12 RV Renovation Projects to Tackle Over the Winter

Winter is coming. For many, that means it’s time to winterize the RV and put it in storage. For full timers like myself, it means it’s time to head south and sit still for a few months. Either way, you are likely looking at a slower season with less traveling and a lot more free time. Why not fill that free time by improving your RV?

By tackling some of those RV projects you’ve been putting off during the cold months, you can ensure that your rig is in tip-top shape and ready to hit the road once spring rolls around. 

Not sure what kinds of renovations to make to your RV? Here are my favorite ideas. 

Quick and Easy Changes

Let’s start with some of the easiest ways you can make big renovations to your RV. These projects can be done in just an hour or two, meaning you can do one each time you stop by to check on your RV in storage, or once a week if you’re living in your rig and you’ll easily have them all done by the end of the winter. 

Add a Backsplash

Probably the quickest way to make a dramatic change is by putting up a backsplash using peel-and-stick tile. This stuff is incredibly easy to work with and truly only requires a pair of scissors. Cut it to the right size and put it up behind your kitchen sink, stove, and/or bathroom sink for a whole new look. 

Change Out the Shower Head

Speaking of the bathroom, another easy upgrade you can make is getting rid of your stock shower head and replacing it with an Oxygenics shower head. This one won’t make the space look very different at all, but it will improve your RV shower experience by a lot.

These shower heads provide excellent water pressure without using an excessive amount of water, meaning your hot water will also last longer. 

Switch Hardware

Believe it or not, even a renovation as seemingly small as the hardware on your RV cabinets and drawers can make a big difference when it comes to the overall feel of your RV. Try switching out your drawer pulls and hinges for something more colorful and fun, or something more modern. Whatever it is you love, use that! 

Add Hooks

I can’t tell you how many times I have wished for a hook in a particular spot in my RV and failed to do anything about it for weeks or even months on end. The silly thing is, hanging hooks is beyond easy when you use Scotch Command products, and I love that these hooks won’t tear up your RV walls.

If you’ve been putting it off as well, use the dull winter months to hang those hooks you’ve been wishing for!

Hang Artwork

RV walls are about as boring as they come. If you have any empty walls at all, you can brighten your space and give it some character by hanging artwork.

Whether you choose to create your own wall decor, hang a painting made by your kiddo, or go thrifting for some inexpensive wall art, you’re sure to appreciate the new life that a piece of art can give an otherwise boring beige wall. 

Upgrade Window Treatments

RV walls might be boring, but some of the window treatments are downright ugly, especially the cornices you see in so many rigs. Removing those ugly cornices and putting up some new curtains or shades is a bit more involved than some of the other easy upgrades on this list, but it is a renovation you will definitely appreciate for years to come. 

Big Winter RV Upgrades

Want to make some bigger changes? Winter is the perfect time for that. If your RV is sitting in storage, you won’t be using it anyway, meaning making a mess in order to make renovations is totally okay. But really, even if you’re living in the RV, winter can be a good time to make such big upgrades if you tend to sit still during the winter months like we do. 

Replace the Flooring

I’m not gonna lie, replacing the flooring in your RV is a big project, but if you’re dealing with old, worn-out carpet or torn-up vinyl, it might be a project that you have to tackle. Fortunately, a huge number of RVers have done this project in the past, meaning you can learn from their successes and/or mistakes. 

I recommend watching as many YouTube videos as you can find on the topic. Luxury vinyl planks are the best choice for the most straightforward replacement process, as well as the best end result. 

The video below is an excellent place to start:

Paint the Walls or Cabinets

Another huge project that could be worth doing if you want to really improve the look of your RV? Painting the walls and/or cabinets. This is something you will want to give yourself plenty of time for, but if you’re sitting still for winter anyway, that shouldn’t be a problem. 

Before you paint, make sure to tape everything off and lay down a drop cloth. Some people think sanding is necessary while others claim it is totally unnecessary, but almost everyone agrees that a paint-and-primer combo is the way to go. 

The video below will help you understand the process before you dive in:

Change the Furniture

Last on my list of big RV projects: renovating or changing out the furniture. You can choose to switch your current RV furniture for more RV-specific furniture, but I don’t actually recommend doing this unless you will be using that particular piece of furniture as a place for motorhome passengers to buckle in while driving.

Instead, I recommend looking at IKEA, Big Lots, and local thrift stores to find pieces that fit into your space, function well for your needs, and express your personal style. Just make sure you carry a measuring tape while shopping so you can measure everything before buying!

At-Home Projects

Want to work on RV upgrades but don’t want to leave the house? Why not do some crafting from the comfort of your couch and use the end results in your rig? Below are some ways you can go about that, or you can try some of our RV upcycling ideas. 

Make a Rag Rug

Rugs are an excellent way to better insulate RV floors, cover stains in the carpet, and protect your floors from dirt and debris. Why not make some rag rugs for your rig while hanging around the house this winter?

Rag rugs are surprisingly easy to make and can be made for free as long as you can find enough rags to use. 

Create Wall Art

I mentioned creating your own wall art above, and the time spent hanging around your cozy home during the winter is the perfect time to do just that. You might try a step-by-step YouTube painting tutorial, framing a pretty piece of fabric or some pressed flowers, or splatter-painting a canvas. 

Get creative and see what kinds of fun wall art you can come up with!

Sew Some Pillows

Another option? Sewing up some pillows for your RV couch or bed. You can easily make throw pillows using old T-shirts or fabric remnants. If you don’t want to sew, consider using hem tape to hold the seams together.

You can make multi-functional pillows by stuffing them with winter coats, blankets, and other items that are rarely used. Use Velcro to hold the fabric shut so you can open the pillow up and retrieve these items when they are needed, and then stuff them back in and store them away on the couch or bed in between uses. 

As you can see, there are a number of RV renovation projects that can both improve your home-on-wheels and give you some ways to keep your hands busy during the cold months. Which projects will you put on your to-do list this year?