Clever RV storage—fit it all in two square feet of floor space

By Cheri Sicard
Living in a tiny van means every inch counts. When space is short and needs are big, creative thinking steps in. In her ultra-compact van, Lulu of Lulu’s Way (who made the video at the end of this post) proves that even a two-square-foot patch of floor can handle it all—if you build smart. Here’s a close look at her unique, efficient storage system for anyone looking to maximize space without feeling boxed in or upgrading to a bigger vehicle.

Lulu mapped her build to exactly two square feet of floor space, or a 24-inch by 12-inch rectangle beside her seat. Imagine the size of a chopping board, yet her setup fits a table, pantry, storage cabinet, power hub, and more. Anyone working with limited space can try sketching out this small rectangle on their own floor and challenge themselves to pack in as much as she did.

Building the custom table: No skills required

Lulu started with a table built just for her spot. She used a piece of wood that fit her space and added four sturdy legs made from deck railings. She attached everything with small L brackets and two floor brackets to keep it stable while driving. Even with no carpentry training, she managed to build a super-strong table without fuss.

Materials and assembly steps:

• One wood board, cut to fit the space

• Four wooden deck railings, cut to height

• Sixteen small L brackets (four per leg)

• Screws and screwdriver

• Two floor brackets to anchor legs to van

Medicine cabinet flip

Tip: When you spot a piece at a thrift store, picture it upside down or on its side—the best fit may surprise you!

At a local thrift store, Lulu found a solid wood medicine cabinet for just $10. After removing the bulky mirror, she planned to mount it vertically, but van trim got in the way. Instead, she placed it sideways and screwed it directly into the tabletop for security. The shape and structure worked, and it became the centerpiece of her efficient storage.

Above the cabinet, Lulu added a plastic organizer tray to sort her daily-use items.

1. Microphones and external hard drive for work
2. Hair spray, leave-in conditioner, and brush for easy mornings
3. Two JBL Flip Six Bluetooth speakers for music at meetups
4. Backup glasses and Bose headphones for walks or workouts

These items stay up top for quick grabbing and help keep the whole area clutter-free.

Smart extras

A small mirror lets Lulu fix her hair or put on lipstick at a glance, and a magnetic USB-powered light under the table gives bright help when entering at night. Rhinestones on the tabletop and some decorative beads make the space feel cheerful without crowding it. Small touches can make a big difference in a tiny home.

A removable leg tucks into place beside the cabinet for an instant side table. It becomes a prep surface for cooking, a meal spot, or a holder for stickers gathered from friends. This multi-use, fold-out table lets Lulu do more with less and stows away when not needed.

Inside the repurposed cabinet, Lulu built two extra shelves from wood, using L brackets for support. She hot-glued ribbon to the fronts for a splash of personality. The shelves are shallow, right for her needs, and leave plenty of open feel in her small living area.

What’s inside

Lulu squeezes more into her little cabinet than some people manage in an entire closet.

• 500W compact heater
• Gorilla tape and glue
• USB-C wall plug and cords
• Scissors, writing tools, backup comb, bear spray
• Citronella incense sticks to keep bugs away
• First aid kit
• Bathing wipes and extra scrubbies
• Backup food scale
• Papers, envelopes, and checkbook

Lulu’s compact cabinet includes its own built-in power station—12V and USB outlets plus an inverter control switch, thanks to help from Bill at Pilgrim Van Builds.

Lulu uses vertical storage for maximum capacity but insists on shallow cabinets. Going too deep can block movement and make a van feel cramped. She encourages vanlifers to find the balance that feels right and to design around what matters most.

Anyone, whether in a van or a small apartment, can map out two square feet and try this creative challenge. Lulu’s approach shows that big ideas can fit into very small footprints—without giving up comfort or daily essentials.

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