One of the most challenging and important topics when converting your van is how to plan and construct your storage space. It definitely helps to set up a kind of analysis in which you take your general space requirements into consideration. Ask yourself: What exactly do you need space for and how much space do you need? Be it the clichéd shoe cabinet, a desire for designer caps, or, for taller people, a larger closet. But not only your clothes have an influence on the size of storage space you need. Those who like to read (old school and not eBooks) need storage space for their books. Those who like to drink tea and feel like packing all the varieties available may need an extra storage for their tea. Outdoor hobbies like surfing or diving may also occupy a little storage space. Whatever it is, you will need storage, and the only question that needs to be answered is how much. And that is exactly what you have to ask yourself. We know that it’s not that easy. We’ve all packed our suitcases to go on a trip and realized afterwards that you packed way more than you actually needed. But if you deal with the subject of storage at an early stage, you can definitely reduce the chances of having to fight space problems.
The storage space and the optimal use of every square inch are the biggest challenges in mobile home construction. The planning of all necessary furniture and equipment is the challenge, which is perfected only by providing sufficient storage space for the user. It is therefore the supreme discipline of self-converting.
When you’re building out your van, you’re going to realize that you have way too many things. We recommend putting every single item you want to have in your van in one big room, to get a visual understanding of how much stuff you actually have. Our friends @vacayvans took all their kitchen items and literally measured each pot/pan/plate to make sure the cabinetry just fit everything. You’re going to want all of your material things to have a “home,” whether it be a hook, cabinet, or drawer. Think about the details of using your space– where will you put your laptop when it’s not being used? Where will you charge your phone? How much storage space do you make possible by this piece of furniture and how much storage space might you block with it? Compare the alternative designs that you have considered and decide which combinations of function, design and storage space works best for your campervan. It’s amazing how much space you can make available if you pay attention and question it!