Stunning Travel Trailer Camper Remodel: Before and After Transformation
It’s time for the big reveal of our RV remodel! Get ready for some dramatic Travel Trailer Camper Remodel Before After photos that showcase the transformation. If you’re new here, we embarked on this journey after finding a camper that met our specific needs. When RV shopping, we had a clear checklist: a pull-behind model spacious enough for our family of six without nightly bed conversions, a dining table for everyone, relatively lightweight and short, and all under a $10,000 budget. This camper ticked all those boxes, but it also came with an… interesting interior design choice. Imagine layers upon layers of brown, greige, taupe, camel, and burnt sienna – a monochromatic marvel seemingly crafted by specialized RV designers. Let’s take a peek at the original state to fully appreciate the starting point of this renovation adventure.
The ‘Before’: A Look Inside the Original Camper
Interior view of travel trailer before remodel showing brown cabinets and dinette.
The interior was, frankly, drowning in brown. From the cabinets to the upholstery and valances, the color palette felt dated and dark. While functional, it lacked the personality and brightness we wanted for our family adventures.
Travel trailer bedroom before renovation featuring original wood-look cabinets and bedding.
The bedroom continued the theme, with wood-look finishes and standard RV fixtures that felt uninspired. The dining area, housed in the slide-out, was functional but visually heavy.
Original RV dinette slide-out area pre-remodel with brown upholstery and valances.
Gorgeous, right? Well, maybe not. We initially didn’t plan on a major remodel, but once we brought the camper home, the potential for improvement sparked our imagination – it’s just how we operate.
The Decision to Remodel: From Drab to Fab
What started as simply owning a functional camper quickly evolved into a vision for something more. We realized that with some creativity and effort, we could transform this brown box into a bright, cozy, and personalized space. The decision was made: we would undertake a DIY RV makeover, focusing on paint, sweat equity, and using materials we already had whenever possible to keep it a budget RV remodel. Over the next eight months, we slowly chipped away at the project, pouring our time and energy into creating a camper that felt like home. The difference between the starting point and the final result is night and day.
Remodeled RV dinette area with new upholstery, painted cabinets, and decor after renovation.
The RV Remodel Journey: Step-by-Step Transformation
Let’s walk through the key projects that brought this camper renovation to life. Each step played a crucial role in achieving the final look.
Initial Planning and Inspiration
Every good remodel starts with a plan. Our inspiration piece was the gecko-patterned curtain fabric. From there, we aimed for an interior that was bright yet cozy, colorful but not overwhelming. The goal was a fresh, inviting atmosphere perfect for family trips.
Mood board showing the design plan for the RV remodel including gecko fabric inspiration.
Tackling the Cabinets
Painting the RV cabinets was undoubtedly the most challenging and time-consuming part of the entire remodel. There was a point midway through where regret set in heavily, as the process wasn’t going smoothly. However, persistence paid off. The lighter color drastically changed the feel of the space, making it appear larger and brighter – and thankfully, this step cost us nothing but time and paint we already owned. Even with just the cabinets painted, the difference was significant.
Painting the Walls
After the cabinet ordeal, we braced ourselves for painting the RV walls, expecting another difficult task. Surprisingly, it was incredibly easy and, again, cost nothing using leftover paint. We chose Silvermist by Sherwin Williams, a soft, calming color we’d used previously in our home. It complemented the white cabinets beautifully and contributed significantly to the brighter feel.
Progress shot of RV bedroom remodel with painted walls in Sherwin Williams Silvermist.
Countertop Makeover
The brown faux granite laminate countertops needed an update. We opted for a simple yet effective solution: painting them black using chalkboard paint and a durable sealer. This budget-friendly fix provided a sleek, modern contrast to the light cabinets and walls.
Adding Character with Rustic Wood Walls
One of the most impactful changes was adding rustic wood accent walls using Stikwood planks. These are real reclaimed wood, cut incredibly thin, with a peel-and-stick backing. Installation was remarkably simple, even on curved surfaces. The wood added warmth, texture, and a touch of rustic charm that elevated the entire interior design.
Close-up of installing thin Stikwood reclaimed wood planks on a curved RV wall.
RV remodel progress showing installed Stikwood accent walls adding rustic texture.
Finishing Touches
With the major painting and wall treatments complete, we focused on the details. We removed the old blinds, replacing them with simple curtain rods and new curtains (including the gecko inspiration fabric). The original bedroom “doors” (which were just curtains) were swapped out for spares we had at home. The banquette cushions received a no-sew reupholstering treatment, further brightening the dinette area.
Reupholstered RV dinette bench seating in a farmhouse style travel trailer remodel.
Bedroom Comfort and Style
The bedroom transformation focused on comfort and style. A new mattress was the biggest single expense ($322) but was absolutely worth it for comfortable sleeping. We added budget-friendly bedding, although a beautiful waffle weave linen blanket (a gift from Magic Linen) added a touch of luxury. Organization was key, using Command strips extensively for hanging towels, toothbrushes, hats, and even picture frames – they proved invaluable for RV living.
Completed RV bedroom remodel featuring Stikwood wall, new bedding, and cozy lighting.
Faux plants from Nearly Natural added greenery without the maintenance challenges of real plants in an RV. The String of Pearls plant, in particular, looks incredibly realistic. We secured them to shelves with Velcro to prevent movement during travel.
Faux hanging plants like String of Pearls used as decor in the remodeled RV interior.
The Big Reveal: Our Completed Travel Trailer Camper Remodel Before and After
After months of planning, painting, and perfecting, the travel trailer transformation was complete. The final result is a space that feels bright, comfortable, stylish, and uniquely ours. Here’s a full look at the finished camper – the ultimate Travel Trailer Camper Remodel Before After showcase!
Wide angle view of the fully completed travel trailer camper remodel showcasing the bright interior.
View of the remodeled RV kitchen and living area highlighting painted cabinets and wood accents.
Cozy corner of the DIY RV remodel featuring the updated dinette and window treatments.
Vertical shot highlighting the final details of the old camper remodel transformation.
The side-by-side comparisons truly highlight the dramatic change:
RV Remodel Source List and Cost Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with this travel trailer renovation:
- Paint (Cabinets, Walls, Countertops): $0 (Used leftover paint)
- Stikwood Wall Planks: Sponsored Item (Retail value significant)
- Fabric (Curtains & Upholstery): $50
- Curtain Rods & Hardware: $40
- New Mattress: $322
- Bedding (Sheets, Duvet Cover, Pillows): $100
- Linen Blanket: Sponsored Item (Magic Linen)
- Faux Plants: Sponsored Item (Nearly Natural)
- TV & Mount: $170
- Command Strips/Hooks: $30
- Storage Bins/Organizers: $50
- Miscellaneous Decor/Supplies: $124
Total Spent – $886
(Total value including sponsored items – approx. $1,978, reflecting Stikwood and other contributions)
Honestly, we were surprised by the total cost. It felt like we achieved this transformation very cheaply, relying heavily on paint we already owned and DIY labor. However, smaller purchases add up over eight months. The mattress and TV accounted for almost half the budget. Receiving sponsored items like the Stikwood, plants, and linen blanket was a massive help and significantly elevated the final look without impacting our out-of-pocket expenses.
Conclusion: A Beautiful and Functional RV Makeover
We are absolutely thrilled with the end result of our travel trailer camper remodel before after project and have zero regrets about undertaking the renovation. The camper is not only visually stunning and perfectly suited for our family camping trips but has also become an ideal guest space. Since we don’t have a dedicated guest room in our house, the remodeled RV provides a comfortable, private retreat for visiting family and friends. This entire process, from tackling the daunting brown interior to adding the final decorative touches, has been incredibly rewarding. It proves that even on a budget, a dated RV can be transformed into a beautiful and functional home away from home with creativity and hard work. We hope this journey inspires others considering their own RV makeover!
