Remodeling Your RV-Ten Things to Remember
August 23, 2008
Ten Things to Remember when Remodeling an RV
Remodeling an RV can be an exceptionally rewarding process. Not only do you get the features and furnishing you need you can also obtain the look and the style youve always wanted. Thats why the most appealing RVs are invariably the ones that have been improved and decorated by their owners. On that note, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your own RV remodeling projects.
1) Make sure that your upgrade and remodeling plans fit your lifestyle
Always tailor your remodeling plans to the way you actually live. The plush interiors seen in million-dollar RVs may look fantastic, but they arent exactly designed for real life. When youre planning your projects, try to use durable materials, easy-to-maintain colors, flexible furnishings, time-tested layouts, and user-friendly accessories.
2) Address functional shortcomings first
When planning a remodeling strategy, address the functional and practical requirements first. For example, if you dont have enough counter space in your kitchen fix that shortcoming first before you install a new faucet or upgrade the flooring.
3) Know where youre going
Before you start any remodeling project, create a master plan for your RV thats based on your idea of the perfect RV. The concept can come from anything such as a picture from a book, an ad from a magazine, an image in your head, or a sketch on a napkin. It doesnt matter as long as you have something. If you try to remodel your RV without a visual target, your efforts will almost always end in disappointment.
4) Make quality a high priority
Many RVs have more than their share of glitches and problems. You can offset this shortcoming by doing quality work and using high-quality parts and materials whenever possible. When youre working on various projects, use the opportunity to make incremental improvements to your RV.
5) Use color to create the illusion of space
Neutral colors will make an interior seem more spacious while darker colors have the opposite effect. This is particularly true for walls, window dressings, and large pieces of furniture (like sofas). To keep things interesting, take advantage of vividly colored lamp shades, table cloths, throw pillows, area rugs, artwork, and accessories. The result will be a roomy looking RV with lots of color and plenty of style.
6) Design storage solutions for specific items
A common RV remodeling mistake is to build nonspecific storage provisions without actually knowing what youre going to use it for. Invariably, the new space ends up becoming a magnet for miscellaneous belongings and orphaned objects (i.e. a big junk drawer). Before you begin, decide exactly what you need the space for. Then create a customized storage solution that works for you.
7) Optimize the space you already have
RV storage provisions usually consist of cupboards, cabinets, drawers, and closets. However, these traditional storage solutions are inherently inefficient because they lack organizational components. Before you start building more storage capacity in your RV find ways to optimize the spaces you already have. Use shelves, dividers, bins, hooks, racks, and anything else you can think of to help organize the stuff you already have. Youll be amazed at how much storage capacity you have when everything is organized and efficiently arranged.
8) Use all of the available space
In an RV, wall and floor space is always at a premium. Consequently, when purchasing or designing furniture, try to use pieces that fill up all of the available space. For instance, its better to install a sofa that spans the entire length of a wall than to put in a loveseat that leaves a small, unusable section of wasted space at one end. Similarly, take advantage of space that is overlooked. For example, the area above your RVs doors and windows is often a good place to install a bookshelf or a cabinet.
9) Focus on the lighting
Effective lighting can make an RV feel comfortable, stylish, and inviting. In general, look for light fixtures that eliminate glare, add some color, and illuminate specific areas. Examples include track lighting, recessed under-counter lights, wall-mounted sconces with colorful shades, and table lamps. Stay away from lamps with multiple bulbs and oversized shades. Dont rely on florescent lighting for night-time illumination. Its too harsh and institutional. Instead, use smaller, more stylish lighting fixtures that can be moved around. A table lamp can be placed on a dinette table or on the dash. Likewise, a standing floor lamp can be located near a chair or a sofa. Whenever possible, use dimmer switches so you can fine tune the level of light.
10) Let the light in
Many RVs arrive from the manufacturer with ornate fabric-covered window enclosures, known as cornices. The rationale for these decorative additions is to add a touch of elegance while covering the unsightly aspects of your windows and blinds. However, these enclosures achieve this questionable objective at a fairly high cost. First, they block valuable light in addition to reducing the viewing area. Second, they tend to get in the way of the operation of the window locks as well as the blinds. Lastly, cornices, by way of their bulky appearance, violate one of the primary principles of decorating small spaces. As a result, most RV interiors are significantly darker and more confined looking than they have to be. By using fabric shades, mini-blinds, or honeycomb shades, you can now enjoy lots of light, great views, stunning color, and high levels of privacy.
This article was supplied by RV Source, suppliers of quality RVing articles for todays active RVer. Visit www.desertwindspress.com for a FREE 60 page e-Book Saving Money while RVing
Authors Jack and Julee Meltzer have traveled more than 150,000 miles with dogs across the United States. They presently live fulltime in a Class A motorhome with two large dogs and three cats. They have written three books for the RV Market including: Camping and RVing with Dogs, The RV Makeover Bible, and The Smart RVers Guide to Saving Money. They are experienced writers and photojournalists working on an upcoming book on RV Accessories.
The RV Makeover Bible:
Paperback/ 0-9769290-1-5
294 Pages
Available through http://www.desertwindspress.com RVBookstore.com, woodalls.com, Baker and Taylor, and Amazon.com By phone: 480-773-9148 By fax: 317-203-2115 By website: http://www.desertwindspress.com By mail: Desert Winds Press, 15B Starrett Drive, Belfast, Maine 04915
Personal Loans and Home Equity Loans, Pros and Cons
Many homeowners will consider home equity loans with intentions of remodeling the home, paying off tuition, or buying a vehicle. Other ideas are often included when considering equity loans; however, the sole purpose is often to find a resource to me...
Makeover and Remodel Your Motorhome or RV
Ten Good Reasons to Remodel Your RV:1.Remodeling is the most economical way to get a true upgrade. As opposed to trading in your RV, remodeling enables you to add the features you need and the look youve always wanted at a mere fraction of the cost ...
Update Your Resume Today
A friend was just promoted to a position of vice-president of a company. I am happy for him and the first thing I told him after congratulations was update your resume. He is now in a new league and if and when a headhunter should call or an opportun...
Earning Money Through Real Estate Auctions
With bank repossessed real estate properties, you can actually make a lot of money out of it. All you need to do is purchase it through auction, remodel the home, refurnish it and resell it. With just a little investment, you can gain a very handsome...
After Pregnancy Weight Loss Tips
I still remember when I had my first baby like it was yesterday. There was nothing that could compare to the feeling that I had when I held that baby in my arms and knew that they were counting on me to take care of them in every way. Another thing t...
Enjoyment from Resume Cover Letter Writing in 3 Steps
Resume cover letter writing can be a chore for most people. There are a lot of misconceptions that most people have when they are doing their resume cover letter. While there are some who put too little information out of fear, some people get confus...
Pregnant With Purpose!
How many people really know that they are pregnant with purpose? What this means is each and everyone one of us have destiny and purpose wrapped inside of us. God created us to fulfill an assignment on this earth.Sad to say but most people go throu...
Unsecured Loans - No Collateral For Loan
Unsecured loans satisfy the borrowers fast cash approval as they are free from using their collateral. Borrowers who dont possess or who are not interest in possessing their collateral are inclined towards this loan type named unsecured loans.For ava...
The Advantages of A Pregnancy Calendar
A pregnancy calendar is a very useful tool to have during your pregnancy. It allows you to know what is happening to both you and your baby as you progress through pregnancy. This information is valuable in allaying fears about why certain things are...
Purchasing Term Life Insurance
Insurance can be both simple and complex. The process is simple, but you need to ascertain what you actually need.It is wise to remember a basic premise of the Insurance industry when you are considering a life insurance policy. Life insurance polici...