How to Decorate an RV on a Budget
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Redecorating your RV doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Bibi Barringer, who has lived full-time in a 43-foot KZ Durango with her husband and four children since 2018, shares her expert tips for how to decorate an RV on a budget.
Brightening a Dark RV Interior
“When we bought our fifth wheel, I spent so much time inside with the kids, especially during the winter months, that I felt like I needed to brighten up the space,” she says. “RV companies tend to make the insides a little darker to hit the dirt a bit more.”
But Barringer didn’t want to break the budget just to bring in the light and stylize her home the way she wanted. So she decorated her home by visiting thrift stores and upcycling items she found to become exactly what she needed.
“I enjoy the whole process of thrifting, she said. “I go in with the mindset that If I find something that’s great, but if not, it’s not the end of the world. But every time I walk in, I find something.”
Where to Find Budget-Friendly RV Decor
One of Barringer’s favorite places to thrift is at Habitat for Humanity ReStores. These are independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations.
“They are one of my favorites to go to for the more vintage style that I like,” Barringer explains. “Then when I go in, I look closely at the colors because you can change that. I’ve changed a hat rack into a cup holder that I spray painted.”
Her best find at a thrift store was a Lazy Boy chair that retailed for more than $1,200 but was priced at a shockingly low $13. Barringer hesitated, but the next day went back to the store fully expecting it to be gone. “Not only was the chair still there, but they also marked it down to $8!” she said.
Barringer says that thrifting is all about the mindset. “Go in with the mindset that you’re going to have fun without being attached to the outcome,” she says. “It’s about the experience and enjoying being in there looking.”
Another item she thrifted is in her master bedroom. “It has more of a green color (trees and leaves) theme,” she explains. “I also thrifted the Lady in Yellow at the ReStore for $10. It was already framed professionally and looked like it could be worth a lot more than what I paid for.”
For her back porch, Barringer thrifted a shower curtain to darken the room. “We want more light, but we also wanted to darken the room when we’re using a projector and the shower curtain worked.”
Upcycled RV Decor Ideas
Upcycling – or changing one thing into something else – is also another method that Barringer uses to save money when decorating on a budget. In the bathroom, she upcycled a tablecloth to use as a shower curtain. “We still have the glass shower doors, but I wanted to soften the space up a bit with the fabric,” she explains.
Barringer also upcycled a picnic basket to hold books and double as a side table when it’s closed. “Baskets are a big helper in organizing things,” she said. “I have baskets everywhere in the cabinets because they make it just easier to get things in and out. All of the kids blocks and cars are grouped.
Another example of a useful thrifted item is fruit crates. “Some hold books or are a craft crate where all the kids’ paints and scissors are and the other crate is used for fruit storage,” she said. “They change depending on the season.”
Find ideas for cheap but beautiful DIY RV decor in this article: DIY RV Decor Ideas Using Rope
Using Spray Paint for a Cheap, Instant Upgrade
In addition, if you want a luxury interior look on a budget, Barringer suggests using spray paint. “The bathroom mirror and faucet were spray painted in brushed gold,” she said. “Our mug holder was a hat rack and I spray painted it to match the overall feel of the kitchen. The magnetic knife strip is also spray painted to match the cup holder.”
In the hallway, Barringer purchased a black wall mirror for only $10 and spray painted it the same gold color as the faucet and mirror. “It brightens up the space and serves a good purpose,” she said.
Speaking of color, Barringer said the use of too much color in an RV can be overwhelming, especially if it’s a small space. “I went with a mostly white, off-white theme with some natural accents, such as a nautical-style valance cover in white and blue,” she said. “I try to bring in a little bit of my favorite colors from the outside to inside.”
If you’re looking for inspiration, Barringer suggests scouring Pinterest. Once she finds an item she wants, she does some due diligence before paying. “If I find something and I’m not sure about the price, I look it up online to see if the price matches what I want or if it’s a good deal,” she said. “If I feel like something is priced too high, then I don’t buy it because I’m not that attached to the actual item.”
Barringer also advises that if you’re renovating on a budget the biggest bank for your buck is choosing a brighter color. “Make sure you use good quality paints, because otherwise it will bubble and peel,” she said.
When you decorate the RV, Barringer said to not limit yourself to the typical wall decor that is sold in stores. “Opt for a beautiful calendar you enjoy looking at, or cut a poster you love to frame,” she said.
Finally, although it’s not about redecorating, but anyone with children knows that an RV can quickly become cluttered with toys, clothes, laundry, and the list goes on.
Barringer is also a self-proclaimed minimalist RVer, who says she’s also constantly decluttering and downsizing. “We already own less compared to the average American household, but I feel like we are still constantly decluttering and downsizing,” she says. “Even in a home like this, there are still items that we don’t use regularly, and I have learned to be okay with letting those go.”
Read some of our other articles about how to decorate an RV:
- 23 Ways to Make a Budget RV Makeover Extra Simple!
- How To Design Your RV from Start to Finish
- Small RV Changes with Big Results
- RV Design Trends to Elevate Your Home on Wheels
- 27 RV Decorating Ideas (with Photos!)
Lisa Iannucci is a freelance travel writer who has written for many magazines. Her latest books are On Location: A Film and TV Lover’s Travel Guide (Globe Pequot Press) and Road Trip! A Sports Lover’s Travel Guide and Road Trip: The Sports Lover’s Travel Guide to Museums, Halls of Fame, Fantasy Camps, Stadium Tours, and More! (Lyons Press).
