Kitchen Storage Ideas for an RV or Caravan
How to Organize Cupboards and Drawers in a Limited Space
Oct 10, 2009
RVs of all kinds – motorhomes, caravans, and campers – come in a range of price ranges, just as houses do. Basic RVs also usually come equipped with very basic kitchens, but the good news is that creative RV owners can outfit a kitchen so it works very well, with everything tucked away in its own designated space.
It's not just owners of mobile homes that find storage a problem, of course (it's just more obvious when living in a space that's smaller than most people's garages). Luckily, there has been a boom in storage solutions for every area in the home, and nifty ideas are easy to find. The most useful are dividers and containers that come in all shapes and sizes, so they adapt to any drawer or cupboard.
Kitchen Storage Solutions for Drawers
There are plenty of drawer dividers and organizers to be found in dollar stores, major retail outlets and of course in kitchen specialist outlets, depending on your budget. The drawers in a mobile home are often smaller than those in a house, so make sure the measurements of the drawer are handy on shopping expeditions.
Some drawer organizers can be easily cut down; others are a fixed size. Those who are handy with household tools can often make their own inserts.
How to Organize Cupboards in an RV
It's pretty easy to find a good pantry organizer: all kinds of racks and shelves are available in both plastic and wire configurations. Weight is always a consideration in an RV, so plastic works well.
No. 1 Rule: Keep things from sliding around or crashing together while the RV is moving. There are several ways to prevent this.
- Use non-slip matting in every cupboard or pot drawer.
- Insert paper plates between saucepans and frypans.
- Pad anything breakable with tea-towels or towels for transit (this can get a bit tedious for those who are constantly on the move).
- Use rectangular plastic storage containers: these stack and fit into a cupboard more easily than round ones. While there are countless varieties on offer, it's wise to spend a bit of money upfront on ones that really work. Look for containers that have secure, airtight lids that are easy to undo (clip-lock lids are good) and that vary in height and width.
No. 2 Rule: Aim for ease of access for the most commonly-used items.
- Everyday plates, cups and mugs should be in a spot that is convenient to reach. It's worth spending money on custom-made storage solutions for the most-used kitchen items – for example, dish storage that enables each plate to be slipped into a custom-made slot. Ditto for wine glasses and other breakables.
- Think about innovative storage solutions for items used all the time. It's easy enough to attach a spice rack to a wall – but what about storage for paper towels and cling film? These are bulky and unattractive items, but so necessary! Look for racks that can be attached to the inside of doors (this means that there needs to be space for the rack to fit into when the door is closed) or that can slide out of a cupboard.
Quick Home-Made Kitchen Storage Solutions
Most household appliances come with polystyrene packing. Save these, and ask friends to save theirs as well. The bigger the item (like a TV set or computer monitor) the better: there's more to play with. Home handyman stores or specialist outlets also sell squares of foam or rubber.
Cut the polystyrene or foam to fit the drawer or cupboard in the RV, and carefully measure and carve slots for items.
While this certainly works as a storage solution, care needs to be taken when cutting out the slots – first, so that it looks neat, and second, so the DIY-er doesn't slice a finger!
Final tip: Spend some time searching online catalogs and browsing through kitchen makeover magazines and websites. Visit home shows, and specialist kitchen storage solution outlets. There are plenty of ideas here that can be adapted at little cost for RVers.
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