How to easily refresh your RV’s bedroom

If your RV bedroom feels a little tired, the best (and easiest) ways to give it a refresh are to consider the following areas: window coverings, bedding, lighting, storage, and personal details.

Using light colors, soft textures, clean lines, and smart design makes a small RV bedroom feel calmer and more finished. Read on to see what I mean.

Note: Remember that whatever you bring into your RV adds to the overall weight. Use caution so as not to overload your rig.

Window coverings

Replacing bulky valances with roller shades is one place to begin your bedroom refresh. Use a flashlight to locate the valance mounting brackets. The brackets are usually held in place with an “L” bracket and a few screws. Once you remove the valances, a bit of spackle usually covers over the resulting screw holes. A curtain or roller shade mount can also be positioned to visually cover the holes.

You want your RV bedroom to feel calm and welcoming, but don’t forget that your bedroom requires privacy, as well. Install roller shades and pair them with airy curtains to dramatically change the look. (You may want to consider blackout roller shades to promote better sleep.)

Light-filtering curtains in a neutral or light hue will help make the space feel larger. Remember that you have several options when it comes to curtain length and mounting position. A short curtain valance mounted at the top of the window will allow the maximum amount of natural light into the bedroom. There are also café-style curtains that are mounted halfway down the window. Your bedroom curtains need not cover the entire window. They can simply drape both sides of the window to add softness.

Wherever you choose to mount curtains, remember to allow easy access to the window mechanism. You must be able to quickly open the emergency window. Don’t let your decorating efforts impede safety!

Here are some of my easy, no-sew curtain ideas for RV windows.

Bed linens

The “elephant in the room” is, of course, your bed. It takes up the majority of visual and physical space, so bed linens are important. Layered textiles can make the bed look finished without taking up extra room.

If you make your RV bed “the easy way,” consider coordinating sheets and pillowcases. What is the “easy way”? Only make the bed halfway. Bring the sheet and blanket/coverlet halfway up the bed. Then fold them back and smooth them into place. Using this bed-making method, your bed sheets and pillowcases look best when they coordinate with the bedspread or coverlet.

Updated pillows and blankets can help your RV bedroom feel more homelike. My husband vetoed the idea of any decorative pillows on our RV bed. I have to agree because there’s little space to put them at night. But you do what works best for you.

Occasionally, I enjoy an afternoon nap, so I’ve added a colorful throw to the end of our bed. It helps brighten the room and serves a practical need as well.

Here are a bunch of RV-specific bedding options. You deserve an upgrade!

Headboard and wall treatment

Many RV bedrooms feature a headboard. If your bed lacks one, consider adding some interest in that space. Options are endless if you are a DIYer. You can fashion a custom headboard. Or use peel-and-stick wallpaper, beadboard, slat-wall installation, or even add a foam-padded headboard.

This can also be a place to add your personal touch with a piece of art, macrame hanging, or photos of past travels. (Just remember to securely fasten whatever you choose so it doesn’t fall down on you as you sleep.)

Lighting

RV bedroom lighting matters more than most people think because it affects both mood and function. For a cozier feel, try stringing twinkly lights or a lamp that gives off a soft glow. Under-cabinet lighting and low-profile strip lighting strategically placed can also bathe the room with a calming glow.

We lived in our RV for three years before we realized the bedroom lights could be dimmed. Check to see if yours are dimmable. Or consider adding a light fixture for a restful ambiance.

Bedside nightstands

Many RV bedrooms lack a nightstand. If this is true for you, consider baskets or floating bedside shelves for a solution. Wall-mounted pieces won’t block floor space, which is often at a premium in an RV bedroom. Some nightstand brackets fit under the mattress, so no holes in the walls.

Before ordering or crafting a nightstand solution, think carefully about how you’ll use it. Think: will this accommodate the CPAP machine? Will this impede access to the bed? Is this the best-sized solution, or might a smaller version work just as well? How will I use this nightstand? Remember that whatever nightstand configuration you add to your RV bedroom will take up actual space and add to the visual space, too.

Wall decor and personal touches

A few lightweight photos, artwork, or travel-themed pieces can change the feel of the room fast. Personal photos make the room feel less generic and add your personality to the space. In a moving rig, lightweight and easy-to-remove pieces are the safest choice. Secure the items to the walls with Command hooks, Museum Putty, or Velcro.

Rugs and flooring

If the room feels cold underfoot, a rug can soften the space and add comfort right away. An area rug adds color and texture. It gives a cozier feeling, while also helping define the bedroom as its own zone.

I really like the washable rugs that are now available. A seasonal rug can bring the holiday spirit into your room and is easily changed with the season. Consider size, color, and texture as well as cleanability when choosing your bedroom rug. Also, remember safety. (An easily rumpled rug can become a tripping hazard.)

If your RV bedroom sits in a slide-out, take that into consideration when measuring for a rug.

Finishing touches

Greenery adds a homey feel to any space. It doesn’t matter if the greenery is faux or real. A plant or group of plants instantly brings life into a tired RV bedroom.

Mirrors also make an impact and are useful, too. A mirror reflects the light and can make a small space feel brighter and bigger. If you don’t use your RV bedroom mirrors, consider making them a statement “wall” by adding window clings in a coordinating color with your bed linens.

Can you add to this list of RV bedroom refresh ideas? Use the comments to do so.

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