How to plan your campervan furniture layout before you buy

Planning your campervan layout can be exciting - and a little overwhelming. You’re trying to fit somewhere to sleep, cook and store your belongings into a space that still needs to feel comfortable.

Before you buy any furniture, a tape measure and some masking tape can help you work out what will suit your van and the way you want to use it.

Start with your empty van

Measure the usable space inside your van, rather than relying only on its advertised dimensions. Allow for any flooring, insulation and wall lining you still need to add.

Make a note of:

• The length available behind the cab seats

• The width between the wheel arches

• The position and size of the wheel arches

• The space around the side and rear doors

  
  

Curved walls and door openings can affect where furniture will fit, so check measurements at the height where each unit will sit.

Decide what matters most to you

Think about an ordinary day away in your camper.

Do you want a bed that stays made up, or would you prefer seating during the day? Will you cook inside regularly, or mainly make tea and simple meals? Do you need space for a portable toilet, a coolbox or bulky outdoor gear?

Choose your essentials first. It’s much easier to plan around a few priorities than to squeeze in every idea you’ve seen online.

Plan the bed in both positions

The bed will usually take up a large part of your layout, so it’s a useful place to start.

If you’re choosing a sliding bed, mark out its footprint when closed and when extended for sleeping. Check the product’s full dimensions before deciding where it will go.

Our Trekvana sliding bed measures 185cm long × 76cm wide × 40.5cm high when closed. You’ll also need to allow for your chosen mattress or cushions when thinking about seating height and comfort.

Mark the furniture out on the floor

Use masking tape to mark the footprint of each unit inside your van. Cardboard boxes can help you picture the height and depth too.

Then move around the space as though you’re using it:

• Can you get in comfortably through the side door?

• Can you stand at the kitchen?

• Can you reach your storage?

• Is there room to change your clothes?

• Can you access what you need when the bed is extended?

  
  

It’s much easier to move a strip of tape than a fitted kitchen.

Leave room for things to open

A unit fitting into a space doesn’t necessarily mean it will be easy to use there.

Allow room for cupboard doors, sliding bed sections and fold-out tables. If you’re planning a top-opening coolbox, check that you can lift its lid fully.

Think about access from outside too. Being able to reach everyday items through the rear or side doors can be handy when you’re parked up.

Choose appliances before finalising the kitchen

If your layout includes a fridge, coolbox, sink or hob, check the exact model’s dimensions and installation requirements before buying furniture.

Allow for more than the appliance itself: ventilation, pipework, cables and access for maintenance may all need space. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly for cooking appliances.

Trekvana furniture is supplied without appliances or cushions, so these are choices to factor into your own build.

Choose a layout for your van

A layout that works beautifully in a long-wheelbase van may feel cramped in a smaller one.

You don’t have to use every unit in a furniture range. A bed and compact kitchen pod might suit your plans better than a larger kitchen and extra cabinets.

The aim is to create a camper that works for your trips, with enough storage and enough space to enjoy being inside.

Ready to plan your build?

Trekvana makes ready-built modular campervan furniture from 15mm lightweight poplar plywood, supplied unfinished so you can choose your own finish.

Our furniture is prebuilt, with collection from Caltra, Co. Galway. We don’t offer flat-pack delivery or fitting, so you’ll need to plan how it will be collected and securely installed in your van.

Browse the Trekvana furniture range to compare measurements and start planning your layout.