Before and After: This Stylish RV Kitchen Is Now Impressively Spacious

Written by

Tess Wilson
Tess Wilson
After many happy years living in tiny apartments in big cities, Tess has found herself in a little house on the prairie. For real.
updated May 14, 2019
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(Image credit: Joyfully Growing)

This 2005 recreational vehicle is parked in a gorgeous spot in Oregon, but the interior wasn’t quite as dreamy. As is always the case, the RV was plagued by an overabundance of beige and brown, and the kitchen storage options didn’t really make sense for its new residents.

(Image credit: Joyfully Growing)

So much beauty in such a small space! The butcher block countertops and wood shelves add an organic warmth, the new white walls and cabinetry reflect every bit of natural light (a precious resource in any camper), and that hammered copper sink is an absolute stunner. The stainless appliances are sleek and unobtrusive, and the floor has the appearance of gorgeous hardwood with the durability of stone polymer composite. Ashley of Joyfully Growing managed to fit a full, modern kitchen into the RV, with room left over for lush plants and small personal details. Practical items like cutting boards and dishes are displayed like the lively objects they are, and it all simply works together.

(Image credit: Joyfully Growing)

As we also saw in the first photo, the upper cabinets had a definite looming quality, which is always going to be exacerbated in the small space of an RV. And that elevated spot on the left that the countertop extends above? That was built as a spot for a television of the massive variety. The appliances themselves formed a sort of block, a bulky rectangle of white.

(Image credit: Joyfully Growing)

The open shelves majorly open up the space, almost always a goal in an RV makeover. The remaining seven drawers and four cabinets offer a decent amount of storage for kitchen necessities that aren’t necessarily display-worthy or display-able. The couple is planning to keep the RV parked, so pretty bowls flying off the shelves on sharp turns isn’t a concern.

By eliminating the L-shaped counter and cabinetry, the space feels even more spacious. Before the kitchen encroached on the rest of the living space, but now it’s much more streamlined.

The dishwasher is only 18 inches wide, and creates a nice stainless steel triangle with the fridge and microwave that’s much more dynamic than the previous configuration. This particular RV has enough room to accommodate a full-size—albeit counter-depth—refrigerator and freezer. And in a stroke of high-tech genius, they chose a convection microwave, which actually bakes.

The faucet and copper sink are from Cascade Iron Co./Sinkology, the refrigerator is Samsung from Home Depot, the induction cooktop is Empava from Amazon, the dishwasher is SPT from Amazon, the backsplash is Merola from Home Depot, and the convection microwave is Whirlpool from Amazon. (Note: Joyfully Growing received free products from Sinkology, Cascade Iron Co., and Urbanfloor for this redo.)

(Image credit: Joyfully Growing)

This mirrored wall was the side of the pantry, which had a door that opened out towards the fridge. That flooring, carpet, and walls really were so very beige.

(Image credit: Joyfully Growing)

This spot, with additional storage and counter space, also serves as a nice coffee station. The trash can fits perfectly into that available room on the left and links this area with the rest of the kitchen, thanks to its stainless steel finish. The shiplap is a nice touch—much like the white hexagonal tile backsplash, it’s an excellent way to add texture without visual noise.

The white paint is Sherwin-Williams Alabaster, the cabinetry pulls are from Lowe’s, and the flooring is from Urbanfloor.

Thank you, Joyfully Growing!