Designing Your Dream Campervan
Ask anyone who has ever embarked on a design journey, be it a small flowerbed or an entire house, and they will likely tell you how unexpectedly challenging it was. Even with meticulous planning, things can be missed, and extra expenses can be incurred. In a campervan, where every square inch matters, a lot can go wrong. A professional can help you overcome these challenges with the tools, knowledge, and expertise to get you adventuring on the open road.
Wanderful Wheels takes this a step further with collaboration. Our team of artisans and designers makes it their mission to build a campervan as unique as the individual who resides there. We’ll work with you to create a custom van tailored to your exact specifications, giving you full control over everything from the interior layout to the materials used.
The Van Conversion Process
Here’s a quick overview of our campervan conversion process:
Initial Consult: We get to know you, your lifestyle, and what you want from your van.
Purchase & Deliver Van: We can purchase a van for you or work with one you already have. We specialize in Mercedes Sprinter, Ram Promaster, and Ford Transit vans but we can work on a chassis.
Design Session: We meet with you over a 2 week period to design your van together. During the design session we make 3D renderings so you can see how everything fits together.
Build: We build your van! This usually takes around 8-12 weeks.
Start Wandering!: We fly you to Durango, CO to pick up your van for its first big adventure!
Let’s dive a little deeper into the design.
Your campervan, your way: Things to consider
For this van to be your dream van, we need to consider what, exactly, that means. What are its intended uses? What are your non-negotiables? What does the perfect, Pinterest board mockup of your van look like in your mind? To get started on the design process, it’s a good idea to answer these questions and come up with a realistic layout that meets your needs and expectations. Here are some key things to consider:
Occupancy: How many people will need to travel and sleep in the van?
Frequency: How often will you be using the van? For vacations and activities or as a more permanent living situation?
Travel Destinations: Are you planning to camp at designated sites? Off-grid?
Activities: What type of gear do I need to bring (and therefore store) along for my trips?
Facilities: Do you want bathroom facilities, such as a toilet and shower, inside the van?
Cooking: Do you need a kitchen? Are you going to be cooking homemade meals, microwave meals, or grabbing food along the way?
Office: Are you planning to work from the road?
It’s important to remain flexible when dealing with the limited space and weight of a campervan, but do give careful thought to your non-negotiables. These will be different for every individual, and if this is to be your home on wheels, it should meet your specific needs. For example, bathroom facilities like toilets and showers take up a significant amount of space. If you’ll have access to these facilities elsewhere (think campground showers, public toilets, gyms, etc.), you might save space by excluding them from your design layout. However, if having access to your own private shower and toilet is absolutely necessary (completely understandable), that space might be a necessary sacrifice.
Customizing your van: Make it personal
Once you’ve decided on your campervan uses and must-haves, it’s time for the fun part: what do you want your van to look like? What style are you attracted to? What are your layout goals? Maybe you’re drawn to a sleek, Scandinavian style. Maybe it’s woodsy earth tones and natural fibers. Or perhaps something flashy and modern? You likely have an idea in your head, if not an entire Pinterest board entitled “My Portable Home 🚐” filled with layout inspirations. If not, do some research. This not only gives you a good idea of what design styles you’re drawn to but can help you understand what’s achievable. Our aim is to build a completely unique space tailor-made to your specifications.
Beyond the layout, some of the biggest opportunities for customization are in the smaller details like the materials you choose, color schemes, and accessories:
Premium Materials: The choice of materials can elevate your campervan renovation, making it as luxurious or practical as needed. Our design style is to incorporate natural materials so the space is warm and comfortable vs feeling like you are in the back of a vehicle. That being said, we can always accommodate your style preferences. There are many possibilities!
Colors: Colors are another great way to customize your space. This is your safe haven, a place to seek respite and comfort, so choose a color scheme that appeals to you. Whether you want earth tones to match your natural surroundings, bright, bold colors that pop or a stark white van, we’ll work to your preferences.
Accessories: Just like a home, we can put (almost) anything you want in your campervan, so choosing the right appliances and accessories is another great option for personalization. We partner with some of the best in the industry when it comes to campervan accessories, specializing in creating solutions specifically for campervans. This ensures you’re not only getting a product that’s size- and weight-appropriate but also compatible with your van’s electrical systems. Here are some of our favorites:
Accessories: For accessories like roof racks, bumpers, ladders, flares, and more, check out Owl, Aluminess, Flatline Van Co., and Flare Space.
Refrigerators: For refrigerators, check out Isotherm and Dometic. Dometic also carries kitchen appliances, such as stovetops.
Hot Water: For hot water, including heated flooring, check out Vanlife Tech.
Windows: Van Windows Direct specializes in window and window installations.
Exteriors: For awnings, enclosures, and bike carriers, check out Fiamma.
Electrical: For electrical systems, we mainly use Victron Products. They are the industry leader in off-the-grid systems.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a firm idea about every material, color, and appliance you want. Our design team will work with you to make these decisions and ensure the form and function of your campervan.
End goal? Your perfect campervan
Designing a campervan that truly reflects your unique style and meets your specific needs involves a blend of thoughtful planning, premium materials, and innovative design. At Wanderful Wheels, we pride ourselves on creating homes on wheels that enhance your travel experience and bring your vision to life.
Ready to start your journey? Contact Wanderful Wheels for a personalized consultation and begin designing your dream van today. Together, we’ll build a campervan that pairs perfectly with your lifestyle and adventures.