80+ Caravan storage ideas, modifications and organisation hacks.

7. Keep dinnerware in the drawers.

Another good tip is to store bowls, plates and cups/mugs in drawers instead of the cupboards. They tend to travel better and are within reach for all ages. Use overhead cupboards for the things you don't use as often or you want to keep out of reach of curious kids.

8. Newspaper rack for 'all of the thingamajigs'

If you're looking for the perfect solution to store iPads, magazines, school work, holiday park maps and tourist maps, then you want a newspaper/ magazine rack. IKEA sell a wall hung magazine rack made with durable steel. IKEA Kvissle Newspaper Rack.

9. Use natural materials for a more relaxed look.

Sometimes it's just really nice to walk into your caravan and see something you know is handmade with love right here in Australia. These seagrass triple storage pockets are really versatile and and can be hung anywhere you want. Use our 10% off discount code - LAPPINGOZ10 - for everything from Flo & Co Trading.

10. Use the microwave as an extra cupboard.

You can use the microwave to store pantry items such as bread, wraps, cruskits, potato chips and eggs.

11. Utilise 'dead space' in your caravan.

You can use portable pantry shelves and fix magazine holders inside cupboard doors for your food wraps and foils.

12. Customise your drawer space.

Drawer dividers will help stop unnecessary movement while travelling. They can also help prevent breakages and keep your things in order.

13. Dish draining mats.

Dish draining mats are really perfect for a caravan. They soak up any excess water, prevent water running along the bench top and are quick drying. And because they are flat, they are easier to store than a traditional drying rack.

14. Have emergency essentials in a convenient location.

Torches, First Aid kits, Fire extinguishers and caravan keys should ALL be near the door.

15. Ditch knife blocks.

Magnetic knife racks are my favourite caravan storage hack. Knife blocks are an unnecessary weight to pack when caravanning. Storing knives in drawers can make them blunt and its dangerous if you have young kids.  Placing the rack close to the food preparation bench top is the best option.

16. Use magnetic knife racks for other things.

Think outside the box and use knife racks for other utensils. If you have the wall space, why not use two racks? One for your knife set the second one for other utensils such as tongs, can openers and egg flippers. You could even pop your keys here.

17. Macrame wall hanger for hats.

Keep Akubras and Fedora hats safe and in shape by using a macrame hat hanger from eBay.

18. Use peg boards.

Place them on the side of cabinets, use along the kitchen to hang cooking utensils or place inside the tunnel boot to hang brooms, drills and hand tools. You can paint peg boards (available from eBay) to compliment your styling.

Photo credit: Pinterest

19. Store bits and bobs together under the sink.

Keep dishwashing liquid, bin bags, mozzie coils, sunscreen, and insect repellent together in easy grab containers. I have tried a few types and have found the Sockerbit box from IKEA is the one for me. With a higher rear than the front, everything is easy to see yet holds in place while travelling.

20. Pool noodles ( not just for the holiday park pool! )

Wrap pool noodles around exposed pipes and hoses underneath the van. Use cable ties to keep in place. It could save you a tonne of grief from losing all your water when travelling on outback roads. They can also be used on the awning poles so it doesn't hurt as much if you walk into them.

21. Over the door towel racks.

Create more hanging space in the ensuite with the Kmart over the door towel rack.

22. Attach towel rails to the undersides of overhead cabinets.

Hang small baskets for storage and you could also use S hooks for utensils over the kitchen bench.

Photo credit: @monathemillard / Instagram.

23. Tuck away the awning strap.

The Navigator Awning strap buddy tucks away your loose and flappy awning strap. Its great for getting rid of that unwanted look of your strap wrapped multiple times around the post or making noise on windy nights.

24. Add extra storage on the walls.

For something a little more earthy and natural, rattan shelving is so popular and the trend will be around for while yet. Rattan works so well for the ultimate vintage look. I'm loving simple designs like the Kmart rattan wall shelf.

25. Customise space behind the seats.

If this is not the most brilliant wine storage idea for a caravan, then I don't know what is?!  Mellowyellow_78 on Instagram is the creative genius for this one.

26. Use air space under the overhead cabinets to store easily bruised fruit.

Hanging macrame fruit hammocks like this one from eBay, are a clever way to free up bench space. Hammocks are great for preserving the life of bananas, pears and other fruits that bruise more easily.

27. Suction cup hooks.

There are lots of types of suction hook products. Utilize different sizes for different purposes. There are plenty of hooks, baskets, towel rails, toilet roll holders and toothbrush holders on the market. While there can be mixed reviews for suction hooks suitable for caravans, Fusion Loc seem to be the most reliable and popular.  Fusion Loc hooks available from eBay.

28. Store everyday items outside and above the ground away from wild animals and insects.

Keep your things off the ground with an outdoor storage buddy from Navigator. You can keep your essentials like sunscreen and caps handy and you could even store fun games like cards, dominos and Uno. There's extra pockets on the rear for maps and sunglasses too.

29. Custom shelves in your biggest cupboard.

If your desperate for more room for clothing, you can ditch the hanging space and add more shelves in the clothing cupboard. This is the easiest solution to creating more space. You'll fit at least triple the amount with shelving compared to a hanging wardrobe. Creating custom shelving was the first caravan modification that we made on our van.

30. Shoe holders.

Whether you buy a hanging one or construct one using wood and jockey straps, shoe holders can free up cupboard and floor space.

31. Slim bed pockets.

These are so handy and work especially well with caravan bunks. They are not overly bulky. Kids can store and organise their special things. IKEA Stickat bed pocket.

32. Blackboards or white boards.

You can use the boards for communicating, drawing, writing down the boom gate and toilet codes. Our blackboard was painted onto our clothing cupboard but you just as easily buy one ready made. We've used our black board for writing down the names of the people we have just met, recommendations for places to visit and schooling the kids.

33. Storage baskets.

Useful for keeping often used items within easy reach. From torches, beach gear, toys, socks, undies, potatoes, onions, fruit, if you can name it, storage baskets can store almost anything. Find a basket that works well with the style of your caravan.

34. Peg less clothesline.

Great for keeping on top of the washing because lets face it, the laundry follows you wherever you go! The Slide n Dry pegless clothesline is Australian made and is a great space saver.

35. Picture ledges.

These slimline shelves made for displaying photos and other small decorations work well in the narrow space of a van. You can place them along the bed wall and use it for storing mobiles, books and reading glasses. Or use one above the windows for adding decorative touches. This one pictured below is from IKEA and only weighs 900g. Check out other creative ideas for picture ledges from IKEA - 5 unexpected uses for MOSSLANDA picture ledges. The article shows images of great examples of how these ledges can be used.

36. A simple way to add LOTS of hooks.

Expandable coat & hat racks like this one from eBay.

Photo credit: alohathecaravan/ The Casa Collective.

37. See the light.

Forgot an area lantern? No worries, simply shine a head torch into a large water container and it will illuminate the area.

38. A perfect home for snorkelling gear.

Most front boots are a great space to store all your snorkelling and spearfishing gear. Items like wetsuits and rock shoes can be stored there too.

39. Netflix from your phone to the TV.

If you don't have a smart TV, you can still watch Netflix! In fact, you can connect your phone to the tv and watch anything.

Download the Netflix app onto your phone and sign in (Subscription fees do apply). Connect your phone to the tv using a HDMI cable and an adapter. For iPhones, you need the Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter -  available from eBay. Then all you need to do is select the correct input on your tv and navigate using your phone. It's also great for looking through your photos on the bigger tv screen. Such a clever hack!

40. Save the food!

Add child locks onto your fridge as an additional measure when travelling. This is an easy and cheap fix, if you're having problems with your fridge door flinging open on rough roads.

41. Combat moisture.

Leave Damp Rid canisters in areas subject to moisture and condensation. You'll be surprised how much moisture you will remove from your caravan and it will help prevent mould spores from forming. *Remember to tip out the water before moving the caravan.

42. Take mattresses out for a sun bake.

If you don't have slats, the circulation under these mattresses can be sub-optimal. Raise your mattress and allow air to flow underneath. Using fans is very helpful. You can also take your mattress outside on sunny days to help prevent the development of mould and mildew.

43. Impressive beer holder.

Not much bench space around the outdoor kitchen? This suction cup beer holder is what you need. Probs one of the most unique beer holder products in Australia!

44. Assess if you really need a microwave inside the van.

Think about how often you'll have access to power and the amount of use it will get. Removing the microwave can give you precious extra inches of storage and can potentially drop some weight from the van. You can put a stylish basket in the space instead. Attach a dowel across the front to prevent the basket from sliding out.

45. Install permanent 12v fans.

After trying a couple of portable fans we finally had a 12v fan permanently installed and it was honestly the greatest idea. Nothing beats it in terms of ease of use, noise, convenience and its ability to project a cool breeze. They are more expensive than portable options, however, Caframo Sirocco fans are worth every cent. You also free up some must need storage space when you invest in a permanent fan.

46. Leave the car wash at home.

Taking car wash products with you is a waste of space. There are car wash facilities available around the whole country that use premium products and treated water. Very few caravan parks allow car washing on sites and most don't allow it at all.

47. Go vertical with extra shelves.

This Kmart two tiered shelf works well to store essentials and to display some decorations to make your caravan feel more inviting.

48. Permanently attached awning clothesline.

This is one of my most favourite caravan modification. Our caravan came with one and I didn't realise they weren't a standard accessory until chatting with other caravaners on the road. All the items you need are available at any hardware store. You can get stainless steel balustrade wire packs from Bunnings. So simple and so effective. If you don't have the DIY knowhow, pegless clotheslines are the next best thing.

49. Use collapsable camping products.

Most things are collapsable these days, like pots, colanders, washing baskets and even kettles! Check out some of these ideas from the Pop Up range, available online at outback equipment.com.au

50. Insist on midge proof mesh, everywhere.

We replaced all of our fly screen mesh with midge mesh on the door, windows and pop top windows. It was a game changer. No more midges sneaking in at dusk and dawn to wreck our day. The mesh is a premium price but worth every cent. You will thank me for this essential caravan modification.

51. Use park BBQ facilities without making a mess.

Most holiday parks have great camp kitchens and some may even have BBQ facilities. There are two things I have learnt while travelling; One, water is precious. Two, line a public BBQ with baking paper and you'll limit the amount of cleaning and scraping after your meal. So simple, yet so awesome.

52. Smart home automation for your caravan.

Check out Sparkys on the loose and their Alexa set up on their touring rig. You can ask Alexa to turn lights on and off, its pretty cool!

53. Install a permanent outdoor picnic table.

Sounds good, doesn't it? I'm pretty jealous of anyone who has one of these picnic tables. Lots of newer caravans have these as an option or you can add your own later.

54. Lanyards.

We keep our caravan keys always attached to a lanyard and they have their own designated hook inside the van. It's way easier to search for a lanyard than the actual keys. I can honestly say, the lanyard has saved many, many arguments about where the keys may be. The keys are either around someone's neck or hanging from a hook. Lanyards are easy to find and usually free.

55. Change worn out curtains yourself.

Blockout curtains cop a beating in the Australian sun and overtime the backing becomes brittle and weak. You don't need to be a expert at sewing to change the curtains yourself. Simple buy ready to hang blockout, cut the end to the desired length and hem with hemming tape. It's that easy. Read how here.

56. Essentials tool kit.

Keep a seperate small toolkit near the door for easy access. Store things like cable ties, screwdrivers, gorilla tape, Allen keys and batteries.

57. Cel Fi Go for ultimate coverage.

If you need access to the internet in remote areas, you basically only have one option for the best coverage in Australia. The Cel Fi Go is popular with full time travellers and remote farm stations.

58. 3M hooks.

Not keen on drilling permanent hooks into the walls of your van?
3M Command Hooks from eBay have plenty of options. Use them next to the door for keys, handbags, small baskets and tubs.

59. Flexi tub laundry basket.

Can be used as a laundry tub for dirty clothes and to hand wash clothing. You can also store extra food and drinks for when going to remote campsites.

60. Floor runners and mats.

Using a floor runner inside the van does help prevent excessive dirt and sand from making it into the beds. Especially if you have kids. Find a natural material like jute, which is hard wearing and easy to shake out.

61. Magnetic fly screen door curtain.

This magnetic door curtain found on eBay will close by itself and help prevent insects from invading the van. Easy to fit and remove and can be cut to preferred size.

62. Ceiling hat storage.

Use your ceiling space for custom hat storage. Use either hooks or 3M hooks to hang string parallel to the ceiling so your hats can hang suspended. You can do this in your car too, simply string two lines across the rear seat, using the hand grabs. This is one of my favourite caravan storage ideas because not all hats hang well on a wall hook and some hats are more delicate than others.

63. Store rubbish on your spare wheel.

It should go without saying that when you head into the bush, whatever you bring in must come back out. If you're looking for a way to bring out your rubbish that doesn't involve it being inside your van or the car, then spare wheel bags are the perfect solution. You want to look for one that is of durable construction and fully lined so it can be easily cleaned.

64. Macrame door fly screen.

For the boho vintage look, try a macrame fly screen. They let the breeze flow through the caravan while discouraging insects. Looks great too! I have found this great macrame artisan on Etsy. She will custom make to your desired width and height.

Photo credit: argneeds/ Etsy.com

65. Tub of water near the door.

Wash sandy or muddy feet off before going inside the caravan. You'll save your sanity and keep the interior of the caravan cleaner for longer.

66. Bike racks.

Bikes are one of those things that some people are unsure if they should bring them. I say definitely take your bikes! These days there are bike carrier options that work well on the rear of caravans.

67. Protect the glass microwave plate on rough journeys.

If you've been caravanning for a while, you've either experienced a shattered microwave plate or know someone who has. The Navigator  microwave dish cover is padded and will protect the glass while travelling.

68. Remove the TV & play movies anywhere with a portable movie projector.

Watch a movie with camp friends with a portable movie projector. It's the ultimate cinema under the stars experience. Just grab a white sheet and hang it on the side of the van and it's an instant movie night.

69. Undershelf storage baskets.

Add extra storage by adding a simple under shelf basket like this one from eBay. Great for clearing up bench space.

70. Use spice racks for bathroom storage.

The Bekvam spice rack from IKEA can be painted to match your style and used in the bathroom to store all your bathroom supplies off the wet floor.

71. Caddy bed storage.

Another nifty storage idea is to use a caddy storage pocket like this one from eBay, next to the main bed. Store phones, book and glasses within easy reach.

72. Use velcro to hang remotes.

Keep your tv remote out of the drawer and off the bench top by using velcro to attach it to the wall nearby.

73. Storage net right near the door.

Ideal for wallets, phones, keys, insect repellant or any other items that need to be placed away. Rubber elastic nets are tough and easy to clean.

74. Sand free towels.

You'll save HEAPS of space by switching to sand free towels. There are lots of brands on the market but we have a Tesalate towel (featured on the left) and it's been awesome. The double sized towel uses the same space as a standard beach towel but dries faster and can double as a picnic blanket and tablecloth. In my humble opinion they are worth the money. Read my review on the blog.

75. Soap dispensers for the bathroom.

Get shampoo, conditioner and body wash off the floor with soap dispensers. Don't just stop in the bathroom though, they can also be used for dishwashing liquid and hand wash in the kitchen area.

76. Tough toiletry box.

A robust, portable way to carry all your makeup and skincare essentials with the IKEA Saxborga storage box.

77. Hang small items with a compact airer.

This one from Kmart can hang 16 pairs of socks!

78. Use the locking bars on expander style caravans as extra hanging space.

79. Use stick on mirrors.

Place them anywhere you want to give the appearance of more space. Honeycomb inspired stick on mirror from IKEA.

80. BBQ Arm for the Weber / Ziggy.

This nifty arm can be attached to your draw bar, creating a spot for your BBQ.

81. Aluminium folding caravan step.

Legs are foldable for travel, saving precious space. The Coast folding step features non slip strips for safety.

82. Use plant hangers to free up bench space.

Photo credit: @Sadie_the_sandrover /Instagram.

83. What will they think of next? Ceiling fans for caravans of course!

This ceiling fan is designed to run off 12v and comes standard with a 3m lead. A great addition for under the awning and inside the van. Available online from outbackequipment.com.au

If you're looking for more caravan storage ideas and inspiration, you can check out my other blog articles: