Here’s a little about us: In the 5 years we’ve been together as a couple, we’ve converted two campervans—and even redid one because we weren’t totally happy with it. It was a huge job, practically, time-wise, and emotionally. But hey, we’re still together, and we know exactly what we’ve got in each other.
The Dream vs. Reality
We had this dreamy idea: buy a van, turn it into the perfect tiny home, and cruise off into the sunset. Easy, right? Well… not so much. Converting a van as a couple is a true test of teamwork, patience, and problem-solving (with a side of frustration). From design decisions to squeezing two people into a tiny workspace, we quickly realized that building a campervan is less of a DIY project and more of a relationship boot camp on wheels!
So, here’s what we learned along the way: our best tips, clever hacks, and a few mistakes you’ll hopefully avoid. We’ll walk you through our experience of life as a couple in a camper and share the lessons we picked up from our most recent project: the yellow van.
Planning Together – Avoiding Decision Overload
One of the first challenges? Decision overload. There were just so many choices:
✔ What kind of van do we want to convert?
✔ How much do we want to spend?
✔ What type of build works best for both of us?
We divided tasks based on our strengths to avoid getting stuck in endless debates. Bailey is the planner—the one who kept track of the budget, researched materials, figured out which tools we needed, and had the patience to watch hours (and hours) of YouTube tutorials.
I’m the dreamer. I had the layout planned in my head long before we even bought the van—but actually bringing those ideas to life? That was a whole different challenge. I’m also all about the finishing touches, like sealing and painting, making sure everything looks just right.
Basically, we couldn’t be more different—but that’s exactly what made us a great team!
💡 Hack: Before you start, make a “non-negotiables” list. Each person picks their top three must-haves, and you design around them. This keeps things balanced and avoids endless debates!
For us, the essentials were:
✔️ A spacious couch with a work table – because comfort and productivity matter.
✔️ A bed big enough to sleep in—without taking up the whole van (because no one wants to feel cramped).
✔️ A hot-water shower with space for a toilet – because some luxuries are worth it!
By setting these priorities upfront, we made sure our van felt like home for both of us!
The Build – Working as a Team
This is where things got real. Some lessons we learned (the hard way):
🛠 Divide and conquer: One person measures, the other cuts. One drills, the other holds. Too many hands-on jobs? Hello, chaos. Trust us, we’ve been there.
⏳ Patience is key: No matter how well you plan, something will take longer than expected—and that’s totally fine. Maybe your materials are delayed, or you realize (too late) that your measurements were a little off. Instead of rushing through, take your time and get it right. It’s better to redo something properly than to regret a sloppy job later. So, don’t over-pack your schedule, but do map out clear steps to keep things moving.
💡 Hack: When frustration starts creeping in, step away. Grab a snack, take five minutes, breathe. That stubborn screw isn’t going anywhere—but your patience might if you don’t pause. We learned this the hard way. Sometimes, we were so determined to push through that we just made things worse. Turns out, a little break can save both your sanity and your van build!
Space-Saving & Smart Design Tips
Living in a tiny space as a couple? It’s not always easy, but the way you design your camper can make all the difference.
For Bailey, organized cabinets are a lifesaver—they keep everything in place and make the space feel less chaotic. And the big sink? A total win. Washing up doesn’t feel cramped, which is a small luxury in van life.
For me, it’s all about natural light. The more, the better! It makes the van feel open and spacious. And our adjustable table? A game-changer. It’s the perfect spot for crafting, working, or just enjoying a meal.
It’s these little details that make van life feel comfortable and doable for us.
And when it comes to organization—trust us, it’s everything. Here are some game-changing tips that worked for us (and hopefully for you too!):
🥕 Give everything a home – Take a little time to go through the van together and assign a spot for everything. Trust us, future you will thank you when you’re not tearing the place apart looking for a missing spatula. Plus, it helps keep the van from turning into a total disaster zone once you’re actually living in it.
🚪 Personal space? What’s that? – Let’s be honest—living in a van as a couple means saying goodbye to privacy. Need a quiet moment? Trying to sneak in a stress-free bathroom break? Yeah… good luck. But here’s the thing: communication is everything. Talk about your space needs before it becomes an issue. And if you’re feeling frustrated? Say it. Holding it in only makes things worse (we’ve learned this the hard way).
🛋 Make your space work for you – Our bed transforms from a couch to a bed, and we can expand our kitchen when needed. This setup has been a lifesaver because, let’s face it, van life isn’t always sunny beach days and campfires. There will be rainy, miserable days when you’re stuck together inside, and you’ll be so glad you designed a space that’s flexible and comfortable.
💡 Hack: Store things based on who uses them most. (E.g., if one of you always makes coffee, put the kettle in an easy-to-reach spot.)
Road-Tested: What We’d Do Differently
After spending time in the yellow van, we decided to make some upgrades—here’s what we changed:
🔋 Installed a lithium battery – Our van was too heavy, and one of the culprits was our AGM battery. The old one weighed 75 kg, while the new lithium battery is only 20 kg—a huge difference! Not only is it lighter, but it also lasts longer, giving us more flexibility to carry other essentials.
🔥 The gas project – Our original plan was to go completely gas-free, but with limited battery capacity and not enough sunlight in the Netherlands, it just wasn’t realistic. Instead, we switched from one large gas bottle to two smaller ones, connected with a single hose (instead of multiple separate connections). They’re stored in an airtight compartment with a ventilation grille, which is also great for insurance purposes. And if one bottle runs out, we always have a backup while we get the empty one refilled!
🛋 Bed transformation – While travelling, we really missed having a comfy couch. Before, we had two small chairs, but they were cramped and just didn’t cut it. So, we completely redesigned our bed using aluminium frames, allowing it to slide in and transform into a spacious lounge sofa—using the same cushions. It’s been a game-changer!
💡 Surprise win: A tiny dustpan & broom. You wouldn’t believe how fast a small space gets messy! And here’s a little tip—maybe a bit childish, but it really helps: discuss your tasks. Who handles the cleaning? Who keeps an eye on the battery, the budget, and other important things? Breaking it down like this helps you work as a team and find a good balance while living in such a small space. It’s all about cooperation and making it work together!
Final Thoughts – Building a Van, Building a Team
Building a campervan together as a couple isn’t just about creating a perfect little home on wheels—it’s about building your relationship too. It’s a journey that tests your patience, pushes your limits, and, above all, teaches you how to communicate and work as a team. You’ll face challenges, make mistakes, and experience frustrations, but in the end, it’s all part of the process—and the result is so worth it.
🚀 Our #1 golden rule: Don’t aim for perfect—aim for functional. You can always tweak things along the way!
Communication is everything—be open, be honest, and don’t let the little frustrations pile up. It’s about finding your balance, whether that’s dividing tasks or creating space for each other in such a small environment. It won’t always be easy, but with teamwork and a lot of patience, you’ll get through it.
If you’re thinking about building a campervan with your partner, go for it! It might be tough at times, but the reward of creating something amazing together is priceless. And if you’ve already done it, we’d love to hear your best tips and lessons learned. We’re all in this van-building adventure together!
