Better Homes And Gardens Revamping A Camper

This Revamped Camper Is a Tiny Dream Home

The RV was perfectly functional, but the owners wanted more. So they pumped up its style, made it feel bigger, and brought in the comforts of home.

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Kate Malo dreamed of memory-making road trips. She pictured her young family—husband Dave, son Thomas, 8, and daughter Allie, 5—hiking, building campfires, and taking in the scenery. Fueling that vision: a 2007 Four Winds camper handed down from Dave's parents. To make it their own, Kate and Dave modified the built-in furniture, covered the old floor, and, Kate says, "painted every square inch of the walls and cabinets."

family of four outside remodeled camper

Along the way, they learned a handful of necessities unique to an RV makeover. They needed adapters for light fixtures and tried to use lightweight materials with towing in mind. Six weeks later, the Des Moines-area family headed for the Black Hills and Rocky Mountain National Park, enjoying the journey as much as the destinations. Take a peek inside their amazing RV transformation.

before photo of dated camper kitchenette

deep teal camper kitchen cabinets and sink

wallpaper view through camper to master bedroom

The Malos needed only three beds, so they replaced a bulky futon in the sitting area with a cushioned bench. To quietly dress up one wall, Kate chose wallpaper with a simple pattern. Keeping the rest of the walls white makes the space appear larger.

young girl reading in camper bedroom bunk bed

In the kids' bedroom, Kate and Dave turned a full-size bottom bunk into a twin to make space for a shelf unit. There, they can store everything they need for a rainy day—board games, art projects, and movies included. A wall-mount wire basket at the foot of each bed holds books.

black and white wallpaper and ombre shower curtain

A framed mirror (Kate could go bigger by not centering it over the sink) and a bold border of self-stick floor tiles upgrade the teeny bath. Keeping the small space clutter-free makes it feel less cramped. They stuck with a simple bathroom color palette to streamline the decor.

Now, the Malos can add more destinations to their family travel bucket list. The next stop? Disney World!

By Kit Selzer , Jay Wilde and Lindsay Berger