Ways to Make an Old RV Feel Like New

RV interior design and technology have made plenty of advances over the years, but just because you have an aging RV doesn’t necessarily mean you need to trade it in for a new model. There are several steps you can take to modernize your rig and make it feel like new. Having your home away from home reflect your personal style is now easier than ever, especially with Camping World’s Design Center.

Featured in several stores throughout the country, the Design Center serves as both inspiration and a resource to help you achieve that home sweet home feeling while on the road. From complete renovations to simple upgrades, bringing your RV design vision to life is not only possible, it’s now part of the adventure. Here are a few ways you can spruce up your current RV and make it look and feel brand new.

Select New Furniture Pieces

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Furniture is one of the first items you should look at when thinking of modifying your rig’s interior. If it looks outdated, old, and overdone, you should be able to do some easy updating or altering that will give your RV a more modern, personal, and homier feel. The couch, chairs, and dinette table are the key things you may want to turn to for the biggest impact. Layering in current furniture is a surefire way to change the way you feel about your old RV.

When starting with furniture, look at options from Kathy Ireland or Thomasville — two brands that design living room pieces with style in mind that never sacrifice comfort. From recliners to sofas to ottomans, they offer furniture to take your RV from old to new without breaking the bank in the process. If you’d rather start in the bedroom, look at mattresses from Cozyway and bedding from Enclave. Together, these brands will turn your bedroom into the retreat you deserve after a long day of exploring.

Even if your RV isn’t too old, changing up the furniture to better fit your needs can make the whole space feel new. If you have a single large couch, consider replacing it with a couple of comfy recliners or gliders. Try updating the seating around the kitchen table or even adding cabinets to create more storage space. You don’t have to replace every piece of furniture either. Try going one piece at a time to build the modern-feeling living space you dream of.

Consider New Flooring

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The floor of your RV takes a true beating. It’s designed to, but eventually, it will need to be replaced. Choosing between RV flooring materials such as carpet, hardwood, laminate or vinyl can be overwhelming, so take your time and weigh the pros and cons of each. Or consult a Design Specialist through Camping World’s Design Center for an in-depth look at the available flooring options and how each complements the overall design goal of your RV.

A new carpet in your living area or some more modern tile or vinyl flooring in the bathroom and kitchen can completely transform the look and feel of your RV. Take a critical look at your floor and the traffic patterns of your family. Is the carpet showing signs of wear beyond just dirt and grime that is tracked in? If so, it’s probably time to remove it and replace it. With your RV being a smaller space when compared to a typical home, the cost to replace the flooring is often reasonable. If you’re handy, you can even update your RV flooring yourself.

Redecorate, Repurpose, or Replace Your Furnishings

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It can be easy to add a few camper decorations and forget about them going forward, but everything ages — the wrinkles around my eyes prove this. That trendy wall art you put up five years ago might not look so cool now. It’s easy to gloss over these items since there can often be an attachment to them, but redecorating your RV’s interior can completely change the look and feel of the space.

Don’t just stop with wall art either! Think about all-new décor. You can replace curtains with something new, consider reupholstering couches and chairs if you don’t want to replace them yet, and even paint walls or cabinets to transform the space. If you don’t want to do anything that extensive, start with smaller things. Try some flameless candles, new throw pillows, or a small accent rug. It’s amazing how small changes can make a big difference.

Update Your Electronics

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It’s not 1985 or 1995, not even close, and your RV electronics should reflect the current time period we’re in. Unless you want to live in a time capsule, you should update the multimedia system or add one if your RV is currently without. Add in all the necessary connections for a modern TV and gaming console, if you’re into that sort of thing. Don’t worry, you can still play Mario on the new devices.

Even if you don’t want to update your RV’s entertainment features, you can always update other aspects to help bring your RV up-to-date. Consider adding a smart thermostat, new lighting, or switching your old manual awning to a powered one. Taking steps to modernize the electronics in your RV can do wonders to make it feel current and new.

Upgrade Your RV Appliances

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How old is your stove, HVAC system, or refrigerator? Do any of your appliances look like they belong in a museum? If so, it’s probably time to get something new. Transform your RV’s interior and get dinner on the table faster (and arguably tasting better) with our selection of high-performance RV appliances. We carry everything you need, from washers and dryers to ranges and grills. Even if your old appliances work well, age can take its toll on how efficiently they run.

By upgrading them, you can reduce your energy consumption, save money in the long run, and boondock at certain faraway locations for longer. Also, new appliances can go a long way to modernize and improve the look of your RV’s interior. Many older RVs have off-white appliances that haven’t aged well. A newer appliance with stainless steel or black exterior can do wonders to spruce up your RV’s galley and add some much-needed visual style to the interior.

Design Your RV with Camping World’s Design Center

Camping World Design Center

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your RV from top to bottom or replace things here and there, these are a few jumping-off points to get the design juices flowing. To get more juice from the updating squeeze, consider stopping by the Design Center at a Camping World near you for tips, advice, and guidance. Design Specialists are on-site to help take your RV from yesterday’s timestamp to tomorrow’s adventure.

How do you keep your RV looking great? Tell us in the comments below.