I read a survey claiming that nearly 70% of us struggle to make our rigs look good while still fitting in all our gear. Honestly?

That sounds about right. I have spent years playing a high-stakes game of Tetris in the back of my Econoline trying to get the doors closed without crushing my bread.

But I’ve learned it doesn’t have to be a mess.

If you are stuck for ideas, look at the California coast. That breezy, open style is perfect for turning a cramped van into a chill beach retreat.

And you don’t need an MTV Cribs budget to pull it off either. Whether it’s a full teardown or swapping out some decor, let’s get that Pacific vibe without losing the practical stuff.

Beachy White-Washed Wood Paneling

I have noticed that Whitewashed wood paneling is everywhere lately, and it is easy to see why.

It takes a cramped van and gives it that proper beach-inspired atmosphere, almost like a holiday in Cornwall but without the freezing cold water. It is a clever trick because it bounces the light around and makes the space feel twice as big.

You really don’t need a degree in art to do this yourself. Water down some white paint and wipe it onto the wood to let the grain show through. It is simple enough that even I managed to get it right on the first try.

There is one major thing you need to remember, though. Make sure you finish the job with a decent non-yellowing sealer. If you skip this step, your lovely white walls will end up looking like an old pub ceiling after one hot summer, and nobody wants that look.

Space-Saving Murphy Bed With Ocean Views

Space is the one thing we are all fighting for in a van. Unless you are driving a double-decker bus, you need to be smart about where you put things.

That is where a Space-Saving Murphy Bed comes in handy, and it is honestly one of the cleverest upgrades I have ever seen.

These beds allow you to squeeze every bit of value out of your floor plan. During the day, it tucks away so you have room to move, sort of like the TARDIS from Doctor Who making the place feel bigger on the inside.

It folds down into a proper bed at night, so you don’t have to sleep on a lumpy seat cushion. You get the same solid sleep you would get at home without losing your living room. It is the best of both worlds.

I always tell people to install it next to a big window if they can. There is nothing quite like waking up, rolling over, and seeing stunning coastal views right from your pillow. It beats staring at a campsite fence any day of the week.

Coastal-Inspired Storage Solutions

Anyone that has ever owned a camper knows that keeping a van tidy is the hardest part of the job, if you are struggling to find a home for all your kit, have a gander at these coastal ideas to get your rig organized.

You can add wooden shelves or sea glass jars to make it look nice, but you have to be practical. Make sure everything is tied down tight, or it will fly across the van like a missile the moment you hit a speed bump.

Fold-down tables are essential for saving space. I always stick to sustainable materials like bamboo because they are tough as old boots and can handle a bit of rough treatment.

You should also hang up some cool hooks near the door. You need a proper spot to dump your wet raincoat, especially since we don’t get many sunny days over here.

Pacific Blue Color Palette

If you really want to bring the seaside into your van, Pacific Blue is the color you need. It changes the mood completely. It stops the place from feeling like a cramped tin can and turns it into a proper peaceful hideaway.

I like to mix deep navy with light aqua. It reminds me of that clear water you see in the movie The Beach, without all the drama. Pair these colors with some natural wood and a woven rug to keep that calming atmosphere alive.

Please make sure the rug is washable, though. You do not want to ruin it with muddy boots after a hike.

That mix of blues makes the whole van feel like a holiday cottage by the sea. It tricks your brain, even if you are actually parked in a rainy Asda car park in Birmingham.

Multi-Purpose Dining Nook

Trying to eat dinner with your elbows jammed into your ribs is miserable. It makes you feel like you are stuck in the middle seat on a cheap flight.

That is why building a proper multi-purpose dining nook is such a game changer. It stops you from feeling cramped and gives you enough room to actually breathe.

I always recommend using a circular drop-leaf table instead of a square one. I have walked into enough sharp table corners in the dark to learn my lesson. It hurts like crazy.

A round table saves your hips and makes moving around the van much easier. The seats double up as storage, which is a lifesaver.

It is the perfect spot to stash the ugly stuff, like the tool roll or that bottle of motor oil that always seems to leak. It keeps the van looking tidy so you don’t feel like you are living in a tip.

You should stick up some warm lights so it doesn’t feel like a cave in there. If you are tight on space, take a look at this L-shaped seating trick. It turns a dead corner into a brilliant spot to play cards and wait for the rain to pass, just like waiting for the Winchester to open in Shaun of the Dead.

Nautical Rope Accents

You don’t need to go full Pirates of the Caribbean to appreciate nautical rope accents. A few touches can add that rugged, homey feel without making your rig look like a theme park ride.

in my own van, i use rope to wrap ugly pipes or as handles for drawers. It is tough, looks cool, and actually holds up on bumpy roads.

Mix it with some driftwood, and you build an authentic coastal atmosphere. It brings that chill California vibe right into your van, no matter where you park for the night.

Beach-Inspired Window Treatments

Windows are a love-hate relationship in a van. They give you the view, but they also let in the cold. The right beach-inspired window treatments can fix that while making the place look sharp.

I usually stick to breathable linens or fabrics that can handle a little moisture. Light colors are great because they make a small space feel bigger, and they hide the dust better than you’d think.

Function comes first, though. Thin curtains look nice, but thermal layers are what keep you from freezing when the sun goes down. Layer them up to keep that breezy coastal feel without sacrificing warmth. Honeycomb shades are another smart pick to stop the temperature inside from swinging like a pendulum.

Compact Galley Kitchen Design

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, even if your home is a metal box on wheels.

A smart galley kitchen is the only reason I’m not eating cold beans out of a can every night. It is all about flow. In my Sprinter, everything has its place so I am not doing yoga to brew my morning coffee.

The trick is using efficient storage solutions like slide-out drawers. Otherwise, your pots will sound like a heavy metal drum solo every time you hit a pothole.

Pick your surfaces carefully, too. You want durable, coastal-friendly materials that won’t rot from damp air or salty breezes. Add some LED lights so you can actually see what you are chopping—nobody likes surprise ingredients in their stew.

Seaside Art Gallery Wall

Most van walls are boring gray fuzz or fake wood. A seaside art gallery is the best way to fix that and make the rig feel like yours. It adds that nautical charm without taking up any floor space.

Do yourself a huge favor: stick to lightweight frames. I learned the hard way that heavy glass and potholes are a bad mix. You don’t want to be picking shards out of your bedsheets.

Mix some cool vintage shell drawings with photos you took on the road. If you aren’t a photographer, take a look at these Deep Sea Silhouettes. They add a classy coral look that fits right in.

Keep everything in soft oceanic color palettes, and suddenly your rolling metal box feels a lot more like a beach cottage.

Hidden Storage Benches

Space is very important in a camperhome. That is why hidden storage benches are genius. If a seat doesn’t also hold my gear, I don’t want it.

Build multi-functional benches that look cool and store your clothes. But please pile on the cushions. Your back will thank you later.

In my campervans, I have secret spots for my chocolate stash that double as seats. organizing systems are what you need to employ so your stuff doesn’t rattle like loose change down the highway.

Coastal Lighting Fixtures

Getting that chill coastal atmosphere starts with the lights. You want a warm glow, not a sterile hospital feel.

And since salt air eats cheap metal for breakfast, pick durable, corrosion-resistant fixtures. I love the lantern style; it makes my Sprinter feel like a ship’s cabin.

Most importantly, get dimmable LED lights. Standard van lights are usually bright enough to perform surgery. Dimmers save the vibe, and LEDs save your battery.

Flip-Down Beach Bar

I love a good multi-use setup. A flip-down beach bar on the side of your rig is about as cool as it gets. It creates a party spot outside without cluttering up the inside.

When you aren’t using it as a serving station or a standing desk, it folds flat against the wall.

Dress it up with some old-school wood and ambient LED lighting. Do yourself a favor: add cup holders. There is nothing sadder than watching a cold drink slide off into the dirt.

Natural Fiber Textiles

Ditch the cheap synthetic fabrics. Natural fibers are the real secret to a cozy, eco-friendly sanctuary.

I used to ignore this, but cotton curtains and wool throws actually help control the dampness. That is a big deal when you are sleeping in a tin can.

For seats, I like hemp because it is tough enough to handle my muddy boots. And do yourself a favor: get organic bedding. It breathes, so you don’t wake up sticking to your sheets on a humid night.

Surf-Inspired Reading Corner

Sometimes you need to crash. A surf-inspired reading corner is the perfect spot to rest your legs after a long drive or a morning in the waves.

Put up some driftwood shelving to hold your paperbacks. It looks cool and fits the vibe perfectly. You can even use an old skimboard as a side table if you want to get fancy.

Top it off with some ocean-scented candles. Believe me, in a tiny space, a good candle beats the smell of wet wetsuits and gym socks any day.

Sand and Sea Color Scheme

Picking the right colors stops your rig from feeling like a dark cave. A solid sand and sea color scheme turns a cramped space into a chill retreat.

I like mixing warm beige with cool turquoise. It keeps things light and creates a harmonious space where you can actually relax.

You can even throw in some desert pink if you want a little energy, but keep the main walls neutral. It makes your wood grain pop and gives your coastal accents a chance to shine.

Modular Seating Options

Fixed furniture is a trap in a tiny van. That is why Smart modular seating is a lifesaver. It changes as fast as your plans do.

I am a huge fan of jackknife sofas. They flip from a couch to a bed in two seconds flat. Trust me, when you are dead tired after driving all day, you do not want to wrestle with your bed.

Also, spin those front seats around to open up the room. And always use that under-seat storage. It is the best place to stash the stuff you need but don’t want to look at.

Coastal Pattern Mixing

Nailing that perfect coastal pattern mix isn’t about being fancy. It is about making your rig feel like home rather than a storage locker. I stick to breezy blues and sandy colors because, honestly, they hide the dust pretty well.

Try some striped cushions or maybe a floral curtain to break up the boring grey walls. I rely heavily on natural textures like woven rugs. They look great and are easy to shake out when you track in half the beach.

Throw up some string lights to dial up the beachy ambiance. It makes even a rainy night in a parking lot feel a little like a vacation.

Beachcomber’s Display Shelf

We all grab cool rocks and shells on the road. A beachcomber’s display shelf lets you show them off without cluttering your counters. It puts that empty wall space to work.

Go for adjustable or floating shelves. pro tip: make sure they have a lip so your sea glass doesn’t turn into a missile when you hit a pothole.

Add some soft LED lighting to finish the look. It highlights your treasures and gives you enough light to find your shoes in the dark.

Retractable Outdoor Shower

Trust me, dragging sand into your bed is the worst. That’s why a retractable shower system mounted outside is a total game changer. It keeps the mess where it belongs: outdoors.

Make sure you grab UV-resistant units. The sun eats cheap plastic faster than I eat tacos on a Tuesday.

Water is liquid gold when you are boondocking. These setups sip less than a gallon, especially if you use the quick shut-off feature. It’s the classic “Navy shower”: get wet, lather it off, scrub, and rinse. Simple.

Driftwood-Inspired Decor

One of my favorite tricks is decorating with stuff I find outside. It saves money and looks incredible. Driftwood-inspired decor is the perfect way to turn a sterile van interior into a cozy coastal retreat.

I don’t just glue it to the wall to look pretty, though. I like to turn sturdy branches into hooks for my keys or wet towels. It brings those rugged natural textures inside, reminding you of the California coast even when you are parked miles inland.

Hammock-Style Lounging

Floor space is precious in a van. That is why I love Hammock-style lounging. It gets you off the ground and adds that laid-back coastal charm instantly.

You don’t need to drill holes in your walls, either. All you need is sturdy adjustable strap and clips. I can set mine up in seconds when I want to read or nap.

Pick a fabric with ocean-inspired colors to keep the vibe right. It turns your van into a surf shack and gives you a spare bed for that buddy who “forgot” his tent.

Shell Collection Display

We all pick up souvenirs from the sand. The coastal-inspired shell collection is a great way to remember those beach days without cluttering up your dashboard.

If you want to show them off, try small glass-front cabinets, but make sure the doors latch tight; you don’t want your seashells flying across the room when you hit a speed bump.

Personally, I toss them into mason jars with some string lights. It’s a cheap night light that looks awesome. You can also use tiered trays to stack things up. It saves counter space for the important stuff, like your coffee mug.

Seaside-Inspired Throw Pillows

I used to think decorative pillows were a waste of space in my Econoline. Boy, was I wrong. A few good cushions can instantly turn a metal box into a real coastal retreat.

Just don’t buy the delicate stuff. I stick to tough cotton canvas or those indoor/outdoor blends. They handle dirt, dog paws, and spilled coffee way better. Stick to ocean-inspired hues like turquoise or coral to brighten things up.

Have some fun with it, too. Mix up the shapes and look for nautical motifs or tropical prints. A little bit of fancy embroidery adds that homey touch without needing a full renovation.

Tidal Pool Color Accents

Nature paints the best scenes. That is why I love stealing ideas from coastal pools for my van’s color scheme.

Bring in those deep teals and blues using throw pillows or maybe a small tile backsplash. It adds those cool aquatic tones that make you feel calm instantly.

But it is important to balance it out with some cream or white paint. You want your rig to feel like a breezy coastal retreat, not a dark aquarium.

Wave-Inspired Cabinet Hardware

You might think I am mad for fussing over cupboard handles, but the small details matter. You don’t need to “blow the bloody doors off” like Michael Caine to fix your kitchen. Swapping out the handles is much safer and easier. Even bits of elegant cabinet hardware can make a massive difference to how the van feels.

I found some curved handles that look like ocean waves. It really helps you nail that coastal aesthetic without spending a fortune. It is a cheap upgrade that makes the cupboards look brand new.

There are stacks of options to choose from that are made to handle the damp sea air. You can get them in brushed metal or bronze, so they won’t go rusty after one trip to Cornwall.

Most of them fit right into the holes you already have, so you don’t need a drill to fit them. It is a five-minute job that makes the whole van look proper posh.