Cleaning up our RV ahead of several big trips that are on the horizon feels great!

Six years ago, we made a very intentional decision to buy our 23.5-foot Grand Design camper. It’s compact, cozy, and just right for our family of three. As our son enters the teen years, we’ve definitely wondered—do we need more space?

I use baskets and containers to sort and organize small items throughout our RV. This is the space over our TV and holds batteries, flashlights and other items that are sorted by category.

Making the Most of a Small RV: Why We're Staying Put (and Getting Organized)

A dinette would be a great addition. A little extra room could be nice. But is it really worth the cost and hassle of upgrading to a larger RV?

Thinking Long-Term About Our RV Lifestyle

My husband and I are in that “10-year stretch” before retirement. With the finish line in sight, investing in a larger RV—a depreciating asset—just doesn’t feel smart right now. We want to see how high school plays out, and whether we’re still camping enough to justify a major purchase.

Instead of going bigger, we’re focusing on doing more with what we already have. That means better RV organization, smarter packing, and making intentional choices about what stays and what goes.

Under our TV, we also have storage. I use small basics and bins to sort everything from matches, doggie bags, walkie talkies and remotes.

A Little Inspiration Goes a Long Way

On a recent trip with family, I was seriously impressed with my cousin Derek’s pass-through storage. It was spotless—well-packed, easy to navigate, and super functional. Meanwhile, ours? Packed to the gills and kind of overwhelming.

So, if you’re feeling cramped or frustrated with your small camper setup, here are some practical tips for organizing a small RV and falling in love with your space all over again.

While these paper goods are seasonal, we rarely use them. But I also like to have them for a back up. I will also use these regardless of season if I need them. So they stay onboard all the time!

RV Storage Tips for Small Campers

1. Do a Full RV Gear Audit

Start by pulling everything out of your pass-through storage, under-bed compartments, and other cubbies. Lay it all out and sort into piles. Discard or donate items you no longer use—it’s amazing how much unnecessary stuff we haul around.

🟢 Pro tip: Make a list of anything that needs replacing, and group items by use—like outdoor games, cooking gear, or camping tools.

2. Rotate Seasonal RV Gear

There’s no need to carry your heated water hoses or Halloween decor year-round. Store seasonal RV items at home and only pack them when needed. Create one designated container at home to rotate items in and out throughout the year.

I sorted out all of our collapsible coolers, stovetop oven and other kitchen gear into one container that we can pull out and use!

This container has all of our outdoor gear like outdoor games, pickleball, and hammocks. These two containers fit under our bunks.

3. Use Clear Storage Bins

Measure your RV storage spaces and buy containers that stack easily. Clear bins make it simple to see what’s inside, and they’re perfect for pass-through storage, under-bunk compartments, or even inside cabinets.

We even have a dedicated RV caddy in our pass-through that holds tools, adapters, tire pressure regulators, and more. It’s a game changer—everything is in one place, and setup is a breeze.

Now everything fits under our bunks easily for storage. It has also freed up some of the space in our pass through storage. This should help better distribute weight and make better use of our space!

4. Label Everything

Label your bins and containers by category—outdoor gear, kitchen tools, power cords, etc. This makes things easier to find and helps everyone in the family pitch in during setup and breakdown.

These containers over our TV have items organized by category. I also sort and store small items in ziploc bags to keep things neat and easy to find!

Is a Bigger RV Really Worth It?

Sure, a shiny new rig sounds exciting—until you start factoring in the cost of a larger tow vehicle, increased fuel use, and a bigger monthly payment. Not to mention the risk of upsizing to something that’s harder to tow and may not get used as often as you think.

The truth is, maximizing your RV space can make your current setup feel brand new again—without the financial stress of a major upgrade.

We camp 50 to 60 nights a year. Our RV is the right size for us, and it’s almost paid for. That peace of mind? Totally worth it.

I even took time to rehang any decorative items that have fallen or needed straightening.

RV Life is About the Journey—Not the Size of Your Rig

RVing isn’t about “go big or go home.” It’s about making memories, discovering new places, and spending quality time with the people you love. For us, it’s not about the square footage—it’s about the lifestyle.

So instead of upsizing, we’re getting organized, traveling light, and making the most of our small RV. It’s not perfect, but it’s ours—and we love the life we’ve built on the road.

I’d love to hear your favorite RV organization hacks or small camper tips! Drop a comment below or send me a quick email.

Thanks for following along on our journey—and until next time…

Happy Camping!

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