Redecorating Your RV

Why would anyone want to redecorate an RV?  Well, if you simply can't stand the way it looks, you might want to make some changes.  You might also want to redecorate an older unit due to age, normal wear and tear, or deterioration.  Sometimes people just want to customize their environment to make it more comfortable and make it really theirs.

You may have choices of interior decor when purchasing a new RV. Your choices will be limited if you buy from in stock inventory but if you order your unit you usually have several interior options to choose from. On used units you're pretty much stuck with what it is there -- at least to start with. But if you do buy a previously owned unit you don't have to live with an undesirable decor forever. It is possible to redecorate an RV. You probably won't want to paint the outside of your RV, although that is sometimes an option. Full body paint can be very expensive.   Original interiors aren't usually painted, but painting the inside is certainly a possibility.   If the cabinetry is very dark and you don't like it, you may be able to paint it to lighten things up. Keep in mind that some cabinetry surfaces are synthetic and may require special preparation before they can be painted. Check with a professional painter or qualified RV technician before beginning if you have any doubts about the composition of the cabinet surfaces, how to prep them, or your ability to access the situation. The same applies to wall surfaces. Some wood paneled interiors are natural wood, some are synthetic. Natural wood surfaces can sometimes be stripped and refinished. Synthetics usually can not. With synthetics you'll probably have to settle for painting them or covering them with wall paper or Contact paper or paneling over them.

Major exterior upgrades can be expensive.  Repainting an RV or replacing all the faded graphics or doing a vehicle wrap are options, but they tend to be kind of pricey.  You may be able to change the color of highlight stripes on and RV or add some simple stock graphics to enhance the exterior appearance without too much expense.  I've repainted the stripes on trailers and truck campers and redone vinyls striping several times with good results.  Remember that proper preparation is absolutely essential to professional looking results whether you're repainting stripes or adding graphics.  Sometimes you can have custom graphics made to match faded originals.  I was able to some badly faded name stickers on a motorhome by taking a digital photo of a sticker in good condition and having a local sign shop make me a pair of new ones for my motorhome.  Be sure to take accurate measurements and give them to the sign shop so you get the right size.  I might be good to make the new ones just slightly larger than the old ones so they completely cover where the old ones were and don't leave a "shadow" of faded (or unfaded) paint around the new ones.

Bedrooms. One of the easiest places to upgrade the interior appearance of your RV is the bedroom. You can replace worn, faded, outdated bedspread and pillow shams at low lost and little effort. It doesn't require any special tools or special skills beyond making a bed and can make a big difference in how it looks. If you coordinate the new accessories with existing curtains and valances its as easy as changing the sheets and bedspread and making the bed. For a more complete update, replace the curtains or blinds and valances to match the new bedspread.  While you're at it, it might be a good time to upgrade the bedspread to a heavier comforter if you have had any trouble staying warm at night.

Upgrading the faucets in the kitchen and/or bathroom is another fairly inexpensive and easy way to modernize an older RV.  Replacing a standard kitchen faucet with a high rise bar type faucet adds flexibility for filling hydration packs, canteens etc as well as makes it easier to wash and rinse large pots and pans.  A new, more modern faucet is highly visible and adds a touch of elegance.  This update is particularly appealing if the old faucet is leaking or has gotten clogged with hard water deposits.  Replacing sink faucets is usually within the capabilities of the average do-it-yourselfer but if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, have it done by a qualified RV technician or a plumber.  Many shower faucets can only be replaced from behind the shower enclosure and, unless you know how to get back there, you will either have to have it done by a professional who does or cut a hole in the shower enclosure to reach them (then you have to figure out how to repair the hole you made).

Another fairly easy upgrade to add functionality as well as modernize the appearance, is to add a tile backsplash to the kitchen or bathroom sink.  You will need to measure the area and purchase enough tile, adhesive, and grout to do the job.  Be sure to clean the old wall surface well so the adhesive will stick and make sure to line up the pieces of tile so they are straight.

Wall paper. Most RVs have a lot of natural wood finished paneling. It is easy to clean and compatible with most upholstery and flooring choices as well as having a rich and durable appearance. Some have one or more wall papered surfaces. These are the most common candidates for updating as they become faded, soiled, torn, or the design simply doesn't appeal to the owner. Old wall paper may be stripped or you may have to prepare the surface and apply new wall paper over the old. Check with a paint or hardware store to select appropriate tools and solvents to remove old wallpaper and a proper adhesive for use in your RV.  A solution of a cap full of liquid fabric softener in about a quart of water is often an effective way to soften wallpaper so it can be removed more easily. RVs are subjected to environmental extremes beyond normal residential limits. At the very least, use a wallpaper paste made for use in bathrooms throughout your RV. It is more resistant to the changes in humidity and temperature that may occur in your RV. If you must install new wallpaper over old, check for any special preparation that may be necessary to ensure a smooth and durable installation and make sure the adhesive you use is compatible with the old surface.  Self adhesive products like Contact paper come a variety of patterns and can sometimes be used to resurface damaged paneling.  Since Contact paper usually has a plastic coating it is particularly good for use where the surface is exposed to water, such as on the walls around the bathroom sink.  Of course, for a really professional repair of these areas, you could apply FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) panels over or in place of  damaged walls.  FRP is highly resistant to moisture.  It is often used in commercial bathrooms and kitchens where the walls have to be water resistant and scrubable.  FRP is available in home centers and is usually white or off white.  It has a kind of pebble surface.  There are a number of moldings available to join sheets or finish the edges for a very professional looking installation.

Wallpaper borders are an easy and fairly inexpensive way to add highlights to your RV. They are available in a variety of patterns to match just about any decor, taste, or hobby. My truck camper came with a fishing motif  all around the cab over bed and I opted to replace it with a motocross pattern that matches our OHV activities better. Borders can be used to highlight any wall, not just wallpapered walls. In my camper they cover the valance over the tops of the windows surrounding the cab-over bed. Everything else is natural wood paneling. Wallpaper borders are typically installed at the top of the wall, just below the ceiling but are also sometimes used as a highlight at other heights. You probably don't want to use them where there will be high impact, like where the back of a chair hits the wall. Better to install an attractive wooden "chair rail" in places like that.

Upholstery. RV upholstery is generally pretty durable and will last for many years. Areas exposed to a lot of sunlight are likely to become faded or sun-rotted. Other places it usually becomes outdated long before it wears out. So you may want to change the upholstery even if it isn't damaged. Unless you have the experience and heavy-duty sewing machine needed, this is a job best left to professionals. Updating upholstery can greatly improve the appearance and sometimes the comfort of your RV seating.  If seating surfaces have broken down, it is a good time to replace the damaged foam and/or padding when you change the upholstery.   It will be more enjoyable for you to use and can boost resale/trade-in value. You may be able to achieve temporary updates using throw-covers and accessory cushions or pillows. If you reupholster your RV choose a sturdy, Scotchguard protected fabric or spray the new upholstery with Scotchguard before using the RV. Sometimes you can purchase replacement cushions (new or used) to fit your existing dinette and/or sofa.  The chances of finding an exact match are probably slim, but you may be able to find something that complements the existing decor.  Replacing cushions can solve problems of sagging and breakdown as well as improving appearance.

Slip covers and/or seat covers aren't usually used in RVs but it might be a quick, inexpensive, and easy way to overcome worn seating.  You can probably buy ready made seat covers for the driver's and passenger seats in a motorhome.  If you aren't comfortable with your skill to install them, have it done at an upholstery shop for best results.  If you do it yourself, take plenty of time and make sure you align the seams properly and pull the covers tight before securing them in place with hog rings.  Some temporary seat covers are secured with elastic straps and you should be able to do those without professional help.  You may have to make, alter, or have made custom slip covers for other furniture.  Because of the movement and frequent breezes in an RV, slip covers may not stay in place unless they are well secure with velcro or elastic straps.  For a quick an easy cover up for a worn sofa, drape a colorful blanket like an Indian blanket or a serapi over it.

Vinyl surfaces. Many RVs, especially motorhomes, have large vinyl covered areas, including dashboards, side panels, and seats. If they are faded and need to be refreshed or you just want to change color, you may be able to use special vinyl spray paint available in auto parts stores. You will need to clean and prepare the surface according to the requirements of the product you will be using. Be sure to open the windows to make sure you have adequate ventilation since the fumes from solvents and paint can be toxic. Mask off any areas you aren't coloring to prevent over spray from settling on them. You may be able to restore luster and shine to moderately faded surfaces using a detail spray like SC-1.  I have found the silicone based SC-1 to be more satisfactory than water-based automotive products like Armorall, but Armorall is still a good option.

Flooring. Floors can take a real beating and may become worn or discolored faster than any other part of the interior. Sometimes, if the flooring is not badly damaged, the appearance can be revived by a good detailing--stripping and re-waxing hard surfaces and shampooing carpets. You may be even able to dye faded carpets or if you just want to change the color or disguise stained or faded areas. If none of those solutions work or appeal to you, replacing RV flooring is not a terribly difficult task. Remove the old flooring. You may have to cut it where it goes under cabinets (many times the cabinets are installed on top of the original flooring). Inspect the sub-floor for damage or weak spots. You will want to repair any damage before installing your new floor covering. Any areas that have had water damage should definitely be replaced. You may have to cut the sub-floor to remove the damaged portion. Try to make the cuts over or near structural members (look for nail or screw lines or tap on the floor to find the joists). You will need to be able to secure the new piece of sub-floor to the joists. While you have the floor covering removed, check for squeaks or movement. These can often be corrected by adding screws into the joists. I prefer "Grabber" type screws like those used for drywall. I'd start with 1 1/4" screws to avoid over-penetration that might damage plumbing or wiring that runs beneath the sub-frame. You may want to change the type of flooring in some parts of your RV. Many older units are carpeted everywhere, but it might be useful to switch to vinyl or tile flooring in the galley and/or bathroom areas and retain the carpet in the bedroom. Updating the flooring will give new life to your RVs interior, adding both visual appeal and durability. A new, hard-surface in the galley area may make it easier to keep it clean. In some cases you may be able to apply new flooring over old, but in doing so you lose the opportunity to check for and repair any underlying damage and defects in the old surface may soon show through the replacement. You may be able to put new vinyl or tile or even carpet over old vinyl, or tile surfaces. If you want to change from carpet to vinyl or tile you MUST remove the old carpet. You will almost always have better results if you remove the old flooring first. If you remove the old floor covering carefully, in one piece, it might serve as a pattern for the new material.

Window treatments. Window treatments vary from unit to unit. Some have curtains or drapes, some have mini-blinds, some have roller shades, some have day/night shades. Some have a combination, even on the same windows. Over time any window covering is going to succumb to the ravages of sunlight and need to be replaced. In some ways, window coverings are designed to be sacrificial, taking the brunt of sunlight and saving more expensive components such as upholstery and carpets. Many RVs have upholstered valances that you may want to update along with other interior changes. Replacing faded, ragged, or non-functional window treatments can greatly improve the appearance, functionality, and comfort of your RV. Most updates are well within the capabilities of do-it-yourselfers. If you have basic tools and fundamental carpentry skills, you should be able to replace curtains, drapes, blinds, and shades and re-cover valances. Many times your upgrades (depending on what you choose) will provide better light control and increase insulation to make it easier to maintain desired temperatures inside your RV and reduce ambient light for sleeping in and improved afternoon naps.

For a novel wall treatment that is functional as well as decorative, consider carpet or tapestry. Carpeting all or part of a wall will add insulation and sound deadening qualities as well as covering up damage and improving the looks. Carpet is especially helpful where there might be things that swing against the wall. I used indoor-outdoor carpeting on the wall where I hang my tie downs in my motorcycle trailer so the hooks don't leave nasty rub marks on the painted wall. Use tapestries or Persian rugs for a more colorful, elegant, and decorative touch in your RV.  Carpeted walls might be especially useful in the bedroom to both improve insulating qualities and control sound.  You may even be able to glue a favorite fabric over paneling or existing wallpaper for a truly unique look.  Fake brick is another fairly easy way to upgrade a wall.  It is light weight, thin (usually about 1/2" or less), and easy to install.  I can be used as a highlight or to cover up unsightly repairs just about anywhere you like or, use it in place of ceramic or glass tile splash guards in the kitchen and bathroom.  One place it might be particularly attractive would be around an electric fireplace.

Lighting. Another fairly easy and relatively inexpensive upgrade that pays great dividends in usability and appearance is to upgrade lighting fixtures. As fixtures age, the plastic lenses become discolored, unsightly, and restrict light. Often you can just replace the lenses, making the fixtures look better and provide better light. Some older fixtures had opaque lenses that created a yellowish light. New replacement lenses are sometimes available in clear plastic the greatly increases the brightness as well as improving the appearance. If you choose to update the entire fixture, it isn't a particularly difficult task. Carefully remove the old fixture, noting the wiring connections. Clean the area around and behind it. Then install the new fixture, making sure you attach the wiring correctly. The 12 volt DC systems in RV usually have black wires for ground and red for the hot lead. Fixtures often have black ground and white hot leads. If you have any doubt about the fixture, trace the wires. The hot lead will go to the base of bulb, the ground will go to the socket. To verify the supply wiring you will need a test light connected to a known ground. When you touch the probe of the test light to the hot wire, the light will light up. Touching the ground will not cause the light to glow. Incandescent fixtures will still work even if they are wired backwards, but they may create a fire hazard, so check your wires carefully. Florescent or LED fixtures may not light up if wired backwards. When installing new fixtures, pay attention to any special warnings about clearances. Some fixtures generate more heat than others so a new fixture may be dangerous in the same place an old one was safe. Your choice of lighting fixtures will depend on your personal taste and your need for illumination. Adjustable "aircraft style" lights are popular additions where you need direct illumination for reading etc. Other lights may be purely decorative or cosmetic. I have a small fixture we've moved from RV to RV for years and years. It is about 4-5" square. It has white lights on each of two sides and deep blue lens on the main part of the fixture. The blue light is a nice night light for just relaxing or providing enough illumination to safely negotiate your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night without waking your companions. Rope lights are sometimes used to provide soft illumination near the floor or to create high lights on the ceiling or around cabinets. I try to avoid any fixture that sticks out very far from the wall or ceiling. Some look very nice, but given the restricted space inside most RVs, they tend to get bumped into a lot resulting in either damage to the fixture or the body parts that come in contact with it. LED conversions and fixtures are still relatively expensive, but not only will you enjoy aesthetic gains, you will conserve battery power and LED bulbs last a lot longer than regular bulbs.

Appliances. Upgrading appliances tends to be a little pricey, but if they are not functioning, are badly damaged, or are REALLY UGLY, you may want to go that route. Sometimes you can change the cover on the door of RV refrigerators to replace damaged or stained surfaces to simply update the look. If you can't replace it, you might try covering it with Contact paper for at least a temporary improvement. Replacing an RV range/oven or cook top can greatly improve the appearance of and modernize the galley.  By dad stripped the synthetic damaged surface off a refrigerator door panel and refinished the underlying wood paneling with clear polyurethane.  It looked great!   If your appliances are working OK, you might repaint them to give them new life and improve their appearance. Be sure to use appliance paint, not ordinary general purpose spray paint. Water heaters and furnaces are usually out of sight and would only need replacement if they have failed and cannot reasonably be repaired or if you need/want to increase efficiency or capacity. Completely replacing appliances is expensive and often requires professional installation. You sure don't want any loose gas connections on stoves, furnaces, hot water heaters, or refrigerators! One way to save money on appliance is to locate some good used ones. I have had very good luck buying both furnaces and roof air conditioners from a local self-service junk yard. The prices were very good and the appliances worked very well. Like any other purchase of used equipment, inspect it carefully before concluding the sale. The seller plugged in the a/c unit for me to test it before I bought it.  I couldn't test the furnace, but since it was only $25 I was willing to chance it, and it paid off.  It worked perfectly.  You may be able to change the look and/or color or cover stained or damage surfaces of an RV range using appliance paint. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully for best results.  If you have stainless steel appliances they can usually be cleaned with stainless steel polish or carefully polished with 0000 steel wool to clean and renew the appearance.  These days you can replace the standard 6 or 10 gallon tank style water heaters with on demand units so you'll never run out of hot water -- as long as you don't run out of water!  While some of these are designed to fit right into the same space as the original water heater, they are something 3-4 times as expensive, but it is a nice option to consider if you have the budget for it.

Mattresses/bedding. The original equipment mattresses that come in most RVs are usually NOT top-of-the-line. And in many cases, they are a custom size that is difficult to replace. If the mattress is structurally sound and not contaminated with odors, insects, or other pollutants, you may be able to have it re-covered or just fit it with a fitted mattress cover. Custom replacements can also be purchased. Today there are many good upgrades for RV mattresses to improve your sleeping comfort, including memory-foam mattresses and even "Sleep Number" beds. Replacing the comforter and shams will update the appearance of your bedroom quickly, easily, and fairly inexpensively.  If the mattress has begun to break down you may extend its useful life with a mattress pad or mattress topper without the expense of replacing the mattress.  I used a 4"memory foam mattress topper to augment a thin foam mattress in one of our RVs and it was very comfortable.

Rugs. An inexpensive way to deal with damaged or discolored floors is to add throw rugs. This is also a good way to prevent damage to permanent floors. These sometimes come in sets that include a long runner for the main aisle and mats for the entry and galley. Sets designed for RVs usually have non-slip backings that make them safer than their ordinary residential counterparts. If you find residential rugs you would like to use in your RV and they don't have non-slip backings, you use add-on non-slip pads to secure them in your RV. If your RV has vinyl or tile floors, rugs can add comfort on cold nights and help reduce heat loss through the floor. A thick fluffy bath mat is nice addition to almost any RV bathroom, regardless of what kind of flooring it has. It is a lot easier to remove for cleaning than permanently installed carpet!

Pictures/posters, etc. Most RVs have little wall space for pictures or posters, but if you do have blank wall space, there is no reason you can't add favorite pictures, photos, posters, or wall-hangings. Just make sure they are securely fastened to the wall. You will need extra screws or double-sticky tape or some florist's clay to prevent them from swinging around or falling off when the vehicle is in motion. If they are allowed to swing they will make ugly scars on the wall around them and could fall off and get broken or become dangerous projectiles during a fast stop or collision.

Potted plants and vases. I have seen potted plants and beautiful flower arrangements in RVs at RV shows and magazine ads. I've even seen them accent the patio area under the awning with potted trees. All these items add a nice, beautiful and homey touch for the display models, but I don't think they are very practical for use in any vehicle that spends any time at all on the road. If you happen to like that kind of decor, be sure you can secure all items safely during travel and only display them while you are camped. Consider whether you have room to carry them while traveling and whether they will be safe where they will neither get damaged or cause damage to you or your RV on the road. Personally, I prefer to allocate the weight to more useful items, but do what makes you (and your co-pilot) happy.

Accessories. There are many accessories that can add to the comfort and convenience of your RV. Oscillating fans are fairly inexpensive and easy to install. RV fans run on 12 DC power and can be plugged in to cigarette lighter style power receptacles or permanently wired. A more luxurious (and expensive) update is a built-in food processor. These consist of a motor base or "power center" permanently mounted in an RV counter top and a set of attachments. Common attachments include blenders, mixers, ice crushers, can openers, and knife sharpeners. These appliances can provide substantial residential-style kitchen functionality without taking up a lot of room. Be sure to check out the handheld kitchen gadgets and appliances at your favorite RV or department store. You will find handy holders for napkins, paper towels, paper plates, paper cups, plastic bags, silverware, etc. A handy gadget that is inexpensive and easy to install is a trash bag holder that is made to use common grocery bags for trash bags. They can be attached just about anywhere, including on the inside of a cabinet door if there is space in the cabinet. They usually fold flat when not in use. Favorite bathroom accessories include a combination toothbrush/paper cup holder with a hinged lid that keeps dust out of the paper cups and off your tooth brushes. A hand-held mixer weighs less and takes up a lot less room than a full size mixer but is usually adequate for camp cooking.  Some RVs are equipped with a built in Nutone blender that has a variety of useful attachments.  It may be possible, though a bit pricey, to add one if you don't have one.  Be sure you have either an available outlet or a way of installing one to plug it into and enough counter space to mount the motor base -- and someplace to store the many attachments!

Form versus function. There is an old architectural adage that "form follows function". Generally that is true, but when it comes to decorating, we often choose things for their form more than their function. That is perfectly acceptable in a house on a fixed foundation where you don't have to be overly concerned about weight or the house moving (except in an earthquake!). When choosing items for your RV, it is wise to consider function and avoid packing around a lot of extra weight just for something to look at. Aunt Martha's beautiful gilded antique mirror may look good on blank wall of your RV and may even be somewhat useful, but there is probably something more useful you could bring along with the same or less weight. I strongly suggest you avoid purely decorative items and focus on things that will make your life on the road easier or more comfortable. Of course, if your spouse insists on bringing Aunt Martha's mirror (or any other purely decorative item), the peace of mind and investment in the relationship will be well worth the extra weight. Make sure it is securely mounted.

More extensive renovations may be dictated by individual circumstances. If for example, you have had a fire or your RV has been involved in an accident, you may have to remove and replace damaged sections. You may also choose to make major changes to improve living space or add features. Some of the easiest and least expensive of the major mods involve replacing the furniture in the main living space. If you want to open up the living area but don't need the extra sleeping capacity of a sofa bed you can replace the sofa with individual chairs. Conversely, if you need more sleeping capacity you might be able to replace the lounge chairs and table with another sofa bed. Be sure to take careful measurements before embarking on any project that involves swapping major furniture or appliance components. You don't want to buy something only to find won't fit or you can't get through the door when you get it home.

Looking good!