If you’re thinking of remodeling your RV or even just sprucing it up a bit, you know it can be costly. We tried to stick to a budget during the process. In this article I’ll share our itemized costs, as well as a few tips for saving money.
Before & After Video
Want to skip the article and cut to the chase? Watch this short 3 minute video where we briefly discuss the costs and share before & after views of the RV.
RV Remodel Costs
Below I’ll explain what we accomplished during our mini RV renovation and makeover with the cost by category.
Paint
The first step to brightening up our RV was to paint over the beige and brown wallpaper. I used two coats of Glidden Gripper Primer and two coats of Glidden paint in eggshell finish. I also painted the wood trim on our valances with Glidden paint in satin finish. The total cost for the primer, paint, and paint supplies (brushes, pans, tape, drop cloth): $106.
Click here to see my article on Painting Over RV Wallpaper.
Curtains
The next step was to make no sew curtains. I purchased fabric shower curtains and used heat bond tape to shorten the hem. I also used fabric shower curtains to cover the sliding glass door over the deck in our toy hauler and the loft space. I needed 5 fabric shower curtains for the project. The total cost for the curtains, tension rods, and rings: $150.
Click here to read my post on options for Updating RV Window Treatments. It includes a tutorial on making no sew curtains and other inexpensive options.
Backsplash
The backsplash that came with our RV was metallic brown and was falling down. Since the RV kitchen is really in the main living area, I decided I wanted to create a focal point with my new backsplash. I painted the panel pieces I purchased a bright teal that was also in my new curtains. Cost of new backsplash tiles (I already had the paint and supplies): $80.
Click here to see pictures of my changes, as well as other options to renovate your RV kitchen.
Décor
After painting and adding curtains, I purchased some decorative items to provide some pops of color. This included a new cutting board, wall art, rope trim, and more. I could have saved here, by making some simple DIY items, but I got a little carried away shopping. Total cost of new décor: $251.
Furniture
The most expensive part of our overall RV remodel was the furniture. We originally had a long brown 5-cushion sofa. I didn’t like it because half of it was directly across from the kitchen area. I decided to replace with recliners and a drop leaf dining table with chairs. After extensive shopping for recliners, we decided to purchase theater seating from Camping World for $1,755. It includes two electric recliners (with heat and massage) separated by a center console. I purchased the perfect sized drop leaf table from Ikea for only $140. Finally, a friend of mine was selling two chairs she was replacing for only $60. Total cost of new furniture: $1,955.
Total Cost of Living Room/Kitchen Area Remodel: $2,542
While this may seem like a lot of money for such a small area, it really made it more functional for us. There are several ways to save money and achieve a very similar remodel. I’ve listed them below.
Ways to Save on an RV Remodel
Coupons & Sales
One tip that my friend and design consultant, Lisa Brown of Always on Liberty shared with me was to use coupons. You can find these the traditional way by getting a local Sunday paper and going through the sales flyers, but an easier way is to download the stores’ apps. Every store we shopped at had an app that provided coupons and notified you of sales. Most of them provided a special one-time coupon for downloading the app as well regular weekly coupons.
In addition to coupons, most stores have a bargain bin or special sales rack for things they no longer stock. When I went shopping with Lisa this is the first place she looked for items. Keep a list of things you’re looking for with measurements so you can be ready to jump on those good deals! My main problem here was being impatient. I wanted everything right away. Lisa was much smarter about her RV makeover and waited until an item was on sale to purchase it.
DIY
Another way to save money on an RV makeover is by making your own décor. There are so many fabulous tutorials on Pinterest if you are looking for ideas. For example, I could have saved more money by purchasing fabric using coupons and making my own curtains, but I fell in love with the fabric shower curtains that I ultimately used.
Furniture
As I mentioned above, our biggest ticket item was the tricked-out theater seats that Sean picked. Originally I had selected a similar option for only $599 (a savings of $956), but they were manual. Seeing how Sean is still working while we are traveling full-time (click here to read about how we earn an income on the road), we decided we could afford to splurge on this big ticket item.
Design Help
One of my favorite websites is RV Inspiration. It is filled with tons of ideas to help make your RV feel more like home. I was totally inspired by her article, Beach Themed RV Makeovers. She also has a fabulous book on RV organization and storage called Create Space From Thin Air: Ideas For Adding Storage To Your RV. This full-color, 36-page e-book will help you discover new potential storage space in your RV or tiny home! With over 75 color photos and 60+ ideas for storing and organizing, you cannot go wrong here.
The book includes:
- Ideas for adapting solutions to fit your needs
- Ways to make use of vertical space for storage
- Tips for finding and utilizing empty space
- Ideas for modifying furniture and built-in spaces to add extra storage
- Step-by-step action plan to help you discover the best storage solutions for your space
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