Plan and Design the Layout of Your Camper Van

How to Plan and Design the Layout of Your Camper Van: In 5 Steps

Designing the layout of a camper van is one of the most exciting and crucial steps in your vanlife project. As Steven Covey says in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you need to "begin with the end in mind". Imagining your design from the start is your best weapon for creating a beautiful van and staying motivated throughout the project. So, unleash your inner interior architect, free the designer within you, and let creativity flow!

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to consider before converting your van, draw inspiration from stunning designs, and discover the best ways to design your van, whether on paper or with software.

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To Get Straight to the Point

We will dive into the details of the layout: from interior plans to design ideas. If you are looking for directly a software to design your van, I recommend VanSpace3D (we will discuss it further down in the article).

Small Note: Before thinking about the layout, choose the van you are going to buy. The size of the vehicle determines what you can install, the level of comfort, and the amount of available storage.

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1. Find Inspiration and Develop Your Concept

• Why? Define your goals: full-time or part-time living? Working remotely? Traveling as a couple? Preparing the van for winter or the tropics?
• Research: Browse Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube to discover inspiring projects. Note down the ideas you like. Also, talk to other vanlifers to find out what they love or what they would do differently.
• Moodboard: Create an inspiration board with color schemes, furniture styles, and design concepts. You can use Canva or cut out images from magazines.
• Needs List: Make a checklist of your essentials, considering space and usage.

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2. The Logistics

• Budget: Estimate the costs of your project: van, materials, tools, labor. Allow 30% extra for unforeseen expenses.
• Project Plan: Develop an overall timeline. Once you start, use tools like a Gantt chart or a Kanban board.

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3. Sketches and Initial Layout Drafts

• Hand Sketches: Start with quick drawings to imagine different layouts. Test Google's "Crazy-8" method for effective brainstorming (we will discuss it later).
• Floor Plan: Draw a simple scaled floor plan (1:5 or 1:20 for metric, 1:4 or 1:24 in imperial). Indicate where to place the bed, kitchen, storage, etc.
• Technical Plans: You can go further by creating technical plans: overview, front, and side views. Need a hand? Download 30 free van plans here!

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4. Technical Drawings and 3D Models

• CAD Software: Use tools like SketchUp or Vanspace3D to create accurate 3D models of the interior. Vanspace is great for trying out many ideas with its drag-and-drop feature.
• Materials: Consider the thickness of materials (insulation + panels can easily reduce space by 5 to 10 cm on each side).
• Diagrams: Draw plans for electricity, water, and gas.

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5. Get Feedback

• Community and Experts: Share your plans on forums or social media groups. Feedback from experienced vanlifers is invaluable.
• Professional Opinions: Consult professionals for technical aspects like electricity and gas to ensure safety and compliance.
• Improve: Make necessary adjustments based on feedback and finalize your design with all elements in place.

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