Have you bought your own used caravan? What are your plans for renovations? Are you excited but also feeling unsure and just plain overwhelmed? It doesn’t have to be stressful.
There are plenty of inspirational stories of bringing old retro caravans to life. Don’t worry too much about the money as you won’t need to break the bank to convert your caravan into your own comfortable and personal space. As far as the average cost of caravan renovation is concerned, owners usually budget somewhere between $3,000-$4,500 though you can always splurge or keep things really simple — it’s up to you.
Things to Consider Before Renovating a Caravan
- Budget
- Weight distribution
- DIY or professionals
- Time for renovation
- Finding necessary parts and materials
You have to set a budget before starting your renovation project. Diving in without a budget might turn this exciting project into a stressful exercise. Renovation should be fun.
When choosing furniture or other stuff, pay special attention to the weight distribution. You can’t just put things wherever you like. It needs to be properly distributed to keep things safe and balanced for travelling. Doing everything yourself can save you money but if you don’t have the tools or expertise, it could quickly become a nightmare. Choose the DIY route only if you are comfortable and have the patience, tools and skills needed for a successful DIY renovation.
It’s never going to be perfect. There will always be something that can be improved but embracing the imperfections is the key to a successful and joyful renovation. Keep your expectations realistic.
11 Steps to Renovate Your Caravan
1. Take a pen and paper, and start planning.
2. Take inspiration from Pinterest, popular blogs, forums and other social media communities
3. Fix a budget
4. Always remember, less is more
5. Throw out everything you won’t need
6. Begin by fixing broken things such as window frames, ceilings or walls
7. Fix the kitchen
8. Start painting the insides
9. Start working on the floor
10. Choose the fabrics
11. Paint outside of the van
12. Adding stickers or other decorations
The first thing you need to do is fix a budget after planning the kind of look you want for your caravan. There is no lack of sources for inspiration. Use Pinterest, Instagram, popular social media platforms and forums related to camping to find inspiration.
Take this time to also decide on the materials are going to use. Fix a budget that is comfortable. Don’t forget that you are doing this for your own sake and not to prove something to others.
If you’re planning to keep some things, let them remain but rip out everything else. This will allow you to properly clean the insides and also get an idea of anything that is broken and needs to be fixed. Once you have fixed everything inside, think about the kitchen. Plenty of affordable appliances and other accessories are available for camper vans.
Most people recommend white paint as it keeps all things bright and well lit but if you want something different, it’s up to you. If you’ve never painted before, check out blogs and videos on how to properly paint the inside. When it comes to flooring, there are plenty of options. Bunnings is your friend and has almost everything you could think of.
Choose curtains or blinds and make sure the colour matches the overall aesthetics. When it comes to buying cushions, bedding and other such knick-knacks, it’s better to buy everything at once. This will help you keep the aesthetics uniform and give a pleasant feel to your camper. Once everything inside is finished, think of painting the outside and once again, check out videos and forums to choose the right type of paint.
Final Thoughts
Renovating your caravan doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. If you take some time to plan this renovation project, you’re going to have a joyful experience and the results will be there for all to see. Don’t do it in pieces.
Create a wholesome plan and follow that plan. It’s also important to fix a budget and stick to it. Without a budget, things might quickly get out of hand. Keep in mind that your renovated caravan has to work for you. After all, you’re going to spend a lot of time inside.
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Please give us a call today on 1800 782 236 to learn more about our caravan services or leave an enquiry.
