Storage is always a challenge when dealing with a travel trailer or motorhome, but there are some very creative and useful ways to make sure you can take everything with you on that long-awaited RV vacation. Here’s a few storage hacks broken down by room:
LIVING ROOM
Floor plans vary greatly from motorhome to travel trailer, but one thing they all share is lack of storage space. When we travel, we still like to take some form of entertainment with us, like a television, DVD player or stereo, and all have their own dedicated remote controls that tend to get lost in transit or fall into nooks and crannies in our RVs. To solve this problem, try putting self-adhesive Velcro tape on the backs of each remote and attach them all in one place.
Being able to seat guests in a living area is usually a difficult task, but you can add a seat while also adding storage. Purchase a footstool that’s an actual storage box with padding on the top. It makes a great way to prop up your feet after a long day of hiking, or use as a seat while storing maps, books, flashlights, etc.
If you have overhead cabinets in the living area, place fabric storage bins on their sides to hold items in the cabinets.
KITCHEN
Food Storage
Spices enhance the flavors of our meals, but they can take up a lot of cabinet space in an RV. If you’re traveling for just a few weeks or eating out a great deal while on vacation, seasonings may be low on your priority list. But for those RVers who live in their rigs for months on end or who travel full time on the road, preparing food that will make your taste buds sing is important.
Many campers have found a variety of solutions for this problem, including magnetic spice canisters that stick to a metal plate on the kitchen wall or refrigerator. There’s also a nifty under the cabinet spice rack that can work wonders. Even a small spice rack on the wall can alleviate some of the cabinet congestion. After all, you shouldn’t have to skimp on tasty foods, even when you’re on the road!
Increase Counter Space
Counter space is always at a premium in any trailer or motorhome. Spend a little time looking at cutting boards that will cover your sink, or have one cut to your dimensions. Another versatile space is on your cook top. I found a teak service tray that fits over the burners on my stove quite nicely when it is turned upside down. I use the area for serving after food has been prepared and it doubles my counter space.
Get that paper towel roll off your counter by installing an under-the cabinet paper towel holder. They come in a variety of styles, are inexpensive and more importantly, give you more space on which to prepare meals.
Pop-A-Bag, Pop-A Towel and Pop-A-Tissue all offer counter saving under cabinet and under counter storage options priced from $7.99 to $16.19.
Store Knives
Need some dedicated space for your kitchen knives? Hang a strong magnetic strip on the wall—or on the inside of a cabinet door—to hold knives and other metal kitchen accessories, saving drawer space for silverware and dishes.
Mount a metal bar on the kitchen wall under the cabinets with hooks or small baskets to hold serving utensils—just be sure they aren’t too close to stove burners.
KNIFE SAFE is a Knife Storage System which allows you to free up drawer space. The KNIFE SAFE mounts on a cabinet door. Knives not Included.
Free Up Drawer Space
Aluminum foil, Saran wrap, and sandwich and freezer baggies can sometimes take up a whole drawer of space in a normal sticks-and-bricks home. But why not use a small section of wall or the inside of a cabinet door to mount a metal holder for these items? I’ve found it to work very well in an out-of-the-way location.
Drawer Dividers help you to maximize use of your drawer space. This set include 2 organizer that are spring loaded for easy installation.
This Plate Rack Kitchen Organizer helps keeps your kitchen cabinets organized so you can easily store plates, bowls etc.
BEDROOM
What woman wants to go on vacation without her favorite sandals? Or how about those stilettos for a night out on the town? Can’t leave home without your Keens? Well, here’s a slick idea that can handle any shoe you throw at it.
If you have a walk-around bed or a corner bed, you’ve got prime real estate for shoe storage. Purchase an inexpensive plastic over-the-door shoe organizer and cut each row of shoe slots apart. Tack the rows end to end around the support for your bed and fill each slot with a shoe. If you put a comforter or bedspread on your bed, the shoe storage won’t even show.
To stretch your clothing storage space, consider suspending hanging fabric-based accessory shelves in any existing closet space and rolling your clothing items before storing them on the separate shelves. Or you may want to consider purchasing fabric boxes and stacking them on their sides to organize rolled shirts and pants. Rolling will make them easier to store, and less wrinkled when you pull them out to wear.
BATH
Another use for plastic over-the-door shoe organizers is as a bathroom accessory storage unit. Cut one to the length available on the outside of a shower, using the hooks provided to suspend it. Each compartment then can hold items like Band-aids, lotions, grooming items, medicines, etc. With these things in separate pockets, they won’t take up cabinet space, are readily available for daily use, and won’t go flying around as you drive from destination to destination.
To hold shampoos, conditioners, and liquid soap in the shower, put a suction cup container inside on the wall. Or if your shower head is configured for it, use a metal or plastic shower caddy to hold them.
Another problem RVers deal with is how to carry jewelry without taking up much space, but keeping necklaces from tangling. I think I found the perfection solution. I mounted a mesh metal letter file upside down on the wall of the bath. My earrings hang from the mesh and several necklaces and bracelets can be strung around the handle.
Storage Problems Solved
As you can see, there are numerous ways to improve the storage space in your travel trailer or motorhome, these are just a few.
Blog Post Originally posted on Outdoorsy by Shelley Dennis, Oct 4, 2018
https://www.outdoorsy.com/blog/storage-hacks-inside-rv
All items pictured are available at Lichtsinn RV. Call the Lichtsinn RV Parts Department today to order order any of these featured space saving solutions or find out about other solution options.
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