Choosing your DIY camper layout design is one of the most important steps in a van build. With so many options for campervans available, you may find it difficult to select the best layout for your needs. Thankfully, a wealth of inspiration and ideas can help guide you in the right direction.
Some Words of Wisdom
Don’t Lose Sight of Your Priorities
When designing your DIY camper layout, it’s easy to get carried away with ideas. You will encounter many options, and each will impact the overall design of your campervan. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep a firm grasp on your priorities and avoid compromising them for less important aspects of the layout.
- Do you need a shower inside your campervan?
- Where will you go to the bathroom?
- Is kitchen space important in your DIY camper layout?
- Do you want a comfortable seating area?
- Is a fixed bed ideal for your van life?
Multipurpose Is Key
A campervan only has so much room, making it important to utilize the space efficiently. Thus, your DIY camper layout should often include furniture that serves multiple functions. You can incorporate extra luxury without sacrificing your priorities.
- Combine a work area with a seating area in your campervan.
- Create storage beneath the furniture in your design.
- Utilize slide-outs for multi-functional space in your layout.
- Use pop-up tables for extra counter space.
- Make use of less-used areas for storage.
Simple Is Often Better
While it’s natural to desire a highly aesthetic campervan with all the bells and whistles, practicality should never take a backseat. Additionally, being a small space, things can quickly become cluttered, which is why we advocate for simplicity and functionality in your DIY camper layout. Ultimately, it would be a shame to go through all the efforts of building a van only to realise you’re missing key elements or have sacrificed necessary storage for a van.
Table Of Contents
1. Open Air With Convertible Bed
2. Fixed Bed With Large L-shaped Kitchen
3. Open Design With Bedroom and Luxurious Shower
4. All-In-One Design With Third Bed
5. Light-Filled Design With Sliding Doors and Slide-Out Bed
Before You Choose Your DIY Camper Layout…
Five Layout Design Plans for a DIY Camper
Designing your campervan offers a unique opportunity to create your customized tiny home on wheels. Keep your priorities in mind and focus on multi-purpose designs. Now, let’s explore these inspiring van layouts and pick out your favourite aspects to include in your van build.
1. Open Air With Convertible Bed
This DIY camper layout presents an excellent option for an open-air design. Moreover, it could be ideal for weekends away or even for living with two people. You will find that convenience and storage have been prioritised without sacrificing the open feeling of your campervan.
- Bed: Convertible
- Seating: U-shape
- Kitchen: Large
- Shower: Outside
- Storage: Ample
- Cabin Access: Direct
Bed & Seating
In this campervan, the bed is located at the rear and can be converted into a U-shaped couch for daytime seating. Consequently, when in couch mode, the ample space allows for easy movement, creating a large and practical seating area. By night, a piece of wood completes the bed frame, and the cushions tuck in to form a full-sized bed.
Kitchen
The kitchen occupies the front section of the van, providing a large countertop on both sides along with plenty of storage below. Additionally, it features a large sink with running water (both cold and hot), a fridge, and a 2-burner stovetop.
Shower
This layout does not include a fixed shower inside the campervan. Instead, a shower connection at the rear allows you to connect to the water supply. For privacy, simply hang a shower curtain between the rear doors.
Storage
This campervan undoubtedly provides ample storage, optimizing space with a large overhead cabinet along both sides and many drawers in the kitchen area. Additionally, you will find storage space beneath the seating area.
Cabin Access
Accessing the cabin is straightforward, thanks to an open hallway that leads directly between the front and back of the van. This design enhances the open feeling, offering a large view through the front windscreen. For privacy, you can easily open and close a blackout curtain, enhancing the sense of security with quick access to the driver’s seat.
2. Fixed Bed With Large L-shaped Kitchen
This DIY camper layout takes a straightforward approach, making it convenient for weekend getaways. Therefore, it can easily serve as a home on wheels, with plenty of space and many convenient features in your campervan.
- Bed: Fixed
- Seating: Two-Piece
- Kitchen: Complete
- Shower: Outside
- Storage: Average + Garage
- Cabin Access: None
Bed & Seating
With a full-sized double bed, you can expect a good night’s rest in this campervan. The bed is located at the rear, positioned lengthwise, which means you don’t need to rebuild it every night. Beside the bed, a storage pocket doubles as a bedside table. Further, at the foot of the bed, a two-piece seating area consists of one single seat and a comfortable seat for two. Between them, a slide-out table creates a cozy dining/work area.
Kitchen
The kitchen is L-shaped at the front of the van, tucked into the corner behind the driver’s seat, which prevents access to the cabin. However, you will find plenty of counter space, a 4-burner stovetop, and a deep sink with running water. Below, several drawers and cupboards provide additional storage.
Shower
This layout does not include a fixed shower inside your campervan. Instead, an outdoor gas water boiler at the rear connects directly to a shower head, allowing for instant warm water for an outdoor shower.
Storage
You won’t be short on storage with this layout. It utilises all available space, featuring overhead cabinets along one side and usable storage in the kitchen and beneath the seats. Additionally, a large garage space below the fixed bed provides extra room for your van life essentials.
Cabin Access
Direct access to the cabin is not possible, as the kitchen is built directly behind the cabin, creating a wall for separation. Thus, this design adds privacy to the living area.
3. Open Design With Bedroom and Luxurious Shower
This DIY camper layout is all-inclusive and features a luxurious finish. The attention to detail is thorough while still focusing on practicality. This campervan can comfortably accommodate 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. Although sleeping widthwise might be challenging for taller individuals, this practical solution provides a fixed bed. The raised bed is enclosed by two partial walls, creating a private sleep space. Beside the bed, a small dinette consists of two single couches and a table in between, offering a pleasant viewpoint when the side door is open.
Kitchen
Opposite the dinette, the kitchen sits between the shower and bed. While it’s slightly smaller than most, it is complete. Notably, you’ll find a 2-burner stovetop and a deep sink with running water built into the countertop, leaving enough space for kitchen activities. Below, the fridge has multiple drawers and cupboards for storage.
Shower
This layout includes a fixed shower inside, located directly behind the driver’s seat. The spacious wet room connects to warm and cold water for a comfortable rinse. When not in use, it can serve as a home for a portable toilet.
Storage
This campervan maximizes storage by utilizing the space beneath the bed as a garage. In addition, overhead cabinets above the kitchen and the foot of the bed provide additional storage options. Moreover, some drawers below the bed can be accessed from the dining area, along with the space beneath 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, creating a wall for separation. While this may reduce light, it enhances privacy in the living area.
4. All-In-One Design With Third Bed
This DIY camper layout perfectly combines convenience and luxury. It provides all the basic needs required to live or travel in a campervan while incorporating additional features for comfort. Consequently, every piece of space has been used practically, boasting 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. However, sleeping widthwise might be difficult for taller people, which is why they’ve added a slide-out section beside the bed for lengthwise sleeping. The raised bed is enclosed by the shower wall, creating a private sleeping space. On the opposite end of the van, a multifunctional seating area consists of two sides with a lagoon table in between. The table can be lowered to fit between the two seats, and with some extra cushions, it can transform into a longer lounge area. Additionally, one seat has a slide-out compartment that can serve as an additional seat.
Kitchen
This campervan features a simple yet complete kitchen. Notably, it sits across from the dinette and shower, with a long cabinet spanning the van’s length. The open countertop offers ample workspace and a combination sink and stovetop is built into the countertop, with a fridge and freezer below. The rest of the kitchen cabinet provides plenty of storage with multiple drawers and cupboards.
Shower
This layout includes a fixed shower inside, located between the bed and the seating area. The spacious wet room connects to hot and cold water for a comfortable shower. When not in use, the room can serve as additional storage or provide access to a built-in composting toilet.
Storage
You’ll find overhead cabinets above the kitchen and seating area, as well as an open shelf above the bed. Each seat can open to reveal additional storage compartments. The large garage has been organized conveniently to maximize accessible space, featuring a slide-out section that can carry two bikes along with more storage.
Cabin Access
Access to the cabin is easy, with an open hallway leading directly between the front and back of the van. Thus, this design enhances the open feeling of the campervan while providing a large view. For privacy, a blackout curtain can be hung, or window covers can be attached.
5. Light-Filled Design With Sliding Doors and Slide-Out Bed
This DIY camper layout strikes a good balance between comfort and convenience. As such, it provides everything needed to live or travel in a campervan while utilizing space efficiently. Many elements of this design are multipurpose, making it 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, featuring a fixed section across the width. While this bed can be comfortable, it may not be practical for taller individuals. The side of the bed slides out, resting on the backrests of the seats. Cushions can be added to create a full-sized king bed. Beside the bed, two seats flank either side of the van, each with a backrest. A table is positioned between the couches, which can slide out from below the bed, creating a cozy dinette.
Kitchen
Two sections of the kitchen sit directly beside the seats. Closest to the sliding door is a cabinet with an oven and a tall drawer. Additionally, a pop-up table on the side of this kitchen unit creates an extra-long countertop. On the opposite side, the sink connects to hot and cold running water. Below the sink, you’ll find a fridge with a small freezer compartment alongside another tall drawer.
Shower
This layout includes a fixed shower inside, located directly behind the driver’s seat. In particular, this small wet room connects to the water supply and includes a hatch for additional storage. When not in use, the wet room can hold a portable toilet.
Storage
Overhead cabinets above the kitchen and bed offer storage options. In addition, each seat can open to access additional storage, along with the cupboard below the bed. Below the bed, a large open space serves as garage space, conveniently set up for camper utilities and camping equipment.
Cabin Access
Access to the cabin is easy, with an open hallway leading directly between the front and back of the van. Consequently, this design enhances the open feeling, providing a large view through the front windscreen. For privacy, two sliding doors can easily slide into place and be locked with foot locks, enhancing security while allowing quick access to the driver’s seat.
Before You Choose Your DIY Camper Layout…
Whether you’re designing a family van, a weekend getaway vehicle, or a van life home, these inspirational campervan layouts will help set you on the right path. Therefore, be sure to jot down your main priorities along with any additional features you wish to include in your campervan design. Additionally, take note of your packing list to gauge how much storage space you will need, and remember: don’t compromise on practicality! Good luck with your van build, and please let us know how it goes.
