace irredeemable pieces with multi-functional alternatives like storage ottomans, folding tables, or space-saving Murphy beds. Update colors and fabrics for chairs, curtains, and valences.

4. Enhancing Lighting

Switch old dim incandescent bulbs for ample long-lasting LED fixtures. Add calming accent lighting beneath cabinets or overslide-outs. Install dictation and motion-activated task lighting. Smart touches like these make activities easier while creating inviting atmospheres.

Intermediate RV Interior Upgrades

Once simpler enhancements are complete, consider more involved medium-scale refresh options:

1. Modifying Cabinets and Storage

Maximize capacity with extra shelving or drawer inserts. Convert useless spaces into pull-out pantries. Append cabinetry for additional capacity via stackable modular furniture. Refinish doors and shelves in on-trend stains.

2. Upgrading Appliances

Replace aging refrigerators, microwaves, and AC units improving performance, efficiency, and capacity. Splurge on convection ovens, induction cooktops, or wine coolers taking culinary possibilities up several notches.

3. Installing New Countertops

Laminate and cultured marble surfaces succumb to stains and burns over years of use. Quartz and solid surface materials resist damage better while conveying modern styling. Neutral hues suit multiple decors. Under-mount sinks boost roominess.

Advanced RV Interior Upgrades

Significant layout changes and luxury finish options completely transform RV interiors:

1. Restructuring the Layout

Rearranging walls or slide-outs alters living configurations. Removing bulkheads opens up confined spaces. Expand master suites by stealing rooms from secondary bedrooms. Extend bathroom footprints stealing hall passage or closet area.

2. Installing Custom Features

Incorporate upscale touches like stonework fireplaces, full-height wine chillers, or theater seating. Design one-of-a-kind mosaic backsplashes. Upgrade plumbing fixtures from basic to extraordinary with integrated temperature controls, body sprays, and high-flow rain showerheads.

3. Incorporating Smart Home Technology

Integrate mobile apps controlling lighting, climate, and security systems. Use voice commands changing TV channels or dimming lights. Install camera monitoring, Wi-Fi thermostats, and AV receivers. Leading-edge gadgetry adds next-level modern convenience.

DIY vs Professional Upgrades

Ambitious do-it-yourselfers knock out certain projects alone but specialized skills become necessary as complexity increases. Evaluating your capabilities and constraints helps determine whether to utilize RV service professionals. Either approach works but understanding differences upfront prevents disappointment down the road.

How Much Does it Typically Cost to Upgrade an RV Interior?

1. DIY Projects: Wallet-Friendly Options

If you’re a hands-on adventurer with a tight budget, DIY projects are your ticket to an upgraded RV without breaking the bank. By taking matters into your own hands, you not only save on labor costs but also have the satisfaction of creating a space tailored to your taste.

• Lighting Upgrades:
  • DIY Approach: Swap out incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. This simple switch not only saves energy but also gives your RV a modern and well-lit feel.
  • Budget Consideration: LED bulbs are cost-effective, and the installation is straightforward, making it an excellent DIY project.
• Storage Solutions:
  • DIY Approach: Utilize vertical space by repurposing containers and creating DIY storage cubbies. This not only enhances organization but also maximizes every inch of your RV.
  • Budget Consideration: Repurposing items and creating your own storage solutions can be accomplished with minimal cost, turning clutter into a tidy haven.
• Flooring Transformations:
  • DIY Approach: Install peel-and-stick vinyl planks or refresh the existing carpet with affordable options. Transform your floors without a hefty price tag.
  • Budget Consideration: DIY flooring projects allow you to choose cost-effective materials, giving your RV a fresh look without a dent in your wallet.

2. Professional Overhauls: Opening the Wallet Wider

Dreaming of a more extensive RV transformation? Enlisting professionals ensures a polished finish, but it comes with a higher price tag. Consider this route if you desire expertise, speed, and a seamless, magazine-worthy result.

• Restructuring the Layout:
  • Professional Touch: Breaking down walls or adding slide-outs for a more spacious feel demands professional expertise. It ensures structural integrity and a cohesive design.
  • Budget Consideration: Professional restructuring is an investment in space and comfort, with costs varying based on the complexity of the project.
• Installing Custom Features:
  • Professional Touch: Whether it’s a fireplace or a built-in entertainment center, professional craftsmanship turns dreams into reality. Precision and expertise are crucial for these custom additions.
  • Budget Consideration: Custom features add a touch of luxury. Professional installation guarantees a seamless integration that enhances both style and function.
• Incorporating Smart Home Technology:
  • Professional Touch: Transforming your RV into a tech-savvy haven requires professional installation for a seamless experience. From smart lighting to security systems, experts ensure everything works harmoniously.
  • Budget Consideration: While the initial investment may be higher, the long-term benefits of a professionally integrated smart system can enhance your RV experience.

Choosing an option between DIY and professional upgrades involves finding the sweet spot that aligns with your aspirations and budget constraints. You don’t have to choose extremes; a blend of both approaches can create a harmonious upgrade journey.

When to Call the Professionals

More complex upgrades often require certified technicians, special tools and removing/altering structural elements. Seek professional assistance for:

1. Cabinetry Removal or Replacement
   • Complete cabinet demolition or rebuilding requires adjusting adjoining walls/ceilings
   • Custom cabinetry with intricate built-ins need skilled woodworking expertise
2. New Slide-out Installation
   • Cutting holes in exterior walls risks compromising structural integrity if incorrectly done
   • Specialized gear ensures straight slide-out insertion and weatherproof sealing
3. Electrical and Plumbing Work
   • Faulty wiring/venting poses serious fire/leak hazards needing licensed electrician/plumber skills
   • Professionals ensure proper code compliance and safety redundancy
4. Appliance Installation
   • Secure mounting, electrical hookups, gas line connections and exhaust venting need technicians
   • Professionals verify correct operational parameters during and after installation
5. Structural Modifications
   • Removing walls, expanding openings or altering ceiling/roof framing impacts structural soundness
   • Weight distribution knowledge prevents cracking slide rooms, ceilings or compromised joints

The best approach uses a combination of DIY ingenuity for simpler enhancements supplemented by professional expertise when necessary. Understanding your RV model’s mechanical intricacies assists in determining which upgrades fit each category.

Safety Considerations When Upgrading the RV Interior

Exercise proper precautions around:

1. Electrical – Shut off power to prevent shocks
2. Tools – Wear eye/face/hand protection; secure loose items
3. Chemicals – Ensure adequate airflow; ventilate
4. Weight – Distribute heavy items appropriately
5. Space – Allow sufficient room for large components
6. Ventilation – Prevent dangerous gas buildups

Conclusion

Reinvigorating your RV’s interior breathes new excitement into upcoming vacations. The exercise need not break budgets either through smart upgrades producing outsized impacts. As skills improve over multiple projects, tackle ever-more advanced challenges until you achieve your ultimate motorhome vision. In the end, realize Even modest changes transforming your surroundings for the better make destinations less important compared to the pleasure of inhabiting your customized sanctuary on wheels.

FAQs and Answers

What are some easy DIY upgrades for my RV interior?

Install peel-and-stick floor tiles, replace lighting with LED bulbs, refresh walls/ceilings using paint or wallpaper, install organizational storage solutions, and utilize decorative touches like pillows, rugs, curtains, and photos.

How much does it typically cost to upgrade an RV interior?

Budget $2,500-5,000 for minor upgrades like cabinet refacing, new flooring, window treatments, updated upholstery, and conservative layout changes. Expect higher price tags beyond $10,000+ when fully reconfiguring layouts or incorporating luxury finishes.

What are cost-effective ways to upgrade my RV?

Focus first on paint, lighting, storage, multi-purpose furniture, and remove/replace flooring for budget-friendly impact. Save bigger layout changes, full cabinetry replacements, high-end appliances, and custom millwork for later.

What RV upgrades best increase resale value?

Modern upgrades improving livability like fresh neutral paint colors, LED lighting, wood-look vinyl flooring, solid surface countertops, and functional storage solutions recover 60-80% of costs through higher valuations.