Finally! After months of searching, you've found your dream camper. Sadly, the purchase ate up all your money, and the inside of the van is anything but inviting…

Today we're giving you 5 tips on how to pull off a minimalist campervan conversion on a small budget!

Here at VanSite you'll learn:

• where to get materials cheaply

• how to work out what to build into your van

• why you can get along just fine without electrics

Go ahead and grab your cordless drill and jigsaw!

Tip 1: Cheap interior panelling

Once you've insulated your camper, you can cover the side panels you fitted earlier with fabric or paint them. Then you simply fix them back onto the walls and ceiling. That's it: a low-cost interior panelling!

Fabric is cheap and therefore perfect for a minimalist campervan conversion.

Take a look at discount renovation stores, where you'll find fabric by the metre for little money. Alternatively, ask around among friends and family whether anyone wants to part with leftover fabric.

Note: If they're too boring for you, why not try a custom look with waterproof paint!

Minimalist campervan conversion tip 2: decide on your furnishings

Before you fall back on the standard build with a bed, kitchen, cupboards and a dry separating toilet, it's worth giving some thought to your daily camping routine and your needs.

• How likely is it that you'll cook in your van and wash up dishes?

• Do you really need a toilet, or will a bucket do for emergencies?

• And does it have to be an elaborately built cupboard? Aren't a few boxes you can slide under the bed enough for your clothes?

Unsplash Image by Levi Stute |

No question: the fully kitted-out vans you see on social media are gorgeous! But a lot of campers spend a pile of money on their interior.

So think carefully about what matters most to you and which furnishings you can do without.

Tip no. 3: where do I get cheap material for the van conversion?

If your budget is almost used up, there are still plenty of ways to get hold of cheap wood and fittings.

To keep the cost of the conversion down, here are a few ideas for you:

• Check classified-ads sites (you might even find things being given away for free)

• upcycle old furniture from your home or reuse individual parts (e.g. shelf boards)

• look for enamel basins and wood in old attics

• buy cheap clearance items at DIY stores

• rummage through bulky waste left on the street

• reuse old pallets (e.g. for the bed frame)

With good tools, you can rework the treasures you've found so they fit your camper perfectly.

Minimalist campervan conversion: cheap alternatives

Once you've gathered enough material, it's time for the build.

Expensive systems for securing your load, an oiled worktop for the kitchen and soft-close drawers probably aren't within your budget.

Unsplash Image by Clay Banks |

But that doesn't matter, because there are very good alternatives you can use for your DIY campervan conversion:

• Simple brackets and slide bolts are easy to fit and securely hold your camping gear reliably.

• Instead of a worktop, a chipboard panel covered with an oilcloth will do the job too.

• A water canister is mounted so that gravity replaces the pump.

• You can use quick-release fasteners to secure boxes while driving.

• Instead of complicated built-in tables, you can also use simple wall rails (fixed e.g. to the bed) and shelf supports (fixed to the tabletop).

Tip 5: simple gadgets save you the electrics

To keep the conversion costs as low as possible when it comes to power supply too, a few tricks let you do without an elaborately installed electrical system.

For example, there are battery-powered fairy lights that light up your van at night. Alternatively, you could buy magnetic LED strips that charge via a USB port.

To charge a laptop, smartphone and other small devices, a power station (from 400 W) with a solar panel is a good choice, ready whenever you need it.

There are also cheap gas cookers that need no power supply at all.

Note: Just ask the owners of your VanSite pitch whether you can share their power supply (e.g. by using a cable reel).

Here you'll find all VanSite pitches with electricity.

Unsplash Image by Tyler Lillico |

Conclusion: a minimalist campervan conversion on a low budget

To feel at home in your van, you don't need expensive material. Clearance items, old cupboards and cheap parts are perfect for turning into one-of-a-kind furnishings.

The best part: everything has a personal touch!

With a bit of creativity, your camper will reflect your personality and end up with everything you need.

With a few tricks, you can cut the electrics down to the bare essentials and save money, space and nerves!

So there you have it: have fun with your minimalist campervan conversion!