Van Life Essentials: Turn Your Van Into a Comfortable Home

We, at The Vansmith, have been traveling in, living in, and building out vans for many years. In all that time, one thing is certain: every van we build turns into a home. We’ve found that it’s faulty logic to think of your van as a camping rig. It shouldn’t be the place where you haul a bunch of camping gear from your normal home to your van.

Rather, just like any other home, the best van-homes are set up with the basics that make living easy and cozy. Most of all, the stuff in your van will likely stay in your van, making it even easier to get away when you need it (i.e. escape) most!

The list below is a handpicked list of some of the products we can’t live without (in our vans). Although we’re not reps or agents for any of the brands that make and sell these products, these are ones that we, as a group, have and use in many of our vans. In fact, the photos in this blog post are from some of our own vans ;-).

• Stock your van like a home, not a campsite. Keep a dedicated set of bedding, kitchen gear, and daily-use items in your rig so you’re always ready to roll without packing and unpacking.
• Prioritize comfortable bedding. A full-size, cozy mattress with eco-friendly, super-soft sheets, a blanket, and a comforter will make cold mountain (or desert) nights much more livable.
• Use removable covers for easy cleaning. Comforter covers and pillowcases are van life essentials because they’re far easier to wash than the comforter or pillows themselves after dusty days and dirty feet.
• Layer for changing temperatures. Just like clothing, layering your bedding with both a blanket and a comforter lets you adjust quickly to warm or cold nights without hauling extra gear.
• Choose multi-use items when possible. Blankets that work both on the bed and outside for stargazing or sitting around camp save space and add flexibility.
• Keep your essentials in the van full-time. When your core gear lives in the van, spontaneous escapes are easier—just grab food, water, and go.
• Plan your essentials before pickup. If The Vansmith is building your van, ship or bring your bedding and other must-haves ahead of time so they’re installed and ready for your first night on the road.

We’re sharing these as affiliate links from our Amazon account, mostly so that we can see what people really like and want. Plus, the tiny tiny fraction that we make from sales here allows us to spend more time picking and planning better stuff for vans.

What’s more, if we’re lucky enough to be building your dream van, these are the things you should either bring with you, ship to us, or have shipped to us prior to picking up your van. We’ll have them ready and waiting for your journey to whatever comes next!

Bedding

a few of us have theseawesome camping blanketsMost of the vans we build come with really cozy full-size beds. And, just like any other bed, these beds deserve some really comfy bedding...especially for those cold nights in the mountains (or dessert, etc.). Around here we like eco-friendly super-soft bamboo sheets. Just like layering clothing, we also usually top our sheets with both a blanket and a comforter.

a few of us have theseawesome camping blanketsComforter covers are a must as well, as you’ll sooner or later jump into the bed with dirty feet -- it’s still vanlife after all. It’s MUCH easier to remove and wash the cover than it is the entire comforter. For blankets, a few of us have super-soft bamboo sheets from our friends at Rumpl, which can also be brought outside for looking at the stars.

a few of us have theseawesome camping blanketsWhen it comes to pillows, there are millions of options, all of which are super personal. Still, super-soft bamboo sheets, as they provide support and comfort in every kind of setup.

Cooking & kitchens

Why Your Van Needs Its Own Set of Van Life Essentials

Whereas the bed in a van is pretty close to any bed at home, the kitchen is a bit of a different beast. Though you’ll likely have running water and a nice counter to chop things on, storage and cooking are a bit different than at home.

utensil drawer with a large insertLet’s start with kitchen storage. As you know, storage in a small space, like a van, is a premium. Add on to this the fact that you will be driving down bumpy roads a lot of the time. You’re going to want to A) use your space really well; and B) be able to lock things in place so they won’t slip and slide while you’re driving.

Starting with the basics, we like to sort the drawers by the kind of use, like a utensil drawer with a large insert to keep all your gear in place. We also love drawer dividers!

this removable rackFor plates and dishes, we often use these non-slip drawer liners as padding between glassware and dishes as well as on the bottom of drawers to keep all your gear safe (and quiet). We also put spices and other small items in small canning jars with plastic lids that can be packed tightly into drawers.

this removable rackplastic lidsFor towels and other kitchen cleaning supplies, we use these non-slip drawer liners, which can hang from the cupboard over the sink. This is super handy for keeping towels and soap and such out of the way and dry but still really easy to reach.

Bedding Van Life Essentials for a Warm, Comfortable Sleep

simple electric kettlesone from Duxtophose to connect a large propane tankWhen it comes to cooking, based on the van build, you may or may not have a built-in stove/range. We often opt NOT to do built-in stoves as they take up lots of space and are often not nearly as good or as cheap as decent camp stoves. For the amount of actual cooking we do in vans, it makes more sense to have other, more easy-to-use ways of cooking. Instead, for gas stoves, we suggest the Camp Chef Everest 2.

simple electric kettlesone from DuxtopWhichever propane stove you buy, you might also want to pick up a Camp Chef Everest 2, which is way more cost-effective and eco-friendly than having to always buy small camping propane tanks. If you’ve got solar and a good battery in your van, you might also grab a small, single burner induction cooktop, like hose to connect a large propane tank. We’ve found that on super cold, dark nights, it’s great to be able to cook inside without using any propane.

simple electric kettlesone from Duxtophose to connect a large propane tankAlso, for boiling water -- whether it’s for coffee, tea, instant ramen, or anything else -- we often go with Camp Chef Everest 2. They get the job done quickly, cleanly, and without any hassle.

pots that nestSince we’re on the topic of cooking, don’t forget pots, pans, knives, dishware, flatware, and various other tools that you can’t live without! We would hate to be tucked into a remote site, miles from anything, without a bottle opener, corkscrew, and can opener.

We like pots that nest, which are often made for camping. Just make sure that if you’re using an induction cooktop, your pots and pans will work with it.

Bathroom stuff

this portable fold-up toiletAs noted in another blog post, while we have definitely built vans with inside bathrooms, we also think it’s a waste of space in most cases. Still, we also know that when duty calls and the other options aren’t so great, it’s good to have a backup plan.

this portable fold-up toiletIn those cases, we love another blog post. It’s super sturdy and light, easy to story, and ultra clean. Don’t forget to bring the toilet paper as well. Cooking and Kitchen Van Life Basics in a Small Space

The same goes for showers. While building a shower in a van can be done, we’ve found the very best option is to go with a small unit that can be hung from the back door by a caribiner, like this portable shower bag. We usually use it with a raised wood or bamboo mat. For more privacy, you might even open the doors and add a tension rod and shower curtain.

Ready to build a van that already has your go-to van life must-haves? explore our services to see how we can design and build your home on wheels.

Cleaning supplies

Chilewich rugrugged doormatThere’s no way or reason to sugar coat it. Vans, inside and out, get dirty. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep it tidy, mainly inside. Some of the things we keep on hand to keep her clean are a small broom and dustpan as well as simple, eco-friendly soaps and cleaners. They can be sprayed on just about any surface...even dishes.

Chilewich rugWe also often drop a small broom and dustpan outside the van to clean off boots and shoes before getting back in. We also put rugs down inside, like this rugged doormat, that can collect the dirt and dust off our shoes, socks, and slippers, before being taken outside for a nice shake.

Chilewich rugrugged doormatsmall broom and dustpanFinally, we like small trashcans that can be stowed away in just about any of the cupboards.

Miscellaneous storage

Storing Your Van Life Essentials So They Don’t Rattle or Shift

mesh storage binsEagle Creek cubesIt can’t be said enough: vanlife is just life, without most of the stuff that gets in the way. Neat vans make great homes.

mesh storage binsTo keep our stuff tight, we pack our clothes in these great Eagle Creek cubes, which fit perfectly in the upper cupboards of our vans. What’s cool about these is that you can simply pack up all of your clothes when at home. Then you just stick them in the upper cupboards, unzip them, and you’re all set.

mesh storage binsFor everything else, like extra gear, produce, cleaning supplies, etc., we like Eagle Creek cubes. They fit in most of our cupboards and do a great job of keeping all your stuff clean and tidy.

While that may seem like a lot of stuff, as noted above, we see vans as homes, even if they’re second homes (which is pretty great by the way). Having everything you need in your van, ready to bug out at a moment’s notice, is not only smart, but it’s also reassuring. Plus, we guarantee you’ll end up using your van more when you do this.

Have any tips for us. Leave us a note here or send us an email anytime to info@thevansmith.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important van life essentials to keep in your van full-time?

Focus on the basics that make daily living easy and cozy: proper bedding, a functional kitchen setup, and organized storage. The idea is that your van should be stocked like a small home, not packed and unpacked like a camping rig, so most of your gear stays in the van and is always ready to go.

How should I think about my van setup compared to traditional camping gear?

Instead of hauling camping gear back and forth from your house, set your van up as its own self-contained home. When your van has its own dedicated bedding, kitchen items, and storage solutions, it’s much easier to hit the road on short notice.

What bedding do you recommend as van life essentials for comfort and warmth?

A full-size, cozy mattress with eco-friendly, super-soft bamboo sheets is a great starting point. Layer your bed like you would your clothing—with a blanket and a comforter—and use a comforter cover so you can easily wash off the dirt and dust that come with van life.

Why is a comforter cover important in a camper van bed setup?

In a van, you’re often jumping into bed with dusty clothes or dirty feet, so your bedding takes more abuse than at home. A comforter cover is much easier to remove and wash than the entire comforter, which helps keep your sleeping space clean with less hassle.

How can I prepare van life essentials if The Vansmith is building my van?

If we’re building your van, you can bring or ship your chosen bedding, kitchen items, and other essentials to us before pickup. We’ll have everything installed or stowed and ready so your van feels like home from the moment you drive away.