Choosing your van layout design is one of the most important steps for a van build. With so many options it can be difficult to choose which will be best for you. Thankfully, there is a bunch of inspiration that can help you on the right track.
Some Words of Wisdom
Don’t Lose Sight of Your Priorities
When designing a DIY camper, it can become easy to get carried away. There are so many ideas to choose from, all of which will impact the overall layout of your future campervan. It is extremely important to keep a strong hold on your priorities and not to compromise them for less important aspects of the design.
- Do you need a shower inside?
- Where will you go to the bathroom?
- Is kitchen space important?
- Do you want a comfortable sitting place?
- Is a fixed bed ideal?
Multipurpose Is the Key
A campervan only has so much room. It’s important to utilize the space as efficiently as possible. Often this means designing furniture that can become multifunctional. It is possible to design your layout to include extra luxury without compromising on your priorities.
- Combine a work area with a seating area.
- Create storage beneath the furniture.
- Utilize slide-outs for multi-functional space
- Use pop-up tables for extra counter space.
- Make storage in less used areas
Simple Is Often Better
It is natural to want a highly aesthetic van with all the bells and whistles, though, the practicality should never be sacrificed. In a small space, things can quickly become clutter which is why we push for simplicity and functionality. It would be a shame to go through all of the efforts of building a van, only to realise that you’re missing some key elements, or have sacrificed necessary storage for a van plant.
Five Layout Design Plans for a DIY Camper
Being able to design your van is very unique, you can create your own customized tiny home on wheels. It is important to keep your priorities in mind and to focus on multi-purpose designs. Look at these inspiring van designs and pick out your favourite aspects to include in your van build.
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1. Open Air With Convertible Bed
This van layout is an excellent option for an open-air design. Such a van could be ideal for weekends away or even to live with two people. Convenience and storage have been prioritized without losing the open feeling.
Bed: Convertible
Seating: U-shape
Kitchen: Large
Shower: Outside
Storage: Ample
Cabin Access: Direct
Bed & Seating
The bed is located at the rear of the van and can be converted into a U-shaped couch for seating during the day. With the rear end in couch mode, there is lots of space to move around with a large and practical seating area. By night, a piece of wood completes the bed frame and the cushions can be tucked in to create a full-sized bed.
Kitchen
The kitchen takes up the front section of the van. This kitchen provides a large countertop on both sides of the van with plenty of storage below. There is a large sink with running water, both cold and hot, as well as a fridge and a 2-pit stovetop.
Shower
This van layout does not include a fixed shower inside the van. Instead, there is a shower connection at the rear of the van which can connect to the water supply. To create privacy, a shower curtain can be hung between the rear doors.
Storage
There is no doubt that this van provides enough storage. Space has been optimized with a large overhead cabinet along both sides of the van, along with many drawers in the kitchen area. Additionally, there is storage space among the utilities beneath the seating area.
Cabin Access
Access to the cabin is easy, with an open hallway leading directly between the front and back of the van. This adds to the open feeling of the van, with a large view directly through the front windscreen of the van. For privacy, a blackout curtain can easily be opened and closed. This also adds a feeling of security with quick access to the driver’s seat.
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2. Fixed Bed With Large L-shaped Kitchen
This is a more simplistic approach for a convenient camper. Such a design can easily be used as a home on wheels with its practicality. For a weekend van or short trips, this would be more than ideal as you have plenty of space and many convenient features.
Bed: Fixed
Seating: Two-Piece
Kitchen: complete
Shower: Outside
Storage: Average + Garage
Cabin Access: None
Bed & Seating
With a full-sized double bed, you would be sure to get a good night’s rest. The bed is located at the rear of the van, positioned lengthways. This is the fixed position which is ideal as you don’t need to rebuild it every night. Beside the bed is a storage pocket that doubles as a bedside table. At the foot of the bed is the seating area which consists of two pieces. On one side is a single seat and directly opposite is a seat comfortable for two people. In between the two seats is a slide-out table making a comfortable dining/work area.
Kitchen
The Kitchen is in an L shape at the front of the van. This large kitchen is tucked into the corner behind the driver’s seat which does prevent access to the cabin. There is plenty of counter space to work with, as well as a 4-pit stovetop and a deep sink with running water. Below, are several drawers and cupboards for additional storage.
Shower
This van layout does not include a fixed shower inside the van. Instead, there is an outdoor gas water boiler at the rear of the van which connects directly to a shower head. This allows for instant warm water for an outdoor shower.
Storage
Storage is not short with this van layout, utilizing all of the available space. With overhead cabinets along one side of the length of the van, and usable storage in the kitchen and below the seats. Additionally, this layout provides a large garage space below the fixed bed.
Cabin Access
Direct access to the cabin is not possible with this design. The kitchen is built directly behind the cabin with a wall for separation. This adds privacy from the van’s living area.
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3. Open Design With Bedroom and Luxurious Shower
This layout is all-inclusive with a luxurious finish. The attention to detail is thorough without losing focus on practicality. This van could be comfortable for weekends away, long-term travels, or even living.
Bed: Fixed
Seating: Dinette
Kitchen: complete
Shower: Inside
Storage: Ample
Cabin Access: None
Bed & Seating
The bed is located at the rear of the van in a semi-closed-off area. While sleeping in the width of the van could be difficult for taller people, this is a practical solution for a fixed bed. The bed is raised and closed off by two partial walls creating a private space for sleep. Beside the bed is a small dinette that consists of two single couches with a table in between. This dinette is located between the bed and the side sliding door, making a nice viewpoint when the door is open.
Kitchen
Opposite the dinette, is the kitchen. This is between the shower and bed, and is slightly smaller than most, though it is complete. There is a 2-pit stovetop and a deep sink with running water, both of which are built into the countertop. This leaves enough counter space for kitchen activities. Below, is the fridge with multiple drawers and cupboards for storage.
Shower
This van layout does include a fixed shower inside the van which is located directly behind the driver’s seat. The shower is spacious and connects to warm and cold water for a comfortable rinse. When not in use, this wet room becomes home to a portable toilet.
Storage
Space is maximised with this van’s layout by utilizing the space beneath the bed as a garage. There are overhead cabinets above the kitchen and the foot of the bed. Additionally, some drawers below the bed can be accessed from the dining area, as well as the space below the seats.
Cabin Access
Direct access to the cabin is not possible with this design. The Shower is built directly behind the driver’s seat with a wall for separation. This reduces light, though adds privacy from the van’s living area.
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4. All-In-One Design With Third Bed
This van layout is a perfect combination between, convenience and luxury. It provides all of the basic needs required to live or travel in a campervan while including some additional features for comfort. Every piece of space has been used practically with a luxurious finish.
Bed: Fixed
Seating: Dinette
Kitchen: complete
Shower: Inside
Storage: Ample
Cabin Access: Direct
Bed & Seating
The bed is located at the rear of the van in a partially closed-off area. Sleeping in the width of the van could be difficult for taller people, which is why they have added a slide-out section beside the bed to sleep lengthways. The bed is raised and closed off the shower wall, creating a private space for sleep. On the opposite end of the van is a multifunctional seating area. This space consists of two sites with a lagoon table in between. The table can be lowered to fit between the two seats, with some extra cushions, this would become a longer lounge area. One seat has a slide-out compartment that can be used as an extra seat.
Kitchen
This van has a simple, though, complete kitchen. The kitchen is across from the dinette and shower, with one long cabinet across the length of the van. The countertop is very open, with lots of space to work on. The is a combination sink and stove top built into the countertop with a fridge and freezer below. The rest of the kitchen cabinet provides lots of storage with multiple drawers and cabinets.
Shower
This van’s layout does include a fixed shower inside, which is located between the bed and seating area. The wet room is spacious and connects to hot and cold water for a comfortable shower. When not in use, the room can be used for additional storage, or to access the built-in composting toilet.
Storage
There are overhead cabinets above the kitchen and seating area, as well as an open shelf above the bed. Each of the seats can be opened to reveal additional storage compartments. The large garage has been organised conveniently to maximise accessible space. There is a large slide-out section that can carry 2 bikes, with a lot more room for storage.
Cabin Access
Access to the cabin is easy, with an open hallway leading directly between the front and back of the van. This adds to the open feeling of the van, with a large view. For privacy, a blackout curtain can be hung, or window covers attached.
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5. Light Filled Design With Sliding Doors and Slide-Out Bed
This van layout is a good combination between comfort and convenience. It provides everything needed to live or travel in a campervan and utilizes space efficiently. Many aspects of this design are multipurpose, making a robust home on wheels.
Bed: Fixed + Slide-out
Seating: Dinette
Kitchen: complete
Shower: Inside
Storage: Ample
Cabin Access: Direct
Bed & Seating
The bed is located at the rear of the van with a fixed section across the width of the van. This fixed bed can be comfortable to sleep in, though, it is not practical for taller people. The side of the bed can slide out, resting on the backrests from the seats. Cushions can be added to create a full-sized king bed. Beside the bed are two seats on either side of the van, each with a backrest. A table is located between the couches, which can slide out from below the bed creating a dinette.
Kitchen
Two pieces of the kitchen are directly beside the seats. Closest to the sliding door is a cabinet with an oven and a tall drawer. Additionally, there is a pop-up table on the side of this kitchen unit which creates an extra-long countertop. On the opposite side is the sink which is connected to hot and cold running water. Below the sink, is a fridge with a small freezer compartment, and next to that is another tall drawer.
Shower
This van’s layout does include a fixed shower inside, which is located directly behind the driver’s seat. This is a small wet room that is connected to the water supply. Inside is a small hatch for additional storage and when not in use, the wet room can hold a portable toilet.
Storage
There are overhead cabinets above the kitchen and bed for storage. Each of the seats can be opened to access additional storage, as well as the cupboard below the bed. Below the bed is a large open space that can be utilized as garage space. This has been conveniently set up to store all of the camper’s utilities as well as camping equipment with spare space.
Cabin Access
Access to the cabin is easy, with an open hallway leading directly between the front and back of the van. This adds to the open feeling of the van, with a large view directly through the front windscreen of the van. For privacy, two sliding doors can easily slide into place and be locked with foot locks. This also adds a feeling of security with quick access to the driver’s seat.
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Before You Chose Your Layout Design…
Whether you are designing a family van, weekend beater or a van life home, these inspirational vans will be sure to set you in the right direction. Be sure to write down your main priorities, along with some additional features that you wish to have in your campervan. Take a good note from your packing list to have a thorough idea of how much storage space you will need and don’t compromise on practicality! Good luck with your van design and please let us know how it goes.
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