How to Redo Camper Walls (9 RV Renovation Ideas)

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Redoing camper walls may seem daunting, but there are several simple and accessible ways to redo and repair camper walls. If you buy a used but new-to-you RV, you’ll probably access it for repairs before you hit the open road, and often, walls need some TLC.

Whether it’s something as simple as wanting to add more insulation to a thin interior wall or it has water damage that needs to be repaired, we will break it down for you in this post and share nine of our favorite ideas on how to redo camper walls.

Let’s dive in!

Signs That RV Walls Need to Be Repaired

Let’s start with the basics: how do you even know if your RV wall needs to be repaired? One tell-tale sign is if the vinyl on your RV walls is bubbled up, torn, peeling, or wrinkled in any way. That probably means water got into your walls, and the paneling absorbed it, causing those surface-level signs. If this is the case – you’ll want to check for mold, which means you’ll have to cut through the vinyl and possibly the paneling to see what’s happening behind it.

That’s the bad news—but the good news is that this is repairable. Once you’ve identified and stopped any water leakage and resealed any areas, you can begin repairs.

Mold is a dangerous health hazard, so it’s essential to thoroughly and regularly check your RV seams and sealants; even the tiniest holes can let water in!

Now that we’ve identified and sealed the leak, it’s time to repair the RV wall’s water damage.

How To Repair RV Walls

Your repair options will vary depending on what has occurred. See more about each type of repair below.

How to Repair Torn or Peeling RV Wallpaper

If the damage to your RV wall is merely cosmetic, such as torn or peeling wallpaper, this is a pretty simple fix.

For peeling wallpaper, you can use spray adhesive to reattach the paper.  If the actual vinyl is torn, you can remove it, sand, and spackle the area like you would any normal drywall. The best choice here is to paint over it or add wallpaper on the entire panel. If you want to match it, there are several brands of faux linen wallpaper that look similar to what we’ve seen in RV models.

How to Repair Bubbled RV Wallpaper

If you’re sure there’s no mold or moisture behind the bubbled wallpaper (you might check this by looking at the back of the panel through an access area), a simple repair method involves using a needle or safety pin. Gently poke a tiny hole in the center of the bubble and press out the trapped air. Then, take a credit card and smooth out the wallpaper, working slowly from the edges toward the center.

This technique helps the vinyl lie flat with minimal visible damage. If the wallpaper still doesn’t adhere, you can apply a small amount of glue through the hole to secure it.

How to Fix Wrinkled RV Wallpaper

Wrinkled RV wallpaper, like bubbled wallpaper, can result from water damage, but it may also be due to the RV’s shifting and twisting during travel.

If you’ve confirmed there’s no mold or moisture behind the wrinkled wallpaper, try using a hair dryer or heat gun on a low setting. Apply heat to soften the adhesive and then smooth out the wrinkles with a credit card.

How to Repair Small Holes in RV Walls

If you have just a few holes, say from nails or screws, these can be sanded and filled with wood filler or spackle. There is no need to buy an RV wall repair kit for interior walls because they are typically lightweight panels that can be repaired using simple tools and supplies.

Where To Buy RV Wall Paneling

We wish this were a simple answer, but the truth is that sourcing one single panel of RV wall paneling can be challenging. You can search RVPartsNation.com or try to contact the manufacturer of your rig, but if you’re planning on covering the wall anyway, many people opt for a thin piece of plywood.

Camper Wall Ideas

Once your walls are repaired, you can now make them pretty! We all know that most campers come pretty bland and boring inside, and adding your style to your home on wheels can be a fun process. 

There are more ways to redo your camper walls than just painting them. We have nine ideas that we’ve seen done, and they add so much character to a small space. Let’s get inspired!

1. Wallpaper

Wallpaper is such a fun choice for camper walls because it’s affordable, comes in every color, pattern, and style, and can be used on a large wall or just as an accent.

With the advances in peel-and-stick wallpaper, it’s also not so intimidating to install anymore!

There are a few things to consider when using wallpaper, like temperatures affecting the adhesive. Read this article to learn the ins and outs of putting wallpaper in your camper.

2. Paint

Painting walls can be a cost-effective way to make a big impact in a small space. It’s also not hard to change the color down the road! 
To avoid frustrating experiences, check out this list of tips for painting your RV walls like a pro.

3. Beadboard

Adding beadboard to walls is not only a classic design choice that never seems to go out of style, but it also protects the walls. You’ll find beadboard in high-traffic areas of the home, like bathrooms and hallways, and since an entire camper is high-traffic, it makes a great choice to protect the walls from scuffs, dents, and dings!

It comes in sheets of different sizes at local home improvement stores, some already pre-primed, making this a quick and easy DIY for your camper walls.

4. Wainscotting

Wainscotting can add a traditional feel and is typically only applied to the lower half of the wall. It adds protection, much like beadboard, and consists of chair railing and moldings. If you want to make your camper feel like a real house, wainscotting is a timeless design choice.

5. Board and Batten

Board and batten isn’t just popular in sticks-and-bricks homes; it’s also made its way into RVs, and we think it looks pretty great! We love it because not only is it timeless in style, but it’s also easy to install and inexpensive for DIYers.

Ready to tackle a board and batten wall in your camper, or just looking for some inspiration? We’ve got a tutorial on how to build it and what to avoid.

6. Slat Wall

Slat walls have gained popularity in the last few years because they are visually interesting! They add a modern touch and were originally used for acoustic settings.

You can DIY a slatboard wall by installing several vertical pieces of thin wood, like MDF, or buy pre-made slatted wood wall panels and cut them to size.

Either way, you will end up with a very cool camper wall!

7. Shiplap

Shiplap is a go-to choice for many RV walls because it’s rustic but warm! We have a roundup of 7 different ways to shiplap your RV, covering everything from using real wood to using a black permanent marker. (This is great if you’re searching for how to redo camper walls on a budget!)

Shiplap can make a bold statement on a large slide-out wall or simply be an accent on the wall above the bed. It’s versatile, and that’s what makes it wildly popular!

8. Faux Brick

We can pretty much guarantee that no RV off the lot is going to come with a brick fireplace. Can you imagine? It would make your camper feel so much homier! But the cool thing is that adding faux brick to your camper is pretty simple and lightweight, whether it’s a fireplace wall or an accent wall.

There are a few options. You could use peel-and-stick brick wallpaper (remember how we said there is wallpaper for every style!) There are also three-dimensional texture panels for a more realistic feel. We don’t suggest doing real brick or brick fronts merely because the weight can be a lot!

9. Tile

A tile wall can add protection, style, and texture. Tile walls are practical in bathrooms and kitchens. If you’ve ever had to clean splashed oil or pasta sauce off a wall from the stovetop, you know that backsplash tile can be a lifesaver. 

You can use real tile, but you must consider a few things. RVs aren’t always stationary, so rigid tiles risk cracking or falling off…especially if you hit a pothole on the road! They can add a lot of weight, so consider the weight limitations of your rig. If your RV walls don’t have studs, the panels may be unable to support the tiles’ weight.

If you’d like to opt for something non-permanent but still have the look and function of tile, peel-and-stick tiles are a wonderful choice. A lot of RVers love this brand!

Frequently Asked Questions About Redoing Camper Walls

What can I use for RV interior walls?

As we mentioned earlier, you can replace the panel if you can find one or use thin plywood from your local home improvement store.

Can you paint over RV wallpaper? 

In short, the answer is YES! We have a whole guide on how to paint over RV wallpaper. 

Is it better to paint or wallpaper RV walls?

Neither is better! Both can be inexpensive and depending on your end goal, one might be better than the other. Paint is permanent but can be painted or wallpapered over.

How to replace exterior walls/makeover exterior walls.

Replacing exterior RV walls or painting them, for that matter, is a whole other beast, but it can be done! We have the info for you here.

Conclusion: How to Redo Camper Walls

As you can see, redoing camper walls can be really simple or a bit more complicated, depending on what you’re starting with and your end goal. The good news is that with a good tutorial, almost anyone can do the work themselves, and it can really improve the look and feel of your camper.