Camper-Van Conversions are the new Boeing 747s. Since the global pandemic restricted air travel, creative adventurers have been rolling up their sleeves to transform RVs into the ultimate getaway on wheels.
When you think of a camper or RV, an outdoorsy trip with the family typically comes to mind. But today’s camper conversions are more like rolling retreats that allow you to take your home anywhere the road leads.
Wanderlust souls are moving into their DIY camper conversions full-time. Outfitted with all the modern comforts and style to boot, they’re giving new meaning to Willie Nelson’s hit singalong “On The Road Again.” Fully equipped with functional kitchens, full bathrooms with showers, and comfortable Murphy beds, these campers are the epitome of form meets function.
Key Takeaways:
- The versatility of a Murphy bed makes it a great fit in these camper conversions — and you’re not limited to one style
- Furniture makers like Lori Beds craft a variety of models in different orientations and finishes
- Murphy beds’ convertible style is a great idea for living in a small space
Learn the benefits of RV wall beds and the best examples of being installed in a camper conversion.
What is an RV Murphy Bed?
When it comes to maximizing space in an RV, few solutions are as effective and stylish as the Murphy bed. Originally designed for small apartments and homes, Murphy beds have found a new niche in the world of recreational vehicles, offering RV owners the flexibility and functionality they need on the road.
If you’re into RVing, you know that space is everything. That’s why the RV Murphy bed is such a game-changer. But what exactly is an RV Murphy bed, and why should you consider one for your travels?
Think of an RV Murphy bed as a magic trick for your RV’s interior. During the day, it’s neatly tucked away against the wall or hidden in a cabinet, giving you loads of extra space. When it’s time to sleep, you simply pull it down, and voilà – a comfy bed ready for you.
Benefits of Murphy Beds for RV Travels
Named after its inventor, William Lawrence Murphy, this bed design is all about maximizing your living area without sacrificing comfort. Here are some benefits of using Murphy beds for RV travels.
1. Optimized Space
One of the biggest perks of an RV Murphy bed is that it helps you make the most of your limited space. RVs aren’t exactly known for their spacious interiors, and having a bed that folds away means you can use that area for different daily activities.
2. Increased Living Area
When you fold up your Murphy bed, you instantly free up much floor space.
Imagine being able to entertain friends, stretch out for some yoga, or simply enjoy the extra room to breathe. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in how comfortable and livable your RV feels.
3. Versatility and Multifunctionality
Many designs have integrated storage and built-in features like a sofa or desk. During the day, you might have a cozy couch or a desk to complete work. At night, those pieces transform back into your bed.
4. Improved Aesthetics
Modern Murphy beds come in various styles and finishes, so they match just about any RV interior. Whether your RV has a sleek, modern look or a more rustic charm, there’s a Murphy bed design that will fit right in.
5. Enhanced Comfort
Some people worry that a fold-away bed might not be as comfortable as a regular bed. But with today’s Murphy beds, that’s not an issue. It often comes with a high-quality mattress and sturdy frame, so you get a good night’s sleep like at home. It’s the best of both worlds – space-saving during the day and comfort at night.
Incredible Van Conversion with Murphy Bed & Creative Shower
If camper dwellings conjure visions of cramped living quarters, this video is going to blow your mind. The creators of Tiny House Giant Journey filmed this segment that will change how you see RVs.
In this video, high-end sprinter van owner Jarrod Tocci walks us through his incredible van conversion. After living in a one- van- dwelling, Tocci quickly realized he could make some improvements to add space.
Tocci’s clever design allows him to tuck away the kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and bedroom when not used, including a Murphy Bed design and a hidden shower.
Trading Rent for Life on The Road with an Ingenious Murphy Bed Design
Tiny Home Tours always delivers some of the best examples of small-space living with style. In this video, Tiny Home Tours caught up with Lauren, who dove headfirst into the van-living lifestyle and made it work for her and her pup.
Lauren was living in the Washington D.C. area, dreaming of one day owning a home, when she realized the housing market she was up against. “A bad house in a bad neighborhood started at half a million dollars,” she told Tiny Home Tours.
Instead of throwing away money on rent, she saw the opportunity for van living. And we’re glad she did. Lauren walks us through her beautifully designed and eco-friendly camper, complete with an ingenious Murphy bed storage solution in this video.
DIY Van with a Fully Bathroom & Murphy Bed
In 2018, MarIajosé and Chase knew that corporate life wasn’t in the cards. Chase was affected by a corporate restructuring and lost his job. From there, the couple decided to sell their Nashville, Tennessee, home and live life differently.
Their 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo Van, which they call Chevere, provides a cozy 91-square-feet of living space, but you’d never guess the home was less than 100-square-feet when you stepped inside.
The creative couple didn’t sacrifice their love of design when they gave up a larger floor plan. This video gives a jaw-dropping tour of their van, which is outfitted with a full-size bath and an innovative fold-up Murphy bed design.
Conversion with Indoor Shower, Off-grid Solar, & Convertible Bed
The pandemic fundamentally changed the way Sunny and Luna thought about how they’ve spent their lives together—no more putting their dreams on the back burner. It was time to make a significant change by downsizing.
Following Sunny’s dream to live life on the road, the couple transformed a Ram Promaster into their rolling home. “We are loving remote living and working from all over the U.S.,” Luna said on the couple’s YouTube channel. “This lifestyle has taught us so much, and one of the best parts about it is the community that we have found of incredibly kind and open-minded people who love exploring this planet and living life on their own terms.”
In this video, Sunny and Luna give a full tour of their sustainable van, which includes a Murphy bed, an indoor shower, and solar panels for electricity. They also document their journey and even provide DIY camper conversion plans on their website.
Artist Conversion Van with Fold Out Bed
Cargo Van Conversion is the go-to website for people who want to live their dream life on the road. In this video, they walk you through just how to install a Murphy bed in a camper — with a little extra flair.
The host installs the cabinets and gives insight into making the place homier by adding a modern oil painting with bright primary colors to contrast the glossy white bed surface when it is in an upright position.
He also plans to attach a foldable desk to the Murphy bed, with another picture to add sophistication to the interior design of the van.
Fold-Away Bed Enlarges This Well-Crafted Van Conversion
The website Treehugger highlighted this masterfully designed van conversion. The craftsmanship is top-notch because the builder, Ryan Wells, is a true woodworking pro. Ryan, who owns Rydawell Woodworks, converted his high-roofed Dodge Promaster into a portable home that he can take with him on work-related trips,
This van relies on clever convertible designs to create distinct work and rest areas within one space.
The bed, which typically hogs the most space in a tiny home, was the biggest challenge for Ryan. So, he came up with a custom Murphy bed solution to make the van ideally suited for work and rest.
Van Conversion Has a Quick-Folding Bed
Another epic van conversion featured by Treehugger is one man’s dream come true. British mechanical engineer Mark has always wanted to take a rock climbing trip across North America.
Instead of suffering the high cost of nightly hotels, Mark had a better way to spend his time and money on his nine-month adventure: sleeping in a fully outfitted camper. He transformed a nondescript white cargo van into an inexpensive home on wheels, using a combination of off-the-shelf and reclaimed materials.
Mark’s van features solar power, running water, and a fold-out bed. In this video, Mark gives us a tour of his highly functional live-in van. It’s almost hard to believe he only spent $1,000 on materials for the renovations!
Murphy beds are a fantastic solution for making a lot out of a little. That goes for traditional homes or abodes on wheels. Murphy beds are an eye-catching feature that makes any space multifunctional, whether you live in a 90-square-foot camper conversion or a 5,000-square-foot mansion.
Looking for more design inspiration? Check out the additional guides below.
