A Family of 5 Renovated this Travel Trailer in Just 2 weeks!
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We see a lot of incredible renovated travel trailer photos in our Facebook group and on the blog, but every once in a while, a renovation comes along that truly stands out. When quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and functionality come together, it’s something special—and that’s exactly what we found in Chris and Drew’s stunning Travel Trailer remodel.
This wasn’t their first RV renovation, but it’s by far their most meaningful one. With plans to hit the road full-time soon, this family knew they needed a space that was not only stylish but also practical for everyday living. And let’s just say—they nailed it.
Chris and Drew, a soon-to-be-retired military family, have turned their 2013 Keystone Sprinter 311BHS into a cozy, functional home on wheels for their family of five. At 35 feet long, this rig boasts a highly sought-after two-bedroom layout, making it the perfect setup for their adventurous new lifestyle.
If you love a good before-and-after transformation, you won’t want to miss this one! Follow Chris and Drew on Instagram (Miles and Smiles) to keep up with their journey as they transition to full-time RV living.
Cozy Family-Friendly RV Design
Their number one goal when renovating this RV was simple but essential – to make it feel like a cozy, welcoming home on wheels. They wanted a space that felt warm and inviting, not just a temporary place to sleep but a true sanctuary for their family. From the carefully chosen color palette to the thoughtfully designed storage solutions, every detail was planned with comfort and functionality in mind. And we have to say – they absolutely nailed it! The result is a beautifully designed RV that feels just as homey as any traditional house, proving that full-time RV living can be both stylish and practical.
One of their favorite purchases was the jack-knife sofa for the living room – it’s cozy, gave them more sleeping options and is lightweight (all the good things for an RV!) You can find it here on Wayfair!
Check out these 9 Stylish Travel Trailer makeovers!
Two Week Travel Trailer Renovation Timeline
Let’s be honest, when it comes to reno projects, the last thing we think is “this is going to be quick!” Many of us assume they’ll require an overwhelming amount of time, effort, and money. The thought of gutting, rebuilding, and redesigning a space – especially an RV – can feel daunting. But Chris and Drew proved that with determination, a clear vision, and a bit of resourcefulness, a stunning transformation can happen much faster than expected!
“We turned this entire project in two weeks at the beginning of COVID so we could escape to the single campground in our region that was open.”
Two weeks? That’s nothing short of remarkable. While many renovations drag on for months, Chris and Drew powered through with impressive speed, tackling everything from a custom breakfast nook to countertops, not to mention beautiful and cozy decor.
Here is what motivated them! “My sister’s wedding was supposed be Memorial Weekend 2020, in Palm Springs, but was canceled…so we discussed with our extended family in the Chicago area and decided we would all meet that weekend in the woods of Virginia at one of the only campgrounds that was still taking reservations. The excitement of having that trip on the calendar, and the boredom of lockdown was our sudden motivator to renovate. Initially, we didn’t plan on getting as much done as we did…but we spent some 12-14 hour days working working working.”
Twelve hour days on an RV reno is true commitment!
Planning Ahead
Chris said for the actual remodel, she quickly planned the design details and started ordering things right away (mostly from Amazon!) and kept her fingers crossed everything would arrive quickly. They also saved time on the decisions by just using what they had in their home, like the paint. This saved them time and money by not hunting down colors and testing swatched. They went with a lot of neutrals too, which is easy to coordinate with any decor.
Here is everything this family accomplished in 2 weeks!
DEMO:
- Ripped out 1/3 of the U-dining bench, allowing for a larger couch
- Removed the Formica dining table
- Dumped the outdated RV couch
- Ripped out the built-ins in the bunkhouse
- Removed all the countertops in the bathroom AND the kitchen
- Removed all valances and blinds
- Removed the bathroom medicine cabinet/mirror
REPAIRS:
- Took the RV in for floor repair due to water damage in the slide
- Roof seals were fixed up
- A small leak in the shower was fixed by caulking
WHAT THEY DIDN’T CHANGE:
- Kept the Grasscloth looking wallpaper in the hallway space, it added a great texture and warmth
- Kept the original booth bench cushions, they were a fun brassy colored velvet that went beautifully with their design choices
- Did not paint the bunkbeds and kept the original wood framing
- Reused both the kitchen and the bathroom sinks – but painted the kitchen sink white as it was an aged yellow color with staining
- Did not change the flooring at all (even left the carpet in the kids’ bunk room) because it was in great condition
- Did not paint the ceiling
Check out this article on 10 different ways to renovate your RV without painting!
Let’s Break Down the Work…
Color us impressed…this is all the stuff this hardworking family achieved in two weeks!
- Painted almost all of the cabinets white, and ordered a mix of brass and block knobs (the white they used was the trim paint in their house!)
- Painted the pantry/armoire in the hall area black to add some drama and break up the colors (Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams)
- Painted the bathroom door and the TV entertainment area back for contrast (Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams)
- Installed a fireplace under the TV by utilizing a cabinet storage area
- Made custom butcher block countertops for the kitchen and the bathroom
- Painted the stove handle to brass to dress it up a bit (Rust-oleum Champagne Bronze Metallic paint with Rust-olum clear coat lacquer)
- Added sticky tile backsplash to the kitchen (Tic Tac Tiles)
- Used the same interior colors in their house to paint the walls (Madison White by Valspar)
- Refaced the carpeted “nightstands” in the bedroom with 1/4 plywood and added butcher block tops to that as well (used spare pieces from the kitchen slab)
- Added shiplap to the master headboard area, an accent wall in the bunkhouse, and an accent wall in the bathroom
- Built a custom pedestal table using a round top they ordered on Etsy and a base they ordered from a restaurant supplier. (This is genius!)
- Removed the mattress of the bunk that went over the outdoor kitchen area and installed a brass curtain rod as a “gallery rail” which gave them a unique area of storage in baskets, etc for larger items
- Replaced all the faucets with affordable options from Amazon (Kitchen Faucet, Bathroom Faucet)
- Added a new mirror to the bathroom vanity
- Added two new light fixtures: above the dining table and above the bathroom vanity
Products they Swear By
Of course, pulling off a transformation like this in just two weeks wouldn’t have been possible without the right tools, materials, and a solid understanding of how to use them. Chris and Drew relied on their renovation experience, a well-thought-out plan, and high-quality products to ensure their RV wasn’t just beautiful but also durable enough to handle full-time living.
From power tools that made installation a breeze to tried-and-true paints, adhesives, and finishes that could withstand the wear and tear of life on the road, every choice they made was intentional.
Here are some of the trusted tools they swear by for a smooth and successful RV renovation:
Budget Breakdown
Now that you’ve seen some of the beautiful spaces, would you believe they pulled off this renovation for $3,000? For a rig this size, this feels like a true bargain.
Here is what they said about the budget allocation!
“The largest part of that was the slide repair! We thought we had carefully checked for water damage, but this was so hidden. As I mentioned before, we would totally do that repair ourselves now, but we were worried, and we were a little new to RVs and paid to have someone do it. That was close to $2k. The other larger purchase would have been the butcher block, fireplace, couch,, and master mattress. All the rest isn’t too bad, but adds up of course!”
Favorite Area of The RV
There’s so much to love in this 35 foot rig, but for Chris, her favorite area is the dining nook! She said: “I think may favorite part was what we did with the dining nook. Retaining part of the bench solution, but ditching one whole side of it to get more couch space…also loved that we used the original cushions and REALLY loved the table solution we built. You just can’t beat a round table for maximizing seating…we easily crowded our family of 5 PLUS guests (grandparents etc) around that table for many many brunches!”
We have to agree – this looks like an amazing place to have a family brunch!
Lessons Learned
We had to know, which a renovation done so flawlessly, is there anything they would’ve done different. Here is what Chris and Drew said when we asked if there was anything they would do differently?
“YES – CAULK ALL THE THINGS. We are perfectionist, and we love the craft. Its not about the before/after as much as the quality and the process to us…so seeing all our meticulous paint jobs getting sucked into those RV corner cracks was BRUTAL. I have since seen a lot of RV accounts talk about this and share the caulking trick and we were kicking ourselves for not having known that…but that’s an issue we never encountered when we worked on our home renovations…it’s uniquely an RV issue. So yes, spend the little extra prep time and run paintable caulk in all those little corners if you want a nice finished look.”
P.S. – are you new to RV renovations? Here’s a complete guide to painting an RV!
Keep Up With Their Journey
Chris and Drew’s RV renovation is proof that with creativity, determination, and the right tools, you can turn any space into a beautiful and functional home – no matter the square footage. Their transformation not only showcases stunning design but also highlights the possibilities of full-time RV living. Whether you’re dreaming of your own RV makeover or simply love a good before-and-after, their journey is an inspiring reminder that home is wherever you make it. Be sure to follow them on Instagram (@Miles & Smiles RV) to keep up with their adventures on the road!
Want to see another family-friendly makeover? This couple turned their travel trailer into a toddler-friendly home on wheels!
Are you interested in featuring your DIY RV Project with us ? Please visit this page to find out more.
Katherine Bitner spent a year full-time RVing with her husband and dog around the US. As a former interior designer, her favorite thing was budget-friendly ways to make her home on wheels feel luxurious and Pinterest-worthy! She is now a full-time writer and author.
