Caravan storage hacks: Smart shelving and shoe storage ideas

Optimising your caravan storage requires a mix of lightweight shelving, dedicated shoe storage solutions, and high-quality suction accessories to reclaim vertical wall space. These proven caravan storage hacks focus on using affordable items from retailers like Bunnings and BCF to create a custom, rattle-free setup that survives the roughest Australian tracks.

I reckon no matter what caravan or camper you buy, storage is never perfect. Optimising that available space is a constant challenge, especially when you’re trying to keep your payload under control. The guys at Korker Adventures have shared some of their best ideas to make a compact space feel like a palace. If you’re tired of digging through cupboards, here are the caravan storage hacks you need to know.

Smart caravan shelving and cabinet hacks

One of the biggest frustrations in a standard van layout is deep, empty cupboards that end up becoming ‘black holes’ for gear. To fix this, we turned to some clever caravan shelving solutions.

We’ve used adjustable width, collapsible wire shelves from Bunnings and a couple of fixed height shelves from discount stores. The Practa Solutions expandable shelf stacker is a popular choice because it lets you double your storage surface without drilling a single hole. These are among the most effective caravan storage hacks for kitchen pantries.

Hot Tip: If you have a specific odd-shaped cupboard, you can build in extra fixed shelving using core flute roofing sheets. It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to cut to size.

Solving the caravan shoe storage struggle

If there is one thing that can clutter up a small van faster than anything else, it’s footwear. Finding effective shoe storage for caravans usually involves getting them off the floor and out of the entryway.

Initially, we used sturdy storage boxes that were rated to 100kg, serving as both caravan shoe storage and extra seating. However, we recently changed this to shoe pockets from Ikea fastened to the front of the dinette base. This simple hack gained us significant floor space in our compact van and keeps the ‘trip hazards’ tucked away.

Bathroom and ensuite storage without the drill

Whether you have a full ensuite or a combo, adding RV bathroom organisation without drilling into the walls is a must for preserving your van’s resale value. We wasted a lot of money on cheap suction accessories that failed on rough roads before discovering the Fusion-Loc range.

These accessories use a vacuum seal and haven’t budged, even on the corrugated Oodnadatta Track. We also replaced the heavy metal shower hose with a silver rubber one. It doesn’t mark the walls and stays put during transit, meaning you don’t have to put the showerhead on the floor every time you move camp. These caravan storage hacks keep your bathroom tidy and rattle-free.

Kitchen organisation: Containers and nesting cookware

For the kitchen, clear caravan storage containers are your best friend. They allow you to see exactly what’s in the fridge or pantry at a glance. For eggs, we recommend using clear plastic hunting containers (the ones made for Easter eggs)—we found that standard camping egg containers actually cracked our eggs on bumpy roads!

When it comes to pots and pans, Wanderer nesting cookware from BCF is a top pick for saving space. We also suggest lining all your cupboards with rubber drawer liners to prevent sliding and rattles.

The ‘snobby’ coffee and happy hour setup

While some might call it overkill, we have a dedicated cupboard for coffee and tea. We use a Wacaco minipresso for off-grid mornings. It’s a bit of a workout for the hands, but the crema is worth it. This is one of our favourite caravan storage hacks for keeping the morning ritual alive on the road.

For happy hour, we’ve found wine casks are much easier to store than bottles. If you do carry spirits, use drawer separators to keep them from clinking and breaking during transit.

External storage and mobile laundry hacks

Don’t forget to look outside the van for storage opportunities. We mounted a 15-litre plastic tub in a spare gas bottle holder on the rear bumper to act as a mobile laundry. Just add water and wool wash, and let the movement of the road do the scrubbing for you!

For the entryway, we replaced our narrow factory step with a Milenco 2-tier step. It’s wider, non-slip, and stores upside down in the footwell while travelling.

The Verdict

There are so many great ways to optimise storage in the compact spaces offered in caravans and campers. All it takes is some creative thinking and a quick trip to Bunnings or BCF. By implementing these caravan storage hacks, you can focus less on the clutter and more on the adventure. Just be mindful that every item you add affects your payload, so always seek out the lightest weight solutions possible.

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