DIY Storage Upgrades for Van Builds: Smart Ways to Save Space
Space disappears fast inside a van. Once you start loading in camping gear, food bins, bedding, and day-to-day essentials, it becomes obvious that storage isn't just a "nice upgrade"; it's what makes your van functional. The good news? You don't need a full custom build or a garage full of tools to make a van feel organized. A few smart DIY upgrades, paired with modular furniture that's actually designed for small spaces, can completely transform your setup. Below are the most effective, beginner-friendly ways to maximize storage in any van build, from weekenders to full-timers, using simple systems that keep your layout clean and usable.
Start With the Big Three: Bed, Gear, and Galley
A functional van layout begins with the essentials: where you sleep, how you store your gear, and where the everyday items live.
For most van builds, a dedicated sleeping system with storage underneath is the most essential upgrade. A platform or futon-style bed gives you a raised surface to sleep on while turning the lower half of your van into a gear garage. This is where Camp N Car's Frontier Futon fits in naturally. It works as both a couch and a bed, opens up floor space during the day, and creates clean, accessible storage underneath, a massive advantage for tight builds.
If you're working with a micro-camper, minivan, or crossover instead of a full van, the Trunk Bunk fills the same need on a smaller footprint. But for vans, the Frontier Futon is the appropriate system and integrates well into compact layouts without eating the entire interior.
Use Vertical Space First
Floor space is limited, but walls and ceiling space are not. Vertical storage is where your build starts to feel organized rather than cluttered.
Some of the best, easiest DIY upgrades include:
• Ceiling cargo nets for soft items like jackets and towels
• L-Track on the walls for hooks, straps, and modular gear storage
• Mesh pockets for quick-grab items
• Hooks and magnetic mounts for utensils, mugs, headlamps, and keys
For a more structured solution, Camp N Car's Van Shelf fits snugly against the wall without encroaching on your walkway. It's sized for camping bins, cook kits, dry goods, and clothing — basically all the stuff that ends up rolling around if it doesn't have a home. Once you get a shelf in place, the whole van feels calmer and easier to move through.
Build Around Bins and Modular Containers
Bins are the secret to good van organization. They're cheap, durable, and easy to rearrange for the season or a trip.
A simple packing strategy:
• Choose two or three bin sizes and stick with them
• Label each bin so you always know what's inside
• Build your storage around the bins, not the other way around
Add a Folding or Sliding Work Surface
You don't need a built-in kitchen to have a functional cooking setup. A simple folding or sliding work surface changes everything.
Two popular DIY options:
- A folding wall-mounted table — great for meal prep, laptop work, or gear sorting.
- A slide-out table under your platform bed — easy to add beneath the Pioneer Platform, turning the rear of your van into an outdoor kitchen.
These minor upgrades make van life feel more dialed without taking up permanent interior space.
Don't Forget the Doors
Your rear and side doors are prime real estate for storage, and most people overlook them.
A few quick wins:
• MOLLE panels for tools, recovery gear, or first-aid kits
• Soft door-mounted organizers for toiletries or cooking utensils
• Mesh pockets for shoes (one of the biggest clutter culprits)
These additions keep your essentials accessible when the doors are open and out of sight when they're closed.
Use Soft Storage for Flexibility
Hard storage is durable but bulky. Soft storage allows your van to flex with your trips.
Helpful soft storage ideas:
• Compression sacks for camping gear
• Roll-down side pouches for clothing or accessories
• Rooftop soft bags for seasonal equipment
• Hanging organizers trimmed to size
These systems expand when you need them and disappear when you don't.
Anchor Your Build With Modular Furniture
Many DIYers want a setup that can adapt as their lives change. That's the advantage of modular furniture: nothing is permanent, and everything is easy to move or remove. Our Trunk Bunk, Frontier Futon, and Van Shelf are designed with that in mind. You can start with a simple bed platform, add shelving later, rearrange your interior for ski season, then revert to a summer layout, all without rebuilding from scratch. For weekenders, road-trippers, and anyone who camps out of different vehicles over the years, this flexibility is worth its weight in gold.
Storage is the difference between a cramped van and a comfortable one. With a few smart upgrades and modular pieces that make the most of your space, any rig can feel organized, livable, and ready for the next trip.
If you want to streamline your build, explore Camp N Car's modular systems, designed for real use, built in the PNW and beyond, and ready to drop into almost any van or adventure vehicle.
