How to Organize Your Motorhome for Maximum Space

• You can free up a lot of space in your motorhome with the right storage tricks.
• Small changes, like using vertical space and clear bins, can make a huge difference.
• Organization is less about buying expensive tools and more about clever habits and layout.
• Every motorhome and travel style is different, so adapt these ideas to fit what you need most.

If you want your motorhome to feel bigger, day-to-day organization matters more than most people realize. Keeping your gear tidy, using every nook, and having a simple system for where things go will save time, reduce stress, and help you enjoy your trip. Below, you will find practical ways to organize your motorhome for maximum space, without turning it into a hardware store display or a Pinterest fantasy. Some of the best results come from regular people sharing what has actually worked (and what has not). I try new things every trip and, honestly, sometimes laugh at what I originally thought was ‘essential.’

Understanding the Space You Have

Before you run out to buy more organizers or shelves, spend some time taking stock of what you have. Every motorhome is unique. Some have lots of little cabinets. Others give you one big space under the bed. It might be worth pulling everything out, just once, to see what you really carry. I have done this a few times and every time I am surprised by what I can toss.

• Map out storage zones: Separate areas by what you use most: kitchen, clothes, tools, gear, toiletries.
• Measure awkward spots: Sometimes the weirdest-shaped space is useful for stashing shoes, towels, or extra cans of food.
• List what you need daily, weekly, or hardly ever: If you only use that waffle iron twice a year, it does not deserve prime cabinet territory.

The real trick is to be honest with yourself about what you actually use on the road. If something has not been touched the last three trips, maybe it belongs in storage or at home.

Declutter First, Then Organize

A lot of people skip right to bins, baskets, and drawer dividers. But if you have too much stuff, no amount of organizing will help. I think my best packing lessons have come from removing things I thought I needed. Letting go of “just in case” is hard, but it pays off.

• Challenge yourself to remove duplicates. One frying pan, not three.
• If you have not worn it or used it in a year, pass it along to someone else.
• Only refill consumables (like soap or snacks) when needed. Bulk shopping can eat your space fast.

Try keeping a box or bag handy for items you decide to remove on each trip. After a month, you’ll see it is easier than expected.

Use Vertical and Overhead Spaces

Most motorhomes have a lot of unused vertical space. When you keep everything low, you waste valuable room. Tall cabinets or unused wall space above beds and seats can make a big difference.

• Install hanging organizers inside closet doors for shoes, toiletries, or cleaning supplies.
• S-hooks on rails or shelves give you a spot for mugs, utensils, bags, or hats.
• Use stackable bins or small shelves for pantry goods, especially in cabinets with tall interiors.
• Try hanging mesh pockets or pouches for kids’ books, electronics, or chargers near sleeping areas.

A simple rail with hooks becomes a home for jackets, potholders, or keys. Keeping linens and bags off the floor instantly makes the space feel bigger.

Opt for Multi-Function and Collapsible Gear

Space is at a premium. Anything that folds, stacks, or has more than one function will help. I admit, I was skeptical about collapsible bowls, until I started using them. Now I cannot imagine going back.

Multi-use items are not just about tools. Think about small appliances, too. An Instant Pot or similar multi-cooker can save space if it replaces other gadgets.

Clear Containers Make a Difference

One of the simplest things you can do is switch to clear bins for storage. Being able to see what is inside (without rummaging) saves time and stops you from buying duplicates, too. I used to think fancy bins were overkill, but the see-through ones actually pay off.

• Label bins by category, like “pet supplies,” “charging cables,” or “first aid”. Avoid catch-all bins.
• Use smaller bins inside bigger drawers to stop things from sliding.
• Clear sliding trays in the fridge keep produce organized and avoid bruising.

When every item is visible and easy to grab, you avoid the dreaded pileup of mystery stuff in the back of your cabinets.

Smart Kitchen Strategies

The kitchen or galley is usually the trickiest part. Counter space is tight and every new gadget adds clutter. I think small drawer organizers or a hanging rack for utensils can save more counter room than almost anything else. And if you only cook occasionally, you do not need a fully stocked kitchen in the motorhome.

• Install magnetic spice racks on the fridge or a cabinet wall.
• Nesting pots and bowls take up less space than standalone pieces.
• A roll-up dish drying rack over the sink doubles as prep space.
• Stick a fold-down trash bin under the sink or near the entry.
• Keep a small bin just for frequently used utensils, not a whole drawer full.

Clothes and Laundry Tips

This is where it is easy to lose several drawers to t-shirts, socks, or shoes you hardly wear. Capsule wardrobes are a popular idea for a reason, they make packing and living simpler. But you can also just swap things out based on season and trip length.

• Use packing cubes to divide clothes by type. It makes grab-and-go easy and stops drawer chaos.
• Vacuum-seal bags can shrink down bulky jackets or spare bedding for off-season storage.
• Install extra hooks or a fold-down rack for drying towels or swimsuits, outside, if possible, to keep dampness away from the living area.
• Hang a small laundry bag from the bathroom door or a closet hook, not on the floor.
• Sandals and boots can go in soft hanging shoe sleeves near the entrance.

I did not believe in packing cubes until I realized they stopped everything sliding when I opened a drawer on a steeply-sloped campsite. Sometimes the “gimmicks” actually work.

Tame the Paperwork and Electronics

Even on vacation, paperwork piles up. Registration, campground guides, and chargers tangle and hide everywhere. You might not be able to go totally paperless, but you can at least keep it all sorted.

• Use a small accordion file for insurance, manuals, and receipts. Store it vertically in a narrow cabinet.
• Keep a single zippered pouch just for chargers and cables. Add labels or washi tape to each cord if you share the RV with others.
• Magnetic clips or mini command hooks give you a home for the latest park map or dining coupons, right on the fridge or inside a cabinet door.

Organize Gear for Easy Outdoor Access

If your motorhome has an exterior storage bay or “garage,” it is tempting to treat it as a black hole. Try dividing that space based on activity or trip type. The less you dig, the happier you’ll be. I keep a separate bin just for campsite setup tools, leveling blocks, water hose, gloves, and so on.

• Use two or three large waterproof bins: one for cooking gear, another for outdoor sports or chairs, and a third for tools.
• Attach hooks to walls for hoses and cords.
• Mount a magnetic strip or small pegboard for tools that always get lost (like screwdrivers or wrenches).
• Keep camp shoes or boots in a tall rubber bin near the door (out of the living space).

Maintaining Order on the Road

The best system falls apart once the trip starts and things get thrown around. But if you have a habit of resetting the space each evening or morning, it only takes two minutes. I have learned the less effort it takes to put things back, the less likely I make an excuse to leave it undone.

• Have one small “catch-all” basket for random things picked up throughout the day. Empty it nightly or before heading home.
• Use small colored stickers or tape to mark drawers and bins. One color per person, makes putting things away much easier for families or groups.
• Check high-movement spaces, like the entrance or kitchen counter, twice a day. Keeping these clear changes the mood of the whole motorhome.

Even the best storage solution does not matter if nobody in your group knows where things go. Keep it simple and easy to remember.

Adapt These Ideas to Your Style

No two motorhomes are set up the same, and everyone travels differently. Some people need a place for six fishing rods, others travel with a small pet, and some like to keep things minimal. There is not a perfect system for everyone. What works for me does not always work for someone traveling full time with kids or running a business out of the RV.

• Take time after each trip to write down what worked and what did not, since you will forget by next season.
• Ask other RVers what hacks they use, especially those with a similar floor plan.
• Mark trouble spots. If something always falls or gets lost, there is probably a better way to store it.

Maybe this is obvious, but sometimes it really is about the small daily habits more than big organizing projects. Less stuff plus easy systems equal more space mentally and physically.

Common Motorhome Organization Mistakes

• Buying organizers for everything before seeing if you actually need them.
• Treating every inch equally, rather than keeping the most-used items up front.
• Letting “just in case” take over half your cabinets.
• Not using labels or clear bins, forcing you to dig every time.
• Ignoring vertical and overhead space, which is often unused.

Quick Reference Table: High-Impact Organization Ideas

Final Thoughts

I am not going to pretend every solution above works for every situation. You will have your own preferences. Try things, see what feels natural, and do not be afraid to change your system a few times. That is normal. Even after years, I still tweak my setup after almost every trip.

Motorhome life is about making things work, not recreating a home or showroom. If all else fails, go back to basics, use only what you need, and try to keep things in their place. More space is often a matter of better habits, not more storage.