For most people, the most important consideration in choosing an RV—besides the type of motorhome you pick—is selecting the right floor plan. When you purchase a home, you look for a house that fits your family’s size, needs, and priorities. The same is true for an RV. It’s important to choose a floor plan that works for your own needs and lifestyle. Everybody uses their RV differently, and that means they’ll have different floor plan must-haves.
What’s the best floor plan for you? Here are 9 questions guaranteed to get you on the right path to the perfect RV floor plan!
Identifying Your Floor Plan Priorities
How many people will be in your RV? If you’re traveling as a couple, you won’t need as much room as a family of eight, of course. More travelers means more careful thought about sleeping arrangements, pullout beds, and storage for personal belongings.
But also think about whether you’ll be entertaining guests in your RV. If the neighbors all head over to your RV to watch movies, you’ll want more lounge space. If you spend the evenings around the campfire (rain or shine), you’ll probably need less lounge space.
How important is your bathroom? Some people don’t mind using campground showers, and so a tiny bathroom suits them fine. Others can’t do without full private facilities.
What room will you enter when you board your RV? Think about how you’ll enter your RV. Will it be a problem to have carpet at the entrance, or should you opt for linoleum? Will people constantly be in your way as they come and go? Will it limit your privacy?
How much (or how little) vertical space do you need? If you’re shorter, make sure you can reach all the cupboards. If you’re taller, you won’t want to be ducking all the time.
How much cooking and eating in will you do? Consider how much time you’ll be spending in the kitchen and dining areas. Figure out your bare necessities when it comes to counter space, food storage, and maneuverability.
How much time will you spend in the RV? Think about how you’ll use your RV. Will you be outdoors most of the time, or do you like to curl up with a good book? The areas that you spend most of your time in are the ones that will be most important in the floor plan.
How much storage space will you need? No matter what motorhome you choose, RV living requires creative storage solutions. But some people need more storage than others. Be realistic about your own needs.
Do you want dedicated spaces? Think about how important it is to have separate dining, living, sleeping, and work spaces. If you’ll be working on the road a lot, you might need to have a dedicated work area. If that’s not an issue for you, convertible spaces might be the way to go—for example, using your lounge as a dining area during meals. If privacy is a big issue for you, that will impact your bedroom floor plan.
What are your bed/sleeping requirements? Some people want to be able to walk around the bed, and others don’t. Consider your privacy needs, as well as how many people will be sleeping in your motorhome. Can you do without a dedicated bedroom?
Try Before You Buy
Now that you have some idea of your floor plan must-haves, check out several RVs in person. We recommend going to an RV show and doing as many walk-throughs as you can. Take your time—check out the kitchen, open the cabinets, see how the space feels with multiple people. Walk through your morning routine and notice what you like and don’t like about each space.
Also, don’t be afraid of the size. Many people select a smaller floor plan because they’re nervous about driving a larger RV, only to realize before long that their motorhome is too small for their needs. Keep in mind that you can get used to driving a larger rig, but a floor plan that’s too small will probably always be too small.
Now that you’re armed with all the right questions, finding the right RV with your ideal floor plan is within your grasp! And you’ll be sure to get the most enjoyment out of your new motorhome. Here’s to living the RV life!
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