How to Maximise Storage Space in Your Campervan

Space. It’s the one thing every campervan owner wishes they had more of. Whether you’re packing for a weekend escape or a month-long road trip, making the most of your camper’s available space is essential to keeping life organised, calm, and clutter-free. At Spartan Campers, we’ve seen firsthand how clever design can turn a compact camper into a surprisingly roomy home on wheels. So, let’s dig into the tips and tricks that help you maximise your storage and make every journey more enjoyable.

Let’s begin with a mindset shift. Think of your campervan like a well-designed boat or a tiny house – every inch counts. You don’t need to compromise on comfort or convenience, but you do need to be intentional with what you bring and how you store it.

The Spartan Golden Rule: Think Vertically
One of the most effective strategies we use in our van conversions is taking advantage of vertical space. The areas on walls, above head height, and even under your seating can often be repurposed for practical storage. Hanging organisers, such as canvas or mesh pockets, are brilliant for storing everything from toiletries to phone chargers. These can be hung on the back of front seats, cupboard doors, or even attached to the side panels of your van.

Magnetic strips are a favourite in the campervan kitchen. They can securely hold knives, utensils, or spice jars, eliminating the need for bulky storage racks. Likewise, wall-mounted shelves or small crates can create easy-access storage without taking up floor space.

Overhead Nets and Ceiling Storage
We often fit lightweight netting near the roofline for storing soft goods like blankets, jackets, or towels. This “loft” storage is perfect for seasonal gear that you want close by, but not in the way. Just make sure anything up there is secure – you don’t want a hoodie flying at you on a bendy country road!

Pack Smart with Stackables and Cubes
Your storage containers are just as important as where you put them. Stackable plastic crates, collapsible tubs, and fabric storage cubes are all heroes in the campervan world. Packing cubes, especially, are incredibly handy for keeping clothing sorted and accessible. Have one for tops, one for bottoms, and one for socks and undies. Simple. Some people even use different colours for each family member, which helps keep everyone’s belongings separate.

Seasonal Switch Outs
You don’t need everything all the time. That snow gear in July? Leave it at home. Likewise, there’s no reason to carry paddleboards in November if your trip doesn’t call for them. Before every trip, take a moment to assess what you truly need. Not only will this reduce clutter, it’ll save weight – which is great for fuel efficiency too.

Hidden Storage Hacks
Here’s a hint from the Spartan workshop: lift-up bench seats are gold mines. Under-seat storage is often under-utilised and can be ideal for storing tools, emergency kits, or bulky items you don’t need every day. Got a swivel seat base? That’s extra space for shoes, bags, or cleaning supplies. Even the footwells in the rear passenger area can store smaller soft containers.

Multipurpose Items Are Your Friend
Every item in your camper should earn its keep. Look for multipurpose products like a chopping board that doubles as a lid for a sink, a seat cushion with storage inside, or a collapsible washing up bowl that becomes a food prep area. Our Spartan builds often include clever hidden features that turn one thing into three – because we believe your camper should work hard for you.

Declutter Before Every Trip
Even the best-designed van will feel cramped if you overpack. Before setting off, take five minutes to ask: “Have I used this in the last three trips?” If not, it probably doesn’t need to come along this time. Make decluttering a habit. Your future self (especially when searching for your phone charger) will thank you.

Bonus Tip: Storage Bins for Daily Routines
Create mini “day kits” that group together items you use at the same time. For example, a morning bin could include your coffee, tea, mugs, and kettle. A night bin might contain torches, books, and PJs. Having these kits ready not only makes your routines smoother, it also means less digging around at the end of a long day.

Real-World Example from a Spartan Owner
One of our Spartan Family members, Amanda, told us she uses soft-sided packing cubes for her kids’ clothes and colour-coded labels for toiletries. “Everyone has their cube, and they know where it lives. I used to spend half the trip sorting out their stuff – now they do it themselves,” she laughed. Systems like this make campervan life not just possible, but pleasant.

Why Spartan Campers Are Designed for Smart Storage
When we design and build our campervans, we obsess over how you’ll actually live in them. We don’t just look for empty spaces – we think about how those spaces can serve a purpose. From sliding storage under beds to hidden cubbies in kitchen panels, everything is thought through. Because we’re campers ourselves, we know exactly how important it is that your camper works with you, not against you.