Vanlife for Beginners: What You Need to Know Before Hitting the Road
Are you new to campervanning and feeling a bit overwhelmed? Or maybe you've already taken your first trip but spent most of your time packing and repacking the campervan? Don’t worry - you are not alone! It’s completely normal to feel this way at first, and the good news is, everything you need to know is right here, along with lots of campervan tips for beginners.
First and foremost, understand that there’s no single “right” way to pack your campervan. Part of the journey is figuring out what works best for you by hitting the road, experimenting with different setups and yes, even making a few mistakes along the way! One key lesson is learning to make the most of your space. Think carefully about what you’ll need easy access to throughout the day—those items should be within reach. On the other hand, things you won’t use as often can be stored in harder-to-reach cupboards or packed further back. Consider checking out 7 Clever Ways to Maximize Campervan Storage Space, or 5 Tips for Easily Packing your Campervan for the Road.
With a bit of trial and error, you’ll soon develop a system that fits perfectly with your vanlife adventures! Once you’ve nailed down what works best for you, the next step is to plan your first adventure!
New to vanlife: What kitchen equipment is essential?
If you're new to vanlife, deciding what practical kitchen equipment to buy and pack can be a bit daunting. Choosing space-saving kitchenware is ideal for making the most of your campervan's limited space - from collapsible pots and pans to compact utensils, having the right gear will make cooking on the road both efficient and enjoyable. Whether you’re preparing your campervan for day trips, weekend getaways, or longer road trips across the country, certain practical items should be top of your shopping list. Explore our recommendations here. Essential items include:
Storage containers for tea, coffee, sugar (consider shapes that stack)
Enamel tableware, including mugs (we chose enamel and use shallow bowls more than we do plates)
Cutlery (we still have metal in the campervan – it is our home-from-home after all)
A sharp knife
Salt and pepper
A printable-friendly packing list has been included below - click for more details.
Non-slip matting is an excellent inexpensive investment for lining the base of cupboards and shelves, especially in areas where plates, bowls and mugs might shift during transit. To keep your campervan or motorhome well-organized, it's essential to have a designated spot for all your practical equipment. Group similar items together such as cooking gear, cutlery and cleaning supplies - to maximize space and efficiency.
If you don’t have a dedicated cutlery drawer, a large lunchbox serves as ideal storage for cutlery.
While many full campervan conversions come equipped with a twin gas burner inside, some may not, or you might simply prefer cooking outdoors. This is especially enjoyable in beautiful destinations, or when the weather is perfect. A Cadac BBQ is a great family-friendly option.
If you have a VW Campervan, consider utilizing the space under the passenger seats, or sliding the BBQ into narrow gaps. The Cadac 2 Cook 2 Pro Deluxe is especially suited for this.
Storage ideas for a VW Campervan
New to vanlife: What about storage hacks?
New to vanlife and wondering how to manage storage? Smart storage hacks can make a world of difference! With the simple hacks below, you'll maximize space and keep your campervan, or motorhome clutter-free!
Clothing
Clothes and storage solutions are a big topic of interest when it comes to vanlife or camping and for good reason! With limited space, it’s easy to over-pack, so being smart about your clothing choices is essential! Consider comfort (camping is casual!), quick-drying fabrics (you might need to dry clothes inside your van) and clothing that doesn’t need ironing, making re-packing at home much easier. Stick to similar colours to simplify laundry, and remember, layering compact clothing is key when packing for unpredictable weather.
Packing cubes are a must for keeping everything organized! Assign one large cube per family member to keep clothing compact and easy to access. Rolling clothes instead of folding helps fit more in each cube, and labelling or colour-coding cubes makes finding items simple. Don’t forget to bring a separate bag for dirty laundry! For those who prefer to hang clothes, installing a rail at the back of your van, or using headrest hooks can make the most of your limited space.
Bedding
Many campers opt for sleeping bags in their camper, or motorhomes due to their convenience. However, with so many bedding options now available, it’s worth reconsidering your bedding choices before purchasing brand new bedding. Think about how and where you’ll store it in your campervan. At the beginning of your vanlife journey, use whatever you already have at home and see how that works. If you are looking for more luxury and comfort, we also recommend Duvalay. We have been using Duvalay products for over three years in both our VW T5 and MWB Crafter and we truly can’t recommend them enough. Once you experience their exceptional quality, superior comfort and versatility, there is no turning back! No matter your sleeping setup or bed size in your new campervan or motorhome, Duvalay has a custom solution to ensure you sleep in ultimate comfort.
Pillows are an essential item on any camper's packing list, but they can be quite bulky. If you don’t have fixed beds, consider storing your pillows in PVC bags to keep them compact and clean when not in use. This not only saves space, but also protects them from dust and dirt. For more creative campervan storage ideas, click here!
Duvalay Compact Sleeping Bag - It has a 2.5cm mattress topper and 10.5 tog duvet.
If you own a VW campervan or similar model with a pop-top roof, you’ll need to consider a mattress for the upper sleeping area. Ideally, choose one that can stay in place even when the roof is closed for travel. Sleeping on a hard wooden board is far from comfortable! The mattress should be thin enough to allow the roof to close properly - 5cm is a common thickness, but always double-check your campervan’s dimensions before purchasing. Not all campervans are the same size! For RIB or Rock and Roll beds, mattress toppers are also commonly used, but it's best to test your bed first before investing in one. Again, Duvalay offers a great range of travel toppers and can even create custom sizes or shapes to fit your specific needs.
If you're concerned about staying warm while camping in your new van, be sure to check out our 3 Essential Tips for Autumn Camping and Vanlife Preparation!
Toiletries
Keeping a dedicated set of toiletries in your campervan, especially if you plan to travel often, saves a lot of time and stress when packing! It’s best to have two separate bags: one for quick trips to the facilities block (perfect for essentials like a toothbrush and toothpaste) and another for storing larger items like shampoo, conditioner and body wash.
Here are a few other must-haves for any family camping trip:
Outside table – our slimline Outwell table with bench-style chairs is easy to store at the back of the van and provides a simple, space-saving setup.
Chairs – there are countless options on the market, so think about if your priority is comfort, or compact storage/space saving chairs.
Electric cable - essential for campsites that offer electric pitches, or if you don’t have any off-grid capability in your campervan, or motorhome.
Thermal screen protector – perfect for covering the front windscreen, keeping your van warm at night, cool in summer, and adding privacy and blackout.
A sunshade, awning or pop up tent – choose based on your travel style - whether you want a sunshade for light protection, or a full awning for extra living space. You might not know when you start vanlife! Have some adventures and figure out what you need as you go.
The demand for self-contained campervans on campsites has increased since the pandemic and more families are recognising the convenience of having an onboard chemical toilet. We wouldn’t travel without ours - check out our recommendations here!
Now you have got your campervan kitted out with all the essentials, you are ready to set off on your first adventure. Check out Vanlife for Beginners: Planning your First Trip
