21+ RV Patio and Campsite Decorating Ideas
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Want to transform your campsite? These RV patio decorating ideas will inspire you to create a beautiful, functional outdoor space perfect for relaxing at the end of a long day.
Don’t worry! This list includes ideas for all styles of RVer—whether you’re parked at a permanent location, traveling regularly from place to place, or just camping for the weekend, you’ll find portable, lightweight, and creative ways to renovate your RV patio.
1. Get an outdoor rug.
An outdoor rug is an inexpensive way to set the vibe of your patio. Available in endless styles and colors, you can find the perfect rug for you.
Plus if your campsite doesn’t have a patio area, outdoor rugs are great to throw down on top of gravel, sand, grass, or dirt to create an even surface and keep you from tracking so much mud or sand into your RV.
To reduce your environmental impact with a plastic rug, there’s a company called Fab Habitat that sells rugs made from recycled and sustainably-sourced materials, including outdoor rugs made from recycled plastic.
- Versatile outdoor rugs - 100% premium recycled plastic tubes are tightly woven to create a plastic rug perfect to use as a patio rug, or on decks, camping trips, and RVs. Safe to use with pets and kids as a playroom rug
2. Add camping or lounge chairs.
This couple lives in their RV full-time so instead of buying camping chairs, they opted to use pallets to build a couch and 4×4 posts to build an adult swing set. They used this DIY pallet sofa tutorial!
But for most travelers, folding or collapsible patio furniture will be best!
- Padded headrest provides increased support and comfort
If you’re traveling in your RV, folding camping chairs are available in multiple styles. Shop our favorites in our Amazon Store.
3. Add some weather-resistant throw pillows and other decor.
Outdoor throw pillows and a few simple decorative items can transform the area outside your RV into a relaxing outdoor living area.
A small weather-proof coffee table is the perfect accent for camping chairs. If you’re staying in campsites for longer periods of time, the above RVers use vases and wall hangings to create their own outdoor oasis.
Recreate this look with:
- Black and white outdoor rug
- Beige zero-gravity chairs
- Outdoor throw pillows with tropical covers
- Boho macrame wall hanging (which these sturdy removable hooks will let you easily hang on your camper)
- Accent table
- Tropical leaf garland
4. Hang string lights.
Using lights to decorate your RV never goes out of style, and there are so many fun options to choose from.
To hang your lights, Camco makes these plastic clips that are designed to clip on an RV awning (and can be left in place even when your awning is rolled up), or you can use these clips to attach the lights along the edge of your awning fabric.
- Shatterproof LED Bulbs: These thickened PC S14 bulbs are more shatterproof and not easy to deform, up to 92% transmittance will be more brighter than 80% of PET ones.
Don’t have an awning? You can hang lights directly on your RV with these weatherproof adhesive hooks, or you can hang them from tall shepherd’s hooks, which make a nice place to hang plants as well.
(You can also have an RV awning installed if you would like to add one!)
Colorful lights are a great way to add a little light and personality to your RV patio. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can make your own custom lights for your RV like Josh Ward.
The string lights were inspired by some bear lights Josh’s grandparents hung on their RV in the 80s. To make these lights, he collected plastic honey bears and attached them to a string of large bulb Christmas lights. What a fun way to reuse honey bottles!
Really want your RV patio to shine? Consider upgrading your RV’s exterior with a fresh coat of paint!
5. Add a garden flag or a personalized sign.
Garden flags and welcome signs are a fun and easy way to decorate your campsite. You can find a large variety of them at any store with a lawn and garden department as well as on Amazon, but personally I prefer personalized and handmade ones.
You can find endless options for personalized garden flags and handmade welcome signs on Etsy.
Recreate this look with:
- Metal garden flag on a garden flag stand – I couldn’t find that exact one online but this one is really cool.
- Mason jar lantern hanging from shepherd’s hook. HGTV has a great tutorial on how to make your own!
- Pot of flowers
- Hammock with portable folding stand
6. Add step covers.
I recently came across these RV step covers and wished I’d discovered them long ago.
Not only do they look nice (and come in several different colors), these step covers, which fasten to your steps with an elastic bungee hook, will help cut down on dirt and sand being tracked into your RV.
Bonus: Unlike a welcome mat, they can be left in place during travel, giving you one less thing to pack.
7. Decorate with plants.
A few plants go a long way to beautify an outdoor space.
I recommend self-watering planters with a drainage plug unless you are okay with watering every day or are spending the summer somewhere that gets a lot of rain. Hanging baskets tend to dry out quickly. The kitchen sink is a good place to set your plants in the kitchen sink of your RV during travel.
Note: You can’t bring plants into the state of California, and if you drive from the U.S. to Canada with plants you’ll have to have them inspected. For more information and ideas about RVing with plants, take a look at my article about mobile gardening.
Above is my RV! I used shepherd’s hooks to hang potted plants around the perimeter of my patio and weatherproof adhesive hooks to hang string lights. (Since we were parked under trees, I preferred to keep our awning rolled up so my plants could get some sun.)
Recreate this look:
8. Fencing
If you’re living permanently in an RV, building fencing is a great way to make your home on wheels feel more like a real home.
Creating an exterior wall is a great way to give a small space a patio feel. Add an outdoor dining area and extra seating to make it a great place to entertain guests!
- Heavy-Duty Iron Frame - Crafted with a powder-coated iron frame, JOIVI's patio chairs ensure durability, rust resistance, and dust-proof quality. The triangular design of the base adds stability, making these chairs perfect for family gatherings in gardens, patios, or backyards, supporting up to 350 lbs.
For less permanent fencing, outdoor pet fencing or playpen fencing are great for creating boundaries for small children and pets.
- 🐶【A win-win solution】The FXW Dog Playpen is designed to bring a win-win solution to you and your lovely dog. Different from a narrow enclosure cage or kennel, the FXW dog pen provides a spacious semi-open activity area specifically for your dog. Your dog will have fun in its safe and durable kingdom. Meanwhile, you can take a real break and be truly relaxed without worrying about your beloved pet. Fun, Relaxation and Well-being is the orientation of the FXW team.
9. Add a privacy screen.
Fencing can be a major investment, but there are simpler privacy options too.
Some trellis panels like the ones shown below can be used to hide the “ugly” parts of your RV, add shade and privacy to a motorhome’s front windows, create storage under the tongue of a fifth wheel, or add shade around a patio.
Even one panel of inexpensive and lightweight lattice leaning next to your camper makes a nice place to hang plants or decor.
Recreate this look with:
- Lattice panels
- Decorative sign
- Potted hibiscus trees
- Yard ornaments
- Antique chair planter – see how to make one here.
10. Hang curtains from your awning.
Get extra privacy or protect yourself from sun and bugs by adding curtains to your RV awning.
The RVer who shared this photo with me hung tab curtains along her awning which can be closed to block the sun or create additional privacy.
If you don’t have a bar along which to hang curtains, I believe you could also use a grommet punch to create holes in a sheer curtain and hang it along the edge of an awning with these curtain clips.
If you want to hang curtains around your patio area and don’t have an awning, you could run a piece of rope between two tall shepherd’s hooks and hang curtains from that.
Recreate this look with:
11. Set up a screen room.
If bugs are your problem rather than the sun, a screen room can make your time outside more enjoyable. One subscriber solved this problem by purchasing a screen tent to set up next to her RV.
You can also buy a screen room that will fully enclose your RV awning. (These are incredibly popular in Europe, where most RVers have screen rooms attached to their awning!)
- Crafted from the highest quality material
12. Find a decorative bird feeder.
Birds at feeders are fun to watch, and it’s especially fun when you’re in different parts of the country to see species of birds other than what you may be used to.
Recreate this look with:
- Camper bird feeder
- Set of zero-gravity chairs
- Cutout barrel side table
- Brick pavers laid down directly on the grass to create a temporary patio
I have hung bird feeders directly on the windows of my RV. I used this suction cup hanger to hang my hummingbird feeder, and it never fell down.
If you find birds are colliding with your windows, you can add some decals for their safety.
13. Create a little atmosphere with a fire pit.
What’s camping without a campfire? Not all RV parks and campgrounds provide fire pits, so you may need to bring your own.
If you’re camping in an area with a burn ban or just don’t want to mess with firewood, a propane fire pit is the answer. A portable propane fire pit is good for RVing because they are small, don’t require a lot of fuel storage, and they’re easy to store.
- Includes lid, stones, tank holder, gas hose and regulator
KOA recommends a tabletop fire bowl instead. These are great for families with young kids where a fire on the ground would be dangerous. A smaller, safe fire bowl can provide ambiance safely and still allow you and the family to make nightly s’mores!
- 🔥Premium Fireplace - This tabletop fire pit made of durable and non-toxic 304 stainless steel for at least several years uses and KORNIFUL offers a 1-year replacement. Designed with solid steel base and tempered glass panel which assembled without tools, just add fuel and ignite to get a dancing flame.
14. Build a temporary patio.
One creative RVer wanted a patio but didn’t want to install anything too permanent. She ended up building one out of free lumber and plywood. She even suggested a way to make a DIY wooden patio like this portable, which is to build it in two halves connected with hinges.
Later she ended up stenciling her patio with acrylic paints. She recommends applying a clear coat afterward to protect the wood from weathering.
Recreate this look:
- DIY plywood patio
- Fire pit
- Pallet used as a base for the grill (a grill mat may be added underneath for safety)
- Flowers/plants
- Pink outdoor rug
Similarly, you can create a temporary (or permanent) patio with a pallet and stone pavers.
15. Add a ramp for accessibility.
Injuries and age can make it difficult to climb the metal stairs built into your RV. Consider building a ramp or custom stairs to make it easier to access your RV.
Read Next: The Top Wheelchair Accessible RVs: What to Look for, Where to Buy, and How To Modify Yours
16. Use multi-purpose furniture.
If space is limited, you don’t have to own separate chairs for inside and outside.
Check out how BB and the RV chose chairs that work for their dining room and back patio.
Using the same furniture for inside and outside saves on storage space and makes setting up your outdoor patio even easier.
17. Hammock
Nothing says relaxing outdoors like a hammock, right?
Some campsites may not allow hammocks to be hung from trees, so a self-standing hammock may be the way to go.
- Comfortable & Considerate Hammock: Fabricated from high density oxford fabric and polyester fabric, this hammock features excellent wear-resistance. The breathable surface provides you with cool experience when you lying on it. It’s also equipped with a side pocket for you to access water bottles and necessities effortlessly.
18. Grill
Spend more time outdoors with a portable grill!
Many full-time travelers favor the Blackstone Griddle. Without a stand, this grill is great for setting on picnic tables and easy to transport.
- Portable and Compact: This griddle is ideal for camping, tailgating, outdoor barbecues, and more. The compact design of this flat top grill makes it easy to transport, and its heavy-duty construction is ideal for all your outdoor adventures.
19. Umbrella
Add extra shade with a stylish umbrella!
We love that this umbrella matches the custom paint job on this gorgeous RV!
- Padded headrest provides increased support and comfort
20. Wreaths
A few RVs on this list added wreaths to their front doors and not just for Christmas! This plastic faux greenery wreath has fake lemons and a bow. (Scroll up one photo for a floral design wreath!)
Create a similar look:
- [Artificial Spring Wreath]This spring wreath is 24 inches exactly, it has bright spring colors and full of flowers with natural grapevine base. This flower wreath contains jasmine, lavender, daisy and other wildflowers. The summer wreath looks full and vibrant.
21. Give Your RV A Theme
Going down in the history books as one of the most unique RV renovations of all time is this gypsy-inspired vintage trailer. Check out the outdoor patio of this little camper!
I don’t know where to begin. The mannequin, the custom table, the platform on the hitch, the curtains! So many details give this renovation immaculate theming. Check out the rebuilt screen door.
The screen door was reframed with wood and the screen was replaced with lace. As far as outdoor patio setups go, this one is by far the most memorable!
More Inspiration for Long-Term and Permanent Campsites
Pictured below is the RV of one of my former RV park neighbors whose campsite landscaping really impressed me. She and her husband were retirees and permanent residents of the RV park.
They have plenty of space in their RV park giving them the appearance of a large lawn. They also have a paced patio, grill, furniture, and a garden shed.
Since the couple who live in this RV stay parked here permanently, they installed the patio pavers and built most of the furniture themselves.
Ideas from the photos above:
- Reclaimed wood trunk – See how to make one here
- Pink & turquoise Mexican blanket for chilly evenings
- Metal cutout side table
- Folding wooden bistro table and chairs
- Concrete propane fire pit
- Hammock chair swings – See how to make a frame like theirs here
- String lights
- Comfort and Health benefits: They offer a gentle swaying motion that can be very soothing.Hammock chairs are incredibly comfortable and provide a unique sitting experience that can offer several health benefits, including improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, and better sleep quality.
This last stunning RV deck and mudroom were built by one of my email subscribers at an RV campground in Utah they own.
It advertises “unobstructed views of the Red Cliffs, Vermillion Cliffs, and the Kaibab Plateau, with epic sunrises and sunsets, and the darkest skies in Southern Utah.” Added to my bucket list!
Start Decorating Your RV Patio
There are tons of decor ideas listed in this article. We compiled them all into this handy Amazon shopping list. Check it out 🙂
Would you like to share a picture of your campsite? We’d love to see it! Add it to the comments below!
Ashley Mann spent three years living full time in a 38-foot, 5th-wheel RV with her husband Josiah and their cat, Kitty. Her favorite thing about RV life is the challenge of finding the perfect way to organize a space, and she loves seeing all the creative and clever ways people come up with to customize their RVs.
Always looking for more ways to make my rv stand out from the rest because I have it posted on Airbnb and trying to make a business out of it. I live in the mountains of San Diego county and my rv has secluded Mountain View’s. 😍🏕. https://www.airbnb.com/h/rvescape22
Looks like a great spot!
Just wanted to let you know that this is the BEST site I have found for resources and ideas!! I am going to be moving into a 5th Wheel soon and although it’s beautiful on the inside I want to make it look welcoming and homey on the outside.
Thank you so much for everything you bring!!
Thank you Dolly! 🙂