I went to the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC this week.
Rows and rows of vans. Every layout you can imagine. Beds that fold, slide, drop from the ceiling and hide in cupboards.
I wandered around with a coffee, poking at everything. Sitting on sofas. Lying on beds. Opening every cupboard door. And somewhere between the second and third hall, I started thinking about my own van.
Mainly, how I wish I’d have taken the time to test my campervan layout, before setting off on my first trip.
Real Life vs. Showrooms: Why Plans Change
When I started my DIY build, I knew exactly the campervan layout I wanted. A rock and roll bed. It works as a seat by day and slides out flat to become a bed at night. It looked brilliant in the photos. It looked brilliant in the videos. Everyone online seemed to love theirs.
So I bought one and proudly fitted it.
Then, we went away, and I set it up on the first night.
Immediately, I knew it wasn’t going to work for me. There’s nothing wrong with the bed itself, but it was a complete pain to use.
I originally thought it would be a great idea to have somewhere to sit during the day, then just pull the seat out at night, and jump into bed.
I was sooooo wrong.
I quickly realised, that the only way to pull the seat out to make a bed, was to stand outside the sliding side door, and then pull it out… which wouldn’t be a problem in the summer, but not great in October, when it’s pouring with rain!
So, the next day, the rock and roll bed came out. In went a fixed bed. And honestly? It was the right call. I’ve never looked back.
Overcoming the Sunk Cost Effect in Your Van Build
A campervan layout can look perfect on paper. In a showroom too. You’re standing in a bright hall, fresh and rested, with no wind, and no rain on the roof.
But, real life is different. You’re tired. It’s dark. You need the loo at 2am. You want a cup of tea without climbing over anything. Those little moments are what make a layout work or not, and you can’t spot them until you’re living in it.
There’s a bit of psychology in this too. We tend to accept a plan once we’ve put money and effort into it. It’s called the sunk cost effect. The more you’ve spent, the harder it feels to change course.
I felt it myself when I pulled that bed out. But being honest with yourself early, is a lot cheaper than being stubborn later.
What I’d do differently
Try everything first. Before you cut, drill, or screw anything down.
- Mock up the design with temporary materials: Use cardboard boxes and fold up chairs, etc. Sounds daft, but it works. Mark out the bed, the kitchen and the seating on the floor with tape. Walk around it. Sit in it.
- Test-drive with temporary equipment: Once you think you’re happy, use it for real. Spend a few nights in your van with temporary kit before you fix anything permanently. Camping stove. Portable storage. Cushions on the floor. Notice what annoys you.
- Delay permanent fixings as long as possible: Keep things unscrewed for as long as you can. Every fixing you leave out is a decision you can still change.
- Try out layouts in person: Visit campervan shows (like the NEC), or rent different van layouts to see how they handle dark, rainy, or tired real-world scenarios.
- Ask owners what they had to change: Ask other van owners. Not what they love, but what they’d change. That’s where the useful stuff lives.
Embrace Change: Why There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect Plan
There’s no perfect layout. Only the right one for you, and you won’t know which that is until you’ve tried a few.
So try before you commit. Be willing to change your mind. And don’t feel daft if you have to rip something out.
I did. And my fixed bed has completely changed how often we use the van.
If you’ve made a van build mistake of your own, and made the decision to change it, I’d love to hear about it. So please, drop it in the comments.
Until next time,
