Hiring a campervan feels roomy until you start unpacking. Cupboards are shallow, surfaces are small, and everything needs to stay tidy while the van is moving. Good rv storage solutions/tips are not about buying loads of gear. They are about setting up a simple system so you can find things fast, keep the space calm, and spend more time enjoying the trip.
This guide is for first time campervan renters. Everything here is renter friendly, simple to set up, and avoids permanent changes.
A quick storage plan that makes packing easier
Do this once before you pack. It prevents most clutter problems. Pick five zones:
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Clothes and bedding
- Living area essentials
- Outdoor and driving kit
Then set one rule for each zone: everything must live in a container. That container can be a cube, pouch, box, or bag. The point is that loose items multiply quickly in a small space.
Finally, keep weight sensible. Heavy items belong low down and close to the centre of the van so handling stays stable, especially on winding roads and in crosswinds.
Kitchen storage: clear counters and stop the rattle
The kitchen is where clutter gets annoying fastest. Your goal is a clear counter, plus drawers that do not become noisy chaos while driving.
Start with compact gear:
- Collapsible washing up bowl or colander
- Nesting food containers with secure lids
- A flat drying mat instead of a bulky rack
- One multipurpose knife and a small chopping board
Next, contain cupboard items. Two or three small clear boxes are usually enough:
- Breakfast box: coffee, tea, cereal, spreads
- Cooking box: oil, salt, spices, pasta, rice
- Cleaning box: sponge, cloth, washing up liquid, bin bags
This keeps everything grouped, so you can pull out one box rather than unpacking a whole shelf. To reduce movement:
- Add non slip liner in drawers and cupboards
- Wrap noisy items in a tea towel
- Keep glass to a minimum where possible
Pro Tip: If you are travelling across multiple countries, build a small “quick lunch” pouch that is easy to grab on travel days. Bread, napkins, a spread, and a small knife is often all you need to avoid a stressful roadside rummage.
Bathroom storage: go vertical and control wet items
Campervan bathrooms are compact. The fastest improvement is getting toiletries off the sink and floor.
Use a hanging toiletry bag so everything lives in one place and can be put away in seconds. Add removable adhesive hooks for towels and the toiletry bag, as long as your rental provider is fine with removable adhesive products.
Wet items are the second issue. Create one dedicated wet zone:
- A small mesh bag for swimwear and damp cloths
- A quick dry microfibre towel per person
- A small cloth for wiping down the shower area
Pro Tip: Keeping wet things contained reduces smells and stops moisture spreading into cupboards and bedding.
Clothes and bedding: packing cubes are the simplest win
If you do one thing for organisation, make it packing cubes. They work in every layout, and they make it easy to stay tidy even when you are tired.
A simple cube setup:
- One cube for tops
- One cube for bottoms
- One cube for underwear and socks
- One cube for warm layers
- One cube called “tomorrow” with the next day’s clothes
If you share a van, either split cubes by person or assign a cupboard to each person. Mixing clothes across cupboards is a reliable way to lose items.
Bedding takes space fast. If your hire includes bedding, avoid bringing extra unless you truly need it. If you bring your own, choose lightweight bedding and compress bulky items in a compression sack.
Laundry also needs a plan. Bring one dedicated laundry bag and keep it in the same spot the whole trip. When it is full, it is laundry time. This stops dirty clothes drifting into seating areas.
Living area essentials: create one drop zone
The living area becomes a magnet for clutter: keys, sunglasses, chargers, receipts, snacks. The fix is a single drop zone.
Choose one small tray, box, or pouch and make it the home for daily essentials:
- Keys and cards
- Sunglasses and head torch
- Ear plugs and small toiletries
- Phone cable and power bank
Put it in the same place every day. This one habit prevents most “where is my” stress.
Keep the table clear whenever possible. If you need extra storage, a soft hanging organiser on a wardrobe door can hold light items without taking floor space.
Outdoor and driving kit: separate clean from dirty
Even if you pack lightly, you will collect outdoor gear: muddy shoes, wet mats, levelling blocks, and cables. Keep this separate from living items.
Use a two bag system:
- Clean bag: picnic blanket, spare bottle, head torch, sunscreen
- Dirty bag: shoes, wet mat, muddy pegs, anything damp
Pro Tip: If your van has an external locker or rear storage area, reserve it for the dirty bag and for utility items like hoses and cables. If not, store the dirty bag near the door, not under the bed.
Travel day reset: a five minute routine that saves your sanity
Do this before every drive. It protects your stuff and keeps the van safe.
- Clear the counter and table
- Lock cupboards and fridge
- Put heavy items low down
- Secure anything that can slide or fall
- Check nothing blocks the driver footwell
For a clear overview of why securing items matters, the UK Government has practical guidance on securing loads that translates well to campervan travel. The European Commission also highlights cargo securing as an important road safety topic, which is worth keeping in mind when you are driving across borders.
Choosing the right vehicle helps more than any organiser
If you are still deciding what to hire, layout matters. A van with good under seat storage or a dedicated rear storage area is easier to live in than a van that looks stylish but has nowhere to put things.
If you are not sure what type fits your route and group size, read this guide first: Motorhome classes explained. It helps you choose a vehicle that matches your comfort needs and your storage needs.
When you are ready to compare available vehicles across countries, you can start with Campstar, which lets travellers compare and book campervans and motorhomes in many destinations from one place.
Final thoughts
Campervan storage does not need fancy organisers. What matters is a simple system you can keep up without thinking. Split your stuff into clear zones, keep loose items inside cubes or boxes, and do a quick reset before every drive.
If you do that, the van stays calmer, safer, and easier to live in. You spend less time hunting for cables, spices, or clean socks, and more time enjoying the actual trip.