RV Decor Too Brown?
Freshen It Up this Weekend

1. The power and ease of peel and stick wallpaper

I never thought that my best decorating friend would be peel and stick vinyl wallpaper. 

I'm a design snob. Seriously, I can't help it. I was raised by a designer and contractor, and went to interior design school. In those days, none of us would even consider putting vinyl wallpaper on our walls! Then I bought an RV.

Now I live in less than 200 sq ft and have six different wallpaper patterns, on purpose. And it works!

Factory RV walls are not built like a regular house. They are built with sheets of boards with a vinyl layer on the front. DON'T tear this layer off. It is an integral part of the wall construction. You have to either paint it or wallpaper over it. Because our RV spaces are so small we scratch and scrape the walls very easily, making vinyl wallpaper the better choice.  It is durable and easy to clean. And, since peel-and-stick exists, why not use it?

One bonus of vinyl wallpaper? Light reflects from the inherent sheen of its surface and adds freshness to a dingy room.

For a weekend project, start small. Choose something that you see as soon as you enter your rig (like the ends of my dinette)or a space that is really dark and ugly (think a bathroom/water closet). I suggest using something with an all-over pattern - it is easier to line up on our often less-than-perfectly aligned RV walls, and hides more wear and tear from RV life.

Blue, yellow, green, cream, and gold tones flatter brown cabinets.  Stay away from greys and pure white. 

I was so happy when I found the wallpaper for my dinette that I stayed parked in the Target lot and applied it right then.

Whatever space you choose to cover, you will be amazed at the instant difference. It will be lighter and feel fresher.  Don't be afraid to use pattern and color. After all, you can change your mind later, this paper is removable!

2. Recover tired dinette seats: Baby crib sheets are my go-to choice

3. Cover the floor with a new area rug (or several!)

Choose a rectangle runner for a hallway or kitchen, and a larger size to fill a whole room (space).  Choosing a larger size means you can cut it on-site to fit around corners, stairs. and weird-shaped dinettes or sofas for a custom fit.  This makes a space look bigger and more expensive, and it can help the rugs not slide around since they fit into place like a puzzle.

PRO TIP: Outdoor rugs are my favorite for the interior of our rigs because they are designed to hold up to life. To clean them, take them outside, hose them off, then drape them over a picnic table for a quick dry.

5. Don't forget the jewelry! (aka hardware)

BONUS TIP: Buy some woven baskets to add visual texture AND to hide "stuff"

Charger cables, mittens, dog leashes - they all need a spot to live. The easiest way to corral them in an RV is in a good-looking basket.  Just dump stuff in and, voila!, it looks intentional. Baskets are also easy to tuck into odd corners or stick on the bed when travelling.

Don't forget to create a Mood Board before you start! It's better to plan ahead so you know your ideas all look great together and that what you want is really in stock and available.

Most of all, relax and have fun. And embrace peel-and-stick wallpaper, even if you are a bit of a design snob like I was. It's perfect in an RV!

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I HAVE A QUESTION: Do you need help updating or refreshing your RV interior?

Is there a product or service that would help you?

Color scheme mood boards? An eBook sharing "How to DIY your own RV Makeover"? Everyday design or decor advice?

Let me know in the Comments below. I'd love to hear from you.

Thank you,

Janice T.