Boho Camper Remodel Ideas That Prove Small Spaces Can Be Stunning

Every time I look at a well remodeled camper, I notice it is usually the bigger changes that completely transform the space, not just the decor.

These are the renovation ideas that stood out to me and made me rethink what is possible in a small camper, even on a realistic budget.

If you’re looking for styling and decor ideas once the bones of your remodel are done, our boho camper styling ideas guide and budget friendly camper renovation ideas are great next reads.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Always ensure all camper modifications are safely installed and suitable for mobile or RV use.

Amazon Shopping List: Boho Camper Remodel Ideas

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How I Approached This Remodel

Every structural change on this list has one goal: making a small camper feel more open, more functional, and easier to live in without adding unnecessary complexity.

Prioritize changes that improve function first, since a beautiful space that doesn’t work well gets frustrating fast
Remove anything purely decorative that was original to the camper and taking up useful space
Build in natural materials wherever a structural change allowed it, wood, rattan, stone look surfaces
Think about flow, since small spaces feel bigger or smaller depending on how you move through them, not just how they’re decorated
Accept that some projects require professional help, and budget accordingly rather than attempting everything solo

With that approach in mind, here are the remodel ideas that transformed our camper, what you’ll need for each one, and how to do them properly.

Video Guide For More Ideas

1. Removing the Original Dinette and Building a Banquette

This was our biggest single change, and it reshaped the entire main living area.

What we did We removed the bulky, factory installed dinette booth entirely and built a custom L shaped banquette with hidden storage underneath, using reclaimed wood for the frame.

Why it made a difference The original dinette ate up space without offering much seating comfort or storage. The custom banquette gave us more comfortable seating, additional hidden storage, and a layout that felt intentional rather than default.

What you’ll need Plywood or reclaimed lumber for the frame, a jigsaw, wood screws and a drill, hinges for the lift up storage lids, marine grade foam cushions cut to size, upholstery fabric or ready made covers, and construction adhesive for reinforcing joints.

How to do it properly Remove the original dinette by unbolting it from the floor, checking for any hidden wiring or plumbing running beneath it before cutting anything.

Measure your available space carefully and build the frame in sections small enough to maneuver through the camper door. Use marine grade foam specifically, since standard foam breaks down faster in a mobile, humidity prone environment.

Attach hinges to the seat lids after the frame is fully secured to the floor, testing that lids open fully before adding cushions.

This took us a full long weekend, and it’s an intermediate to advanced project given the custom measuring and cutting involved.

My story with it This project took more trips to the hardware store than I’d like to admit, but sitting in that corner with morning coffee for the first time made every bit of the effort worth it.

2. Reworking the Kitchen Backsplash

Our original kitchen wall was a plain, uninspired laminate that did nothing for the space.

What we did We installed a peel and stick tile backsplash in a warm terracotta tone behind the stove and sink area, framed with a thin wood trim to give it a finished, built in look.

Why it made a difference This small structural addition gave the kitchen a focal point it never had before, and the warm tone tied directly into the boho palette we were building throughout the rest of the camper.

What you’ll need Peel and stick tile sheets rated for kitchen use, a utility knife, a level, thin wood lattice or trim strips, wood glue or small finishing nails, and a small saw or miter box for cutting trim corners.

How to do it properly Clean the wall thoroughly and let it dry completely before applying anything, since any grease residue will prevent proper adhesion.

Use a level to mark a straight starting line, then apply tile sheets from the bottom up, pressing firmly and smoothing out air bubbles as you go.

Cut trim pieces to frame the edges of the backsplash, mitering the corners at forty five degrees for a clean finish, and attach with wood glue or small nails. This is a beginner to intermediate project, roughly a full afternoon.

My story with it I was nervous this would look like an obvious peel and stick job, but the wood trim framing made it read as a real, intentional design choice rather than a shortcut.

3. Building Open Wood Shelving to Replace Upper Cabinets

Removing enclosed cabinets in favor of open shelving changed both the function and the entire feel of our kitchen area.

What we did We removed the original upper cabinet doors and replaced the boxes with simple, exposed wood shelving, leaving the lower cabinets intact for closed storage.

Why it made a difference Open shelving made the kitchen feel larger and airier immediately, while giving us a place to display ceramics and plants that reinforced the boho aesthetic throughout the space.

What you’ll need A screwdriver or drill for removing cabinet doors and hinges, solid wood boards cut to your cabinet opening’s width, L brackets or hidden shelf supports rated for the shelf’s expected weight, wood stain or sealant, and wall anchors if your camper walls aren’t solid enough for direct screws.

How to do it properly Remove the cabinet doors and hinges first, then check whether the existing cabinet box can support open shelving or needs to be removed entirely.

Measure and cut boards to fit the opening, sanding and staining them before installation to match your desired tone.

Install brackets level and secure into a wall stud or reinforced point wherever possible, since RV wall material often isn’t strong enough on its own to hold weighted shelving safely.

This is an intermediate project, roughly a weekend including stain drying time.

My story with it I was skeptical about losing enclosed storage until we actually lived with it, and it turns out the openness made us far more intentional about what we kept in the kitchen, which ended up being a hidden benefit of the whole project.

4. Adding a Fold Down Desk or Workspace

This addition solved a functional problem that had nothing to do with the original camper layout at all.

What we did We built a small, fold down desk into an underused wall section near the entrance, using simple hinges so it folds flat against the wall when not in use.

Why it made a difference Working remotely from the road became far more manageable once we had a dedicated, if small, workspace instead of balancing a laptop on our knees at the dinette.

What you’ll need A single piece of plywood or solid wood cut to your desired desk size, a piano hinge or two standard hinges, a folding support bracket rated to hold laptop weight, wood screws, and wall anchors if not mounting into a stud.

How to do it properly Choose a wall section with enough clearance below for legroom when the desk is down, and confirm there’s no wiring or plumbing behind it before drilling.

Attach the hinge along the top edge of the desk board and secure it to the wall, mounting into a stud or using proper wall anchors for support.

Install the folding bracket underneath to hold the desk level when in use, and test the fold up motion before finishing. This is a beginner to intermediate project, roughly two to three hours.

My story with it This was one of the simpler builds on this list, but it’s become one of the most used features in the entire remodel, especially on days when weather keeps us inside longer than planned.

5. Replacing the Shower Surround

Our original shower was a cramped, purely utilitarian plastic unit that felt like the least considered part of the entire camper.

What we did We replaced the plastic surround with a textured stone look panel system designed for RV use, along with a new rain style showerhead.

Why it made a difference This remodel made our smallest room feel genuinely elevated instead of purely functional, and the upgraded showerhead made daily use noticeably more comfortable too.

What you’ll need Lightweight RV rated wall panels, waterproof adhesive or panel specific mounting hardware, silicone caulk, a utility knife for trimming panels to fit, and a new showerhead with the appropriate RV plumbing fitting.

How to do it properly Remove the old surround carefully, checking for any water damage to the wall behind it before installing anything new, and repair that first if needed.

Measure and cut panels to fit your specific shower dimensions, using lightweight RV rated material rather than standard home renovation products, since weight matters significantly in a mobile space.

Apply adhesive per the manufacturer’s instructions and seal every seam with silicone caulk to prevent water intrusion.

Swapping the showerhead is a separate, simple step, just confirm the new fitting matches your existing plumbing connector.

This is an intermediate to advanced project, best budgeted as a full weekend, and one where hiring help is worth considering if you’re not confident sealing for water resistance.

My story with it This was one of the more expensive single projects in our whole remodel, but it’s also the one guests comment on most, surprised that a camper bathroom could feel this considered.

6. Building a Murphy Style Bed

This was the most ambitious project of the entire remodel, and it fundamentally changed how our main living space functions.

What we did We built a custom murphy style bed frame that folds up against the wall, freeing up the entire floor space during the day for other activities.

Why it made a difference Our camper effectively became two different rooms depending on the time of day, a full living and working space during daylight hours, and a proper bedroom at night.

What you’ll need A murphy bed hardware kit rated for your mattress size and weight, plywood for the frame and mattress platform, a gas piston or spring mechanism for controlled folding, wood screws, and a stud finder to confirm secure wall anchoring points.

How to do it properly This project genuinely benefits from a murphy bed hardware kit rather than building the folding mechanism from scratch, since the piston or spring system needs to be properly calibrated to your mattress weight to fold safely and smoothly.

Locate and mark secure structural points in the wall using a stud finder, since the entire frame’s weight and folding motion depend on a solid anchor.

Build the platform to size, attach the hardware kit according to its specific instructions, and test the folding motion slowly several times before adding the mattress.

This is an advanced project, and we genuinely recommend budgeting for professional help or at least a second set of experienced hands if you haven’t done structural carpentry before.

My story with it This project genuinely required outside help from a friend with more carpentry experience than either of us, and it’s the one remodel item I’d recommend budgeting for professional assistance if you’re not confident in structural builds.

7. Adding a Built In Bench with Boot and Gear Storage

This addition solved a practical problem that had been bothering us since our very first trip.

What we did We built a small entryway bench with a lift up seat, creating hidden storage specifically for shoes, boots, and outdoor gear right at the door.

Why it made a difference This kept dirt and clutter contained to one area instead of spreading through the whole camper, while giving us a proper place to sit while putting on shoes, something the original layout never accounted for.

What you’ll need Plywood for the bench frame and lid, a piano hinge for the lift up seat, wood screws and a drill, a foam cushion cut to size, waterproof fabric or a wipeable cover, and a small support arm or chain to hold the lid open safely.

How to do it properly Measure the entryway space carefully, accounting for door swing and walking clearance before building anything. Construct a simple box frame sized to fit the space, attaching the lid with a piano hinge along the back edge.

Add a support arm or chain so the lid stays open safely while loading or unloading gear, rather than relying on someone to hold it.

Finish with a wipeable, waterproof cushion cover given its proximity to dirt and moisture from shoes. This is a beginner to intermediate project, roughly a weekend.

My story with it This was a relatively quick weekend project, but it solved a daily annoyance that had bothered us on every single trip before we finally built it.

8. Installing a Skylight or Vent Fan Upgrade

This structural change affected both the light and air quality throughout the entire camper.

What we did We upgraded our original vent fan to a larger, remote controlled version with a built in skylight style cover, improving both airflow and natural light.

Why it made a difference The extra natural light made our whole main living space feel noticeably larger and brighter, while the improved fan made temperature regulation significantly easier on hot days.

What you’ll need An RV rated vent fan and skylight kit sized to your existing roof opening, roofing sealant specifically rated for RV use, a screwdriver, and basic electrical tools if the new fan requires rewiring.

How to do it properly Confirm your new fan and skylight kit matches the existing roof opening’s dimensions exactly, since resizing the opening adds significant complexity and risk.

Remove the old vent fan carefully, checking the surrounding roof material for any existing water damage before installing anything new.

Apply RV rated roofing sealant generously around the new unit’s edges, since this is the single most common point of leaks if not done properly.

This project involves cutting into or working directly on the roof, which carries real risk of leaks if done incorrectly, so we specifically hired help for this one and would recommend the same unless you have direct experience with RV roof work.

My story with it This required cutting into the roof, which was intimidating enough that we hired help for this specific project, but the improvement in daily comfort made it one of the most worthwhile investments in the entire remodel.

A Few Honest Notes on Structural Remodeling

A handful of lessons worth knowing before attempting a remodel like this yourself.

Some projects genuinely require professional help, particularly anything involving the roof, plumbing, or electrical systems
Budget more time and money than you expect for any structural project, since unexpected issues are common once you start opening up walls or cabinets
Live with the space for a while before remodeling, since our best ideas came from noticing real daily frustrations rather than starting with a blank slate
Always use RV rated or marine grade materials over standard home renovation products, since weight, humidity, and vibration all affect a mobile space differently than a house
If you’re focusing more on decor and less on structural changes, our budget friendly camper renovation ideas covers more affordable, lower effort updates

FAQ

What’s the difference between a camper remodel and a renovation? For us, remodeling involved structural changes, removing or building new elements like the banquette and murphy bed, while renovation covers surface level updates like paint, flooring, and hardware.

Both matter, but remodeling requires more planning, tools, and often professional help.

Which of these remodel projects should I tackle first? I’d start with something like the fold down desk or the entryway bench.

Both solve real functional problems without requiring the more advanced skills, tools, or costs involved in projects like the murphy bed or shower surround.

Do I need professional help for a remodel like this? For some projects, yes.

We hired help for the murphy bed frame and the skylight installation specifically, since both required more advanced carpentry and roof work than we were confident tackling ourselves, and mistakes on either can lead to real safety or water damage issues.

How long does a full camper remodel like this typically take? Ours was spread across nearly a year, tackling one or two projects per season rather than attempting everything at once.

This kept the budget manageable and let us live with each change before committing to the next.

What materials should I avoid using in a camper remodel? We learned to avoid heavy, standard home renovation materials like solid tile or bulky furniture, since weight matters enormously in a mobile space.

Sticking to RV rated, lightweight, or marine grade materials specifically made every project both safer and longer lasting.

Final Thoughts

Eight projects, and every single one taught us that a small space doesn’t have to feel limiting if you’re willing to rethink how it actually functions, not just how it looks.

The banquette, the murphy bed, the entryway storage, none of these were purely aesthetic choices.

They solved real problems, and the boho aesthetic came together naturally once the bones of the space actually worked for how we live.

If you’re planning where your remodeled camper might take you next, our 10 best road trips in America and RV packing essentials guide are good next stops for planning the journey itself.

Whatever remodel you take on, the most stunning small spaces are usually the ones built around how people actually live in them.