We have another amazing DIY transformation to share – this time, Katie Dolphin’s stunning renovation of an old pre-owned caravan.
A DIY renovation offers a brilliant way of transforming your tourer into the van of your dreams, giving you control over the interiors and saving you a fortune in the process.
The caravan was bought for £1,000, and as the work – which was carried out during the first lockdown – progressed, it was transformed from a tired looking van into a modern tourer.
The project, which cost a further £1,000, was completed with a combination of Frenchic paint and accessories that were bought from Asda and Facebook Marketplace.
Katie purchased Frenchic paint in Wolf Whistle to use on the walls and cupboards, but chose to use Stormzy on the kitchen cupboards to provide a dash of colour. Dusky Blush was used to create a blackboard for the kids to use on one of the walls, with Blackjack added to the worktops and taps.
To give the yellow kitchen sink a new lease of life, white enamel spray was used, while sticky back tiles were added to complete the refresh of the kitchen area.
The seats were successfully recovered, with a friend carrying out the work for £400 – the curtains were transformed for £200.
It’s worth having a look on Facebook Marketplace for bargains too, as Katie managed to find a carpet for free on the popular online destination.
Supermarkets often have some great deals on offer as well and it’s no different at Asda – cushions and accessories were found online to provide the ideal finishing touch to the interior.
Commenting on the project, Katie said: “The cost of a caravan done up nicely would normally cost over double.”
“I think you’d have to spend between £4,000 and £5,000 for a caravan with newly decorated seat coverings, curtains, carpets and all newly painted.”
“The kids are so excited about holidays in it and love the idea of the chalkboard.”
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said: “It’s always tempting to buy something swanky and new, but as Katie’s caravan project shows, it’s definitely not the most cost-effective way forward.”
“Instead, buying second-hand – whether furniture, clothes or caravans – and then using your creative talents to upcycle it – is affordable, eco-friendly and can save you thousands!”
Are you looking for a great used towing vehicle to go with your caravan? If so, our guide to the best used tow cars will be the ideal place to start. You can also head to our caravan DIY guide, where we reveal the jobs you can tackle throughout the year to make sure your van stays in pristine condition.
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of practicalcaravan.com, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects.
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The cost of a caravan done up nicely would normally cost over double.
