12 Awesome DIY Van Layout Blueprints to Inspire Your Build

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Van living is the best. & there are so many different ways to do it. Should you have a shower/ toilet or not? Do you actually need that many shelves? Oven/stovetop or propane? If you have an Instagram account you know how popular vanlife has become. & since you’re here, I’m assuming you’ve decided to cross over to the dark side & live life a little more off-the-grid and a lot more nomadically. Congratulations. Now let’s take a look at some popular van layouts so you can start your build ASAP.

When I was planning my DIY van build, I labored over Pinterest and Instagram trying to find different van builds to guide me in the right direction. & it was frustratingly difficult. Especially to find builds that weren’t in a Transit or Sprinter.

So, I decided to do the legwork for you all and compile a list of all different kinds of van layouts in all kinds of vehicles so that you can one-stop-shop without having to scour 20 different social media profiles.

What is the best van to convert?

The van you have! Or any other vehicle for that matter.

The truth is “vanlife” doesn’t even have to be in a van. I know tons of vanlifers who live in trailers, SUVs, buses, RVs, and smaller cars too. Obviously, there are major benefits to converting large box-truck style vans over something smaller, like a Subaru Forester, but anything will do.

I chose a conversion van over the more popular Sprinter models for several reasons. I already outlined them in the blog post linked above so I won’t bore you with it again here.

How much does it cost to do a DIY van conversion?

This is entirely up to you.

Some people spend $100,000 on a luxury van conversion. Others (like myself) spend $3,000. You can even spend less if you’re willing to really rough it. The cost of the van build depends entirely on your van layout and what you have decided are “must-haves”.

Solar panels will up your costs by $1,000 alone. A composting toilet costs around $1,800. You’ll save several hundred dollars (and hours of frustration) if you decide to forgo electrical altogether. It really is entirely up to you.

It is helpful to decide on a budget and write out your list of “must-haves” first.

Ours were:

$4,000 Overall Budget

• Electrical of some kind.
• Functional kitchen.
• Rustic log cabin feel.
• Comfortable bed that can accommodate a 6ft tall human sleeping easily.
• Storage for full-time living.
• Bed that converts into a daytime-friendly space.

Is Vanlife right for me? Vanlife isn’t as glamorous as it’s made out to be. Hopefully, if you’re about to build your dream camper van you’ve stopped to consider if this major lifestyle change is right for you. Check out these blog posts below for the inside scoop on what van life is really like.

Preparing for Your DIY Build?

Here’s what you need to know.

Rent a Van Before You Buy

Before you go all in on the van-dwelling lifestyle, you should give it a test drive.

My favorite west coast company is Traveller’s Autobarn. You get unlimited miles for your road trip and the vans are super cozy. You’ve got to try out living in a van for a week before you invest serious money into your conversion. Check out Traveller’s and then plan a trip to Utah’s Big 5, Yosemite, or Highway 101.

Van Layout Ideas

But first…Let’s get into some #vanlife inspiration. Because before you build your dream campervan (if you’re anything like us) you need to browse hundreds of designs first.

Otherwise, how will you ever know what it is exactly that you want in YOUR van??? Here’s a collection of different van builds to help you decide what you want to create in your camper.

Conversion Van Layouts

First, the conversion vans. I’m talking about 1980s-1990s vans. Like our little beast, Phoebe.

My DIY Camper Van Layout (@beyond_the_bucketlist)

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This is Phoebe. My 1994 Dodge Ram Van conversion. We bought her used. She was musty and weathered, but after we gutted the entire inside she was like new again. It’s a relatively simple layout with a bed that converts into U-shaped benches and a table for daytime use. This was our first van build and because of that we definitely made some mistakes along the way. The entire build only cost us $3,000 & we outlined exactly what we spent that on. We cook using a removable propane grill, shower outside the van, and have to make do without a toilet.

Katie & Ben’s Budget-Friendly Low Top Layout (@twowanderingsoles)

They have actually built two different vans with two completely different layouts. Check out their Instagram for more info on their pricier Sprinter build. This build was done for under $3,000 including the price of the van!

Mackie’s Wooded 2006 Ford E250

She says “I was very adamant about an L-shaped counter as I hadn’t seen it done very much but believed it could double as a nightstand/desk next to my bed while maximizing cabinet storage. I found a lot of inspiration for my build from a YouTuber Hannah Lee Duggan whose conversion I fell in love with! Lightwood was also a must for me to keep it as bright and airy as possible. The shelving unit has also been a great option for storage and I love how the bed is somewhat separated from the ‘main’ space!”

Sprinter Van Layouts

Now let’s talk Sprinters. The classic luxurious & spacious favorite van of Instagram. They can be pricy but after seeing these layouts….can you blame anyone for loving them oh-so-much??

Indie & Joel’s (@onthefreeside) DIY rustic home

I love Indie and Joel. We’ve never met in real life but I feel like we would be kindred spirits. They also have painstakingly crafted one of the single most BEAUTIFUL vans I’ve ever seen. The devils in the details here.

Elegant Adventure Van by @alexkellyphoto

This van is a home on wheels. It’s got everything from a 75L Fridge/Freezer, stovetop, and plenty of storage out back for all their winter gear. Also plenty of space for working if you’re a digital nomad type.

School Bus Layouts

Ah, the schoolie. My personal favorite when it comes to design and layout. Here are a few school bus layouts to model your tiny home after.

Tidy Minimalist Bus from @weliveonabus

I love how open this space and layout is. Also, it has a full bathroom if that’s something that concerns you about life on the road.

Eccentric Van Layouts

Here are a few van layouts that don’t fall into the 3 “conventional” categories of vans. Some are tiny spaces while others are old classics.

Jor & San’s Vibrant Hippy Van

Both a design and layout inspiration!

This wildly entertaining & colorful couple took a small vehicle and maximized space. Showing that you don’t need a hightop van to comfortably live in a van full-time. You can check them out on Instagram for more conversion photos and vanlife tips

Simple Single’s Layout

An old plumber’s utility truck turned a simple nomadic home. Here’s proof that you don’t have to spend thousands on outfitting a vehicle. A simple twin-sized bed, cooler, water canister, and shelving unit will do.

Helen’s Tiny Camper from Inside Our Suitcase.

She says–“We started our project on ‘Walt’ in early summer of 2020 and finished it a few weeks later. We decided to work with a small van – Vauxhall Combo so we both felt comfortable driving it and could take it on the smaller roads in the Yorkshire Dales.”

“As the space was tight we chose to create a large flat bed so we could both sit up in bed and have a full-length sleeping space. We then used the space under the bed to create storage for things such as cooking equipment, clothes, and bedding. “

“We created 4 drop-in spaces with hatches where we stored bedding and clothing while we were driving or not sleeping. We then had two drawers out the double back doors which stored the cooking equipment, these then transformed into tabletops for cooking and working.” 

“We then used netting and bungee ropes in the spare holes within the ceiling for things like lights, holding snacks, and shoes when we were sleeping. Our electricity was a camping plug as we would be staying on campsites while traveling. We also didn’t have space (or need) to include any facilities such as a fan, toilet, or shower system

Stephanie’s Chevy Astro Van from Travanie Travels

She says– “In 2018, we bought a used 2000 Chevy Astro Van and converted it by ourselves. We absolutely love this vehicle and use it for both road trip vacations and weekend adventures. We decided on the Astro because of its history of being a reliable vehicle and knowing that it’s pretty easy to fix and find replacement parts for.

When designing our van layout, our main goal was to maximize as much space as possible and ensure that there was plenty of useful living space to comfortably accommodate two adults. We built a fixed bed across the back that allows us to sleep horizontally and gave us way more liveable space in the rest of the van. With a fixed bed we were able to add some multipurpose storage to the center of the van including a roll-out cooler, counter space, and upper shelving in addition to under-bed storage that’s accessible both inside and outside the vehicle. 

Some of the best features we’ve incorporated for making the most of a small space include a swiveling passenger seat to open up the interior space even more, a Thule carrier on top for extra storage, and a pull-out kitchen area set up at the back of the van where we can fully stand to cook and prepare all meals. To see more photos of our Astro conversion layout, check out the astrovan tour page on Travanie Travels.”

Eurovan (Volkswagen T4) from Antoine & Marielle of Offbeat Escapades

They said– “Having converted a Volkswagen T4, we opted for a pull-out bed conversion with a front kitchen and a side storage chest. This L-shaped pull-out bed gives us enough storage while the lounge looks spacious. Two shelves complete the existing storage for quick-grab items such as coffee or cups.

As we run a van life blog and work as digital nomads, having space to work in the van and lounge comfortably was key for this build. This is why we wanted a large couch and dedicated tables. The main swivel table lives above the storage chest, while the other one snaps on the kitchen countertop. They are both adjustable, which makes them great to work on the laptop.

Converting from couch to bed mode is a breeze, as we only have to slide part of it. It also gives us a whopping 130cm wide bed, which is really comfortable as part-time van lifers.

Cooking and dining outside aside from the inside, especially when the weather is nice, was also a feature we wanted, due to the fact that we can’t stand in the T4. There’s a pull-up table at the back and our indoor tables can easily be moved outside.

To sum it up, this layout is perfect for part-time vanlifers who want a comfortable bed, be able to work on the go, and have indoor and outdoor cooking and dining options.”

Pull-Out Kitchen Drawers

This is an Escape camper rental. I’m including a photo here because I love their pull-out drawer sink, fridge, and storage system in the rear. If I could change one thing about my conversion it would be to add pull-out drawers or a table in the back for extra storage space and dining outside.

Van Rentals

One more reminder that it’s a good idea to test out vanlife with a van rental service like Travellers before you commit to this tiny nomadic lifestyle. Also be sure to read “How to live in a van with your partner“, “What Vanlife is really like“, and more on my vanlife page.

Van Life Essentials

Once you’ve finished your build you’re going to want to get yourself road-trip-ready. This is our complete list of van life essentials that have helped us travel to every national park in the contiguous United States, explore the foodie heart of America, and frolic down the Baja Peninsula of Mexico.

Or sign up for my email list & you’ll get our entire USA Google Map to plan the perfect road trip anywhere!

Find a van layout that suits your budget and style or create your own hybrid of the van layouts shown above. & if you need any tips for your DIY build or routes for your first road trips be sure to check out our Vanlife page.

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