Finishing Touches
A little effort can go a long way when construction of the functional aspects of your conversion is complete. Slapping some paint on the walls, having a welcome mat at the door, and putting up pictures of family and friends on the fridge can quickly make a vehicle a home.
1. Surface Finishing
A little effort can go a long way when construction of the functional aspects of your conversion is complete. Slapping some paint on the walls, having a welcome mat at the door, and putting up pictures of family and friends on the fridge can quickly make a vehicle a home.
Doors can be covered with stained plywood underlayment to keep the style consistent throughout your van.
2. Window Trim and Sill
Leftover wall or ceiling surfacing can be used to finish any window trim by attaching them to furring strips. You can even use a piece of planking to create a window sill.
3. Upholstery
A high density foam mattress is the easiest material to work with for creating cushions or separating a mattress into pieces. It can be too firm for a good sleep, so I’d recommend a dual layer foam mattress (link), which has a firm lower part and a soft topper. I upholstered my couch cushions into a folding mattress with a zipper at each end so I can remove the foam to wash the cover. This is covered further in my ebook.
4. Making a Van a Home
You may find that once your build is complete there are blank surfaces that can be used as a canvas for art or covered with a tapestry. A few options for a space like that include: painting it with chalkboard paint; covering it with a poster or calendar; or affixing a dry erase board.
A coat hanger is a great spot to store jackets, hats, and keys next to the door.
If cooking is important to you, I’d recommend getting a magnetic strip (link) for eating utensils, a fruit hammock (link) for fruits and veggies, and a container (link) for bigger cooking ware.
Don’t forget to put some pictures somewhere on your vehicle. It can get lonely once you’re on the road and away from friends and family. Having pictures of familiar faces can remind you to reach out and give them a call once in a while.
Living in a van doesn’t mean you have to make sacrifices for everything. I installed a TV on a swivel mount (link) that I can hook up to my computer for movies. I attached a piece of wood to use as a pull up bar over my sliding door. And I installed a full length mirror on the back of my shower door.
5. Organization and Storage
It’s good to designate a place for all your things and stick to that, so it’s always easy to find them. Although a van is a small space, it’s easy to lose things. Since it’s a small space it also gets cluttered very quickly. A small dust pan (link) or hand vacuum (link) are needed to quickly clean things up.
Overhead storage or an open storage area like my bookshelf may need a net to keep things from flying out. I created one with two pieces of paracord (link); one stretched straight across, and another that wraps around that and the shelf itself.
Having small plants is a great way to add life to a vehicle dwelling. Air plants can be hung from the ceiling or succulents can be potted and placed where sunlight comes in.
Once the finishing touches are complete and you found a spot for all your things, you’ll definitely be proud of the work you’ve done. It won’t only be a functional living space; you’ll have built a home.