Caravan renovation with foils, fabrics & new bathroom - Glamper Edition #12
A touch of nostalgia, a splash of boho, and a whole lot of holiday feeling: this is how an almost 20-year-old caravan was transformed into a modern glamper.
Murphy, a Hobby 540 UK Deluxe Easy caravan from 2005, has been through a lot in recent years. Purchased in September 2021, the caravan was ready for a comprehensive DIY caravan renovation - from an ageing camper to a glamper with boho and beach vibes.
What was the vision for the caravan renovation?
The original idea was clear: When renovating the caravan, Birgitta wanted to preserve the charm of the old wooden elements of the caravan and at the same time create a bright, friendly atmosphere. The old, blue curtains and upholstery were the first things to be removed to make room for something new and fresh. A beige couch fabric that exudes nostalgic retro charm while at the same time exuding a relaxed, summery atmosphere with its boho beach vibe set the tone for the entire renovation.
Instead of painting everything completely, they opted for a mixture of white foiled cupboard doors and furniture walls as well as walls painted in soft beige and greige tones. These colors give the caravan a natural, warm look without being overwhelming. To give the caravan depth and character, however, Birgitta cleverly integrated black metal accents - be it the handles, adhesive hooks or towel rails. The play of black and white was consistently implemented, especially in the kitchen.
The selected fabric became the centerpiece of the new caravan interior. The seat cushions in the dining area were covered with it, which immediately gave the small space a warm, inviting touch. The color palette, inspired by soft beige and natural tones , ran through the entire caravan. Every corner of Murphy was then examined and lovingly decorated with details that perfectly complemented the new style. A dotted lamp brought playful lightness, while bunting and macrame garlands added subtle boho accents.
Best implementations and clever ideas
Birgitta and her family put a lot of creativity and passion into renovating their caravan Murphy.
The bathroom in Murphy is hardly recognizable . Once a narrow, inconspicuous room, it now shines as a small wellness area with bright colors. The back wall was covered with black and white striped wallpaper . This bold decision creates an exciting contrast and gives the small room a modern, almost graphic touch.
One of the cleverest ideas is definitely the socket installed through the wardrobe . This inconspicuous but ingenious solution ensures that the family has electricity even in the seating area - a small detail that significantly increases comfort in everyday life.
3 upgrades that are taken into account in every subsequent caravan renovation
The bathroom and its pitfalls: Birgitta would replace the plastic fittings in the bathroom at any time - even though it was the most time-consuming job of the entire renovation. What about Sebastian? Well, he says he would never renovate the bathroom again - it cost him sooooo much nerves!
Bye-bye, blue upholstery: The old blue, boring upholstery and curtains need to be replaced
Paint and foil for the finishing touches: painting or foiling makes a huge difference. It's worth the effort!
A purchase failure experience
At first they opted for cheap, used chairs - but these quickly proved to be a bad buy. Instead of relaxing comfortably, they constantly had to deal with chairs that were snagging.
Another chapter in this lesson in furnishings: the side table. Originally intended as a practical helper, it showed its weaknesses at the most inopportune moment. While cooking, it suddenly buckled and threw the lovingly prepared food onto the floor.
Upcoming projects
An important project is to replace the piping and reseal the windows. These measures are crucial to keeping the caravan weatherproof and comfortable.
The underbody of the caravan will also need a new coat of paint at some point.
For the kitchen, Birgitta is planning to purchase a pull-out faucet that can be converted into an outdoor shower through the kitchen window. This clever solution brings additional comfort when camping and makes washing up or cleaning outdoors easier. This makes the kitchen even more functional and flexible.
If you had one wish from Genie
"I would like more storage space in the kitchen, with large drawers and a large refrigerator like in the newer caravans. I would also like underfloor heating, especially in the transitional seasons. What I would also really like would be to have the kitchen in the bow or stern, with a large window front at the front and up on the roof, like in the Adria Astella, for example."
Favorite campsite
Le Brasilia in the South of France
Advice to anyone who is about to renovate their caravan
"Let's go - try it out! Start with small things and see how it affects you and whether you want to continue."
Exciting before and after pictures
