Just because you can’t paint doesn’t mean you can’t personalize your walls. “Paint may go a long way when it comes to redesigning your home, but let’s not forget about its cousins…temporary wallpaper and tiles,” says Welch.
The Guide to Renovating Your Static Caravan Walls
Caravans are a great investment for families and couples that love the freedom to holiday whenever they please. If you have a caravan or are thinking of buying a holiday caravan, there is plenty you can do to make it yours. From changing out the soft furnishings and replacing hardware to a complete renovation. In this guide to static caravan renovation, we are going to focus on how to update or refresh your static caravan walls.
In terms of decoration, the sky is the limit when it comes to your static caravan, you can paint your walls, use wallpaper or simply stick to hanging your favourite photos. With any renovation, you will want to do it properly; cleaning down surfaces and pulling out anything that will slow you down, i.e. soft furnishings and hardware (drawer/door handles, power socket facias, etc). It can be slightly chaotic trying to decorate in a small space but by doing the job thoroughly, it will look better for longer and you won’t catch yourself later on finding sections that you missed or that look untidy.
Check for Damp
When you pull everything out of your caravan for renovation, carefully check over walls, in corners and behind units for signs of damp. If you are painting or wallpapering you don’t want to simply cover up a potential issue and should find the source of the damp and fix this before you get started. Not only can damp be detrimental to your physical health but it’ll soon take over your lovely new paint or wallpaper and can leave your caravan smelling musty.
Can You Wallpaper a Static Caravan?
Absolutely! Wallpapering a caravan is just like wallpapering a domestic brick and mortar property – the biggest difference is that you are working with much less space. That’s a bonus though as you can invest in some luxury or fancy wallpaper without it costing you an excessive amount.
You can use all the same tools as you would wallpapering a house but you’ll want to take the job slowly. Patience is a virtue when it comes to wallpapering your caravan as there is going to be some tight corners and awkward sections that can cause some frustration. If you don’t fancy undertaking the task yourself, talk to a local decorator or handyman about seeking the help of professional services.
After you have cleared everything out the way, give all the walls a thorough wash down using sugar soap, getting into all the potentially neglected corners, nooks and crannies. Let the walls dry fully and then begin wallpapering as normal.
A few tips for wallpapering;
- Resealable tubs of wallpaper paste are more efficient than trying to make and store your own
- Get all your tools together before you start, you don’t want to get to the point of hanging the wallpaper and realise you don’t have a knife to cut off the excess trim
- We recommend a toolkit comprising of;
- Wallpaper
- Wallpaper paste
- Paste application brush
- Snap-blade knife or sharp scissors
- Plumb line measuring tool
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Clean, dry cloths
- A flat spacious surface for applying the paste to wallpaper (wallpapering table or equivalent)
Can You Paint Caravan Wall Boards?
Again, absolutely! Painting a caravan is possible on both interior or exterior surfaces, depending on how much of an overhaul you wish to undertake. Sometimes all that a tired looking room needs is a simple coat of paint to look fresh and updated again and a caravan is no different. The bonus of decorating the interior of your caravan is that you are normally working with a much smaller space than a brick and mortar property, helping you save both time and money.
Similar to the process for wallpapering, we recommend moving everything you can from the caravan to reduce the number of surfaces to cover and make it easier to paint. Then give your caravan a thorough clean, including using sugar soap to wash down the interior walls. Depending on the surface of your walls, you may need to give the surface a light sanding to help the paint stick better or use a primer layer, which will also assist with adhesion. You are likely to need a few coats of paint and we recommend avoiding strong-smelling paints such as gloss which can be difficult to use in small spaces with little ventilation.
If you are planning on giving everything in your caravan a fresh coat of paint, including the cupboards and doors, we recommend taking all cupboard doors off their hinges and removing drawers from their housing. Take these bits outside and paint as normal, topping up with additional layers if required. While it’s possible to paint everything in place, it’s a lot more difficult, can cause you to easily miss spots and it’s a great opportunity to clean out areas not often seen. Use some masking tape or a pencil to mark which doors and drawers go where to save you some hassle when it comes to rebuilding your caravan.
Remember to take your time, use multiple layers where necessary and inspect every corner of your caravan for missed spots or required top-ups before you start putting everything back together. The more care you put into your project and make sure everything is done correctly, the longer your overhaul is likely to look fresh and new, even for several years!
Swap your kitchen hardware
“Hands down, this is one of the best solutions for giving your kitchen a major overhaul,” says Welch. With major renovations out of the question, swapping dated hardware is an easy way to give your space a fresh look without disgruntling you landlord. If you can’t have your dream kitchen, “you can at least settle for your ideal hardware,” he says. Welch suggests checking out Rejuvenation for some chic options.
Dynasty Hardware European Bar Style Cabinet Pull
Credit: Home Depot
Amerock Golden Champagne Cabinet Pull
Credit: Home Depot
Liberty Matte Black Solid Cabinet Knob
Credit: Home Depot
Line drawers with contact paper
If your rental has had its fair share of tenants, there’s a good chance your drawers aren’t in the best condition. “As someone who has lived in my share of dated rental spaces, I know there’s nothing worse than having to store your utensils and flatware in an old, ratty, and sticky drawer,” says Welch. “I can’t help but think about the years of caked up ‘mystery goo’ that somehow always appears in the corners and bottom of drawers.”
“Mystery goo” aside, contact paper and drawer liners are an easy and quick fix to transform dingy—or just plain boring—drawers. Personalize them even more by opting for fun, graphic patterns you might not otherwise get the chance to use in the rest of your home.
Welch suggests checking out The Container Store for decorative, scented (you know, to cover up the smell of that “goo”) liners.
Customize light fixtures
Let’s face it: the basic flush-mount fixtures that are in most rentals aren’t the most design-forward pieces. While they do an adequate job of lighting a room, they can be clunky and impersonal. The good news is they’re easy to change without the help of an electrician.
But buyer beware: it might not be a good idea to drop a ton of money on a super stylish chandelier right away. “As a renter in NYC, I never want to spend a ton of money on upgrades that may not work well when it’s time to purchase my forever home. This reigns true, especially when it comes to light fixtures”, says Welch. It’s true that the cost of good lighting can add up quickly, so it’s best to opt for more affordable pieces (or try a DIY option, like this DIY starburst fixture that will seriously upgrade your already existing flush-mounts).
As designer Anthony Giancakos says, “lighting can completely transform any space.” So, if you don’t have overhead fixtures, “consider adding plug-in wall sconces to emulate a custom look.” (Here are some of our favorites!)
MIKEL WELCH
