RV Storage Ideas – Let’s Get Organized!

RV STORAGE IDEAS – LET’S GET ORGANIZED!

If you’ve read any of my posts, you know I have a small camper. It’s a 21′ Keystone Hideout. Three of those feet are tongue length, so we actually live in 17′ of space. If you think we don’t know some RV storage ideas, you’ve GOT to be kidding! 🙂

So, what can you do when you’re used to living in a MUCH larger space? Take it from a former Container Store employee, you’ve got to learn to maximize your space. Being organized is key to your SANITY when living in small spaces! Here are a few RV storage ideas we’ve used in our camper.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF VERTICAL SPACE

If you really want to maximize space when you’re looking for RV storage ideas, ESPECIALLY in cabinets or cubby holes, you’ve GOT to use the verticle space. Instead of cramming chips or boxes of stuff in the kitchen cabinet, get some magazine bins to compartmentalize.

Multi-purpose bins use vertical space well. They make it easy to categorize contents. We have one for picnic supplies, chips, drink mixes/coffee, popcorn and other snacks, and one for Ziplocs/wraps. They are normally packed to the top of the cabinet when we’re on the go.

I get these multi-purpose bins from Container Store because they’re super cheap and I LOVE THEM (I really do, I have like 10,000 in my pantry)! If you don’t have a Container Store near you, they will ship the products to you, and even run free shipping specials several times per year.

You can easily find similar ones on Amazon. If my cabinets were taller, I’d probably use stackable containers more like this.

Pardon the unapproved using of the Sharpie! Gotta get the Cricut out and cute that lettering up! We use these for shower supplies when we go to the bathhouse, and clearly for first aid, too.

If all else fails, you can use trusty old shoe bins that can be purchased pretty much anywhere. I bought these by the case at Container Store (you can use them for EVERYTHING).

MAKE USE OF EVERY SPACE

When looking for RV storage ideas, think outside the box. Can you use the end of a cabinet for something?

We added this can storage to the side of our cabinet near our stove. We got ours from Walmart and it was super easy to install. Since Glynn has gone on a plant-based diet, we usually stock up with cans right before a trip. This side cabinet is perfect for the cans though, as it’s an otherwise unused space.

If you don’t use cans, I could easily see using this space for shoe storage or maybe a great place for kitchen wraps/Ziplocs. If you have small kids, this would be a great place for activity containers. There’s no need to waste space when you don’t have it to waste!

Key storage is just inside the door. We use this for keys (obviously), flashlights, a magnetic level, and any pertinent papers from our RV park.

We also use the end of the top cabinet for key/flashlight storage. I don’t remember where we bought ours last year, but here’s one on Amazon.

I’ve also seen images of people using bathroom towel rods for shoe storage inside their door on the side of the cabinet for shoe storage. This is a FANTASTIC idea because it’s not a commonly used space, and a GREAT RV storage idea.

MAGNETIC STORAGE

Do you have a vent hood above your stove? This is a great place for magnetic storage. We use these for our spices, but could be used for lots of small items.

Magnetic spice tins can also hold knick-knacks. You could leave the lids clear and put decorative seashells in them, or they could store medicine. I used a vinyl cutter to make labels.

There are also magnetic hooks. You could hang kitchen towels or potholders from one of these.

MAKE USE OF BINS

This is closely related to my first point. It’s my personal opinion that you can never have enough bins when looking for RV storage ideas! This could be from the previously mentioned condition of being a former Container Store employee, nonetheless, you can never have enough bins. Use bins in unusable spaces.

These bins would be GREAT if you have a pantry that doesn’t utilize vertical space. The handles turn inwards to make them stack and they come in various sizes (I linked the medium). We use the top one for our Tupperware containers and our one skillet. The bottom one is for cards, dice, colored pencils, and a coloring book! 🙂

We store bedding for our “guest” bed in these containers under our dining bench. If we were full-timers, we’d most likely put seasonal clothing in these. I will eventually have bins for our under-seat storage but haven’t had the time or money to do that yet.

Under bench storage.

I will also eventually use some sort of open bin affixed to the wall for towel storage. I’ve also seen people use wine racks as towels storage. I’ll probably figure something out this camping season and update this post when it happens.

IF IN DOUBT, SECURE IT!

A bungee cord keeps the mirror shut during travel.

Don’t forget when looking for RV storage ideas that you are living in a moving vehicle. I know there are some who get their RVs and park it for months at a time, but most people have to move them at least once a year or so.

We realized after one or two trips that our mirror likes to swing open while traveling. We fixed this with a couple of little hooks that you can find pretty much anywhere and a bungee cord. Plus, bungees are like duct tape and zip ties…you can never have enough of them!

Until recently, we cleared our counters before heading home EVERY TIME! That is until learned about using sticky-backed velcro to secure items onto your counter. This has worked well for our cooking utensils. I may try these with the coffee maker too.

Sticky-backed velcro secures the bucket for our kitchen utensils.

Now we still have to clear the counters off, but I’m working on other ideas such as under-counter paper towel holder. I use this one at home and LOVE it! I just haven’t gotten around to getting it!

REPURPOSE AND REMODEL

Those WalMart bags…you gotta love ’em! Nah…you really don’t, but you can’t live without them! We keep them and reuse them for multiple reasons. I took a Gatorade bottle and cut the bottom off of it. I like to store those baggies rolled up and inside the modified bottle.

If Austin and his dog come with us, he can take a bag with him when he walks the dog. We use the bags to take food over to our friend’s place to cook, etc. I don’t have to tell you, I’m sure you have your own unique uses for the bags. This is just another creative RV storage idea for inside the camper.

We saw this modification online and couldn’t wait to try it. You can see ours isn’t all that organized right now, but we should be going fishing soon, so we need to get this under control. Glynn just took a piece of 1×4 and used a hole saw like this one to cut the holes. He just used “L” brackets to secure them to the under storage area. I also store my broom here.

Fishing Rod Storage

One last modification we made was this one. Our camper came with a closet rod in this “closet.” Since we don’t really intend on EVER getting too dressed up while camping, he took the closet rod out and replaced it with shelves. In retrospect, I would’ve liked one more shelf, but we make it work ok.

If you click the picture, you can see underneath the top shelf how he secured it to the wall. He just made simple cleats with 1×2’s on both sides and back and used 1″ brad nails to secure the shelves to the cleats.

WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!

What matters about all of this is that you have to find what works for you. I am short…like 5’2″ short. Our laundry basket goes under our bed. I’m almost too short to reach in there to get it without falling in. I want to modify the paneling under our bed to be open with a long bungee cord keeping the laundry basket in place.

Your camper may be larger with more storage, but bins would still work for you. I have friends with larger campers and modifications just seem to be part of every camper’s journey.

Do you have any RV storage ideas you can share? Feel free to leave comments.

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