Camper van layout: tips for the perfect floor plan

Before you start drawing, make a list of what you truly need. Do you always sleep as a couple? Do you need a permanent workspace? Do you cook elaborately or mostly eat outside? Most camper vans have room for three of these five functions at full size: bed, kitchen, seating area, storage and bathroom (shower/toilet). The rest must be compact or multifunctional. Decide upfront what matters most to you. The bathroom is often the biggest dilemma: a fixed shower and toilet take up a lot of space (at least 70 by 80 cm), but offer real comfort. Many builders opt for a portable toilet and shower outside or at campsites.

There are a few tried-and-tested layouts that work well in most van sizes: Lengthwise bed at the rear: the bed runs along the length at the back. Leaves room for a longer kitchen and storage underneath. Suitable for solo travellers or couples who don't need a large bed. Crosswise bed at the rear: the bed spans the full width at the back. Important: the van's interior width determines whether this is feasible. In a Fiat Ducato or Peugeot Boxer (the widest vans, about 187 cm inside) this works well. In a Mercedes Sprinter or VW Crafter the interior is narrower, and without side flares you cannot sleep crosswise comfortably if you are taller than 175 cm. L-shaped kitchen: the kitchen runs along the side wall and turns the corner. Provides plenty of worktop but takes more floor space. Note: an L-shaped kitchen often blocks the passageway to the cab, preventing you from using swivel seats as a seating area. Dinette bed: the seating area converts to a bed at night. Saves space but takes time to set up and take down each day. About van sizes: L2 means the second-shortest version (about 5.40 m cargo length), L3 is longer (about 6.00 m) and L4 the longest (about 6.90 m). L stands for length, H for height.

Keep at least 45 cm of walkway space between furniture. In a narrower van (such as a VW T5/T6) this is tricky; consider a layout where you walk on one side with furniture on the other. Worktop at 85-90 cm height is comfortable for most people. The bed should be high enough for storage underneath (at least 40 cm), but low enough to get in and out comfortably. Also think about headroom: if you want to stand inside the van, you need at least 180 cm. With a low roof, a high-top conversion or pop-top is an option.

Storage is always scarce in a camper van. Use the space under the bed, above the cab and in the wheel arches. Think vertically: tall narrow cabinets use space better than low wide ones. Distinguish between daily storage (easily accessible: clothing, cookware, toiletries) and long-term storage (tools, spare parts, seasonal clothing). Tip: plan your storage before building furniture. It is easier to design a cabinet around specific items than to discover later that your pots don't fit. Think about weight distribution: if you place the water tank (up to 100 kg when full), batteries (20-40 kg) and kitchen all on the same side, your camper van will lean. This causes uneven tyre wear and poor handling. Try to place heavy components between the axles and distribute weight evenly left and right. Use our Weight Distribution tool to check this.

Use our Floor Plan tool to draw your layout digitally with the exact dimensions of your van. Drag furniture around and see if everything fits. Even better: build a mock-up from cardboard or styrofoam in your van. Take it for a weekend trip and discover the pain points before you start building. Many van builders only discover after construction that the fridge is in an awkward spot or that the bathroom door hits the bed.