8 Awesome Ways to Make Your Camper Feel Like Home

Nothing is more exciting than signing papers and making a travel trailer officially yours. Nonetheless, living in a camper van is a lot of responsibility.

There are things you are allowed and not allowed to do. Otherwise, you might receive a ticket for illegal parking or clogging your RV toilet. But more than that, you should make your campervan feel like home.

After all, you still deserve to have a place where you can dine and sleep in peace.

These eight easy-to-do tips can ensure that you can create a relaxing and enjoyable space in your RV.

Change the Bed Mattress or Add a Topper

Here's the thing: You will still need a decent night's sleep whether you live in a house, an apartment, or an RV. As such, consider whether there is enough sleeping space in your camper or not.

And if you do, consider whether you will be comfortable with it or not.

Some full-time RVers would often take their mattress from home and place it in their camper van. Some would have their sleeping space and bed customized.

But if you are pressed for budget, and there is no way you can fit your mattress at home in your RV, consider purchasing a topper. Doing so will ensure that you have a cozy and comfortable bedroom in your camper van.

Add an Ottoman

Living in an RV means you have limited space. And if you want to live in it full-time, you have to be smart with how you will utilize them.

As such, multipurpose furniture pieces, like an ottoman, can come in handy.

For one, an ottoman is a smart storage solution. It allows you to keep your belongings without having to worry about where you will place another closet or shelving.

On the other hand, your ottoman serves as a chair when not in use. This means that you have another sitting area in your living room in case you need one.

Decorate With Pillows, Blankets, and Rugs

Nothing can make any space feel like home better than a throw pillow on a couch, a rug on the floor, and some blankets.

The best part? They serve a dual purpose if you live in a camper van.

You can use the throw pillows as your head pillows when it is time to doze off. And get cozied up with the blanket. You can also use the blanket to cover some areas of your RV for privacy without occupying too much space.

The same thing goes with your rug, aside from the fact that it can help distinguish different areas in your camper van.

Hang Some Smart Wall Décor

Just because you live in a camper van does not mean you cannot decorate the walls. If anything, your walls can also serve as a smart storage solution.

Thus, it is recommended that you hang some smart wall décor.

For instance, a framed family photo happens to hide a small opening where you place your safe and secure your money while traveling. Another example would be organizers that you can hang and add a pop of color to your wall.

Use Curtains Instead of Valances

You may have realized how being innovative in your decoration is integral when living in a camper van. Hence, it would be ideal to get rid of the valances on your window.

For one, valances take some precious wall space. Another reason is that they are blocking your window, brightening up your RV.

Instead, it would be best to let your windows be and hang some curtains. You can also opt to hang some blackout curtains for privacy and ensure a good night's sleep.

Have the Comforts of Your Home

Of course, the best way to make living in an RV comfortable is to bring the items that make you feel comfortable.

It can be your slippers, your favorite mug, and your coffee maker. What's important is you can store these items in a way that will not look cluttered. Doing so allows you to turn your camper van into a space you would love to be in.

You do not need to give up the simple pleasures of life just because you have limited space. What's important is that you are smart about it.

Utilize the Outdoors

Surprisingly, your living space is not limited within your RV. If you are in the national park that allows camper vans, for example, you can extend your living space outside.

Get yourself a gazebo tent, set your dining table and chairs, and enjoy your meal while checking out the view. You can also use this space to stretch out, as living in a camper van means that you are often cramped up.

If you feel like basking under the sun, fold your dining table and chairs and bring out your zero-gravity chair instead. That way, you can sit and chill in your RV.

Always Keep it Clean and Organized

Often, the mess that we have is visual clutter. This can include shoes of varying sizes and colors stacked on a shelf. Another example is the mugs in the kitchen sink that you forgot to wash last night.

Clutter makes a space look smaller. Hence, you should always keep your RV clean and organized.

Spend a time of the day, like an hour before you sleep, to clean your camper van. Put everything back in its place, but the dishes in the dishwasher, and keep your tent away.

Once every week, take the time to do some general cleaning. Replace your beddings, vacuum the floor, re-organize your shelves. Doing so makes your RV cozy and homey wherever you are.

Conclusion

Whether you want to be a full-time RVer or experience an epic vacation, it is essential to make your RV feel like home.

Luckily, it does not take much to live a happy and comfortable life in a camper van. All you need is to keep these quick tips in mind

• Use multipurpose furniture pieces

• Be clever with your storage

• Make the most out of where you are parked

That and the tips listed above can make your RV feel like home.

Steps You'll Need to Take for Turning Your Basement Into Livable Space

When it comes to your home, the basement is often one of the most neglected areas. This space can be a great place for kids to play or an adult's personal man cave, but you need to take action in order to make it livable. Here are some steps that will help you turn your basement into a usable space:

Clean the Basement Out

Most people use their basement for storage and over the years it accumulates a bunch of junk. If you want to turn it into usable space you will need to clean it out. If you don't, there may not be enough room for furniture and other items that would make the space livable.

Dry It Out

Basements have a particular smell. That smell comes from the humidity and moisture. To make it livable, you need to dry out the area. After the basement is cleaned out you can run fans and dehumidifiers

Waterproof the Basement

Once you go through the work of cleaning out the basement and making it dry, you now need to perform basement waterproofing. This is important because if water gets into your basement from flooding there are not a lot of ways for it to escape. You will need to waterproof the basement from the inside and outside of your home. This is a step that you will want to make sure you have a professional do for you. When it rains, the surrounding water table rises. It can potentially be higher than the floor of your basement. The water may enter through a variety of outlets in an inadequately waterproofed basement. Leaks in the floor or walls might reveal the presence of water.

Install Walls and Flooring

Unless you want one large room, you will need to install walls and flooring. If you are looking for more privacy, consider installing drywall or paneling on the walls. Installing wood floors can help give your basement a homey feel while making it easier to clean up messes from playing with children while carpet will provide more cushion to protect from falls.

Install Lighting

Most people do not like to spend time in places with poor lighting. Make sure that you have a sufficient amount of lighting throughout the basement. There are many low-power LED options that simulate natural light that really makes a difference.

If you are looking to turn your basement into a liveable space, there is a lot that goes into it but it can really turn a drab space into a great hangout or bedroom. If you make sure to do these simple steps, you will be well on your way to enjoying a livable basement.

How to Save Money: Recognizing Perceived Obsolescence

Nowadays, more and more people are finding themselves trapped in the never-ending cycle of purchasing new products. As you browse through Amazon and see a shiny new set of kitchen knives, you might impulsively make the decision to hit the “buy now” button. But did you really need the new set? Or did you already have a perfectly functioning set of knives in your kitchen? This is where it becomes important to understand the cost of perceived obsolescence. 

Perceived Obsolescence: What Does It Mean?

If you’ve ever purchased a new product to replace an older, perfectly functioning product, you’ve suffered from perceived obsolescence. This is a common occurrence when it comes to cars and technology. Someone has an iPhone 12 that works fine, but they feel the need to buy an iPhone 13. Put simply, perceived obsolescence is when you feel the need to unnecessarily update products you already own. 

While it’s okay to make a new purchase every here and there, when perceived obsolescence gets out of hand it can really break the bank. The cost of constantly buying new phones, cars, kitchen appliances, and clothes can add up. 

Common Examples of Perceived Obsolescence

One of the best ways to defeat perceived obsolescence is to recognize its presence. People are particularly susceptible to obsolescence when it comes to a couple of specific industries. Here are some examples:

Sports Apparel

In the sports apparel industry, new jerseys come out every year. To support your favorite team, you have to keep buying new apparel to keep up with new players, logos, and designs. Over time, the cost of sports clothing can add up.

Technology

When it comes to tech, new products are emerging every day. Particularly, when it comes to phones, each model goes out of style within a couple of years. At this point, having the latest smartphone is a status symbol. That said, before you buy that new phone upgrade, you may want to stop and consider whether or not it's a necessary purchase.

Automotive

People experience perceived obsolescence all the time when it comes to cars. Car companies are on the constant move, designing their newest model of car to look prettier than its predecessor. As drivers start to see others driving around in new models of cars, they might feel the urge to unnecessarily upgrade. After the upgrade, however, the same thing is bound to happen again a couple of years later. 

Conclusion

While it can be difficult, the first step to resisting perceived obsolescence is to recognize it. Now that you know the industries where the phenomenon is most common, you can take steps to avoid unnecessary purchases and save money. For more information on how to defeat perceived obsolescence, check out the infographic provided below. 

First-Time Homeowner? HVAC Maintenance You Shouldn't Ignore

Did you know that your heating and air conditioning system is one of the most important features in your home? It not only provides comfort for you but also keeps your home at a comfortable temperature. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to keep up with regular HVAC maintenance when there are so many other things on our plate as homeowners. If you're new to owning a home or this is the first time you've had to think about HVAC maintenance, then this post will give you some helpful tips.

Inspect Filters Monthly

Inspecting your filters on a monthly basis is a great way to ensure that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible. These filters should be replaced every month but if you have pets or allergies, then it's recommended that they are changed more frequently. When replacing them, make sure the new filter matches the old one in size and type for best results.

Check for Mold

HVAC systems are susceptible to mold growth so it's important to check for this on a monthly basis. If you see any, then remove the source of the moisture as soon as possible before removing all visible signs of mold. You can use bleach or another type of cleaning product that won't damage your HVAC system in order to get rid of any spores left behind. Mold can cause respiratory problems, so it’s important to have professional remediation if you spot it in your home. 

Address Leaks and Cracks

Leaks and cracks in your HVAC system can affect its overall performance, which is another reason why they should be addressed as soon as possible. An inefficient system will end up costing you money on your utility bills and be less effective overall. Addressing any leaks early will also prevent mold from growing inside of the unit because moisture won't be able to escape through any leaks or holes.

Air conditioning repair can be expensive if you do not stay on top of your units. If you find leaks or cracks in your HVAC system, then contact a professional to come fix them as soon as possible. This will ensure that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible and that it's keeping you nice and comfortable at home.

Replace Air Conditioning and Heating Coils

The air conditioning and heating coils in your unit can wear down over time, so it's a good idea to have them replaced every five years. This is an important part of HVAC maintenance that should not be ignored because you never know when they'll stop working properly or fail altogether, which could end up costing you more money than they're worth. Be sure to keep a record of when tasks like this are being performed so that you can get them done on time.

HVAC maintenance is important for all homeowners, but it's especially crucial if you're a first-time homebuyer. It can be difficult to keep up with regular HVAC maintenance when there are so many other things on our plate as homeowners. But these tips should help make the process easier and more manageable. If your heating or air conditioning unit isn't functioning properly, then don't hesitate to contact an expert who will come out immediately to repair any leaks or cracks you have found in your system.