You will probably figure out pretty quickly that dining out will get expensive and is not always practical or healthy.

When living the van life, it is essential to have a working kitchen in the van. For starters, you need to have a plan for plumbing and gas (or electrical, if not using gas). If you are not very confident in your ability to install these systems, it is advisable to seek the services of professionals.

Designing the Layout

The layout of your kitchen is heavily dependent on the van size, how you plan on using the kitchen, and your preferred design. The number and type appliances (like the fridge or microwave) will also depend on your preferences. Here are some essentials that you should consider.

• Stove
• Water tank
• Foot pump or other water delivery system
• Faucets
• Sink
• Drainage containers (for gray water)
• Refrigerator or cooler
• Storage cabinets
• Shelves, hooks, or other storage possibilities

Once you figure out what you want, you can experiment with how to arrange the essentials until you find a system that works for you. This helps in optimizing the space you have. Play around with different layouts until you find a design that fits well with your bed design and other storage areas.

Building the Kitchen

When you get the perfect layout that optimizes van space, tape it down with painter’s tape to mark the spaces. Take careful measurements, which will be used to design the cabinetry frame or find pre-made furniture pieces that will fit.

Once you measure out the layout, it is time to get the supplies and tools needed for installation. The supplies you need will depend on the size and design of kitchen you choose. However, here is a simple list of items:

• Wood glue
• Lumber
• Birch plywood
• Edge glued panels
• Pocket hole kit and screws
• Head screws
• Hinges, door pulls, and catches
• Window sash locks
• Sandpaper
• Wood stains, wax, and block oil

Tools you will need:

• Drill
• >Jigsaw
• Spade bit
• Clamps
• Chisels
• Angle brackets
• Nail punch
• Sander
• Hammer

Simple Process for Building Your Kitchen

1. Construct the frame by fastening the lumber with pocket holes according to your preferred design and layout.
2. Start by screwing together the rectangular frames to separate the sections, then attach them to the larger frame.
3. Attach lumber along the front to hold the frame together. This lumber also forms the base onto which the countertop will be screwed. Attach lumber at the bottom to keep the frame strong and to add a lip at the bottom. Separate the tank and sink sections.
4. Attach the plywood so that the frame looks like a steady plywood box with solid walls. Attach the plywood between the lumber with pocket holes.
5. Depending on your preferences, make room for the counter top. You can decide to have a countertop that sits flat on the frame seamlessly with the sink. You might need to chisel down some edges where the sink sits so that it will be flush with the top frame.
6. When you are done with the frame, dry-fit the cabinets first to make sure that everything sits right before attaching to the van. Be sure to countercheck the measurements for the gas tank fill tube as well. The dry run helps you confirm that everything is in order before you permanently screw the frame to the van.
7. Cut out the cabinet doors according to the measurements and desired design. Attach the hardware (catches and hinges) and test them on the cabinet door. Be sure to have the opening for the foot pump.
8. Sand everything, including the frame and the countertop, down to a smooth surface, then stain or paint to your preference. Finish it off with a few coats of block oil to seal the wood and give it a good sheen while keeping the surfaces food safe.

Please note that if you are not sure of how to professionally install a kitchenette complete with plumbing and gas works, work with a professional. Or, you can purchase pre-built cabinetry and countertops instead of making everything from scratch. Keep in mind things like the depth of the cabinets – bathroom cabinetry is often shallower than kitchen cabinetry and works well in a narrow van. 

Designing the Bed

Sleeping arrangements will largely depend on the number of people living in the van. The main focus of the sleeping area is to make it as comfortable as possible while maintaining practical use of the space. The size, height, and weight of the people living in the camper van will affect the layout and design of the bed. And don’t forget about live-in pets! Be sure to keep all these things in mind before you start building the bed.

You’ll want to be sure to build the bed in a way that maximizes storage space. You need to have a good balance between adequate headspace while sitting on the bed and under-the-bed storage room. Here are a few ideas on how to make your bed.

The Platform Bed

This fixed-bed design is one of the most standard for a van build. Two of the benefits are the roomy storage space underneath and once you fix it, it’s done. There is no need to pull/push or set up every day. 

The Bench Bed

This cool design  is a bench by day and a bed by night. One side is fixed and whenever you need to convert the bench into a bed, you only need to flip it. This is perfect for someone who prefers extra sitting space for work or social activity while on the road

The Bunk Bed

This is the perfect design for the adventurous family. There are various interesting ways that you can fix the beds without making it feel crowded. You can have a spare bed hanging from the ceiling perpendicular to the main bed. The bed should have a ladder for easy access.

The Drop-Down Table Bed

This common design maximizes small spaces and features cushioned couches and a table by day. The table’s height can be lowered to form a bed at sleep time.

The Sliding Platform Bed

If you want a unique design, consider the slide platform. By day, you can push the bed flush against the back wall. When it’s time to relax, you slide the bed out and stretch out. Another perk is that you can slide the whole bed out of the van to bask in the sun or enjoy the stars at night!

The Murphy Bed

This is a good option for a clean, organized van build. If you like to travel with loads of stuff like surfboards and bikes, this design provides a great amount of storage space to fit it all in. 

The Slider Bed

A slider bed is made up of planks that you can easily slide in and out to alternate between sitting and bed area. This one works well for someone who is looking for a multi-purpose solution.

The Custom Bed

If none of these designs suit your preferences, you can always custom make your own bed in whatever shape or size you want, depending on your van’s size and preferred layout.

General Procedure of Making a Van Bed

Regardless of the design you choose, it is important to have at least one side firmly fixed to the van for stability. Pre-built options, like a murphy bed will come with installation instructions. If you are not sure how to go about the installation by yourself, you can always seek the services of a professional. We’ll look at the general installation process.

1. Gather all the tools and supplies you’ll need to fix the bed.
2. If doing it yourself, you will need to get planks that will form the platform and pillars that support the platforms so that you can build a storage area.
3. Building the framework starts with the bottom platform. Once you have it fixed, attach the pillars and fix the top platform in place.
4. In most slider and platform designs, plywood can be used on top to prevent splinters or snagging.
5. Choose your mattress, cushioning and bedding.
6. Install trim where necessary. You may need to install the railings first.

With that, you are done with the bed and couch installation. If you need to switch it up a bit later on, you only need to undo the frame and re-install according to the desired size and design.