One of the biggest challenges of RV living is finding a place for everything without making your home on wheels feel cramped. That’s where narrow storage solutions shine.
Slim cabinets, rolling carts, vertical organizers, and enclosed storage units make excellent use of spaces that would otherwise go unused. Want the skinny on narrow storage solutions? Keep reading!
Evaluating your space
Before purchasing any storage solution, spend time evaluating your RV’s layout. Walk through each room. Identify areas where clutter tends to collect or where unused space exists. Common locations include narrow gaps beside the refrigerator, between cabinets, beside the bed, inside closets, under dinettes, or near entry doors.
Consider how you move through the RV, so your new storage solution won’t interfere with daily activities or emergency exits. Careful planning is the key to choosing storage that fits both your space and your camping style.
Meticulously measure
RV interiors may include curved walls, slide-outs, and uneven surfaces. You’ll want to measure the width, depth, and height of the available space.
Don’t forget to account for doors, drawers, and slide mechanisms that need room to operate. It’s much easier to spend a few extra minutes measuring than to return a storage unit that doesn’t fit.
Types of skinny storage
Vertical storage is one of the easiest ways to gain extra organization without sacrificing precious floor space. Tall, narrow cabinets and shelving units allow you to store pantry items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, or folded clothing while using the wall height that often goes unused.
Since RVs have limited square footage, building upward instead of outward is one of the smartest ways to increase storage capacity. The skinny storage solution pictured above can be found here.
Wheeled carts designed to fit into narrow spaces can slide between cabinets, next to the refrigerator, or beside furniture. When you need an item, simply roll the cart out for easy access, then tuck it away again. This flexibility makes rolling carts especially useful for spices, canned goods, toiletries, craft supplies, pet supplies, or cleaning products. Be sure to choose a model with locking wheels or secure it before traveling to prevent movement while driving. Here is where you can order the one pictured below.
Enclosed storage offers another important advantage in an RV. Cabinets with doors, drawers, or baskets help prevent items from shifting during travel while keeping your living space looking tidy. Open shelving certainly has its place, but enclosed storage often reduces visual clutter. They also keep frequently used items protected from dust and accidental spills. (The one pictured below is available here.)
Pull-out organizers make excellent use of narrow cabinet openings. Instead of reaching into deep cabinets where items disappear in the back, pull-out shelves or narrow slide-out organizers bring everything into view. These systems work especially well in kitchens, bathrooms, and pantry areas where space is limited but accessibility is important. Here’s one I like.
Selecting the right one
Think carefully about what you plan to store before selecting any organizer. Lightweight items like paper towels or snacks require different storage than canned food, cookware, or cleaning supplies. Matching the organizer to its intended purpose helps prevent overloaded shelves, damaged hardware, or wasted space.
Take advantage of overlooked areas throughout your RV. The inside of cabinet doors, the ends of cabinets, spaces above windows, and the walls inside closets can all support slim organizers, hooks, or hanging baskets. These small additions often create surprising amounts of storage without affecting your available living space.
Storage how-to
Weight distribution should also influence your storage decisions. Store heavier items low and close to the RV’s axle whenever possible to help maintain proper balance while towing or driving. Reserve higher shelves for lightweight items like paper goods, linens, or plastic containers. If necessary, use an anti-tip kit to secure your non-wheeled skinny storage solution to the wall.
As you organize, resist the temptation to fill every available inch. Leaving a little empty space makes it easier to find what you need and prevents narrow storage solutions from becoming overstuffed.
An organized RV feels larger, functions more efficiently, and makes every camping trip more enjoyable.
You can find a whole variety of skinny/narrow furniture on Amazon here—it’s fun to see all the creative ideas.
But weight
Always, always keep in mind the weight of whatever narrow storage solution you bring into your rig. Weight matters!
Just because you have the extra space solutions to store things does not mean you should add excess amounts of weight. Pounds matter. Use discretion when bringing any item into your RV. Overloading your rig is never a good (or safe) idea.
How about you?
Have you discovered a narrow storage solution that works well in your RV? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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