The Secret to Simplifying Your Life in a VW Campervan: Campervan Essentials
Life in a VW campervan offers freedom and adventure, but it can also come with a unique set of challenges - especially when it comes to storage and organisation. While some vanlifers travel light, others prefer a touch of luxury and many find themselves somewhere in the middle. This blog post shares some essential campervan tips and small campervan storage ideas that make life on the road simpler, even in limited space.
For those wondering what to pack and how to organise, this post provides top-tested picks for must-have essentials and equipment. Whether you’re outfitting a small camper or refining your packing strategy, these campervan storage ideas are based on real experience and family-friendly tested solutions.
For more detailed tips on packing and maximizing space, check out 7 Clever Ways to Maximize Campervan Storage Space and 5 Tips for Easily Packing Your Campervan for the Road. If you're new to vanlife, be sure to read Vanlife for Beginners: What You Need to Know Before Hitting the Road for essentials and advice. And if you need help planning your next VW campervan adventure, explore our range of comprehensive Travel Guides to help make the most of every journey.
How do you keep your campervan clean and tidy on the road?
Keeping a campervan organised and tidy is essential, especially during autumn and winter months when dirt, mud and leaves can find their way inside. One of the best campervan tips is to assign a designated place for everything - ensuring items return to their spots after each use. This is key to staying organised in small spaces. For more seasonal tips on managing cleanliness and comfort, check out the post 3 Essential Tips for Autumn Camping and Vanlife Preparation, which includes specific advice for keeping the van clean during colder months.
Another effective campervan storage idea is to use a large, non-slip, washable mat at the door. This not only provides insulation from cold flooring but also helps trap dirt, making cleanup easier. Family members can remove their shoes on the mat and it’s simple to shake out throughout the day as needed. Keep footwear simple, consider sliders, which can easily be slipped on and off at the edge of your mat.
A versatile brush is another must-have. It can tackle everything from sweeping up dirt to brushing off sandy gear or cleaning off a muddy dog before they enter the van. Regular sweeping and using a compact, powerful vacuum makes it easier to keep the interior spotless, proving a small hoover to be one of the most valuable items for vanlife!
How to manage travelling with children and a dog in a campervan?
For families on the road, the adventure wouldn’t be complete without their furry friend by their side. Bringing a dog along in a small campervan does require some planning, but the joy it adds to the journey makes it all worthwhile. To keep things organized, storing pet essentials - like food, leads and waste bags - in an easily accessible spot, like the passenger-side door, is incredibly helpful for quick access. It is also worth having duplicates of these stored in your campervan (in case you forget to pack them). This setup ensures that items needed for dog care are always within reach and easy to find.
Some essential items for travelling with a dog include a collapsible water bowl, a portable bed or blanket for their designated sleeping spot, and waste bags. For cleaning up after outdoor adventures, a small towel or brush for removing sand or mud before re-entering the van can be invaluable.
If you are planning a trip into Mainland Europe, make sure to read Exploring the EU with Your Dog: What Pet Owners Need to Know to stay updated on pet travel requirements, vaccinations and everything else you need to know about travelling with your pet in your campervan. With a bit of preparation and a few campervan tips, travelling with children and a dog can be a rewarding and memorable experience for the whole family. For more information, be sure to read 25 Screen-Free Road Trip Ideas for Children of All Ages and Tips and Essentials for Stress-Free Road Trips with Kids!
How to prepare meals while travelling in a campervan, or motorhome?
Balancing adventure with family meals on the road can be a challenge, but with a few practical tips and meal ideas, cooking while traveling becomes much easier. One key tip is to premake meals before hitting the road, especially for the first night, when settling in can take extra time. Preparing meals like stews, curries ahead of time allows for a stress-free dinner after a long drive. Inside the campervan, a double-ring gas burner is essential for quick meals, but many travellers prefer cooking outdoors with portable options like the Cadac 2 Cook 2 Pro for added ventilation and space. The Ridge Monkey XL is also a go-to tool, perfect for making everything from breakfast to side dishes with minimal fuss. By prepping meals in advance and using versatile tools, cooking on the road becomes a breeze, giving you more time to enjoy your adventure.
For even more inspiration on delicious camping meals, check out Camping Meal Favourites for creative, easy ideas and tips. By keeping things simple, having reliable tools and a few easy meals in mind, cooking on the road can become a highlight of the campervan experience.
Some of our go-to-meals are:
BREAKFAST
1️⃣ Pan au chocolat
2️⃣ Croissants
3️⃣ Breakfast Wrap
4️⃣ Brioche
5️⃣ Pancakes
LUNCH
1️⃣ Pizza in the RidgeMonkey
2️⃣ Omelette in the RidgeMonkey
3️⃣ Toasted sandwich in the RidgeMonkey
4️⃣ Pitta Pockets
5️⃣ Crusty french baguette rolls
DINNER
1️⃣ Spaghetti Carbonara
2️⃣ Thai Red Curry
3️⃣ BBQ
4️⃣ Chilli
5️⃣ Smash Burger Wraps
How do you manage to fit everything that you need into such a small space?
Packing efficiently for a campervan adventure can be a challenge, especially when space is tight. For those searching for small campervan storage ideas and campervan storage solutions, a few key strategies make a big difference.
First and foremost, it helps to travel lightly and focus on essentials over "nice-to-haves." Packing cubes are a top choice for keeping clothes, electronics and medical kits organised and compact. Collapsible items are another essential, as they save space when not in use. Microfiber towels are also highly recommended, as they dry quickly, can be rolled up for compact storage, and are easy to pack away.
For more tips on maximising space, check out helpful posts on campervan storage solutions and Vanlife for Beginners: What You Need to Know Before Hitting the Road.
What are the campervan essentials I might not have thought of?
When it comes to small campervan storage ideas and campervan storage essentials, certain items can make all the difference on the road. Click here to read a blog post full of really useful things to have in your campervan that you might not have thought of. Plus, here are some surprisingly useful items that are must-haves for a well-organized, ready-for-anything campervan experience:
A jump start kit has proven invaluable on many adventures and has come in handy more times than can be counted. This compact power pack is far more convenient than traditional jump leads, as it allows the engine to be restarted without moving the vehicle - a true lifesaver on the road and a potential holiday-saver for fellow travellers in need.
Duct Tape and Cable Ties
Duct tape and cable ties are trusted problem-solvers in any campervan. From quick fixes to securing loose items, if an issue can’t be resolved with these two items, it’s likely a trip to a garage might be required!
Headrest hooks are a game-changer for keeping the small space tidy. These hooks provide an easy, accessible spot for children’s bags, coats, backpacks and shopping bags, which helps keep the main floor space clutter-free and organized.
