When You Can't Swing a Cat (and Wouldn't Want to Anyway)
Let's be honest: caravan life isn't exactly spacious. Every corner counts, and one rogue frying pan can throw your whole system into chaos. Whether you're out for a weekend or full-timing it, clever storage makes a massive difference to your comfort - and your sanity.
You don't need fancy gear or designer interiors. Just a few clever tweaks, a ruthless attitude to clutter, and maybe a collapsible colander or two. Let's make space where you didn't know you had any.
Plan Ahead - Your Stuff Needs a Strategy
Before you cram everything into the wardrobe and hope for the best, take a breath. A few minutes of prep will save you from digging through five crates to find a pair of socks.
- Think in zones - Keep kitchen, clothing, and cleaning gear separate. This stops a whisk turning up in your underwear drawer. Again.
- Measure everything - The cupboard may look roomy until you try to fit in a box that's 2cm too wide. Measure first, swear less later.
- Use transparent containers - See what you've got at a glance. No mystery tubs full of "might need this one day" clutter.
Clever Storage Tricks That Actually Work
You don't need Pinterest-perfect interiors. Just practical hacks that make life easier and keep things from rattling mid-journey.
- Over-door organisers - Perfect for shoes, toiletries, or snacks. Hang one inside a cupboard or on the loo door.
- Vacuum bags - Game changers for clothes and bedding. Especially the off-season stuff you don't need right now.
- Magnetic strips - Knives, scissors, even spice jars. Stick them to the wall and free up drawer space.
- Collapsible gear - Bowls, buckets, bins. Anything that flattens down is worth its weight in gold (and shelf space).
- Hooks and velcro - Hang things where you can. And no shame in velcroing the remote to the wall so it stops vanishing.
What to Avoid (If You Like Peace and Order)
Some habits look harmless but create chaos faster than a dropped tub of rice. Learn the hard way - or just read this list.
- Keeping "just in case" clutter - If it hasn't been used in two trips, bin it or store it elsewhere.
- Piling things loose in cupboards - They'll fly out mid-turn and make you regret everything.
- Ignoring weight distribution - Too much at the front or back and towing becomes a wobbly affair. Balance is everything.
- Forgetting to label boxes - One mystery crate is quirky. Five is stressful.
Insurance Isn't Just for the Big Stuff
It's easy to focus on tyres, awnings, and the van itself - but don't forget all the bits inside. Make sure your caravan insurance covers contents, especially if you've invested in tech, tools, or fancy cookware. Spilled coffee is one thing. A stolen tablet? Whole different story.
Tidy Space, Tidy Head, Happier Holiday
You don't need a walk-in wardrobe or a full-size kitchen to live well in a caravan. Just some fantastic thinking, storage you'll actually use, and the discipline to not bring six mugs when two will do. Keep it simple. Keep it sorted. Then put your feet up - if you can still find the floor.