Pimp my caravan old stylie!

Lizbetty

Hi everyone!

I hope that this is in the right place, I feel like it's more old style help I'm after.

We've just bought a 1990 touring caravan to get out and about with our 2 toddlers and make some memories, and it's all exciting! We're on a really tight budget (we used his gran's inheritance money to buy it) but I would dearly love to get it a bit more cosy.

The stuff you seem to be able to buy for caravans doesn't exactly seem funky, but I know it's probably not easy to get stuff cheaply as everything is specially made for caravans! I'd love to do it all out Cath Kidston stylie (but on the cheap!) and paint the inside and maybe even outside! But there seems to be very little info about going down this route for caravans, especially on the cheap.

We're very much starting from scratch with it - it comes with a starter set but no awning, etc, it has very old cushions which I'm conscious may be a bit minging esp worrying as our kids'll be sleeping on them. We don't have the spare pots adn pans and stuff either cos I gave ours away on freecycle, lol!

All advice would be gratefully received. I have my fingers crossed that it's been done on the cheap as I'd love to get it looking more us!

Tia,
Luce

greenbee

I have had old caravans in the past, and I've found that it's a good idea to replace the cushions/mattresses, so buy new foam for those (I measured for it, then had it cut to size at a local supplier). Then make curtains/seat covers from calico & fabric remnants (add a few throw cushions to make it cozy). Make the covers removable by elasticating them all the way round. It's worth making a removable cover under the nice one so that you can take the nice ones off when converting to beds and then either adapt old sheets to fit, or just have sleeping bags on the boring underneath covers rather than the pretty ones.

I redid the floors using second-hand carpet tiles and self-adhesive vinyl tiles, and used wallpaper border to liven up the walls inside (they didn't need repainting). Try freecycle for the tiles, and pots & pans (and the fabric possibly). Painting the outside is more of a problem as you have to use special paint (avoid getting it on your skin, it doesn't come off easily :rotfl: ) and has to be done very carefully. Only do this if it needs it. If the roof leaks (common problem), use heavy duty tape such as that used for gutters etc.

Hope this helps!

bertiebots

You might get some good ideas and help from this site....its great for first time campers, loads of info on bargains and what you really need when camping. And it also has reviews on great family sites ! you can search the map to find one.... enjoy!
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/

Lizbetty

Thanks! Is it quite easy to get the foam to fit? I know that the cushions are an odd shape as they change into a mattress and pillows with the pillow bit being the back rest for the settee, I'm just a bit worried about getting the right shape, etc.

I'll have to get my mum to make the covers, she's a dab hand with the sewing machine! I'll have to watch and pick up some tips. Can't sew but probably now is a good time to learn by the sounds!

Any tips on decorating the walls inside? It's a shame that painting the outside is such a specialist job. I have visions of doing it like the Daisy Bus on Balamory (yup, our kids are both under 3..yellow with huge white Daisy's for those not in the know, lol!) but then wondered if we might not get in some sites if it was too extreme?

I have subscribed to the UK Campsite forums, I'm plucking up the courage to ask about pimping, lol! Not sure if it's everyone's cup of tea, but seeing as the caravan is a cheap one it seems worth having a go.

It's all very old lady at the mo (not in a cool way), I'm looking forward to getting it home and getting cracking. Still quite daunting though.
Luce

greenbee

I'm not quite sure why, but orange and brown tend to be popular colours for caravans!

I found a place that cut foam to size, which didn't seem to be a problem. Make sure you measure carefully. It's important to do the mattresses first. If you can't afford to do everything at once, make sure you take the old covers off and give the old foam a really good hoover. I found it was dusty and musty-smelling. If your children are small it may be worth getting some waterproof covers for their beds, just in case, as it may be difficult to get things dry if there are any accidents.

When I made the covers, I used calico to make a strong base, then something pretty over the top. Try to use fairly tough fabric on the seats, but something like gingham dress fabric works well for curtains. You can get some amazing coloured curtain linings as well! Just make sure it's all washable (calico should be washed before making up, as it shrinks), as caravans get damp and mouldy.

I don't see any problem with painting the outside, but you do need to use the right kind of paint. You can probably use spray car paint, so as long as you prepare the surface properly you can do what you like. Don't worry about what other people think - most of them (or at least their children!) will be jealous.

I got an awning for about £100 from the local paper, so keep your eyes peeled, and you may well find one for next year. Try freecycle too - there's no harm in asking, just make sure you're clear about the size you need. Then you've got somewhere to keep a few folding chairs & picnic table, plus damp stuff (it won't dry, but at least you won't be bringing it in with you!

I'm almost feeling nostalgic...

elliewild

i bought a caravan yesterday - i have no ideas about how they work and have been researching on the net. our van is also dated and its gonna have a major 'pimp' up. i'm planning on doing it in black and red. Black seats (black curtains with red flowers and cushions to match) gonna paint the inside white and the cupboards red. gonna try and do i on a mass budget - bring on the carboots!

however i am confused about what paint to use. i dont fancy wallpapering (i hate it) and the paper seems fine. but when i researched it kept talking about all different paints i'd never heard of. i was wondering if you could just use interior matt wall paint? (and maybe red gloss for wooden cupboards?) is this viable?

i think more caravans should be more modern - why stick with beige when you have an imagination?

i've also seen some black with red flowers cutlery at wilkos but whether they have plastic versions, i dont know!

welshcamper

congratulations on getting your caravan

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=8&TopicID=236808&SearchPagePosition=1&search=makeover&searchMode=phrase&searchIn=Topic&forum=8&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

here is a direct link to some makeovers on ukcs which might give you a few ideas.

valentina

And if you like shabby chic...
http://www.happylovesrosie.com/2009/08/vintage-caravan-done.html

jcr16

Wow congrats hun, how exciting. were thinking about buying a camper van ( i think thats what they called the type that is all in one, not the caravan type which you pull, i'm very techinal aren't i, :rotfl: ) as thought it be fab for family holidays and beach trips.

When my parents had a vw camper the cushions were grim, my mum took the old covers off and copied them to make new covers which would fit. i'm sure she also made two covers, bit like a pillow case, one stayed on closest to the padding and the outer one was able to remove so it could be washed. and then for the curtains again, she used the old ones as a pattern. It worked really well. and the cupboard doors they used a white gloss on them. the camper was blue, so they gave it a blue and white interior. it had an awful orange and brown one when they got it. but my dad couldn't see what was wrong with it :eek:

mum and dad had a set of plastic plates and cups to keep in there. i can't remember what cooking equpiment was in there. i was only about 10.
Once you get going it is amazing how many ideas will suddenly flow and your really enjoy pimping it , even on a tight budget.

GreyQueen

What a fantastic idea to get a touring caravan to get you and the kids out and about. Hope you have lots and lots of lovely times.

Ahem, about 20 years ago I used to run with the new age traveller set and have pimped a few caravans on the cheap.

Painting them; the best thing we found was Hammerite. They do a smooth version of their paint which is the one you want. Any DIY or hardware store will have it. Definately keep the outside of the van esp the roof WHITE or you'll discover the joys of solar gain (once painted one dark blue and it heated up like an oven. ) You'll need to give it a damned good scrub if its been stored outside and possibly a light sanding with a fine grade wet-and dry paper to help "key" the paint.

Greenbee is very right about the foam, I'd think about replacing that ASAP. It's a pig of a job to wrestle with huge chunks so get the mattress sized bits pre-cut by the supplier. If you look in the phone book for a company on a trading estate you'll likely get it at a better price than in a shop. If you have more fiddly bits to do you might want to buy the foam and cut it to size in situ. You can mark the shapes onto the foam with felt tip and cut it easily and smoothly, even in curves, with an ELECTRIC CARVING KNIFE.

I know that sounds bonkers but it's the way to do it. If you try to cut foam with scissors or any kind of knife you'll get very cross very quickly and well as a result that looks like rats chewed it.

I always found that wipable floors were a lot more sensible than carpetted ones as you'll constantly track stuff in from the outside.

Re the decor/ accesories, I know what you mean about the Cath Kidson stuff but it's not cheap, is it? Perhaps you can go looky-likey. A sucessful interior pimp of mine involved a lot of old enamel ware from bootsales in old-fashioned candy colours; teapots, plates and pans in yellows, pale blues and peppermint greens. As it'll all be under your nose, choose things you love to look at.

If you feel you must have some CK textiles, you could limit the expense by having a cushion cover or two, or perhaps buying a little fabric and inserting it as a border or motif onto plain curtains? Easy job if you've got a sewing machine, not impossible by hand either.

I'd scour the jumble sales and bootfairs and Freecycle for paint and the other bits and bobs. We equipped a whole caravan kitchen with change from a tenner at a booter in a single morning and it looked ace.

Oooohh, wish it was my caravan! Enjoy it, lots.

FatVonD

Ooh, lucky you, I love caravans!

I saw some lovely fabric in a shop the other day covered in liquorice allsorts, I'd go for something like that or why not just pick a colour scheme and buy up remnants in those colours and mix and match? (I saw an armchair upholstered in a mix of fabrics on ebay the other day that sold for hundreds!)

Is there no chance of washing the foam on a sunny day and letting it dry in the garden? If you really need to replace it I'm sure you could take the old ones along for them to use as a template.