Van life: decorate your camper and enjoy the journey

Both a new way of travelling and a new way of living, “van life” has become very popular among young people. Eager for thrills, experiences and adventures, more and more people are hitting the road in a fully equipped van or camper.

It's a freer lifestyle, closer to nature, that has especially captivated “Generation Z”.

The success of this nomadic lifestyle has given rise to trends in van and camper décor.

What matters, though, is making the most of every inch of space so you have everything you need and stay comfortable.

Why has “van life” culture caught on so much?

This culture comes from the United States, a vast country with long roads and a well-established habit of driving many miles.

At the same time, recent economic crises and increasingly insecure work for younger generations have led many to adopt this affordable, adventurous lifestyle and way of travelling.

Its forerunner was the hippie movement of the sixties, when it was common to see young people travelling around the country in vans, spreading their anti-war message and their idea of free love.

The wide presence of “van” culture on social media has now made the phenomenon popular. A fact: the hashtag #vanlife already has more than 14 million mentions on Instagram.

Hitting the road sometimes has a specific direction or destination, but not always. For some, the mantra is “wherever the road takes us”. Are you in?

What does a fully equipped van have?

Before looking at what your van needs, it's worth pointing out that to make living or travelling in it easier, you need to keep everything organised, clean and tidy. If you design your camper with storage compartments and folding pieces or modules, everything will be simpler!

Essentials for your “van life”

So, what will you need?

• Camping stove or gas cooker: for cooking your food.
• A small fridge: to keep food fresh and store supplies.
• Kitchen utensils: it's best to go for a basic kit that's easy to store and wash.
• Storage: plan your spaces carefully for storing clothes, accessories, shoes, camping gear, etc.
• A suitable bed and bedding: choose a comfortable mattress or folding bed; you don't want to wreck your back! Have a look at those specially designed for campers. Bedding will be essential to turn your van into your home. Together with cushions, blankets and decorative pieces, it will make the inside of your camper a comfortable, cosy place.

Trends in camper and van décor

As “van life” has spread among young people over the last decade, their photos on Instagram and Pinterest have made certain decorating styles popular. Minimalist and natural boho are the most widely adopted.

What defines bohemian style in camper décor?

First of all, the tendency is to use natural materials and neutral colours with splashes of other bright, cheerful and fun ones.

Then fairy lights, plants hanging from macramé holders and personalised décor add the finishing touch. A bohemian camper should reflect the personality of the people who live in it!

To make it a unique space, you'll gradually add boards with photos, books, pictures, prints, candles, etc.

What's a minimalist-style camper like?

The other most fashionable decorating style in “van life” is minimalism, which relies on light colours and uses only the most essential pieces.

Clear, uncluttered spaces are the rule here, as are clean, unadorned surfaces.

Light colours such as white, beige, grey and green are the most used in camper décor, as they help create a sense of calm and make small or tight spaces look bigger.

If you love this “van life”, how would you like to decorate your camper or van?