Setting Up Outdoor RV Areas

Extending the Inside of the Camper to an Outdoor Living Space

Jul 9, 2007 Elizabeth Borer

Much time camping and RVing is spent in the outside "patio" area of the campsite. Here are a few ways to make this space comfortable for the whole family.

Campgrounds and RVs lend themselves to being relaxing and socializing environments with family and nearby campers. Setting up the outside area of your campsite will give your family and friends a place to hang out, eat, relax and enjoy the outdoors.

How to set up an outdoor living space:

  1. If your RV/camper has a screen room or awning, set this up first. Or purchase a simple-to-assemble free-standing awning to provide much needed shade.
  2. Heavy-duty rugs made out of waterproof outdoor material are available and designed to be anchored into the ground to be held in place. Place one right outside your camper door. You can now either sit or walk on it, making it a nice extension of the indoor area.
  3. Assemble furniture in such a way that your items will be convenient to move around and provide you with access to everything stored outside of the camper. This includes moving the picnic table (if provided by the site) to the desired location when you first settle in.
  4. Camp chairs are designed to have the comfort of a lounge chair but take up little room when collapsed. These chairs come in adult and child sizes, are reasonably priced and store in a provided bag. Invest in one for each member of the family.
  5. Use small tables as catchalls for books, cups, cans and bottles, or for extra meal seating if you have more people than your picnic table can fit. Having something to rest your drinks on instead of sitting them on the ground will help with sticky spills that can draw bugs and small animals to your campsite. A few small tables outside will make it just as convenient to eat, read or rest outside as it is inside the RV.
  6. Citronella or bug-deterring candles or torches will help light your site at night and keep mosquitoes away.
  7. Decorative lights can be hung around your awning or screening to provide additional lighting in the evening and also add a decorative and fun touch to your camp.
  8. Keep a cooler outside with additional beverages and snacks. This will prevent multiple trips inside the camper, which makes it easier to keep bugs and dirt out and the cooler air inside. Larger coolers can also double as a small seat or table for your campsite.
  9. A broom is convenient for sweeping off debris on your camp rug and out of your RV.
  10. An extra trash can and recycling container on the outside of the RV is essential when cleaning up from dinner or sweeping up, or can be used to store cans and bottles. Many campgrounds have recycling stations available as well as trash drop to make it convenient to clean up your camp and have a place to dispose of it. Always make sure your food and beverages are properly disposed of - and check with the camp's staff to find out if you need to bear-proof your items.
  11. Large rugged plastic bins are handy and water resistant storage for kids toys, wood, cooking or emergency tools and much more. They stack easily and are convenient to stash behind your RV.

Now that you've planned properly, you're well on your way to a fun and uncluttered camping trip. Enjoy your outdoor adventure!

The copyright of the article Setting Up Outdoor RV Areas in RV Recreation is owned by Elizabeth Borer. Permission to republish Setting Up Outdoor RV Areas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Outdoor RV Area, RVIA.org Outdoor RV Area
   
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