Let’s not underestimate the amount of space a van has. Or for that matter, how much useful storage can be used during a van build for the ultimate van life experience.
I’ve had my van for over two years and travelled full-time in it around Australia. Throughout that time my partner and I have made some serious changes including a full van build and small fix ups. I thought it was time to go a bit more in depth on how to get the most useful van life storage options for a small space.
This is a 1999 Ford Econovan, it’s small and old but we’ve made it a cozy home that works. There’s quite a bit of equipment and everything needs to have a place. I don’t enjoy having to move things around everyday, so nearly everything has it’s own space.
This blog post is all about how to make the most out of storage in your van, no matter what size it is, these useful storage options are the best way to make a big impact when it comes to living in a small space.
To get a full visual on my van, check out my Youtube video on my van build!
Table of Contents
1. Under the Bed Drawers
I have a bed that stays in the same place all the time. When doing my van build I decided sacrificing some head space was better for storage underneath. This is the ultimate van life storage under the bed, as it’s extremely useful for large and heavy items.
I have four huge drawers under the bed and even more space on the side for large items that I don’t use often. Drawer slides are the way to go for smooth sliding of heavy loads (such as food, a fridge, a stovetop and more!).
What was most important for this was building a stable and functional bed frame. Then, installing drawer slides made the biggest impact on having drawers that move easily and hold it all. My back drawers are my kitchen area, so they have a 45L camp fridge in one.
The other drawer has a propane gas bottle, a propane stove, water jugs, and other essential kitchen equipment. The front drawers are used for my partner and I’s clothing and other gear.
2. Seat Covers with Pockets
Seat covers are an excellent way to keep your van looking clean, but also a great way to get some extra storage. There’s a lot of options for seat covers online such as eBay and Amazon.
I made my own custom ones from thrifted fabric, which have pockets for shoes, water bottles, coffee cups and more.
This is one of the most useful ways to make extra space for van life, because there’s lots of small spaces for essential daily items, like sunscreen and shoes.
Without a seat cover there might not be that option for useful storage. And when it comes to van life, it’s all about making extra storage everywhere. I keep daily items such as my toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant in one of these seat cover pockets. This way, I don’t have to go in storage for them.
3. Storage Container and Boxes
I built a custom shelving unit in my van to accommodate the most things in a small amount of space—including height, width and depth. The shelving unit is a specific height and width to fit certain storage boxes.
Boxes are the ultimate way to keep small things in a certain place, because as you van lifers know, everything moves around when driving!
My partner and I have a box each, then we share one box we call the ‘bathroom box’ it has shampoo, conditioner, hair brushes, sunscreens and more daily essentials. Elastic straps help keep the boxes in place, while making it easy to pull them out as well. And, whenever we need to use them we can just slide out the box, instead of having to reach to the back of the drawer—as we would have to without the drawers there.
At the bottom of the drawer sits large awkward propane gas tank, and two water jugs. 
Above after a plywood separation is inserted, my propane stove goes in the middle. 
Finally, the flip-up make-shift counter is the perfect (and stable) spot for cooking!
4. Different Compartments in Large Drawers
I am all for large drawers, they hold the things of all sizes and have space for more. Sometimes however, a bit of separation is necessary. This is when I appreciate a few custom fixes, so things are still accessible but fit together better. In my back large drawer, there’s two different compartments for three different uses. Things are ordered in the drawer based on the amount they’re used
On the very bottom back corner is where my propane gas tank sits (it’s a 4.5 kgs-short size), next to that are some cleaning products. In front of those are two 15L jugs, one which has a tap that sticks out through the drawer. Beside the jugs is where my pots, pans and lid stay. This is everything in the bottom section.
Note: I share one tap in between both jugs and switch them when one jug is empty.
Above is a light plywood separator. This is made up of two parts, including the back plank which is rounded inward allowing the propane tank to sit up. This way, I can open and close the tank, and the hose can come out and connect to my stove.
In this middle section sits a few plastic containers for leftover food, and my double propane stove. Finally, there’s a final section above which flips open and acts as a bench for my stove while I’m cooking. To add some design, I added a sticker wallpaper roll, which keeps the wood clean (much easier to wipe food off of).
5. Fill All the Extra Space
When I first thought of useful storage in my van, I thought of storage that’s most accessible for everyday items. However, there’s also some things you won’t use daily but are still bulky and need a home.
This is what I do with the space below my bed and beside the drawers. There’s almost no space in my van isn’t also a storage location for something!
I will say, it’s awkward to access these spaces and the things located there, I don’t use often. It can also be difficult to access the area, and I have to pull out quite a bit of stuff first.
For this reason instead of daily items here, I store seasonal and rarely used bulky items such as winter boots, hiking backpacks, rubber boots, or extra vehicle oil and windshield washer fluid. I can access this space by either pulling up my mattress, or a few small areas under the mattress.
6. Velcro is your Friend
Van life is all about usefully storing awkward items in awkward spots. And there’s nothing more awkward then long, thin, breakable items. A few I have include a kite and a fishing rod. I store these above my side door with velcro straps screwed into my wood crown molding.
Velcro is key for securing awkward items such as these in unique spots, and if the items are light enough the velcro shouldn’t move or release—especially when it’s screwed in. This could also be a way to hold or hang light things off of the ceiling. Just make sure to not put too much pressure on velcro, unless it’s meant for that.
7. Hanging Bags
What makes my kitchen area extra useful is two long hanging bags which are an arm’s reach from where I cook. I made these bags, but there’s many online to purchase which can be hung in your van.
In terms of useful van life storage, when used right hanging bags are a savour. Just make sure they don’t swing too much while driving and that the hook they’re on can handle the weight. That’s why I went with long slender bags instead of round or square.
My hanging bags hold kitchen-specific items, one is a spices bag and the other has tea and coffee, including my all my lightweight coffee gear. Bags with handles are the best way to keep to hang them securely!
8. Roof Baskets and Bags
Whether you’re low on space in the van, or need to store jerry cans, the roof is a great and safe space to store anything and everything. The first step to roof storage is generally roof bars, on top of those you can add baskets or other equipment.
There’s even equally amazing bags specifically for roof baskets that are weather-resistant and can store all kind of items. Otherwise there’s roof pods, which are other weather-proof options and more aerodynamic for driving—many also come with locks on them.
Straps are essential for storing things on the roof that aren’t otherwise strapped in, this is how I store my jerry cans with extra fuel.
9. Shelves with Different Heights
When I built a shelving unit, it came after living and travelling in my van. I knew I needed something with different heights, because that bottle of soy sauce was definitely going to drip out if it was on the side!
To build my custom shelving unit, I made sure there was all different heights of shelves for items with different heights.
This is the best option for storing food-related items such as tall bottles that would otherwise leak on their side. Even Tetrapacks of milk alternatives can get high, and it’s often more storage appropriate to store them up instead of on the side.
All in all, make sure if building or installing a shelving unit that it’s most useful with different shelving heights.
10. Hanging Pockets
Along with my super useful handmade seat cover with pockets, I also made another for the side of my shelving unit! This hangs over the top part of the shelving unit and offers multiple large pockets for things I use on a daily basis. For me this looks like magazines, my one-sentence journal, and things like hand cream.
However, hanging pockets don’t just need to be over a shelving unit, they can literally hang anywhere!
If you have stable enough curtains, there could even be some small pockets on there. It’s just good to have a spot for a few essentials like your phone, because if it does slip under the bed frame, that could be a real nightmare.
Need more van life content? Check out my eco-friendly van life tips, best way to install fairy lights and useful van life packing essentials!
