Angie Marie When we first moved into our fifth-wheel toy hauler, we had every intention of making a few updates, but like many full-time RV families, time and budget kept those plans on the back burner. Aside from converting the toy hauler into a custom bedroom for our girls, we didn’t renovate much during those first months. We were adjusting to full-time RV life, and because we were stationary in an RV park, using power tools or creating a mess outdoors wasn’t ideal.
But after living in our RV full-time for nearly a year, something shifted. We finally understood how we used the space, what wasn’t working, and what small improvements could make daily life more comfortable. Renovating wasn’t just about aesthetics, it was about making this space function better for our family.
Here are the three main reasons why we renovated our RV after a year of full-time living, and why you might consider updating yours too.
1. We Renovated Our RV to Better Customize the Space
When you live in a small space, every inch matters. After a year, we knew exactly which areas needed attention and the bathroom was first on the list. Storage was limited, so we added our own towel rack, installed an extra cabinet for essentials, and upgraded the faucet to something sturdier and more functional. I wish we had time to redo the sink when we lived in it, but before we sell our RV, we do plan to redo a few things we didn’t get around to upgrading.
A big project we had was our living room. The original layout wasn’t practical for how our family relaxes, watches movies, or eats together. We decided to remove the dining table and entertainment center from one slide and relocate them to the opposite side. This change makes room for a new residential couch, creating a more comfortable gathering space. We then were able to put in a table that had more space for our girls to utilize.
Our toy hauler design actually makes furniture swaps easier as we can move large pieces through the back ramp with no problem. The challenge, of course, is renovating while still living in the space. It takes patience, planning, and a willingness to live in a little bit of chaos during the transition.
2. We Renovated Our RV to Improve Quality and Durability
One thing full-time RV living teaches you quickly is that many RV furnishings simply aren’t built for everyday use. Lightweight materials are great for travel but not always for long-term durability.
Our original RV couches began peeling and flaking within the first month. We tried covering them, but soon the heating elements stopped working and a lock button fell off. Replacing the furniture seemed unavoidable, but finding pieces small enough to fit the space without an outrageous price tag was a challenge.
Eventually, we opted for a larger, more comfortable residential couch and redesigned our living room layout around it. It was worth the effort to get something that would last longer and hold up to daily life.
Other quality upgrades on our list include:
- Replacing worn window blinds
- Removing outdated valances
- Updating trim
- Making small fixes to improve longevity
Every upgrade means fewer repairs later and a more comfortable day-to-day living experience.
3. We Renovated Our RV to Make It Feel More Like Home
Our RV wasn’t just a temporary space, it was our home on wheels while we built our future homestead. And because of that, we wanted it to reflect our family and feel cozy, inviting, and personal.
Renovating gave us the freedom to add touches that make the RV truly ours. Now that we are out of our RV, we are debating on keeping it as a guest house or using it in the future to travel. Here are a few more projects we had on our list that we didn’t get around to but would still like to complete:
- Painting cabinets and walls to brighten the space
- Adding shelving for better organization
- Hanging photos and art
- Redoing flooring
- Bringing in new light fixtures and décor
Personalizing our girls’ bedroom was especially important. They were nervous about the move at first, but customizing their space helped them feel excited and comfortable. Creating a room they loved was a big reason we delayed working on the rest of the RV, building a sense of belonging for them came first.
Final Thoughts
Renovating our RV wasn’t originally in the plan, but after living in it full-time for a year, it became clear that making these updates would improve our comfort, functionality, and quality of life. Since we anticipated full-timing for at least two more years, investing time and effort into these changes had been completely worth it.
If you’re living in your RV or planning to don’t be afraid to customize it to fit your family’s lifestyle. Small changes can make a huge difference.
Be sure to follow along on Instagram as we share more updates from our full-time RV adventures and our journey toward building our homestead.
