Ah, the open road, the spirit of adventure, and the undeniable allure of a home on wheels! Decorating the interior of your camper van so that it reflects your personality and style can make all the difference in feeling truly at home, wherever you are in the world! We have discussed the challenges and opportunities of wallpapering an RV in our in-depth article Mastering the art of wallpapering in camper vans, RVs and motorhomes: a comprehensive guide, which I suggest you also check out.
Having advised many customers on this topic over the years and having collected their feedback, we thought it would be a good idea to go through some of the essential DOs and DON’Ts of wallpapering your camper, RV, or mobile home. So, buckle up and take notes, your camper is about to get a serious style upgrade that's as smart as it is stylish. Let’s get rolling!
DOs
DO carefully clean the interior surfaces of your camper van
In most cases we tend not to wallpaper the interiors of our RVs the moment they are delivered brand-new out of the factory. Your beloved camper van has very likely already seen plenty of use and adventures over the years. Along with unforgettable memories, its interiors have accumulated dirt and grime. All those cooked meals and family evenings have left a coat of oily residue that needs to be removed before you get started with your wallpapering project if you want to ensure a long-lasting result. So make sure you scrub it thoroughly with cleaning agents appropriate to each surface and wait until fully dry.
DO consider the different surface materials
Taking about surfaces, the interior of your camper van will very likely feature a variety of different materials, ranging from wood to fiberglass and a variety of laminates. They serve different purposes in different sections of your RV, and each will react differently to the wallpaper adhesive. When it comes to the wallpapering process, each surface will need to be treated differently.
- Metal
If you are dealing with metal surfaces you might want to use a rust-inhibiting primer, as well as applying a thin layer of adhesive to ensure a smooth and secure bond. - Wood and plywood
Carefully check the surface and deal with any imperfections before applying a primer-sealer. This is a required step to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture from the adhesive, which can cause warping or air bubbles. - Fiberglass and laminates
These materials are non-porous, so a primer doesn’t help much as it won’t stick to this type of surface. Dispersion glue - an adhesive promoter added to standard wallpaper paste to enhance the bonding strength - needs to be used in these cases. Please bear in mind that, as dispersion glue is much stronger than normal wallpapering paste, removing the wallpaper in the future might be a tricky endeavour.
DO think of light-reflective surfaces and patterns
In the confined spaces of a camper or RV, optimising every element to enhance the perception of space and light is key. This is particularly true when it comes to choosing a wallpaper, as light-reflective surfaces and patterns play an important role in amplifying natural and artificial light, making interiors feel more spacious and open. A wallpaper with a glossy or semi-gloss sheen can act like a mirror, diffusing light throughout the space, effectively brightening the area and reducing the need for additional lighting fixtures. This not only conserves energy but also improves the overall ambiance, making the environment more pleasant during extended travel. Carefully consider its placement and orientation relative to light sources like windows to maximise these effects, especially if you plan long stationary periods during your RV trips.
When choosing a pattern, favour those that are subtle and in light hues as they maximise the level of light reflection but also help avoid visual clutter that can make confined spaces feel even smaller. Textures or small-scale patterns are preferable, as they add depth without overwhelming the senses.
DO properly measure spaces and plan cutting in advance
Regardless of whether you picked an expensive wallpaper or not, nobody likes to throw away money. Accurate measurements and strategic cutting are always vital in order to minimise waste and ensure patterns align correctly. In the cosy confines of a camper where every cm and every corner counts, this is even more important. Before you as much as think about slicing into your beautiful new wallpaper, you need to arm yourself with accurate measurements of every wall, nook and cranny. Remember: camper walls aren’t always straight or perfectly flat.
Check for bulges, indentations, and anything else that might throw off your wallpaper alignment. Measure each wall at multiple points (top, middle, and bottom) to ensure you’re prepared for any variances. Keep a detailed log of all measurements, noting specifics about where and why certain measurements might vary. Here are a couple of valuable tips based on our own experience:
- Create templates
For tricky areas, e.g. around windows, doors, and built-in furniture, it’s a good idea to create paper templates first. These can be used for tracing on your wallpaper, ensuring a perfect fit before you make the first cut. - Plan for patterns
If your wallpaper has a pattern, plan how it will align at corners and edges. This might mean more upfront waste, but the end result will look seamless and professional.
DO use adhesives that can handle thermal expansion and contraction
From the heat of Mediterranean summers to long months stored outside in cold winter nights, the interior of your camper van is likely to experience a far wider range of temperatures than an average room in your house. Understanding the mechanics of these changes and their impact on wallpaper will guide you to make informed choices that ensure durability and aesthetic integrity:
- Thermal expansion
As temperatures rise, both the wallpaper and the wall substrates can expand. If the adhesive lacks sufficient flexibility, it may fail, resulting in bubbling or peeling off. - Thermal contraction
In colder weather, materials tend to shrink. An adhesive that does not contract at a similar rate or adhere properly despite these changes may lead to the wallpaper detaching from the wall surface.
Given the unique environmental conditions your RV will face, picking an adhesive that can withstand significant temperature ranges is a must. Always try to use high quality, high-performance adhesives and liners designed for thermal expansion and contraction. These can be found in specialist stores. If unsure, ask your wallpaper supplier before making a purchase.
DO allow sufficient drying and curing time
Always an important step that must not be overlooked if you want to prevent bubbling and peeling later on, the process of drying and curing your wallpaper appropriately is even more crucial when it’s installed in a camper van or RV, as the process allows the adhesive to adequately bond with the wall surface. Drying generally refers to the evaporation of solvents or water from the adhesive, which can occur relatively quickly. Curing, however, is a chemical process where the adhesive reaches its maximum bonding strength, and this can take considerably longer depending on the adhesive type and the environmental conditions. High humidity or cooler temperatures in your camper van can therefore prolong the drying and curing process, necessitating longer waiting times before the wallpaper is fully set. If possible, it’s a good idea to star your RV redecoration project in early autumn or late spring, avoiding harsh temperatures that might expand or contract the camper surfaces which will affect the final result. When conditions are less than ideal, such as in high humidity or lower temperatures, it is advisable to extend the drying and curing times beyond the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure complete readiness of the surfaces. Remember: If the wall preparation includes applying a layer of primer or paint, it is imperative to ensure these layers are completely dry and fully cured before proceeding with the wallpaper installation. Applying wallpaper over a surface that has not fully dried can trap moisture, leading to adhesive failure and damage to both the wallpaper and the wall!
DON’Ts
DON’T use inflexible and rigid wallpaper models
Not all wallpaper models are suitable for camper vans and RVs. Make sure that you don’t opt for inflexible or rigid models. As your vehicle moves, vibrations are transferred to the walls - and anything attached to them. Rigid wallpapers are not designed to absorb or move with these vibrations and as a result they can tear or separate from the wall. As mentioned above, remember that the interior of a mobile home can experience significant temperature fluctuations, particularly when moving between climates or when the vehicle is not in use. Materials that are inflexible will not be able to expand and contract sufficiently to accommodate these temperature changes.
Choose flexible, lightweight materials like non-woven wallpaper or vinyl coated varieties that can withstand these conditions without compromising the wallpaper’s integrity. If in doubt do not hesitate to contact the seller and ask for advice on this matter before making a purchase.
DON’T choose large or striped patterns
If you're pondering giving your beloved camper a dazzling makeover with some bold wallpaper choices, here’s a word to the wise: Steer clear of large or striped patterns. Now, I know what you might be thinking: "But they look so good in my friend’s apartment!" While this is undoubtedly true, you need to bear in mind that your camper is not a large, static apartment, but rather a dynamic, cosy little world on wheels with its own set of rules.
- The trouble with large patterns
Large patterns can overwhelm a confined space like a camper van or RV, making it feel more cramped than it actually is. It’s like trying to fit a mural of the Sistine Chapel into your wardrobe - impressive, but impractical. Instead of creating a statement, you end up shouting into a visual echo chamber where the beauty of the design loses its charm in the cramped quarters. Furthermore, aligning large patterns across corners and around the built-in fixtures typical for camper interiors leads to increased wastage and potential mismatches, potentially turning your wallpapering project into quite an ordeal. - Stripes and their deceptive nature
While the simplicity and elegance of stripes might be tempting, introducing them in a camper van design can be a challenge. The issue with stripes in an RV is not about taste but geometry. Campers and RVs are characterised by curved walls and quirky angles that can make even the straightest stripes look like a funhouse mirror. Even if you manage near-perfect application, the moment your camper takes on a bumpy road or a surface slightly shifts with use, those lines could end up looking more zigzag than you ever wanted them to.
It’s always a good idea to opt for smaller, more subtle patterns that contribute to a sense of space without dominating the interior design.
DON’T pick a wallpaper with a weak light resistance
While we understand that your RV interior redesign should follow your taste preferences and make a statement about your style, it’s important to pay attention to all those technical specifications in the details of the wallpaper model you plan to select. For example, the level of lightfastness is not just a fancy term but should be an essential factor in the selection process. Camper vans and RVs tend to be exposed to far more sunlight than your average living room. Their windows also offer less-than-optimal UV protection, so the interior receives plenty of light exposure. If the wallpaper you picked offers about as much light resistance as a vampire at an all-day beach party, it might end up fading faster than expected. Light resistance in wallpaper is based on scales that measure how well the colours can stand up to sunlight, so always look for terms like "excellent lightfastness" or the highest ranking of the scale.
Conclusion
Wallpapering your camper, RV, or mobile home is an excellent opportunity to infuse your personal style into a space that needs to be as functional as it is welcoming. Successfully navigating these types of projects requires more than just aesthetic intuition; it demands a thorough understanding of the materials, environment, and techniques specific to mobile living spaces. Take the time to “measure twice and cut once”, allow ample drying and curing time for adhesives, and select designs that complement the unique character of your camper van. We are confident that by following the DOs and DON’Ts outlined in this guide you will be well equipped to make informed decisions that ensure the durability and beauty of your wallpaper, no matter where the road takes you.