How to Decorate a Small Space: Decorating a Travel Trailer

Whether you call yours a motor home, recreational vehicle (RV), travel trailer, or camper, the interior décor of a dwelling with wheels is what makes it a mobile home-away-from home.

Update pre-owned recreational vehicles easily by replacing the existing furniture and decorations or make brand-new vehicles straight from the dealer’s lot more uniquely you by personalizing the contents to reflect your lifestyle and interests.

Let's talk about decorating a motor home in quick, inexpensive style. We'll start by discussing few basics of how to decorate a small space:

• Limit clutter: Keep counter tops clutter free and limit the decorations and accessories in other areas to open up the interior and make rooms look more spacious. Dark shades make spaces appear smaller, while light shades make spaces look larger and more inviting.
• Use one main theme: Focus on one or two decorating themes or a favorite art print or sculpture rather than trying to re-create your permanent home’s interior.
• Window treatments rock your style: Curtain and window treatments add elegance. Sheer, lightweight fabrics let light in and give the illusion of space and openness, but still provide privacy.
• Add punches of color: Accent rugs used in high traffic areas not only decorate but help to protect the investment and resale value of a recreational vehicle. As a bonus, they trap dirt and other debris and cut cleaning chores in half.
• Keep it simple: Focus on main areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms when decorating travel homes. Most of these rooms come with furniture, so only a few accent touches are needed to complete the décor.
• Light up your life: Wall mounted lighting is functional as well as decorative. Use light to make small areas appear larger.

Bathrooms are easy to decorate, but avoid the temptation to go overboard in these compact spaces.

Matched sets of towels and some bathroom countertop organizers are enough for most bathrooms.

Look for triangle shaped items like toothbrush holders to utilize corner spaces, nook, or niches.

(See the images to the right for examples. I purchased these at our local "dollar" store, which made them extremely cheap but chic accessories)

If you are decorating on a theme—our theme was teapots—an entire bath can be given a makeover for under $25 with a shower curtain (if the motor home is not equipped with a built in shower door) rug, and three piece towel set.

Kitchens are the heart of most homes, and a motor home is no exception.

Collapsible storage items like boxes or plate cradles not only provide easy access and save space, but they can be very decorative.

Choose from collapsible sink drainers, trivets, measuring cups, or other essentials. Colorful plastic crates add a splash of color and fun to small spaces.

A tiny angel statue fills the unused corner space in the kitchen and is complemented by a metal wall sculpture angel (see images to the right for examples).

These angelic touches are whimsical additions to the overall decorating theme—teacups—and reflect my mom's lifetime hobby of collecting teacups as well as her deep religious roots.

We continued the angel theme outside her summer home by incorporating garden angels and various angel statues into her landscaping.

A wall mirror opens up the living room space and adds light to the interior.

Our grandson (her great-grandchild) had a blast using the toy blocks he had outgrown as accents throughout the travel trailer to express his love of his "Granny Sugar".

Decorating a motor home is easy! Choose a few favorite pieces to showcase, add some inexpensive accent pieces, and tie it all together with functional items like storage boxes and countertop organizers.

Follow these three tips for success:

1. Keep it simple: Use one main theme and a few key pieces; take advantage of under-utilized spaces.
2. Plan it on paper first: Draw a floor plan of the motor home and then sketch in the decor items and their placement.
3. Buy multifunctional items: Focus on collapsible storage bins or reversible throws and pillows that are decorative as well as utilitarian.

Creating an environment where you enjoy spending time is the goal of decorating your travel home. No matter what the theme or size of the budget, make it uniquely you, and dress it up with small touches of home.

We are blessed; my mom comes to stay with us every year during summer vacation. She lives in a motor home on our property that we lovingly refer to as her summer home.

Several years ago we discovered her home needed some intensive repairs, and it was less expensive to replace it than repair it. Choosing a new home for her was fun, but then we needed to decorate it to look like " her home" before she arrived for the summer.

We chose a tea time theme because mom is an avid teacup collector, and we did not want her to miss her precious cups and saucers during her annual summer visit.

One of the advantages of decorating a travel trailer is you are decorating such a small area, your dollar investment is minimal.

If you want to change your theme or add some other accessories, it is easy to do so without busting your budget.

However, I'm always on the lookout for new ideas and ways to do this so feel free to share your ideas and tips.

I also appreciate feedback from my readers as it helps me provide a better reading experience for everyone.

How helpful was this information? Were there other things you wanted to know that I forgot to cover? Please leave me a message in the comments section with your input.