If you’re planning a van life adventure and considering building your own van, you’re probably thinking about your dream campervan kitchen. And who can blame you? Camper van kitchens get a lot of love on blog sites and Instagram because the kitchen is a great place to show off clever storage space hacks, beautiful wood countertops, and fun cooking accessories.
Of course, you want your camper van kitchen to be beautiful – you’ll spend a lot of time there! But your camper van kitchen needs to be, first and foremost, functional, and that’s where the right layout is so important.
We put together this list of 6 clever van conversion camper van kitchen ideas from other DIY van builders so you can grab design inspiration for your own van kitchen.
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Behind the Driver's Seat
One option for laying out your camper van kitchen is to put the counters directly behind the driver and passenger seats. This opens up a ton of space in the back of the van for your living area or bedroom, which is great for smaller camper vans. It can also give you more counter space – particularly if you also have extra counter space along one side of the van.
The only drawback to this layout is that it can prevent the front seats from turning around, and can sometimes hinder access between the front and back of the vehicle. One way to mitigate this is to make one countertop removable so you can easily climb between the front seats and back of the van.
Pull-Out Pantry
A pull-out pantry is an ingenious way of saving space in any camper van kitchen layout. Tuck it between two counters, between the kitchen unit and the bathroom, or next to the side door. The tall, slender cupboard opens up storage options for dry goods, cans, and other items, freeing up space below your seats and in other van cabinets for things like the electrical system, water system, or fridge.
Bedroom First
Putting the van kitchen directly behind the seats is certainly one way to go, but many van conversion enthusiasts prefer to have the bed there for privacy when the back door is open. If this is you, consider raising the bed and setting the van kitchen just behind it. Make a section of your countertop space removable, and it can double as a step up to the bed (and also contain your fridge.)
We like having the bed in the interior of the van with a living space that opens directly into the outdoors. Placing the van kitchen in the back of the van or next to the sliding door means you’ll always have a great view at dinnertime.
Lots of Counter Space
If you need lots of counter space, consider splitting your kitchen unit down either side of your van, or down one side with additional counter area just behind the front seats. It will leave you with less living space, but will make things like using a cutting board, washing dishes, and cooking inside easier.
At the end of the day, you have the whole great outdoors to function as your living space. Why not devote more space in the van to being usable and functional, and do your sprawling and living outside?
Slide-Out Kitchen Fridge
If you do end up with a lot of countertop space in your camper van kitchen, consider how you might best utilize the space below the countertops. A slide-out kitchen fridge is a great way to kill two birds with one stone: keeping your bulky fridge out of the way while also maximizing usable space under the counters.
Many other camper van kitchen ideas make use of a slide-out fridge. Under the bed is a great place to put one, or under a bench seat in the living area. If you have your van kitchen near the back of the van, you may even consider a fridge that slides out into the open air.
Table in the Back
Outdoor enthusiasts will love this storage hack: a pull-out or foldout table that extends out of the back door or side door of the van. It’s a great way to give yourself additional counter space for a cutting board, portable induction cooktop, toaster oven, camp stove, or any other kitchen appliances.
Make sure the table is counter height for maximum usability.
Is It Safe to Cook Inside a Camper Van?
In a word: yes! How else would hundreds of thousands of people be making van life work for them? A van kitchen is a perfectly safe environment to cook food – but do make sure you follow a couple of tips to get the most out of your van life cooking.
- Always turn the propane off when not in use
- Ensure proper ventilation when the stove is in use
- Don’t use the stove for prolonged periods to heat the van
- Store fruit and veg carefully to avoid bruising
- Use a slow cooker or instant pot to save on propane
- Store knives and other sharp objects well when moving
- Put latches on drawers and cupboards to prevent them from opening while underway
Campervan Kitchens: The Hub of Vanlife
Your camper van kitchen is more than just a place to cook; it’s the hub of your entire mobile living space. It’s where you brew your morning coffee, prepare your meals, and gather with friends. It will be worth the time invested to make sure this essential space is both functional and enjoyable. These tips will help you design and build a kitchen that’s not only comfortable and inviting but also practical and easy to use for all your culinary adventures on the road.
