ikea travel trailer hacks

Outdoor Fact

37 Mind-Blowing RV Hacks That Will Make You A Happy Camper

Camping is a traditional activity for most American families. Whether with the family or alone, a great number of people hit the road in a camper and enjoy the fun, thrill, and adventure that come along the way. However, one problem of camping with your family in a camp trailer is the limited space. For this reason, you must resort to some crafty  RV hacks  to make the available space more functional and the camping experience more convenient and delightful.

37 Crafty RV Hacks to Enhance the Camping Experience

RV camping  is a huge family experience where you can spend quality time with each other. Some people even choose full-time RV-ing, traveling from one state to another one. Nonetheless, you have to find ways to things differently in a camper because it does not have as much space and many facilities as a home. These  RV camping hacks  will save you from having a hard time on the road.

1. Shoe Rack Bed Storage

Beds are a great place for added storage. Basically take a shoe holder, cut it as shown, and wire it with heavy cord. It is sturdy enough to hold all of your shoes around your bed frame.

via:  motorhome

2.  Shoe Rack Shower Storage

RVs have the tendency to be low on extra space, shoe racks are always great ways to create instant organized storage. Hang one over your shower curtain rod for extra bath storage.

You can utilize the shoe rack not only for storing the shoes but also plenty of other small items. It could be one of your ultimate  RV organization hacks  as you can hand one over the shower curtain rod for holding the toiletries.

Another way to use shoe holders is to cut them after every layer of pockets and wire the upper edge of each layer with a strong wire or cord. Set them around the bed frame and keep whatever you want. They can hold shoes, toys, and other small items.

via:  campingworld

3. DIY Travel Cup

What causes one of the most annoying messes when traveling? Spills of drinks. The Press’n Seal Wrap can minimize the spill rate and save you from tedious cleaning work. Just wrap it around the open face of the cup, make a hole in the middle, and use a straw to suck the drink. However, you can apply it only for cold drinks because it’s not possible to suck hot coffee with a straw.

4. PVC Pipe Hammock

Who doesn’t love a hammock! After you’re parked be sure to put together a hammock for kids and big kids to enjoy. It can even double as an extra bed! It required 2 inch PVC Pipe for the main span and 1.5 in for the cross pieces. Sleeves were sewn in the fabric and the PVC was slipped through and connected together. Then ran rope through the long pieces and through a hole in 1.5 in pieces that are used to prevent the rope from slipping back through the door closure. You can store it in the pop top gap up top when not in use.

via:  thesamba

5. Command Hook Curtains

Need a temporary curtain to create separation in your RV, don’t want to drill holes into the frame, or simply want a super easy way to hang curtains. Use command hooks to hold up your curtain rod!

via:  instructables

6. DIY Tank Cleaner

You surely don’t want to mess with the toilets when you have to travel with it! But, toilets are a hassle to clean and the reek seems to be a real headache in a small place like the camper. Well, this DIY solution is one of the most effective  RV hacks  for cleaning the toilets.

Mix a cup of laundry detergent (which has borax in it) with ½ cup of a water softener. The detergent will fight the odor while the softener won’t let the waste to stick onto the waste tank’s wall.

via:  ruggedthuglife

7. Dry Erase Board Use

A dry erase board is a multifunctional tool as you can use it for various purposes. Hang it in the kitchen and write the week’s menu or the cleaning tasks for everyone on it. Also, you can write down the campground’s name, address, phone number, spot number, and other necessary information on it in case you need them in an emergency.

via:  BuzzFeed

8. Getting Better Wi-Fi Signal

This is one of the  camper hacks  that every social media and internet-addicted camper will welcome with open arms. Most of the campsite gives access to Wi-Fi but you won’t get a good signal at every spot. A Wi-Fi reception booster (which is nothing more than a $20 fix) will fix this problem and enhance the signal.

via:  everything-about-rving

9. Collapsible Garbage Can

RV’s are low on storage, a large trashcan is difficult to travel with. However, using a collapsible laundry basket makes a perfect impromptu trash can that stores away easily.

via:  realsimple

10. Space Saving Containers

Square containers use space more efficiently than the round containers many items come in, they piece together better, and don’t move around as easily while in transit!

via:  amatterofpreparedness

11. Tissue Box Container

Tissue Boxes get tossed around, sat on, and wet until they become unusable. A simple Tupperware container can help to fix these problems. Cut a slot into the container and place the tissue box in it and it becomes a water proof box you won’t easily squish.

via:  dollarstoremom

12. Black Out Curtain Trick

Blackout curtains are a must-have for a travel trailer. So, any tip about them is definitely one of the best  RV hacks  you can expect in a list. The curtains come handy when you need a completely dark bedroom after a long journey. Instead of hanging them from a separate hanging rod, you can Velcro them to your existing curtains.

via:  home-2-me

13. Prevent Heat Loss

via:  CampingWorld

14. DIY Awning Track Hanger

Make your own awning with a paracord! Each one you make will need 10 inches of paracord (ends melted), 1 inch of 1/4 inch rigid aluminum tubing, one M10 washer.  Get directions here.

via:  popupportal

15. Mount Electrical Adapters

Be sure you have all of your cords, adapters, and wires mounted and organized. It makes life easier when you are able to find your cords as you roll into your campsite late at night and need something.

via:  rvtravel

16. Pinesol Keeps Away Flies

Dilute it with water to create a 50/50 solution and wipe down your counters, tables, and awnings with it. Read more about this magical solution  here .

via:  thegardeningcook

17. String Light Hangers

Use these badge holder clips or paper clips to hang lights or decorations on your awning.

18. Bubble Wrap Insulation

For those chilly winter months a campfire is great but inside your RV is a different story! An easy temporary solution is Bubble Wrap insulation. Get easy directions  here.

via:  builditsolar

19. Syringe to Fix Wood Veneer

Warped and peeling veneer wood is an all too common problem,  click here  to get more information on how to use the syringe to fix your RV’s veneer imperfections.

via:  zoomcar t

20. Easy Scrambled Eggs

Eggs are a staple breakfast that everyone loves. To create this easy meal while camping the easiest thing to do it break them into a bottle with a lid (i.e. a water bottle, creamer bottle, etc). Add a little milk (optional) and shake it before pouring it into the pan to cook. It’ll save a bowl, wisp, and it recycles a bottle!

via:  lifehacker

21. DIY Floor Update on a Budget

The RV floors are too generic and almost everyone will want to update it with something that looks nice and lasts for a long time. But,  RV hacks  for floor updates are expensive and not every material is suitable for the camper floor.

Installing vinyl tiles is one of the best  travel trailer hacks  for updating the floor on a budget. These are inexpensive but looks beautiful. Also, they are pre-glued (for easy installation), easy to cut down into convenient sizes, and water-resistant.

via:  gilbertconstruct

22. Line the Shelves with Non-Slip Liner

Traveling in a vehicle is not good news for glass materials. It won’t take long for your cabinetry to turn into a dishware graveyard if you are not careful. The  RV camping tips  for saving the glass items during bumpy  road trips  are to keep them in steel holders or line the shelves with non-slip liner

via:  containerstore

23. Add Glow in the Dark Tape to Walk Ways

There will always be a clumsy member in every family who trips over everything. Help him/her by using neon-colored or glowing tape to mark the stair steps and other potentially trip-trap areas. It will also help others to be careful around these places in the dark.

24. Save the Condiments

Who does not love to get free condiments? But, those small packets create a mess in your refrigerator or cabinet drawer. Keep them in a small container or tie several packets together with rubber bands.

25. Wasp Repellent

Most RVers use propane stove and heater but the smell of the chemical ingredient attracts a dangerous insect – wasp! One of the simplest  RV hacks  to keep them away is to use dog flea collars. Cut up a few collars into several pieces and place them in different areas, especially the places where you keep the propane stove or heater.

26. Place a Foam Noodle Over Awning Brace

An inexpensive easy solution for no more bumped heads as you walk around the RV.

via:  andybiard

27. Food Container Wastebasket

The RV is filled with nooks and crannies that a large trash cant fit into easily. Those dry food containers are the perfect size to place around the RV to help keep it clean!

28. Drying Clothes

Washing and drying clothes can be hard, and it gets expensive when traveling in an RV. A simple solution is to put a rack in the bathtub to at least cut down on drying costs. Just be sure your rod is secure in case you’re still drying while driving.

via:  rv-boondocking-the-good-life

29. Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats Increase Comfort and Insulation

These squares a perfect RV hack for functionality and cost. You can buy 6 for around $20.

via:  ruggedtimes

30. Spray Paint Dingy Parts

Spray paint is an inexpensive, quick, and easy update for anything on your RV. Help it look 10 years younger with this fix.

31. Wine Bottle Sleeves

These plastic sleeves are a great solution for when your glass bottles are knocking around in the cabinets. They are a great way to keep those expensive bottles from breaking on the road. You can get them  here .

via:  goodsamcamping

32. Easy Reupholstering Method

It’s as easy as wrapping a present, get full directions  here .

via:  modishmanor

33. Suction Cup Kid’s Caddies

Kids make messes, it is a way of life. However, we can attempt to organize them with these caddies that suction to the car windows. It provides them a good place to put the toys, markers, and hair things when they clean up.

via:  morsermoments1

34.  Towel Rod Product Holder

Bath products never stay in one place while driving, use this simple hack to create a holder for all of your sink necessities!

via:  FiveFs

35. Easy Washing Station

Create an easy washing station, all you need is a bar of soap placed in a leg of panty hose and tied around a water spigot. It will make cleaning up more convenient and your RV much cleaner.

via:  momlovescamping

36. Mice Repellent

Irish Spring is actually a mice repellent. Not convinced read  this testimonial . Or you can find the complete guide on how to mouse proof a camper here .

via:  twomenandalittlefarm

37. Ikea Light Hack

Lighting can be scarce and outdated in some RVs, get a sleek look with lights from Ikea. Instructions are available  here .

via:  livinlightly

Applying these useful RV tips and hacks (collected by  RVCoutdoors ) will allow you to enjoy an RV camping experience with a hitch. These will make the life of all the members easier and reduce the stress of long journeys.

Last Updated on April 23, 2019

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Dennis Taylor

Dennis Taylor - Owner of Outdoor Fact - is a graduate of National Camping School and REI Outdoor School. He knows everything about what gear to take with you, how to plan your trip to stay safe and what to do if you get lost in the mountains. We are lucky to have Dennis with us as he is a ‘walking encyclopedia’ when it comes to the wilderness.

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I enjoyed reading your ideas. I will be using the curtain rod one for sure.

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RV LIFE Details the Top RV Organization Hacks from IKEA

IKEA is a well-known Swedish furniture store that has locations in many major cities throughout the US and Canada. Not only does IKEA sell  furniture , but they also sell a lot of lightweight home organization products that work perfectly in an RV too. IKEA’s innovative designs make storing and finding things in the RV a whole lot easier.

What if you don’t happen to have an IKEA store anywhere near you? First of all, don’t despair if there’s no IKEA in your area. You aren’t going to be stuck in RV organization chaos forever. IKEA makes it really easy to order most of their storage and organization products online.

1. Variera trash can – IKEA’s Variera trash can is super light and can easily be mounted anywhere in the RV. It has adhesive strips on the back, so no drill installation is necessary. It’s also possible to use screws (or zip ties) to securely mount the trash bin. The Variera trash bin could also store items such as children’s toys, shoes, or anything else you can think of.

2. IKEA Tisken basket/shower caddy – The lightweight Tisken corner basket/shower caddy mounts with an easy-to-use and secure mounting system. The sides of this shower caddy are high enough to hold items during travel. The basket is made of durable, smooth plastic and can be quickly removed from its mounts for deep cleaning. The bottom of this handy shower caddy has holes in it for drainage.

3. Variera storage boxes – IKEA’s Variera storage boxes come in two sizes that fit in RV drawers or cabinets. These storage boxes keep small items like kitchen tools, spices, or condiments organized.

Read the full report at RV LIFE.

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25 Almost Genius Travel Trailer Hacks

Published on April 28th, 2019 by Ray & Tammy Roman This post was updated on February 14th, 2021

If you are looking to optimize the space and overall use of your camper than these travel trailer hacks will do just that. These hacks can be easily implemented using everyday items you can find around your home or at the local hardware store.

1. Add a suspension rod inside your shower

Most campers have enough closet space for all your clothes, but what if you need more. Simply install a suspension rod in your camper shower to create another closet.

2. 3M Command Hooks

Versatile and easy to install and remove 3M Command hooks can be placed just about anywhere to hang stuff including but not limited to towels, coats, and pictures. No more drilling.

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3. Get bowls that nest

Save space inside your cabinets by purchasing nesting bowls. Nesting bowls fit inside each other saving you lots of space.

4. Use your oven for storage

The inside of your oven can be used as additional storage. Just make sure it’s off and that you don’t accidentally turn it on with your stuff inside.

5. Use a hanging shoe organizer

A quick and easy way to get shoes off the floor and stored neatly is to use a hanging shoe organizer . They are inexpensive and can easily hang behind a door or on the wall with the 3M Command hooks.

6. Use collapsible hanging canvas shelves

One of our favorite travel trailer hacks is to use one or two collapsible hanging canvas shelves in your closet for added storage and better organization. Lots of colors to choose from.

7. Use hanging containers for storage

You can use hanging containers for storage by placing hanging them on a towel holder. You can probably fit 4 or 5 of them to store various small items.

8. Hanging kitchen wire baskets

You can hang wire baskets along your kitchen wall for added storage above your countertop. Use the 3M Command hooks. Great for fruits and other cooking supplies or utensils.

9. Shower curtain rings with clips to hang your loofah

You can buy inexpensive shower curtain rings with clips to hang your loofah, shampoo, conditioners, and your body lotion as well.

10. Use a magazine holder for added storage

Attach a magazine holder to the inside of a cabinet door and use it to hold boxed foil, wax paper, etc.

11. Tile in the oven

Is your travel trailer oven not cooking evenly. This is often the result of uneven heat distribution. Placing a ceramic tile in the center of the oven help distribute the heat evenly inside your RV oven.

12. Use a vent cushion

One easy way to maintain a fairly consistent temperature in your RV is to use a vent cushion also aka a vent pillow . A vent cushion goes over the vent and clocks out sunlight, protect furniture from harmful rays, keep heat out in the summer and warmth in during those colds days.

13. Insulate door window

The door window on your camper is usually a clear piece of glass. To add some privacy and temperature control you cover the glass in automotive window tint.

14. Park in the shade

Summers can be brutal on a travel trailer interior. Parking your RV under a tree that provides ample shade over your roof. It helps to put less strain on your AC unit while also saving you money since it doesn’t have to run as often.

15. Cover your windows

During the summer windows let in a lot of sunlight which raises the interior temperature. Using blinds or shade help keep the sunlight out. For added protection use reflective insulation on all your windows. You can also install exterior window shades to provide a more pleasing appearance.

16. Cook outside

During the summer months cook outside whenever possible. You can use a tabletop propane grill like the one below.

17. Glow in the dark entry steps

Use some glow in the dark tape to add some stripes to your entry steps so you can see them better at night. I recommend the Glow Lion Anti-Slip . It is made specifically for stairs but can also be used elsewhere.

18. Charcoal grilling tip

Sometimes getting those charcoals lit can be a bit of a challenge. Here’s a quick tip. Take an empty egg carton and place charcoal briquettes in the each of the egg holders. The egg carton is now your kindling and the carton also acts as a wind barrier. It will get your charcoal going fast.

19. Soap in a pantyhose

If you have an outdoor spigot at your campground use a pantyhose to hold a bar of soap so that it is quickly accessible and off the ground. The hose is thin so soap bubbles still form with water.

19. Need a nightstand? use a caddy

Whether you have a nightstand or not you can add extra storage to your bedside with a mattress caddy also known as a bedside organizer. They work great for storing glasses, your phone, a ready lamp, etc.

20. Collapsible trash can

Use collapsible trash can like the Camco utility container shown below. It has a sturdy frame that will hold a 33-gallon trash bag. It comes with a stake to secure it against wind and pets. Now you have a trash can for the campsite the quickly collapses for storage and is out of the way.

21. A dry erase board for quick information

Mount a dry erase board on a wall near you. When you get to your campground write the address of the campground, and your site number in case you need it in an emergency. You can also use the dry erase board for reminders, a checklist, WiFi password or a grocery list.

22. No more wasps near your propane tank or lines.

I had no idea that propane attracts wasps. You can place cut up flea collars in the propane tank compartment to repel wasps.

23. Flag hold re-purposed as a paper towel holder

Use a garden flag holder as a paper towel holder. They have two prongs so they are easy to stick next to your picnic table or anywhere you need them.

24. PVC pipe toothbrush holder

Of all the travel trailer hacks this one is our most clever. This clever DIY project can be mounted inside a bathroom cabinet door. It holds your toothbrushes and keeps them out of sight. Full instruction on how to make these PVC pipe toothbrush holders can be found at Crafting In The Rain .

25. PVC Pipe Shoe Rack

Here is another PVC DIY RV hack to help you organize shoes. This comes to us courtesy of Ditching Suburbia . He used scheduled 80 3/4 inch tubing and schedule 40 connectors to make this hack.

Travel Trailer Hacks Summary

These 25 hacks will help you add more storage space and organize your RV. Here is one more hack for your camper . Have fun using these and share this article with others you think will benefit from these RV hacks.

In addition to the RV hacks above I wrote an article with our list of best travel trailer brands . I hope you enjoy that article as well.

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Last updated on: February 5, 2022

15+ Cool RV Hacks That Will Make Your Camping Life Easier

by Chris Coleman

www.rvtalk.net is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

You won’t need to adopt Minimalism to enjoy a life on the roads . Why give up on comfort when there are plenty of easy, cheap yet functional and cool RV hacks to upgrade your RV into a better mobile home?

Check out these tried and true DIY camper hacks, including handy temperature control tips, energy-saving power and lighting solutions, RV organization hacks, RV cooking hacks plus many more. 

Outdoor shower

External mounts for extra utility space & storage, bubble level or leveling blocks, portable propane fire pit, diy sink covers/chopping board , diy countertop fold-outs, all-season camping: reflectix, winter camping: energy-saving insulation and heating, hatch vent insulator, solar panels, solar/ led lighting, over-the-door towel rack & caddy rack, hampers & closet organizers, cutlery protectors, fridge storage, rv hacks: exterior and outdoor.

Showering outdoors in good weather is a perk of the RV life. For a bit of fun, or if you do not have enough space for a shower in your small RV, which is often the case, you can fit your own outdoor shower on the side of your vehicle. 

An outside shower will prevent the interior of your RV from extra moisture and is useful for getting the mud off from your trekking trip before you go inside. Make your own privacy screen for your outdoors shower using a shower curtain and wire or piping is a fun and not too challenging project. Do not forget to get a good quality RV shower head to enjoy your shower time more.

If you love staying outdoors in great weather, an awning is a must. An awning can provide shade and help save money on cooling in hot summer weather. It can also provide a shaded place to dine, enjoy a drink or read outside your RV. 

If you don’t want to invest in a commercial awning, there are many guides, including videos, within the RV community on how to make your own awning by upcycling the material from an old tent, or even old umbrellas. A curtain rod and simple pulley system plus some craftsmanship will provide reliable support for your awning.

Another hack to increase the forever-limited storage capacity on your RV is to add an external mount such as RV bike racks to the rear of the vehicle. Bicycles and kayaks are the most common items that you will see. 

In addition, you could also use an external mount to stow extra fresh water tanks or waste containers. Some full-time RVers even stow a whole little greenhouse for their RV-grown fresh produce, or an outdoors kitchen. Extra space will allow you to take on plenty of cool DIY projects for amazing upgrades, helping you get the best out of your RV living.

When you travel off-road into nature, parking on uneven ground is common, which means you won’t get your trailer level.  

There’s a simple and affordable remedy for this: bubble levels or leveling blocks. You can get a bubble level for as little os $5 or even get a fancier level with raving reviews on Amazon, which can cost from $20 to under $40.

In addition, you can get leveling blocks instead of bubble levels. You can stack these flat blocks up like Lego to achieve the desired thickness, a super simple yet effective and convenient mechanism.

The two best sellers in this domain are Tri-Lynx RV Leveling Blocks and Camco Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks. Tri-Lynx and Camco are among the most loved brands by RVers thanks to the usefulness, quality and variety of their offerings.

The model from Tri-Lynx costs $36 for a pack of 10 blocks, and is claimed to withstand any RV weight . Camco’s blocks are more affordable: $23 for a pack of 10.

Like a hammock, you might think a fire pit is not that ‘essential’ to include in your bucket list of travel trailer must haves accessories. Spend some time camping and you’ll think again. 

Camping and outdoor gatherings won’t be the same without a centerpiece campfire. 

Say goodbye to dirty ash, expensive firewood, and bothersome smoke. For typically $80-$130, you and your fellow travelers can enjoy clean, hassle-free and realistic propane campfire with cozy warmth and beautiful ambiance.

In addition, a big plus is a CSA-approved, spark-free propane fire pit is safe to use during most campfire bans, the objective of which is to  protect campgrounds and forested areas.

RV Hacks: Cooking

Depending on the class of your RV, you might have everything you would need to enjoy a life not much less comfortable compared to in your own home. Otherwise, you might need to give up on certain perks, such as a spacious and fully equipped kitchen. 

Cooking on your own on longer trips is essential regarding both your budget and health. This is why every travel trailer hacks list includes a number of kitchen organization tips and portable accessories

A lack of counter space can sometimes be a problem in RVs. One simple hack is to make a DIY stove cover or sink cover to give you more space for prep. A sink cover could even double as a chopping board – you can simply cut a wooden chopping board to fit.

Many RV DIYers have also added to their countertops by creating their own simple fold-out extensions, which will hang down or slide into existing cabinets when not in use.

Multi-Functional Cooker 

A multi-functional cooker will save you space on your small RV by combining typically 7 kitchen appliances in 1, including: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, and warmer.

The most user-friendly, reliable and affordable cooker is arguably the Instant Pot Duo Mini 7-in-1 Electric, which costs $60. It receives a 4.5 overall rating from almost 50,000 positive reviews on Amazon, making it the absolute best seller. 

Stove Top Oven

If your RV has an oven, you can skip this RV hacks. However, if yours does not and you do not want to compromise great oven-cooked dishes , a stove-top oven is a convenient choice.  

A great option is the one by Omnia, which costs $67. The brand also offers a variety of accessories for oven cooking. 

Liquid Propane Grill

A huge perk of the RV life is outdoors BBQ. Do not compromise this, as there are a wide range of compact, go-anywhere grills offered at different price range you can choose from to perfect your RV experience.

Portable outdoors grill also solves the nuisance of cooking in limited space in the RV. 

You can find compact, portable gas grills with a 6,500 BTU-per hour burner and porcelain-enameled cooking grate for $60-$90. For easy carrying, look for one that features handles, plated steel legs and pivot to lock lid in place. 

A liquid propane grill, which runs on disposable liquid propane cylinders, would typically cost a little more. For $150-$250, you can get a grill that offers some 12,000 BTU-per-hour, 280 square-inch cooking area and easy-start electronic ignition.

RV Hacks: Cheap Temperature Control Methods

This is one of the super useful and affordable RV hacks that not many RVers know about. 

If you travel during summer or in areas with year-round hot weather, then Reflectix is definitely one of the travel trailer necessities you need for economical temperature control. 

Reflectix is a reflective insulation roll, which covers all your windows to reflect sunlight away from your RV, thus keeping your RV cooler. These rolls typically costs around $15-$20 each, an economical and effective way to survive brutal summer days. 

Simply attach these rolls to cover the whole area of each window. Also, if your RV comes with a shower skylight, don’t forget to insulate it too.

A pro tip on how to heat an RV using Reflectix is to look at the product’s R-value. This R-value tells you how well the insulation will trap heat inside a space.

While the higher the R-value number, the better, anything between R-3.7 and R-21 would be functional for your RV’s relatively small space.

While heating using gas, electricity or propane can be big money pits in winter, the good news is you can heat an RV without electricity, gas or propane . 

These RV hacks are heating techniques that effectively trap the heat inside your RV and prevent icy cold air from leaking in. Even if you use conventional heating, these techniques can add considerable warmth to your journey while being affordable and saving you heaps of money in the long term. 

The key to keeping your RV warm in the harsh winter is effective insulation, that is preventing cold air outside from leaking in and trapping the heat inside the RV. 

The two areas to focus most of your energy on if you want to improve insulation are windows and vents. Even tiny cracks will let cold air in and reduce the temperature to a noticeable extent.

Fixing air leaks

Before trying to do anything to more effectively trapping warm air inside your RV, you must make sure cold air cannot leak in from all the nooks and crannies first. 

Tiny air leaks from the rubber gaskets around your exterior windows, doors and vents are often overlooked, however keeping them in good shape will ensure cold air is not leaking into your interior. 

If they are worn, repair or replace them. Next, inspect the edges of cabinets, closets and appliances, which are surprising places where cold air can leak through. A maintenance tips for this type of leak is to use silicone sealer or spray foam insulation.

Maximizing natural sunlight

You might think that trying to get exposure to sunlight when it’s snow and ice outside would not do much, but you would be wrong. 

Simply position your RV so that the largest windows point to the south and west to maximize your RV’s exposure to direct sunlight definitely will warm you RV up. It is one useful tip on how to heat an RV that many new RVers do not know or underestimate.

An RV’s hatch vents, roof and wall vents are also often overlooked and can let cold air in, thus all of them need to be covered. 

These vents covers are usually made from thin plastic, which is not reliable at all in preventing cold air from leaking in. Thus it is best to equip them with extra protection by adding another layer of Styrofoam right below the covers. 

The Styrofoam must be cut to fit precisely. Secure it in place with tape or another adhesive.

The second option is to get a vent insulator. A popular choice for RVers is vent insulators from Camco, which typically sell for around $15 on Amazon. A vent insulator is a large piece of insulated foam that may or may not come with a reflective surface. 

Do note that you must get a vent insulator that will fit your vents. 

Aside from being a cheap and useful method for how to heat an RV passively, Styrofoam and vent insulators are also handy in the summer: it traps in cold air from your air conditioner. 

Affordable and useful in any weather, these accessories are a must-have for your RV for better temperature control. 

RV Hacks: Energy-Efficient Power and Lighting

In extreme winter, you would definitely need gas, electrical or propane heaters in addition to the passive heating techniques above. However, in milder winter, passive solar heating plus passive heating may be sufficient to replace conventional heating methods.

If you plan to be an RVer for life, this green energy source will save you money in the long term, all the while being environmentally friendly. Solar panels work by generating photons while sitting in the sun for hours. The photons can be converted to be used as electricity for your RV.

You can now buy RV solar panels from many sources. A panel typically costs between $500 and $300, depending on the durability, efficiency and size of the panel. The bigger the panel, the more green energy it can produce to heat your RV without electricity. 

This sustainable and economical option is welcomed by countless RVers, thus you can find a huge video library on how to choose a good solar panel and how to install these panels on your RV’s roof. 

A pro tip to go green is to switch out existing bulbs for low-energy LED ones. If you cannot afford a full solar array for all your power needs, you can consider investing in some solar lighting that can be run off a single small solar panel. 

Even using some solar lanterns, or strings of solar fairy lights to your RV’s exterior could make a difference to how much power you need for lighting after dark. Plus, fairy lights are aesthetically pleasing too.

RV Hacks: Storage

If you are traveling in a big family and often go on long vacations, you would never get as much storage space as you desire. 

These RV storage hacks will not only help you maximize the limited space in your RV but will also protect your things from rattling or breaking when traveling off roads.

Apart from the kitchen counter flaw, RVs never seem to have enough towel racks in the bathroom. A cheap and easy solution is over-the-door towel rack, which you can easily buy online or at department stores. 

No drills, simply hang the hooks over the thickness of your bathroom door or shower. This is not only a tried and true RV hacks approved by RVers worldwide, but also a handy upgrade for your own home.

Apart from towels, there are plenty of small things you would want to hand away to clear off horizontal surfaces. For instance, an over-the-door caddy is handy for organizing your toiletries and cosmetics.

Open storage compartments in an RV are never adequate, even if you are a minimalist. Hampers and closet organizers will help you effectively optimize space and keep things organized. 

These come in a variety of forms and shapes. Most are foldable for space saving and super lightweight. You should definitely get some foldable storage bin cubes, which you can stack up, and some hanging shelves with sturdy metal frame.

Storage bin cubes usually come in packs of 4, 6 or 8 at $12 to typically under $30 for a pack. Hanging shelves can range from $13 to $30 for one. 

If you are a neat freak, maybe grab some drawer dividers for underwear and thin summer clothes. This is a super cheap yet smart RV organization hacks . When you don’t need them any more for your RV, they will always be useful in your home. 

This might not sound super grand, but is one of those RV hacks you will love more and more the longer you spend on the roads. Towing on bumpy roads can cause annoying rattling and worse, your cutlery can fall off the shelves and brake. 

A favourite cutlery protector by full-time RVers is the Camco Stack-A-Plate, which costs $10 for a pack of 2, one small and one big.

While you’re on it, getting some organizers for your fridge would also prevent rattling and things knocked over as well as maximizing space.

The market for fridge storage is vast with high quality yet affordable products. You can find from plastic bins to keep things from topping over to food containers with lid to keep your vegetables and fruits fresh, and even super creative solutions like sliding drawers.

About Chris Coleman

Chris Coleman is an interesting travel blogger and outdoor photographer with a great sense of humor. He owns an RV Accessories shop in New York City so he has the knowledge necessary to provide thorough reviews and give advice on how to choose the right products for RV travel. He puts all that RV knowledge and experience to good use in his sharing posts. Besides product buying guides/reviews, Chris also writes informative articles, how-to articles and RV camping guides in his own interesting viewpoint. Chris’s blog is one of the most reliable information sources for RV campers no matter if you're an expert or a determined beginner.

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“your cutlery can fall off the shelves and brake.”… you mean CROCKERY can BREAK. Cutlery is the silverware and generally doesn’t break..

Just an FYI, the photo of the propane fire pit is actually a wood burner. Thanks for the hacks.

Thanks for the comment, Christopher. Yeah, my uploading mistake. I’ve made the update! Hope you enjoy reading our blog. Happy camping!

Why do people have to be so nit-picky? Lol! Obvi. a little mistake on the cutlery GEEZE! Thanks for your ideas! Alexis Pa.

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45 Easy RV Organization Accessories And Hacks

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Some days I wonder how we fit everything we need into our RV! Before we launched into full-time RV living, I was searching the internet for the best RV organization accessories and hacks to help us fit a family of 6 into our Class C Motorhome.

Especially storage ideas for small campers, as we   live in only a 33-foot motorhome. So finding RV inspiration for storages is necessary to have.

Now, years later, I’ve learned a few great RV storage hacks while living in an RV full time .

AND I’ve reached out to some of our amazing RV friends to share their RV living storage organization hacks and ideas so that we could create this ultimate post of the best RV organization accessories and hacks with SO many pictures to give you a visual.

If you’re looking for a quick download that you can reference back to, then be sure to check out our free guide below!

RV Organization Accessories And Hacks

In this article, we cover storage ideas for RV interiors, RV kitchen organization, RV bathroom storage ideas, and RV camping hacks that will give you additional living space.

We share our best RV closet organizer ideas , RV under bed storage ideas, and even dive into travel trailer organization ideas from our friends Ashley and Nathan while touching on fifth wheel organization ideas from our friends Clementine and Pieter. 

Related post: Find the RVs with Bunk Beds Ideas .

RV organization does not have to stress you out like you might think it should. Organizing a camper can be simple if you have the right RV camper accessories for inside and you’re ready to live with less ‘stuff’, while only keeping the items you plan to use regularly. 

Keep reading to learn our best RV organization hacks and how to keep your camper organized.

THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO. THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY JILL GREISING-MURSCHEL , A FAMILY TRAVEL AND RV LIVING EXPERT .

Looking for a great resource to help you keep your RV Organized? ‘ Organize Your RV Like a Pro ‘ is a digital ebook that I created just for you! Use the code: SaveBig to save 20% now!

First – 5 Camper Organization Tips

Real quick, before I share with you specific RV storage solutions, I want to give you a few pieces of advice when organizing a camper.

Whether you just bought a new RV or you’ve owned it for years and you’re looking for better camper organization hacks, these camper organization tips will help you get started. 

• Keep it simple.
• Stay lightweight if possible.
• Try to find accessories for multiple purposes.
• Use ALL of your space.
• Keep things secure –  your RV moves!

RV Bathroom Storage Ideas

Let’s dive into RV bathroom storage ideas so that you can make your camper bathroom organized.

First up is our favorite and simple   over the door hangers  we found online. There are the simple plastic hooks we show below or even a  rack that can hang over your door . 

Going back to one of the best camper storage ideas is to use ALL of your space. The back of a door is a great space-saving way to hang and store your towels.

Simple small shampoo and conditioner containers with suction cup sides can be great for use in your RV shower. They won’t hang on an RV shower curtain but they will often stick to your shower walls. 

RV organizers for your shower can be especially helpful such as shown below.

If you’re looking for travel trailer organization ideas for your bathroom, check out what our friends Ashley and Nathan did in their bathroom below.  They not only invested in some great bathroom shower bags from Ebags , they also found these cute dog tail hooks from IKEA .

Also having space for your cleaning supplies should also be a priority on your RV.

If you don’t have enough room on your over-the-bathroom door hangers for your towels, another smart RV organization idea is to buy this towel rack from IKEA and install it high up in your shower so you can place your towels up high when not in use.

This metal rack above our RV bathroom is also great for keeping wet towels and rags.

If you’re looking for a more detailed post about RV bathroom storage organization ideas and hacks then click here!

Learn more ways to organize your RV like a pro.

RV Kitchen Organization

Looking for RV kitchen storage ideas? Look no further as we have so many camper storage hacks for almost any RV kitchen including shelves, paper towel holders, RV spice rack ideas , and where to store your extra food.

Our first tip is to find shelves for any extra counter space that allows for things to be stacked. They can make great produce shelving on your counter. Click here to check them out .

Another great RV kitchen hack is to use reusable spice containers that fit on short shelves to hold your dry goods.

Or, you could even use a 5-gallon pail with a lid to hold your extra flour and dried goods if you have a place for it. It will help keep any critters from coming into your RV to make a home. 

Using simple black clips on an over the door towel holder on the inside of a cupboard makes for a great spot to hang dry your wash cloths and sponges. 

Below, you will see a few great RV kitchen organization hacks.

Use some  small command hooks like these  to place hooks under countertops so that you can hang your towel to dry. Be sure to use  microfiber kitchen towels that don’t get smelly easily. 

If you look to the left of the counter, you’ll see how simple magazine holde rs are used in the extra floor space for their leftover container lids. 

Below, you’ll notice that the paper towel holder is hung on the side of the wall instead of under a cabinet. While they used IKEA shelves as spice racks, yet I’ve seen these spice racks used in RV kitchens as well.

Related Post: 7 Best Paper Towel Holders For Campers

An RV organization tip that I often repeat is to use all of your space, and that includes open vertical space too. Look below to see the self-used to hold fruit. Simple,  yet useful!

A produce stand could also be a great addition to your RV kitchen if you have space under a cupboard, you could attach it to the underside of a cabinet instead of using the stand it comes on.

Oftentimes using drawers can be helpful for storing your RV kitchen dishes. We especially love investing in glass cups that can also be used as coffee mugs and leftover containers with lids like these .

If you have a bit of wall space then you can buy a magnetic strip to hold your knives, scissors, and other kitchenware. Just remember to take them down on travel days. 

RV fridge organization can be made easy with a few bins that fit your RV refrigerator. First, take measurements before you purchase anything as not all RV fridges are the same size.

If you’re still looking for RV kitchen ideas, then this list of RV appliances for small kitchens might help you out.

Learn exactly how to become a master at keeping your RV organized and looking great without feeling overwhelmed when you grab a copy of our 73-page ebook. Click here to grab a copy of Organize Your RV Like A Pro .

To become a master at keeping your RV Organized!

How To Organize Your RV Cabinets And Shelves

Looking for RV shelving ideas? Keep reading to see some pictures of camper cabinets and RV closet organizer ideas.

RV cabinets are often built in all different sizes, so it can be helpful to boost your RV living storage organization with these tips.

Sometimes you need to add in an extra shelf from IKEA, Amazon, or another store to help you fill up what I like to call ‘dead space’.

Other times,  you just need to organize your RV shelves and cupboards well. Using wire shelves in a cabinet can help you fit more food in your kitchen cupboards.

Check out our s torage ideas for RV closets in the pictures below. From buying additional plastic drawers and bins to rolling your clothes to fit in tight spaces, you need to often be creative to fill your RV  closet shelves.

My favorite RV closet organizer tip is to hang clothes above stacked additional drawers.

RV Organization Accessories For Shoes

Shoes can be a problem when finding storage in an RV or motorhome. So, h ow do you store shoes in an RV?

I love how my friend Ashley uses a bin at the foot of her bed frame to hold her boots and an over-the-door towel hanger to hold her shoes on the back of their bench. Or, you can use a typical behind the door shoe hanger if you have a sliding/pocket door like we do in our Class C Motorhome. 

We mostly place this hanging shoe storage on our front door so that whenever we need to go out or get inside the RV, it’s going to be a convenient spot.

Unique RV Interior Storage Ideas

Last but not least, I want to share with you some u nique RV interior storage ideas for things such as jewelry storage in an RV to homeschool supplies storage. So look below for some camper space-saving ideas that you may not have thought of.

Or, check out our detailed post about RV bedroom ideas for some organization hacks specifically for a camper bedroom including bunk rooms and bunk beds. 

Storing your water bottles on a shelf that hangs on the back of your bench can be super useful. This is just one of the great storage ideas for small campers.

Where do you store your kitchen countertop items on travel days? Well, we store our Berkey and Espresso maker in our RV shower on travel days.

Related Post: Discover The Best Counter Water Filter For RVs

Books can be stored on a forward-facing shelf on a wall or on an inverted shelf under a bunk bed. 

Related post: RV Mattress Replacement – What You Need To Know

Command hooks of all sizes come in handy when looking for  travel trailer storage ideas. Think about using small command hooks inside a cupboard door to hold your reading glasses or keys.

Magazine holders have so many great uses in an RV. Look how you can use them to hold your laptops next to the couch. 

If you’re looking for more creative ways to set up an RV office then look no further. We share several tips, photos, and ideas on how to organize and create an RV office .

When it comes to organizing your RV, we also recommend starting out by purchasing all of your RV must haves , RV tools , and RV kitchen accessories . Then you’ll know what you have to work with and you can use the ideas above to find a home for everything in your RV. 

Check out our tips on living in a motorhome if you’re looking for more tips on how we arrange and organize our full-time traveling family’s Class C RV.

PIN THIS FOR LATER

13 thoughts on “45 Easy RV Organization Accessories And Hacks”

Renting an RV is most definitely on our family bucket list – some day! Thanks for these tips!

You will love it I’m sure!

I have never been in an RV before, but am getting more and more convinced!

You might just love it!

I use the magazine holder for my boxes of baggies, aluminum foil, seran wrap. In my rv. And the shoe hanger for shoes, as well as dog leash, and some tools

I love how creative you can be in an RV. I have a friend who also uses a magazine older for her aluminum foil and seran wrap.

I would love to know how to hang shelves, knick knacks, storage items on the walls? I just bought a new 24ft and I am scared to nail or screw anything in the walls. Wires, pipes, who know is back there. And also resale would go down w holes in walls. Love all your ideas, and your adventurous spirit! Thanks G

That’s a great question. The best way to hang anything on RV walls is to use 3M command strips. That way there are no holes placed and you can take them off if you want to resell the RV later.

if you need a more secure fit and not take it down, pop rivets are the way to go as well.

Hi! Love your blog!!! But we need some help…we have a 21 ft Coachman Freelander. We realize we have a “void” in the under storage…the back end of the RV…..is there any way to put a “shelf” in this area….we have our water hoses and black water stuff….but we have room “above” all this stuff…..how can we use that area efficiently? thanks!!

What a creative way to think about using all of your space. I’m sure if you use some lightweight wood or PVC pipes you might be able to build your own shelf. Just try not to add too much weight, and be sure to look at your CCC of your RV. Best of luck!

I’ve poured through hundreds of RV info sites, yours so far is the most useful and interesting, plus it’s practical no “out there” decorating boho, wild paint, pom pom promoting. Simple, clean, organized and really useful, I’ve absorbed almost every word you wrote and so much is of use to us, thank you for a truly good set of articles.

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad that you’ve found my website to helpful. I try hard to be real, honest and share actionable tips and real photos. Thanks for reminding me to keep doing what I’m doing!

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Journey With Confidence

20 RVing Hacks You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

• RV Lifestyle

20 RVing Hacks To Keep You Comfortable And Organized

We all want life to be simple when we are RVing. These easy hacks will help you get the most out of your RV with little to no effort on your part. We researched the best RVing hacks that will keep your RV comfortable and organized wherever you happen to be. 

RV storage hacks

Some RVs are better equipped with storage than others. However, all RVs have very limited storage. It’s a good idea to have multifunctional items in the RV to minimize storage needs and lighten your load. Here are some of the best RV storage hacks we’ve heard of.  

1. Get some 5-gallon buckets.

One of the best RVing tips is for everything in the RV to have multiple uses. While that’s not always possible, having 5-gallon buckets with lids can give you:

• Dry goods storage
• A water tote
• Secure food storage
• A place to store ice
• A laundry washer
• Storage for hoses, electrical cords 
• Storage for tools

2. Use gamma seal lids on buckets.

Tenacious 5-gallon bucket lids can be hard to get on and off. Gamma seal lids are twist-off lids that fit onto any 5-gallon bucket to make sealing and unsealing the bucket as easy as taking the lid off a jar. 

3. Use museum putty to secure things on counters.

Museum putty can be used on the bottom of plant pots, coffee machines, and other items that live on RV counters. RVers who use it swear by its ability to hold stuff in place during travel. Let us know in the comments section if you have tried this hack too.

4. Fill and freeze water bottles to keep things in the RV fridge or cooler cold.

Freeze water in plastic water bottles or clean upcycled beverage containers to put into the RV refrigerator while you travel. Milk, juice, and other beverages can also be frozen and used to keep things cool in the fridge or cooler.  A bonus is that they will be icy and refreshing when you arrive at your destination.

5. Use backpacking dry storage bags to store dog or cat food.

Dry storage bags make an excellent container to store dog or cat food in. If you use 40 lb bags of dog food, divide the food between two dry storage bags. When the first bag is empty, it can easily be folded up and put away. Because they are compressible, dry storage bags can fit into a variety of spaces.

6. Use magnetic strips in the bathroom cabinet.

It can be time-consuming and frustrating trying to find small metal toiletry items after bumping along down a highway or gravel road. You can mount a strong magnetic strip on the inside of a bathroom door to store odds and ends like scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, etc. They’ll always be in easy reach when you need them.

7. Use a water pack to store and transport water. 

Unlike plastic totes, water packs like the HydraPak or MSR Dromedary don’t crack, and they can be rolled or folded to take up hardly any space when they aren’t being used. They are available in sizes up to 3 gallons. 

8. Save space with microfiber towels.

Microfiber towels absorb moisture and dry quickly. They take up very little space and are very lightweight compared to their more traditional cotton counterparts.

9. Save and reuse desiccant packets.

Moisture in the RV can cause chips and other snacks to go prematurely stale. A desiccant packet put into a bag of chips will keep them fresh, crispy, and oh so tasty.

10. Use magnetic childproofing cabinet locks.

Magnetic childproofing cabinet locks are invisible and work like magic to keep drawers and cabinet doors closed during travel. Set the locks to “lock” setting before you take off on your travels. When you get where you’re going, use a magnet to quickly unlock the locks until you lock them again. 

RVing hacks to make travel planning easy

How did we get along before travel apps were a thing? Travel apps can help you with trip planning and finding the best price on fuel for your journey. Here are a few apps that make RV travel a breeze.

11. Plan your trips with RV LIFE App And RV LIFE Trip Wizard.

The RV LIFE Trip Wizard and RV LIFE App allow you to find routes, gas stations, sightseeing options, and campgrounds in set price ranges. This app is available online and offline, and you can use it on your laptop as well as on your phone or tablet.   

12. Save money on fuel with the Gas Buddy App.

Gas Buddy is a cool app that lists all the current gas prices at any location you plug into it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always tell us if a gas station is RV-friendly, although users are invited to suggest RV-friendly gas stations in their reviews. Gas Buddy is available on both iPhones and Android mobile devices.  

RVing hacks for your comfort

Whether we are traveling or campng in our RVs, it’s important to be comfortable and cozy, even when it’s chill outside. Here are some tips to help you stay comfy and happy.

13. Stay warm with fleece bedsheets.

When it’s cold out, it’s nice to be comfy in bed without having to use the furnace or electric heater. Using microfiber fleece bedsheets will help you stay warm and toasty in the shoulder seasons or even in winter. A bonus is that fleece bedsheets are super soft.  

14. Utilize your RV outdoor showers.

We love our outdoor shower on our rig for washing sand off feet after the beach or even bathing the dog. The one drawback is that if we are showering our feet off or washing our dog on the ground, we tend to create a mud bath, which can be worse than what we cleaning off.   

Rubber matting squares to the rescue! Interlocking rubber tiles keep the area around the outdoor shower clean so we can shower off without making things worse.

15. Use magnetic motion sensor lights around and under the RV.

Wildlife can sometimes be attracted to the food smells around and warmth of your RV.  Skunks, raccoons, snakes, and rodents can all suddenly come to camp with us.   

Fortunately, none of these animals like to be startled by sudden bright lights when they arrive, and they will often go away when we use motion detecting lights around the RV. 

RVing hacks for your pets

Many RVers travel and camp with their pets. Whether you have a dog or a cat, here are some RV hacks that will help make RV life a little easier for you and your best friend. 

16. Try Ruffwear Dirtbag dog towels.

These absorbant waterproof coats are microfiber towels on the inside and waterproof nylon on the outside. They fit like a huge coat, trapping and absorbing water and mud while protecting the RV.

These are truly a lifesaver for RV owners whose dogs swim, bathe, get muddy, and generally enjoy the great outdoors.

17. Use a hands-free dog leash.

A hands-free dog leash allows you to have the leash clipped around your waist or carry in your hand too. One of the great things about hands-free leashes is if you need to, you can clip them around a stationary object like a picnic table support when you need to do something quick that doesn’t involve your dog. 

RVing hacks to make housekeeping chores easier

RVing hacks about doing chores are super popular with RVers. Sadly, laundry and household chores don’t go away when we are RVing. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make these chores a little easier.

18. Have your laundry do itself.

Use a 5-gallon bucket to do your laundry. Simply put a laundry pod into your 5-gallon bucket, followed by your dirty clothes. Then top with warm water, a couple of inches above the clothes.   

Seal the bucket closed with a fitted bucket lid. Now put the laundry in the back of your vehicle and go for a drive. Every bump that you go over will agitate your dirty clothes and get them clean. The further you go, the cleaner they’ll get! 

19. Upcycle household wipe containers.

Before tossing those plastic household wipe containers, consider upcycling them. Antibacterial wipe containers work perfectly as plastic bag dispensers, and they fit easily into cabinets, baskets, or drawers. Plastic grocery bags work as excellent trash bags and also can come in handy if you have a pet to pick up after.

20. Use a hairdryer to defrost the freezer.

RV freezers don’t like to be clogged up with ice. Defrosting can take a long time if you let the freezer thaw naturally. Instead, after you turn the freezer off and empty its contents, try to thaw it out quickly with a hairdryer. The heat from the hairdryer will have your RV freezer thawed in minutes. 

One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts. iRV2 forums allow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and more.

Related articles:

• RV Tips and Tricks: 20 Hacks Every Camper Should Know
• 10 RV Camping Hacks With Items From The Dollar Store

5 Simple Tool Organizers for the Home Workshop

Hej ikea hackers.

IKEA Hackers is about fans transforming their affordable IKEA furniture into stylish home decor. From customizing shelves and cabinets to creating new items from scratch, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to IKEA hack, IKEA DIY, and upcycle flat pack pieces from the Swedish furniture store.

To start, take a look at our quick start guide , explore the latest IKEA hacks , or begin your search for  IKEA hacks .

Latest IKEA Hacks

How a Hand-Me-Down EXPEDIT Became a Stylish TV Unit with Storage

Bright ideas for the IKEA wooden figure

This Genius Hidden Closet Hack Transforms Top Floor Landing

Super cute kids loft bed made from IKEA cabinets

Inspiration for spring.

24 IKEA Hacks to Spruce Up Your Home for Spring

IKEA wardrobe hack with romantic DIY rattan doors

Utility Cabinet to keep cleaning supplies organised

8 Easy Hacks to Organise and Declutter Your Kitchen

6 essential things from IKEA for your Home Gym

Spring faux flower decoration

Explore popular ikea hacking categories.

• TV furniture
• Room dividers
• IKEA hacks for Dogs
• IKEA hacks for kids
• Bedroom hacks
• IKEA hacks for Cats
• Kids bed hacks
• Kitchen Island hacks
• Laundry room hacks
• Shoe storage hacks
• IKEA Kitchen hacks
• Bathroom vanity hacks
• IKEA Desk Hacks

Find hacks for an IKEA furniture

Enter your keywords, e.g.: ‘IKEA KALLAX”, “SKADIS’, “room divider’ “KURA climbing wall”

Readers Favorites

20 creative IKEA KALLAX hacks to inspire your 2024 DIY projects

10 Ideas to Maximize Your Under Stairs Storage with IKEA

IKEA KALLAX shelf insert: Easily divide the cube with these hacks

HOW TO DIY AN AFFORDABLE PIKLER TRIANGLE: AN IKEA HACK

It’s a love-hack relationship

You’re here probably because you love IKEA, the world-renowned Swedish Furniture Store, and its affordable flat-packed furniture. You even love wandering through the maze and assembling a chest of drawers using nothing but an Allen Key. And that’s all good.

What you don’t love about it is — how everyone has the same thing.

The reality. Take the BILLY bookcase , for instance. There are over 60-odd million (and counting) of the humble bookshelf all over the world. That’s one for every 100 persons. That’s a lot of same-sameness.

So what do you do?

You hack IKEA.

And IKEA Hackers is here to help you get started.

What is an IKEA Hack?

In simple words, it means the alteration or customization of IKEA products. It could range from a repurposing, reassembly, upgrade, update, personalization, or the creation of something totally new.

From what started as a hobby,  IKEA Hackers  has grown to be a library of thousands of IKEA furniture hacks. These projects are shared by professionals and IKEA fans alike, all joined by a common love for IKEA mods, upcycling IKEA furniture, and putting their personal stamp on mass-produced products.

So take a look around … whether you’re looking for IKEA desk hacks , bookshelf hacks , or projects for your living room , bedroom , or home office … let’s get the creative juices going.

Have you hacked IKEA?

Share your IKEA hacking project and inspire others to put their stamp on their IKEA furniture. 

Here’s how to send in your DIY IKEA hack .

Why hack IKEA Furniture?

Ingvar Kamprad started IKEA in 1943 at the age of 17. He worked from his hometown, Älmhult, Sweden, selling household goods like pens, wallets, and picture frames. Today, IKEA is a global home furnishing brand operating in over 50 countries. Yet Ingvar’s Småland roots still live on in IKEA — his innovative, no-nonsense approach to problem-solving and the desire to make good design accessible to the many.

There are many reasons to hack IKEA. Many IKEA hackers tell me their goal is to make an IKEA product serve a specific function. Reshape it to fit a space. Or alter it to suit their style and décor. Importantly, IKEA’s price point makes all of this possible. No matter the reason, hacking IKEA is not easy all the time, but fun most of the time.

Need help on IKEA hacking?

• Browse our Hackers Help section for tips and tricks.
• Send in your question and we’ll try to figure it out with you.
• Join our FaceBook Community and get advice from IKEA Hackers all over the world.
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25 IKEA Dresser Hacks That Anyone Can Do

W hen it comes to budget-friendly furniture, IKEA is hard to beat. But there’s another reason why this Swedish retailer is so popular. So many of IKEA’s pieces offer endless hacking potential and their Malm, Tarva, and Hemnes dressers are no exception. All these dressers are very simple in design meaning they are ready to be transformed into a piece that’s just right for your space and taste.

Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, some new hardware, or adding decorative features, there are so many ways to give IKEA’s dressers a completely new look. We’ve found some of the most creative IKEA dresser hacks that will inspire you to transform your dresser today.

Beautiful Bone Inlay

Bone inlay dressers are striking, but they aren’t budget-friendly. With this IKEA Tarva hack you can get the look for a fraction of the price. The blogger at Cityscape Bliss created this intricate design with some freehand drawing and DIY stamps. You can also get a similar look with shop-bought stencils if drawing isn’t your thing.

Retro Charm

It’s hard to believe this retro cabinet started life as a Malm dresser. Not only is it unrecognisable but it’s super budget-friendly too as Irene from Noordenzoet bought a used Malm dresser for this project. By adding legs, slats, and some paint, this looks like an original 1960s piece.

Golden Glamour

Sometimes it’s the simplest transformations that make the biggest impact. This Malm dresser has been given a glamorous update using one material only—gold contact paper. Jules from Ikea Hackers lined the space in between the drawers with metallic paper to add some vintage-style glamour to her bedroom .

Elegant Rattan

Rattan furniture is always a good idea as it mixes well with many decor styles and adds a lot of texture and warmth to a space. While buying large cane pieces can get expensive, you can get the look with this Malm hack by Jenn from jnn.liu.liu . Jenn bought a used Malm dresser to keep costs low and covered the drawer fronts with rattan. She also added legs and drawer pulls to further elevate the look.

Mid-Century Modern Style

You would never guess that this mid-century modern dresser from Simplify the Chaos used to be a Hemnes dresser. It’s been stained black (not painted) so that the wood grain is still visible and then finished with contrasting colored leather pulls that pop against the black. It’s the combination of materials, colors, and textures that really elevate this dresser.

Scandinavian Aesthetic

If your decor style leans minimal, this Malm hack will fit right in. Holly from The Ply House covered two Malm dressers with plywood sheets and added one large sheet on top to create a large make-up vanity unit with lots of storage. If a vanity isn’t something you need, this is also a great way to create a large desk in a home office.

Fluted Finish

Fluting is a design detail that can make any piece of furniture look more high-end. Here, Amanda from Love & Renovations has done just that to the humble Tarva dresser. But it’s also the additional details like the rich saffron color, the drawer pulls, and the trimmed legs that make this dresser so stylish.

Bold Industrial Style

IKEA dressers have so many potential looks and here it’s been given an industrial style. Anotherfknflat bought a used Malm dresser for a bargain price, painted it and added chunky wooden slats across the drawer fronts. The result is a bold dresser that looks custom-made for this open closet space .

Simple Sophistication

This Hemnes dresser hack by blogger Zoe Olivia is so quick and easy yet so transformative. The deep blue-black color and matching handles turn this dresser into a sophisticated, modern piece of furniture. Nobody would guess that this is from IKEA.

Contemporary Bobbin Style

This modern take on bobbin furniture is both fresh and fun. Angelica from My Dear Irene painted her old Malm dresser and glued on large wooden balls. The white finish keeps the look subtle however you can opt for any color or you can even paint the wooden balls in a contrasting color to the dresser for a more maximalist look.

Warm Minimalism

Decorating a nursery can get expensive and one way to keep costs down while getting the look you want is with an IKEA dresser hack of course. Markey Design Co upcycled this Tarva dresser by painting the drawers and switching the drawer knobs for leather pulls. The two-tone look is simple yet warm and stylish.

Statement Handles

The over-sized wooden handles instantly turn this Malm dresser into a statement piece, without a lot of effort. Jodi from House on a Sugar Hill went a step further by adding some gold legs too. The result is a piece of furniture that mixes different decor styles in a good way to create a unique piece.

Shaker-Style

Shaker-style doors are always popular because they work with any style of decor from traditional to modern. They’re mostly seen on kitchen cabinets, but they work just as well on an IKEA Malm dresser as Angela Marie Made shows us. White fits in with her decor but you could easily recreate this in a color that complements your decor.

Pretty in Pink

Not every hack needs a bunch of tools or materials. The Beauty Revival used just some paint to change the look of this plain white Hemnes dresser. She created an ombre effect by painting the drawers in different shades of soft pink. While she opted for pink, you can take this idea and make it your own with your favorite shade.

Boho Chic Design

If you want to add a little boho style to your decor, this Malm hack will do just that. Amelia from My Hygge House added some burlap to the dresser drawers and finished the look with some wooden slats that act as a frame for the burlap. This is a great way to add some texture to a room without much expense.

Geometric Statement

When you want a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture for your home, not only can it be tricky to find exactly what you want but it can often be expensive. With the addition of some geometric panels, paint, brass pulls, and new legs, this Tarva dresser has a unique look which is exactly what blogger Erin Spain wanted for her kids' room.

Campaign-Style

While some hacks need lots of time and patience, there are others that take minutes like this Malm hack. The bloggers behind A Beautiful Mess created this campaign-style dresser simply by adding some decorative hardware . As quick as this hack is, it's transformed the dresser which looks like an original campaign piece.

Botanical Blues

Wallpaper is a great way to liven up a room, but it isn’t just for walls. Here this bold, botanical print wallpaper has changed the look of this pre-loved Hemnes dresser. The best part of this hack by Pillar Box Blue is that you can choose any wallpaper you like and any color scheme that speaks to your interior style.

Nature Inspired

Melanie from Melanie Jade Design added an IKEA desk between two Malm dressers to create a home office space with lots of storage. Wanting to bring the outdoors in, she painted the dressers in a dark green shade and added some cane to the drawers for a nature inspired look. 

Designer Details

You may not believe that this was a 15-year-old black Hemnes dresser before it was upgraded. Abby from Abby Road Home completely changed the look of her old dresser by giving it a white oak finish, adding some fluting and brass handles. Despite the high-end looks, this hack came in at under $100 (not including the dresser).

Velvet Splendor

When your decor style leans super luxurious you may not think IKEA hacks are for you. This Malm hack by Good Hope Street proves otherwise. The curved drawer fronts combined with the plush velvet fabric make this dresser a statement piece for anyone who loves some glamorous velvet furniture in their home decor.

Pastel and Playful

For a playful look, blogger At Home With Ashley turned the Tarva dresser into a pastel-colored doll house. Complete with mini windows, doors, and even a shingled roof, this dresser hack couldn’t be cuter. While it’s not the quickest hack on this list, it will be such a fun and whimsical piece of furniture for any kids' room.

Modern Simplicity

The clean style of the Malm dresser means it has so much potential to change its look and here it’s been given a modern look inspired by a mix of retro, mid-century, and contemporary designs. Lauren from Phippsreno added some curved dowels to the drawers and painted the dresser in a soft pink-beige color to get this look.

Vintage Apothecary Cabinet

Vintage apothecary cabinets can be hard to come by especially if you’re on a budget. But Kristina Evans found a clever way around this by hacking the IKEA Tarva dresser. While this hack will take time and effort, you’ll end up with a vintage apothecary cabinet for a fraction of the price of buying an original and no one will ever guess that it's not the real thing.

Understated Elegance

The brass handles, angular legs, and the white oak stain give this Malm dresser a very high-end look without the matching price tag. Happimess Home fell for a similar dresser which was way beyond budget so she made her own. The end product is a highly covetable piece that looks like it came from an expensive boutique.

Read Next: 13 Easy IKEA Hacks You Can DIY in a Weekend (or Less)

Read the original article on The Spruce .