Your van’s bed might be the most important piece of your van build: you sleep on it every night, and it takes up a significant amount of space in your vehicle. So it makes sense to give this particular installation plenty of thought. The good news is there are plenty of campervan bed ideas that are not only comfortable, but also open up extra space in your van.
No two van life situations are the same, which means that no single camper van bed solution will work for everyone. The bed that’s right for you will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your van, the type of traveling you do, how many people you need to sleep, and how much storage space you need.
In this article, we’ll talk about some key things to keep in mind when planning your own camper van bed build, plus look at some of the bed designs most popular among van lifers.
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What to Keep in Mind When Evaluating Camper Van Bed Ideas?
There are a few key things to think about when deciding on your own campervan bed design:
- Do you mind setting up your bed every night and putting it away every morning?
- Do you need space inside the van to store large items like bikes?
- Do you need space in the van to work?
- Do you have kids or travel partners?
- Which direction do you want to sleep?
- Will you be using a standard mattress?
Once you’ve figured out the answers to these questions, you can quite easily narrow down the list of campervan bed ideas and find the bed design that’s perfect for you.
Campervan Bed Ideas to Open Up Your Living Space
We put together this list of six smart, space-saving campervan bed design ideas to help you get started on your bed for your own campervan conversion. Let’s dive in!
Platform Bed
A platform bed is a great way to open up a ton of extra floor space in your van. Lifting your van’s bed up means you can stow stuff underneath – in fact, many van lifers call the area beneath their raised platform bed “the garage.”
You can lift your platform bed up as high as you like (as long as there’s enough head space that you can still fit into it!) With your bed raised up near the ceiling, you have ample storage space for bikes, camping gear, and all kinds of big, bulky stuff.
The advantage of a raised platform bed is that it’s a permanent fixture – you don’t have to fold it up, turn it into a table or convert it to a sofa during the day like you do with many other bed setup solutions. The downside to this is that it is permanently there, and can take up space you might otherwise use for work.
Drop-Down Table Bed
Many vanlife builders opt for a space-efficient fold-out bed. This type of bed is a bed by night and folds up or converts into something else during the day. It gives you plenty of floor space when folded up, plus creates a second space for work or play.
One of the most popular convertible camper beds is the table bed. For van lifers and digital nomads who work on the road, campervan table beds offer a convenient workspace during the day, and a comfortable place to lay your head at night.
The advantage of this type of bed is that it opens up your living space during the day. The downside is that you have to set up your bed every night, and you won’t get the same kind of storage space you would get with a raised platform bed.
Bench Seat Bed
Another popular bed style for van living is the bench seat bed. This is another of those bed layouts that give you extra living space (and seating) during the day. Sofa beds typically slide out – so the couch expands to a flat bed space, and the couch cushions become your campervan mattress.
People traveling with companions (especially children) might find that a bench seat bed is one of the best campervan bed ideas, as it creates daytime seating space for multiple people. You can utilize the space beneath the bed or couch as storage space – but again, you won’t be able to store large items like bikes or outdoor gear.
Bunk Beds
Another popular camper van bed option for people traveling with kids or multiple companions is bunk beds. These could either be folded away during the day or made a permanent fixture. Permanent single bunk beds for kids are great because kids can have their own space to keep their stuff, and can hang out in their beds during the day.
Campervan Bed Lift System
A mechanical lift bed is a relatively new platform bed design that utilizes a hydraulic system to raise the bed platform up into the roof when not in use. While this is not necessarily the most affordable option for those on a tight budget, it is certainly a huge space saver.
This best-of-both-worlds bed design option allows you to have a wall-to-wall bed that spans the entire width of your van but also tucks quickly and neatly away during the day to open up your living space or provide extra storage.
Murphy Bed
The murphy bed is one of the most popular setups for people living in small spaces. They are popular not only in van builds but also in small apartments and tiny homes. The advantage of a murphy bed is that it folds completely out of sight during the day, opening up plenty of space for daytime living.
The main drawback to a murphy bed is that you lose valuable wall space that could have been used for cabinets, shelves, or even counter space. For those with limited space for kitchen and dining options, this could be a major concern.
The Best Camper Van Bed Ideas for You
Whether it’s a mechanical bed lift, a flip bench bed, a convertible table, or a murphy bed, we promise there is a bed that’s right for you. But don’t limit yourself! This list of campervan bed ideas is just a jumping-off point – evaluate your own needs and lifestyle to come up with your own unique campervan bed option that’s perfect for your camper van.
