Maximising space in your caravan or motorhome

Must haves include storage baskets to stop smaller things rolling around and to make it easier to lift front things out to reach stuff at the back. Non-slip rubberised matting is essential in a MH to hold things steady and stop those infernal rattles.

Roof lockers in caravans and motorhomes can benefit from the fitting of shelves which helps get more things in and stops a tall pile toppling out when the door is opened! Likewise, curtain wire across the front prevents things falling out when opening doors. 

We have changed fixed end panels on rear bunks/seats in PVCs to removable panels so the storage can be accessed through the rear doors instead of scrabbling around inside to reach under the bunks. It’s ideal for storing ramps, hoses and the like.

Finally, do you have a table that’s a pain to use and store? We did so took to storing it in the loft at home and used a much smaller version in the van. 👍🏻

 Manufacturers never seem to fit enough shelves in cupboards, and buying extra ones is expensive, but they are easily made from lightweight plywood and wooden edging.

Invest in drawer organisers if none have been supplied.  And wirework plate and mug racks.

If you have a fixed bed, work out the best way to fit things in, and maybe make some dividers to stop things sliding around.

Boxes.......lots of lightweight see through ones for organising smaller items in drawers, in cupboards, under bunks, even in the car.  
We use "take-away" boxes in drawers for small items, and larger Ikea ones under the bunks for bigger items.   And a large lidless crate for lightweight food items under the fixed bed.  Open boxes are useful in the bathroom cupboards to stop shampoo etc falling all over the place.

Organise them with similar items together.  I have a couple for caravan spares, plus one for spare bulbs, and one for some essential tools, my heavy tools travel in my tool bag in the car.

Ikea Dimpa bags are great for storing bedding and dirty washing too.

Some excellent ideas from TW and K which I do as well. 

I've found that a six berth caravan when used for 4, or even better 2, has just the right amount of storage space, so for a caravan perhaps the best storage will be given by a number of real people +2, that is a four berth caravan is perfect for 2.

I suppose ours is officially a 4 berth, we can manage stuff for 4 easily, but for many vans the limiting factor will be the weight.  

Fortunately, as it is an older van, we have a very good weight allowance, but on many newer vans the payload allowed is totally inadequate.

For years we had the microwave taken out and used the space as an extra cupboard. We've left it in the current one as the caravan has enough space already.

We also take the table out. Waste of payload as they're usually quite heavy. Use the storage space for fold down clothes drier and general cleaning products.

We have actually reached Nirvana in space in our unit. Biggest one we've ever had but still only medium size. I think having had smaller ones has honed our skill at maximising space.

The mesh bags that supermarkets sell for fruit & veg at about 30p each make great bags for underwear, rolled up t-shirts etc. and pack easily into cupboards.

We have a lift up lid with slats under the foot of one bed.  We use one of the blue Ikea bags underneath that for dirty washing - just push it through the slats.

Pans that nest inside one another with the cardboard they came with in between to stop rattles.

Various plastic boxes - for meds, for charging leads etc.

I've lined both side lockers with those foam carpet tiles meant for awning carpet - stops things sliding about and prevents damage to the wooden flooring.  Bought a load cheap from Halfords and didn't like them for their intended use and found they were ideal for their new purpose.

Two large 'under-bed' plastic storage boxes - one for awning pegs and the other for shoes/ crocs etc. - fit perfectly in front side locker and the shoe box comes out and lives in the awning to keep things tidy.

Smaller plastic storage box in front gas locker for general 'junk' such as waste pipe connector, silicone spray, hammers / mallet, tap-splitter etc etc.

One little 'hack' that I'm quite pleased with.  We have Kampa Sabre lighting for the awning but there was nowhere to hang it in the new Veduta awning.  Since we never use awning curtains, I threaded some thin strips of velcro through some curtain hangers and the lights are now fixed quickly and easily - just like the 'Sabre-ready' awnings.

I use a number of >suction products< which attach to convenint points to either hang things up or retain items like washing up liquid and CIF next to the sink. There is a vast array to choose from to suit every need. It keeps things handy with no need to drill any holes. Occasionally they do come unstuck with changes in temperature/weather but stay put when the van is being used. They work better on some surfaces than others.

I also use car seat organisers fitted to the rear of the driver and passenger seats for storing items like TV cable, assorted connecters, cleaning cloths etc. Again there is a large choice of types.

>These< cargo nets are very handy for retaining magazines and paper work.

peedee

Go on a diet, then you take up less space. 

We declared war on ‘stuff’ and massively increased the amount of useful things we can pack in. 

We were rather shocked about some of the stuff we’ve carried for literally years untouched.