How to Hide Clutter in Your RV

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Recreational vehicle living means fitting a lot in a small space. It doesn’t take much for clutter to accumulate in a 24-foot travel trailer. How can you keep everything stowed so that your interior looks more like a home and less like command central for a covert sting operation?

It takes a bit of forethought and creativity to keep it all tidy. You need ideas to inspire you.

Here’s a quick crash course on where to hide cords and other clutter in your RV.

First, Declutter Your RV

If you’re a dedicated happy camper, you undoubtedly have accumulated lots of stuff that enhances your enjoyment of the outdoors, from a pair of hammocks for reading beneath the trees to cornhole sets and barbecue grills for fun and good eats on the road.

Before you know it, your RV can start to resemble an episode of “Hoarders.”

Take stock of all of the items in your RV, consider how often you use each item, and get rid of any extra items that are no longer necessary,

Ensure You Keep the RV Essentials

It would be best if you kept these certain essentials in your RV at all times, including the following:

• A tool kit
• A first-aid kit
• An emergency radio
• A backup power source
• Toilet chemicals
• Extra oil and fluids
• Extension cords
• Leveling blocks
• Wheel chocks
• Flashlight
• Jumper cables
• Emergency blankets
• Fire extinguisher

Designate a Place for Every Item

Giving each new purchase a “home” by placing it in the appropriate storage space when you acquire it is essential to staying tidy.

6 Creative Ways to Hide Clutter in Your RV

How can you carry everything you need while making it look tidy? Here are six creative ways to hide your RV’s clutter and cords.

1. Opt for Furniture and Seating Choices that Double as Storage

Peek inside your RV’s furniture. Many dining table benches or RV sofas double as storage options, such as this one:

Want to see more RV furniture options with storage? Read this next: 12 DIY RV Sofa Ideas & Inspiration.

Or you can add simple woven baskets beneath open models.

2. Maximize Cabinet Space with Stackable Containers

While it’s tempting to tuck everything in your RV’s cabinets, items shift during transit, leaving you with a mess. Stackable boxes and trays are essential to keeping everything organized and within easy reach.

Office supply and hardware stores are good places to scour for storage solutions that work with your RV’s configuration.

Add friction tape runners inside cabinets and a strip to the bottom of each bin to avoid excess sliding and spillage while in motion.

You also need a stash of baskets and caddies in your RV’s bathroom. Select extra-deep models to prevent shampoo bottles and deodorant jars from falling out and scratching up your shower stall during transit.

Read more tips on organizing your RV bathroom here: 30+ RV Bathroom Organization Ideas and Storage Hacks.

3. Utilize Empty Space with Storage Containers

Depending on your RV’s design, you might have space under furniture—namely your dining booth.

Toy haulers often feature adjustable beds that rise to let you insert bikes and other large items beneath — but you can use it for storing other things.

Read next: 20 Incredible Toy Hauler Garage Transformations

Invest in tidy-looking but lightweight large storage bins for items like your barbecue accessories, RV repair tools, or fitness items like a yoga mat or weights.

4. Embrace Multipurpose Storage

Use blankets to bundle breakable items before storing them in cabinets or drawers during travel. We often have used our clothing drawers to store wine bottles during travel so they don’t roll or break while the RV is in motion.

5. Use the Wall to Hide Power Cords Out of Sight

You may be a freelancer working in your RV and have power cords galore, creating a tripping risk.

Take a tip from offices and use a tube to affix the cordage to your wall, keeping it out from underfoot. This step is essential if installing after-market systems to keep cords tidy and protected.

Paint them to match the wall or your interior design aesthetic.

6. Wind Up Those Cords

Is there anything worse than digging through a bundle of cords in a struggle to find what you need, only to extract a hopelessly tangled clump?

The problem compounds the smaller the wire is — tiny LED strings can illuminate your rig without drawing much power. However, they can also become impossible to untangle.

Instead, repurpose old cardboard toilet paper and paper towel rolls for wrapping your cords. Cut a small slit on each end to tuck the ends through to keep them from slipping out during transit. Disconnecting extension cords before bundling to shorten the cables is crucial and helps prevent tangled or frayed wires.

Wrap-Up: Hiding Cords and Clutter in Your RV

RVs are short on space, which means you can quickly accumulate clutter. Cords and necessary supplies can make your rig look unsightly. Keep everything tidy with these organizing tips.

Looking to organize your RV kitchen or closets? Check out these articles:

• 10 RV Pantry Storage Ideas & Organization Solutions
• 15+ Clothes Storage & RV Closet Organization Ideas
• Spice Storage Ideas to Help You Organize Your RV Kitchen