RV life makes every day a new adventure. But if you have a lot of stuff, it may be a little difficult for everyone. Smaller square footage means less space. You may struggle to store kitchenware, bed sheets, cleaning products, and more within it. Try out these ten tips for organizing and maximizing your RV space. You can have everything you need without wasting a single section, making RV life more enjoyable!
Tip One: Cut Back
Evaluate your belongings and decide what you need and don’t need in the RV. If you’re moving from a house to a mobile home, this may be a bit hard. However, when you eliminate what you don’t need, you cut back on clutter, making for a comfier RV.
Start cutting back on belongings by asking yourself what you and your family need. Depending on your culinary needs, a basic pan and Dutch oven may work fine. Take time to declutter and consider writing a list of the pros and cons of large items to make this evaluation easier.
Pro Tip: Shop Smart
When it comes to utensils and kitchenware, search for camping-specific items. This way, you can have everything you need to cook without worrying about wasted space in the RV. You don’t always have to make sacrifices.
Tip Two: Know What You Have
Once you’ve cut back on non-essential items, it’s time to make a list of what you do have. When you go grocery shopping, take note of what you need to stock up on, and avoid buying what you don’t need. No matter how spectacular your organizational skills are, you don’t want to have too much. And that means that you need to cut back and purge once again.
Pro Tip: Buy What You Need
Many seasoned RVers practice the “one in, one out” rule when they go shopping. So, when you’re out finding new bed sheets or other home goods, get rid of your old set to make room. If you don’t live in your RV full-time, you could leave items you’re not ready to part with at the house. The important thing is to have space in your RV.
Tip Three: Buy Stackable Storage
Try to buy stacking drawers for extra makeshift cabinets. You won’t have to worry about these taking up too much room in the RV, and you’ll have the perfect place to keep a few items. Another option is to use a shoe organizer to keep linens in one place.
Tip Four: Create a System
It’s a lot easier to stay organized when you have a system. All your belongings should have a defined and logical place. Kitchenware and utensils should remain in the kitchen. By leaving things strewn around the RV, you risk having clutter build up excessively. You could also:
Regardless of where you store your extra items, do what best matches your needs. Keeping sheets or paper products in your RV storage system may work for some but not everyone.
Pro Tip: Use Wall Space
The best organization system differs from person to person. But one tip is to make the most of the space you have. Instead of cramming everything into closets and cabinets, use wall space to hang specific items. For instance, instead of taking up cabinet space with spices, buy a spice rack to hang.
Tip Five: Buy Magnetic Strips and Hooks
Another great tip for organizing and maximizing your RV space is to buy plenty of suction cup hooks and magnet strips. Both make tucking small items away easy and help you make the most of the space you have.
With hooks, you can hang items inside cabinets or on walls without worrying about permanence. And magnet strips are great for the kitchen. You can stick metal pieces like knives on them or magnetize your cutting board and store it under high-up cabinets. Alternatively, you can magnetize television remotes and stick them to the side of a table.
Tip Six: Get Some Dispensers
Rather than waste cabinet space with all kinds of boxes, buy a food dispenser and mount it to a wall or keep it on the counter. This frees up cabinet space for other items you may need. And better yet, you can get food dispensers for the kitchen and soap dispensers for the bathroom.
Tip Seven: Start Upcycling
If you want to maximize your space and save some money, reuse old items. Get creative by how you use your area. Upcycling works great because you may be able to reuse that item for something else later. While a mason jar may work great to store some cereal, you could use it as a cup once it’s empty.
Tip Eight: Invest in Collapsible Items
Try and make sure what you have is compact. When items are smaller or can collapse, storage becomes a lot easier. Not only that, but when things flatten, they also take up less room. You could, for instance, buy collapsible measuring cups, laundry baskets, and more. Then, flatten the objects and slide them into the cabinet or closet for easy storage anytime you’re not using them!
Tip Nine: Have Multifunctional Storage
Search out pieces that help you store items and serve another purpose. This can range from storage-friendly headboards to a shower curtain with pockets. Both allow you to keep necessary things that also have secondary uses.
You can also buy multi-purpose furniture. Ottomans are great for providing a place to put your feet up and relax. But some also open up to reveal storage compartments. With something like this, you have a place to keep a pillow, blankets, or whatever you need to put away.
Tip Ten: Utilize Pull-Out Surfaces
Don’t have room for a table? Buy one that pulls out and slides away. This way, you’ll have room to stretch your legs on every journey. Pull-out surfaces are great, and you can search for various pieces of furniture with this feature to ensure you always meet your comfort needs.
When you utilize your RV space strategically, you also make your lifestyle more comfortable. Try out various organization systems and tips, then use what works best. Peruse our online shop at RV Parts center for everything you’ll need, from RV roof hatches to new interior locks. Enjoy all your adventures in an organized RV!
