How to Maximize Storage on a Budget in a Van or Tiny Home

• Bob Wells, founding father of CheapRVLiving, has been a full-time van dweller since 2008.
• Wells teaches individuals how to dwell comfortably in vans and RVs on a price range.
• Wells spoke to Insider about 3 of one of the best methods to maximize area in a tiny residence.
• Go to Insider’s homepage for extra tales.

When residing in a van, benefiting from your area is important.

Fortuitously, there are a few, glorious storage hacks that do not require any ability apart from needing to safe objects, longtime van dweller Bob Wells informed Insider.

The founding father of CheapRVLiving, Bob Wells teaches others how to dwell in a van on a price range whereas touring across the US in a GMC Savanna 4×4. He has lived full-time in a van since 2008.

“Should you can construct shelving to your personal particular wants, then that is preferrred, however you do not have to have the opportunity to. I’ve recognized individuals who simply select common furnishings,” Wells stated.

Listed here are three of one of the best, budget-friendly methods to maximize cupboard space on the street, in accordance to Wells.

1. Roll-top desk drawers supply many various storage choices 

Due to its different-sized drawers, a roll-top desk is “an extremely sensible approach to get your self organized,” plus “it is enticing,” Wells stated.

Sometimes, a roll-top desk consists of facet drawers, high drawers, and a central pull-out drawer that you can use to retailer something from toilet provides to garments.

You will discover a used roll-top desk in thrift shops or second-hand furnishings marketplaces, Wells stated.

He suggests inserting an electrical, cooktop range in the center of the desk and inserting a five-gallon bucket (for going to the bathroom) beneath it.

To stop the desk from shifting whereas driving, you possibly can safe it to the van ground and partitions utilizing a drill and L brackets, which can be found in a pack of 10 for $14 at Walmart.

2. Plastic storage drawers and containers are simple to stack and might maintain a lot of weight

One other budget-friendly storage resolution that maximizes area is plastic drawers, Wells stated.

Wells recommends Sterilite’s four-drawer cupboard, which is available at Walmart for $57. It “is actually sensible and amazingly robust,” he stated. “It would maintain a lot of weight and weighs nothing.” 

Rubbermaid’s plastic storage containers, referred to as “totes,” are one other good possibility, in accordance to Wells. 

When you have to dig round for objects in a tote, they’re simple to stack and safe with bungee cords, he stated.

A set of six 16-quart Rubbermaid storage totes sells for $50 at Walmart.

3. A duffel bag is good for storing objects in non-linear areas as a result of it is compressible

Storage in vans and RVs could be tough as a result of “there’s all the time a place the place it is curved,” Wells stated.

This is the reason he recommends utilizing duffel dags for storage. The truth that duffel baggage collapse and increase is nice for tiny residing: you possibly can stick them in corners or stuff them in cubbies once you’re not utilizing them.

And Wells has discovered duffel baggage for simply “a couple of dollars” at thrift shops, he stated.