Transform Your Van Life
Designing Our Camper Van Interior: What Worked, What We’d Tweak
After watching countless van tour videos on YouTube, we were inspired—and a little overwhelmed—by the sheer variety of layouts and features people choose. Some ideas we loved, others didn’t fit our style. Ultimately, we had to make decisions based on how we planned to use the van. That meant embracing compromise: in a van, every inch counts.
Here’s how we approached our build, what we prioritized, and what we’d do differently next time.
🧠Our Use Model: Purpose-Driven Design
We designed our van for two people, with travel and short-term boondocking in mind—not full-time living. Those decisions helped shaped the design.
🛏️ Layout Highlights
1. Seating for Two
We kept seating limited to the driver and passenger. Adding a third seat would’ve required meeting safety standards and more sleeping space.
2. Platform Bed (Across the Van)
A permanent bed setup means no folding or rearranging. Just a cozy place to sleep every night.
3. Swivel Seats + Living Area
Swivel seats created a small lounge area behind the driver’s seat—perfect for relaxing, reading, or working.
đźšż Shower & Toilet Decisions
4. No Built-In Shower
We skipped a permanent shower to save space and simplify plumbing. Instead, we installed a rear faucet for outdoor rinsing.
5. Composting Toilet on Drawer Slides
Mounted on 500lb drawer slides, our composting toilet tucks away easily and avoids black water tank hassles.
🔥 Heating, Cooking & Hot Water
6. Espar Heater (Gas Tank-Fed)
Runs off the van’s gas tank—no propane system needed. Simplifies fuel management.
7. Electric Cooking
A small induction cooktop handles 70% of our cooking. We typically run it at 700W—less than 5% of our battery capacity.
8. Hot Water (4.5 Gallon AC Heater)
Works well with our 3000W inverter, but we’d likely switch to a 2.5-gallon tank next time to save battery power.
9. A Compact Refidgerator
A compact refriegrator with a freezer section and that runs off the batteries (i.e. 12 Volts).
đź’§ Water System
10. Fresh Water Tank
We installed a 20-gallon tank, though usable capacity is closer to 15 gallons. It’s enough for about five days of careful use.
11. Simple Plumbing
One tank, one pump, about 10 feet of tubing—all on one side of the van.
12. Gray Water (7-Gallon Removable Tank)
A plastic container makes gray water disposal easy and avoids under-van plumbing.
⚡ Electrical System
13. 400 Amp-Hour Battery Bank
We’ve never run out of power. Recharges from any standard 120V outlet.
14. Full AC/DC System + 3000W Inverter
Powers our cooktop, water heater, refrigerator, and more. Flexible and reliable.
🧺 Storage
15. Plentry of Storage
Plenty of storage for our clothes and food.
16. Coat Closet
A place to stow our coats.
17. Builtin Waste Basket
We did not want to look at our trash all the time.
✅ Verdict: What We’d Change (and What We Wouldn’t)
Someone recently asked what we’d do differently if we built another van. Honestly? Not much. The design works beautifully for how we travel.
Tweaks we’d consider:
- Smaller hot water tank to conserve battery power
- Larger freshwater tank to extend boondocking time
But overall, we love our van. It’s hard to justify another six-month build just to recreate what already works so well.
📸 Want More?
Curious about our electrical system or want to see photos of the build?
Check out our Electrical System Page or leave a comment below—we’re always happy to share what we’ve learned.
Thinking about your own van build?
Drop us an email – we’re happy to share what worked (and what didn’t).