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Good RV storage ideas can make a small motorhome feel twice as big. An RV (recreational vehicle) packs a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room into a few hundred square feet, so every cabinet, wall and corner has to work hard. When everything has a home, setting up camp is faster, packing up is easier, and fewer things fly around when you hit a pothole.
We have gathered 30 practical, mostly renter-friendly RV storage ideas, organized room by room. Most need no drilling and cost very little.
Looking for where to park your RV between trips instead? See our guide to RV storage options, costs and preparation.
Safety note: Everything you add to your RV adds weight, and loose items can become dangerous when you brake hard. Stay within your RV’s weight limits, secure items before you drive, and check your owner’s manual before drilling into walls, floors or ceilings, which can hide wiring, plumbing and propane lines. See our full disclaimer at the end of this article.
Key Takeaways
- Declutter first. The best storage idea is owning less. Bring only what you use.
- Go vertical. Walls, cabinet doors and ceilings are the most wasted space in most RVs.
- Choose things that do two jobs, like a storage ottoman or a fold-down table.
- Secure everything for travel with non-slip liners, latching bins and tension rods.
- Watch the weight. Every organizer and every item counts toward your RV’s cargo limit.
RV Storage Ideas at a Glance
| Area | Best ideas |
|---|---|
| Walls and doors | Adhesive hooks, magnetic strips, wall pockets, pegboard, over-the-door organizers |
| Furniture | Storage ottoman, fold-down table, wall-mounted desk, bed lift, convertible sofa |
| Kitchen | Nesting cookware, collapsible tools, drawer dividers, magnetic spice rack, square containers, tension rods |
| Bathroom | Suction caddies, over-the-door toiletry bag, under-sink organizer, quick-dry towels, retractable clothesline |
| Bedroom and clothes | Vacuum bags, under-bed bins, rolled clothes, hanging closet organizers, shoe organizer |
| Hidden spots | Under dinette seats, inside cabinet doors, behind steps, the cab-over bunk |
| Outside | Labeled basement bins, hitch cargo carrier, bike rack (always within weight limits) |
Start Here: Declutter and Know Your Weight Limit
1. Declutter before you organize. Empty one cabinet at a time and ask: did we use this on our last two trips? If not, it probably stays home. A good rule for full-timers is “one in, one out”: when something new comes aboard, something old leaves.
2. Know your cargo limit. Look for the yellow weight sticker, usually inside a cabinet or near the door. It lists the CCC (cargo carrying capacity): how much weight you can add, including water, food, gear and passengers. The GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is the most the whole RV is allowed to weigh when loaded. Going over these limits strains tires, brakes and suspension. If you’re not sure, weigh your loaded RV at a truck stop scale.
3. Do a seasonal rotation. Keep winter coats and summer beach gear at home, and swap them as the seasons change. Your RV only needs to carry what this season’s trips require.
Use Your Walls and Doors (Vertical Storage)
Most RVs have far more wall space than floor space. Using it keeps counters and floors clear.
4. Adhesive hooks. Strong, removable hooks such as 3M Command Large hooks hold keys, jackets, hats and dog leashes without drilling. Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol first so they stick, and check the weight rating on the package.
5. Magnetic strips. A magnetic knife strip keeps knives off the counter and out of a drawer, and also holds scissors, bottle openers and small metal tools.
6. Wall pockets. Adhesive wall pockets near the door or bed are perfect for phones, glasses, mail and remote controls.
7. A pegboard panel. A small pegboard panel inside a closet or basement door turns dead space into a tool or craft wall.
8. Ceiling and cargo nets. Cargo nets above the bed or cab hold light, soft items like hats, maps and towels. Keep heavy items out of overhead nets so nothing falls on anyone while driving.
9. Over-the-door organizers. An over-the-door organizer on the bathroom or bedroom door adds a dozen pockets for shoes, toiletries or cleaning supplies.
RV Storage Ideas for Furniture That Does Double Duty
10. Storage ottoman. A storage ottoman is a footrest, extra seat and blanket bin in one.
11. Fold-down table or wall desk. A fold-down wall table or wall-mounted desk gives you a workspace that disappears when you need the floor back.
12. Bed lift. Many RV beds lift up to reveal a large storage space. If yours doesn’t open easily, a bed lift mechanism (gas struts that hold the bed up) makes it usable.
13. Convertible seating. A jackknife sofa or a tri-fold foam mattress gives guests a bed without a permanent bunk. If your RV mattress is due for an upgrade, see our partner RV Mattress for RV-specific sizes.
Kitchen Storage Ideas
The kitchen (often called the galley in an RV) is usually the hardest area to keep tidy.
14. Nesting cookware. Pots and pans that stack inside each other with removable handles save a whole cabinet. Popular camping sets include the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset and the Stanley Adventure Base Camp Cook Set.
15. Collapsible tools. Silicone collapsible colanders, measuring cups and bowls fold flat.
16. Drawer dividers. Bamboo drawer dividers keep utensils in place on bumpy roads.
17. Magnetic spice rack. A magnetic spice rack on the fridge side or a metal backsplash frees a whole shelf.
18. Square, stackable containers. Stackable food containers waste less space than round ones and stay put when the RV moves.
19. Tension rods. A tension rod under the sink holds spray bottles, and rods across fridge shelves stop items from tipping over.
20. Under-cabinet paper towel holder. A wall-mounted paper towel holder under a cabinet clears your counter.
Bathroom Storage Ideas
21. Suction cup shower caddies. A suction shower caddy holds shampoo without screws. Choose one with a lip so bottles stay in while driving.
22. Hanging toiletry bag. Hang it on the back of the bathroom door, and use small magnetic pods for tweezers, nail clippers and bobby pins.
23. Quick-dry towels. Thin Turkish cotton towels or linen towels take up a fraction of the space of thick bath towels and dry fast.
24. Retractable clothesline. A retractable clothesline in the shower dries towels and swimwear, then disappears.
Bedroom and Clothing Storage
25. Vacuum storage bags. Vacuum storage bags shrink bulky bedding and winter clothes to a fraction of their size.
26. Under-bed bins. Low under-bed storage boxes with lids keep spare linens, shoes and off-season clothes dust-free.
27. Roll, don’t fold. Rolled clothes take less space, wrinkle less and are easier to see in a drawer. Hanging closet organizers and a shoe organizer by the door finish the job.
Hidden RV Storage Spots Most RVers Overlook
28. Look in the “dead” spaces: under dinette (dining table) seats, inside cabinet doors (add small adhesive racks), behind or under the entry steps, under the bottom drawers (the toe-kick area), and the cab-over bunk above the driver’s seat in Class C motorhomes. Many of these spaces are already accessible; some just need a bin or a basket to make them useful.
Outside and Basement Storage
29. Organize the basement. The basement is the storage area under the floor that you open from outside. Use clear, labeled, latching bins so you can see what’s inside, and put the heaviest items low and near the axles (wheels) for better balance.
30. Hitch and roof carriers, with care. A hitch cargo carrier or bike rack can carry bulky gear, but check the hitch’s tongue weight rating and your RV’s weight limits first, and make sure lights and the license plate stay visible. Avoid adding heavy loads to the roof unless your manufacturer says the roof is rated for it.
Keep Things From Moving While You Drive
- Non-slip shelf liner in every cabinet and on shelves.
- Bins with latching lids, so nothing spills if a door opens.
- Tension rods across cabinet and fridge shelves.
- Cabinet and fridge door locks or latches, checked before every trip.
- Heavy items low, light items high.
Our RV maintenance checklist includes a full pre-departure list, including securing the inside of your RV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I add storage to a small RV without drilling?
Use adhesive hooks, wall pockets, tension rods, suction caddies, over-the-door organizers and magnetic strips. They are removable and don’t risk hitting hidden wiring or plumbing inside the walls.
How do I stop things from sliding while driving?
Line shelves with non-slip liner, store items in bins with latching lids, use tension rods across shelves, keep heavy items low, and check that every cabinet and the fridge door are latched before you leave.
Are vacuum storage bags safe in an RV?
Yes, for clothes and bedding. Temperature changes can cause some bags to slowly lose their seal, so choose bags with double-zip seals and check them now and then. Don’t vacuum-pack items that need air, like leather or down jackets you’ll wear soon.
What are the best storage ideas for a Class B camper van?
Class B campers have the least space, so focus on multi-use items: a fold-down table, a bed with storage underneath, nesting cookware, wall pockets and soft bags instead of hard suitcases, which squash into odd spaces.
How often should I reorganize my RV?
Revisit these RV storage ideas as your trips change. Do a quick check after every trip and a bigger declutter at the start of each season. Anything you haven’t used in two or three trips can probably go.
Disclaimer
The information provided is for educational purposes only. Before carrying out any maintenance or safety task on your RV, please do your own further research so you are fully confident in each step. If you are ever unsure, consult a qualified RV professional or get a second opinion. Readers are responsible for their own safety, and PreciousRV.com accepts no liability for any injury, loss or damage.
