about the couch beiong too high, could you make it so the bottom drawers have a lid on the top , so that you could pull them out a few inches and rest your feet on them. maybe replacxe the handles with rope so that you can do it by foot. also about the openness flow being the reason for no seperating wall, wat about a wall that comes out about 12 inches from the siide, but the wall is made of a see though surface, such as something like a wire mesh wall in a wavy paterrn, iim piitcturing kindof a towel rail lookin thiing as the seperating wall. that way you can still have magnetiic spice rack, and you can still see through it.
ITSTOMMYNUTTER only issue with the lids for the drawers would be storing the lids when they weren't in use, like when they have to get something out of the drawer. maybe like telescoping plastic covers hahaha :3 might be a bit advanced xD
id just make lid so it covers the first few inches of the drawer, hinges at the front, so that when the drawer is pulled open iit just flips up if you need it to.
About the comforter going into the sink. Just add a footboard across the counter area. Something just tall enough to stop the blankets from falling into the sink but doesn't block of the entire area.
HayleyTief If you added a wall, you could actually cut out a section and make a handle, then it would aid in getting into bed. Someone would have restricted leg space though. :/
how about strapping some sort of a net from the top between the sink and the bed? Would keep things open, the sheets out of the sink and you could hook things into it for storage.
That's a great idea and I was thinking just take the wall part way up, leave the top half open and a spice shelf could be attached to the wall but the net idea made me think of using one of those clear vinyl shoe/kitchen pantry pocket storage things that u hang on a door typically. U can put spices in the pockets and whatever else and u can cut to fit. Being clear may keep the open feel. The only problem I see with this is it getting splattered from the sink and it being difficult to clean. Perhaps take the wall up part way and net or vinyl pocket thingy up rest of he way.
Instead of a wall maybe you could hang some fisherman looking netting tight enough so you can hang little pictures off it or something. Basically the right netting could look cool but still give the van the open concept it has. It could look ugly or good...no idea but might be worth trying
Hindsight is 20/20 First time I saw the sink I said the sheets will be in it. Can you divide couch and use left side for pantry? Move shoes and some other things under bed? Or make a top access to pantry?
Or even a shoe container in the deep pantry area, since I imagine they are only using one pair regularly at a time, and then that drawer can be used for pantry. Maybe this is exactly what you are saying :p
Ok so the sheets in the sink thing, a quick fix would be that you could make some kind of a lid for the sink. So that it’s at least covered and the blankets don’t get wet. You’d still have to make sure the counter around it is dry tho. You are so thorough in your explanations of everything, regardless of the hiccups in your build! I’m learning so much!!
For the pantry, i’d add shelves in the area on the sides then use lazy susans on each shelf. could be good for organizing cans, canisters, and other boxes and bagged food. then for the middle space, you could put in a taller rolling plastic drawers. that way you could pull it out easily to access the side shelves.
For that walk by the sink regret- how about a walk that isn't a full wall. What I mean is something like trellis walls on porches. You could still hang spice racks with hooks or something, and it would keep your sheet tucked in- but would still breath. I'm sure with some searching you could even find something really interesting and beautiful- vs just a generic trellis. Just an idea if you are still debating this!
For comforter in the sink issue. Get simple brackets that you could mount to ceiling and counter to slide a piece of frosted plexi glass in. Something nice and thick that could maintain open airy feel and would still let light through. Nice division w/ out compromising the feel of the space. Love the channel!
People are giving some great ideas in the comments!! I really like the idea of swapping part of the pantry with the dirty laundry, maybe it can join the pee funnel? 😂
Cut a cutting board to fit over the sink and number 5 is solved! I am still thinking on solutions for the pantry. Add some shelves for one. This will help. And maybe look at ikea or something for baskets that you can pull all your spices out together and put away when you’re done cooking.
Love the sink idea. My husband and I were going to put the sink where you have it, but now we are you go put it in in front of our door. Thanks for the tip.
You could build 2 sleds for the pantry. One to pull the accessible part out, and the other to move stuff behind sideways ☺️ Also for the sheets in the sink, you could make a little cover that could also serve as a chopping board, to go over the sink so that the sink is covered while you sleep. Love what you guys have done with the van! It looks really good ☺️
Heya! In regards the kitchen sink/sheet situation ye got goin, maybe instead of a full wall, put a partition up to maybe halfway? You could use a sheet of steel maybe, which would act as a backsplash for your sink as well as a barrier.
OH I forgot to say, for the couch, could you put a curve on the end and shorten your drawer just a bit in order to allow the seat to swivel out? If you did that, you could also put a cubby hole in the awkward part of the curve because obviously your drawer sliders won't be able to go on a curved surface. For the problem of not being able to reach the floor from the couch, maybe you could put a tiny ledge that folds up or down on your drawers under the couch. If you cut three pieces and just had a ledge on each drawer, then you could just open down or up the ledge you're sitting above 😁 also I LOVE THE WHOLE VAN and Aubrey, that cushion ❤❤❤
Use your couch drawer as your step by placing a board on it after you pull it out, or build a top board on a drawer or two for comfortable foot placement. Use a sogi screen wall so light goes through and the illusion of openness remains. Thanks for sharing, your build is almost what I want to do with mine 👍🏻
This may have been already suggested, but you could put some tracks on the ceiling and/or counter or bed frame to put a folding and sliding space divider to keep the sheets from falling into the sink. It could be a pleated/creased plastic or harder material, but it could also just be fabric. It doesn't solve the spice rack thing, but it would help you keep the open flow during the day when not in use. Also, I appreciate hearing your honest experiences. I'm not at a point in my life where I can live the van life, but it's on my bucket list, for sure. So, thanks for sharing. 😊
Great videos, guys! Re problem #5, sheets in sink vs open layout, what if you install a cloth pocket divider. The pockets could hold your spices, & could roll down when you’re cooking or sleeping, then roll up when you want the open space. Have grommets or Velcro in the corners to steady the divider in place with hooks/Velcro. Good luck!
For the pantry, I've seen people who use baskets or stackable bins to group like items together. It's easier to pull things out to access the weird hidey-holes in the cabinet - you just pull out one or two baskets instead of 70,000 food items. The key is to keep it organized so you always know which basket holds what you're looking for.
For the pantry, maybe you could install a corner cabinet pull out shelves sort-of thing? you're not working with much space to pull it out but they have ones that are circular, you can rotate and move the shelf to access everything!
Put up a partial stainless steel grid: keeps sheets out of the sink, you can still see through it so doesn't affect "the flow" AND you can hang a spice rack on it!
If hiking find some branches to make a little wall that can be seen through and you can add little boxes to store thinks in. It can go with your ceiling.
For the pantry, you could take the drawer you currently have in the middle rotate it 90 degrees and place it in the pantry on the left side so this way you can open the drawer and reach the things but also can close it and it's using the available space
Nice build 🤗 Perhaps in order to keep the flow, you could put up a simple clear plexiglass “partition” right in front of the sink so your bedding doesn’t go in the sink and you wouldn’t have to tear anything down or restructure anything 😁 The clearness will keep it looking open and all flowy! Just a thought!
They make grabbers for the elderly that has a light so you can see what your grabbing, my mom has one. It's great and will help you in your pantry you can probably find on a medical equipment website. Maybe make use of your ceiling with some flat magnetic thing to hold spices. Looks great! How about put a solid lid on the bottom draws ...pull out and there is foot rest. Or pull out draws and put a plank across. You could paint some friendly we coming words on the plank and then you could hang on wall. Dual purpose!
You can fix dangling feet by cutting a small 6-8” board the length of your drawers you can pull the drawer out a bit and pop in the board and have a place for your feet. You could also run a longer length of tubing to the back of the van for your water storage.
Thought for under the bed. Pull out center (at door) Slide for shelves (each side) these would slide to the center. Use same type slide mechanism you already have used.
An idea for your kitchen, you could still switch your water and fridge. Put the fridge under the sink, in the same position, but slides out sideways toward the couch instead of the towards the front of the van. Then move the water system to where the fridge was, not sure about your plumbing situation. It might be extra effort but this could work.
Add a sliding curtain by the bed (i know what I’m thinking of but I don’t know if that’s the name). You could keep it closed to separate things when you want them separate but open them when you want to have a nice flowy area. A stiffer one would keep the sheets out of the sink too.
Use those see through glass blocks to build a small divide but still allows light. Also, you can add a metal sheet, even a cookie sheet, and have your spices in small magnetic tins.
For the pantry- if you're not looking to make any big customizations, you should store things on the left and right instead of the only middle as you currently are. It would double your current space (even though accessibility would be a little tricky) without doing any type of construction.
Im still dreaming and scheming for my vanlife future, and Im really enjoying your journey. Thanks for all the hints and tips and honest appraisals. Keep having fun!
hinge the bed and use struts so it lifts up to get access to everything underneath. Lots of beds and seats are made like that to access storage. Just an idea.
Met Eamon and Bec in Windermere last week and I'm totally hooked on both your channels. Absolutely love the open plan. Love your friendship with both the vans travelling around. A simple solution to the duvet in the sink is to create a small lip at the end of the bed on the sink side to stop it falling into the sink. Definitely leave the open plan look. Subscribed and cannot stop watching. I have got my girls watching you so they can see what we will be doing in our LWB sprinter. Cannot wait to see your next video. Keep safe and live life to the full.
Another alternative to avoid sheets in the sink may be to have a cutting board fit to cover the sink. Multipurpose by saving space and keeps the sink closed when you’re sleeping! Love your videos and thank you for all the awesome content!💕
i agree totally with the sliding door in the pantry - maybe consider a partial funky curtain stabilized on the floor next to the sink to prevent your sheets in the sink
one trick to see if you might like a separation between the bed and the sink, get a large piece of Foam core from Hobby Lobby of Micheals and cut it to a shape you might be happy with. Just use painter's tape to keep it in place and see how well you might like it. I done this a few times for all sorts of things.
In regards to the sheets falling in the sink, you should get a curtain that runs to the floor so when you sleep you can pull it over and it’ll act as a barrier between the kitchen and the bed and it’ll also be good for like if someone needs to change and you have people in the van or if one of you wants some extra alone time or something
Instead of a full wall between the kitchen and bed, what if you do a short one (6-8 inches) then cap it with a little shelf? You could put one of the small spice racks beneath (one shelf corral/bin type), deflect the blanket, have a place for a cup in the morning, and still keep it mostly open.
They could fit magnetic spice jars on the wall where the mirror is. I think tiny house,giant journey did that. Not many since the knives are there already but like 6 or so.
Add a sliding drawer on the ceiling so you can use the space above the bed when the bed isn't being used and slid it forward when using the bed. Depending on the area available.
For the kitchen/bed situation - maybe you could add a grid-like wall. It would still be (at least) half open. It would stop the sheets and you could hang a few things from both sides. just a thought :)
For the couch, a really easy solution might be to turn your bottom drawers into step stools by adding a slap of wood on top. You could add a hinge that would allow a plank of wood to sit on the top of the drawer and you could open it to access whatver you have inside. I think it would also be a very attractive looking solution. If you have enough stuff, you may even be able to rest a slab of wood on top of all your items as a good temporary fix Hope this helps:) Also I love your guys relationship, when one of you talks, I love the way the other looks. It’s like a deep sense of pride and love. Love you guys!
For the storage issue under the bed I would do three sliding compartments for storage... One left, one right and one forward. For the couch height/foot rests, I would build inserts for the lower drawers to become elevated foot rests. You could get one of those small bungee nets hung vertically to cover the gap between the mattress and the sink. It could be hooked up at night and removed during the day. Sorry. I have no suggestions for the other issues.
Get some sets of plastic drawers for the pantry that are on casters. You can roll them out into your little hallway to access stuff and then roll them back in when youre done with them. Get another dolly for your water jugs. They might rattle while you're driving, but you can fix them in place with hook and eye latches to minimize that. If they're sturdy enough, they can become extra seats as well with a cushion on top. Kinda of like the stool you already have, but on wheels and designed to fit inside your pantry area.
metal piece/ fencing in the kitchen! It doesn't obscure the view, but you can hang a spice rack and still have flow/not a full wall cutting the space off
A lazy susan would waste a huge amount of space. I would put things in boxes or baskets that you can slide out when needed. I hate plastic, but putting stuff in clear containers makes it easier to find something.
Suggestion for the pantry issue. Since you have the sleds in back for the garage, build the sleds to slide all the way into the unusable space of the pantry and then steal some space from the middle of the garage and use the same sled idea so you can easily pull the pantry out and see/access everything.
Build your wall to separate the kitchen sink and the bed on a hinge. So when you drive you close it and secure it. And when you park, you open it to separate. Still allowing to have to open space and her spice rack storage/ divider.
Suggestion re: the kitchen "wall" - put up some kind of metal or wood filigree that you can see through, but that will keep your sheets and blankets out of the sink. You won't be able to put a spice rack on it, but it will help to make the separation you want. Another suggestion would be to make a cutting board that fits over the sink when you aren't using it (like so many of the RVs have).
Here's your free ideas: for #2, make fold down foot rest on one of the drawer fronts, kind of like a shelf with a hinge; on #3, mount a shelf to the back of the cabinet for a bit of storage and you might be able to get a 3/4 pie shape turntable like used in kitchen corner cabinets; on #5 use a chip clip or similar clamp to hold the corner of the covers to the wood end of the bed, or do a kind of open screen like macrame or woven curtain/net that you can open and close back with a snap to be out of the way, and that would keep the cover on its side of the barrier.
A couple of ideas -- For regret #3 (the pantry) - Can you add a small shelf above the main opening? Maybe make it more of a "box" without a top so things don't slide off. You could also add piano hinges to the front of the box so you could pop that down and make access even easier. I would also recommend getting a couple of lazy susan type things. That way everything can stay more organized, but you can swing it around to access what you need. For regret #5 (no bed/kitchen barrier) - Using something like peg board might be a nice compromise. You can re-arrange it to fit any of your needs (hang spice rack, cutting board, etc), and you could use it on the bed side as well. Maybe put your phones there? Plus with peg board some of the light would still get through.
You should def make a cover for the sink so it stays open and flowy. You could even make it like a cutting board so you gain some more cooking space. Spice rack wise you could put magnets on the other side of any cabinet door so they are right there
You can put slides in the pantry so that you just pull it to the center and access everything! It would still be possible for you to do that now, and would make getting to your food so easy!
You could add a ‘half wall’ of sorts between the bed and the sink just to give some separation and also add a small spice rack! Or perhaps just make a cutting board that covers the sink? Anyways you should be proud of the build regardless you did this with your own hands, and that’s amazing! X
For the pantry, you guys should look into Blind Corner Systems. they can be a little on the pricy side, but would make that so much easier to grab everything.
For a step stool for the couch, I would have a 1x6 board laid across the bottom drawers when they are open a bit when you are sitting on the couch and tuck the board under the cushion when you don't need it.
you could put the whole kitchen on a slider not just the fridge so when you need access side the counter over and change the water also with the couch if you turn the frame boards on end you wont lose the amount of storage space but you will gaine about 6 inches on the end of your couch to swivel the chair and it will be just as Strong
Hey there. What about putting a large lazy susan type shelf on at least one side. We have one in our corner under the counter and it works great. You may remember that Christian. Just put a cutting board over the sink and don't worry about it. Sound like things a going well. Love you!!
It sounds to me like you need to consider taking a 2nd run at the couch. How could you build it to use the space more efficiently? Less wood, more usable space. And a little shorter. I would start with the containers to hold your stuff. My first thought was that they should be as light weight as possible so they are easy to slide out and then set on the couch or counter, but another option is to make them strong enough to be structural, or at least supporting.
oh and for the bed... you could make two short curtain rods (the depth of your counter top. mount it to the ceiling and one at the base of your bed. add fabric. this could create a “softer” half way.
Add a slide-out foot-rest in between the drawers under the coach... like they do in kitchens with the slide-out cutting-boards (out of the way when not in use). An idea for the kitchen-spicerack/bedroom separation, you could just build half a wall (the height of bed mattress), so visually doesn't interfere with open space feel, yet offers some storage for magnetic spice jars. (brainstorming!)
Put the containers in your pantry on wheels so you can move them out to access the other containers. Do a rope style net next to counter between it and the bed and hang smaller nets on it for kitchen storage. You can still see through it so you keep the flow plus it's soft and won't interfere with sleeping if you kick it and it will keep the sheets out of the sink. Also you can do a board with a cushion across the two front seats for extra seating.
have you guys considered putting a wire rack in between the kitchen and the bed? it wouldn't screw with the flow as much as the wall and would probably be a lot easier to install right now. You could probably find shelves with hooks that could hang on the wire wall and hold your spices? Just a thought
If you would make a little rails in your pantry (with maybe like a box or just a shelf on top) you could slide two parts to the side. If you want to acces them just get the box in the middle out and slide the box you want to acces to the middle.
Maybe for the kitchen wall you could put like metal mesh or grating like chicken whiteish (idk how to describe it) so it separates but also doesn’t damage the openness of the space.
You don't need a wall. At night, just hang a curtain up between the kitchen and bedroom for when you sleep. Otherwise, you have the blanket tucked in and it's out of the way. The curtain can be taught against the counter, using hooks, and hook it to a decorative attachment on the ceiling. It can be just by the kitchen, or all the way across to the other wall, crosswise on the van.
If you guys do some sort of trellis type thing for the wall, You could do a hanging storage for spices. But it will still allow light to pass, creating the idea of open concept
A white lattice wall would allow light and a see through flow plus an artistic element depending on the type of lattice used. It could also be a home for spice rack, towels and pot holders while also being a place for a small book shelf on the bedroom side. Plus no blankets in the sink
You could make the wall behind your couch cushions into an access panel to that side of the pantry. It wouldn’t help with the grey water but it would open up your space on the other side, and it can be closed when your not using it
Solution for the Drivers Swivel Seat. 'Chop' off the end of the sofa. The central part of the sofa can remain fixed in place. The storage stools on either side can be fixed in place with extra-strength Velcro. Or you could turn the entire sofa into a series of block storage stools. Mount them on wheels or attach plastic sliders to the bottom. Cut handles into both side of the box. They can be brought outside the van for extra seating around a fire pit. Each storage block can be individually designed for storage - 2 large drawers, 4 small drawers, X-cube, the enter box used for storage.
In the pantry, I would add a shelve in the back and the side that is hard to access, plus a basket on top of your plastic storage box for the bread and things like that. The storage box and basket would be easy to pull out, so you can get to the things stored on the floor and shelf behind it. Small storage boxes on the shelf and floor will keep things organised and easy to pull out. As for the wall or no wall between the bed and sink debate. What about a ladder type of frame? It would be easy to make, you could hang a couple of Ikea style storage containers on it to keep spices, yet it is still open enough to not g give the space a closed in feel. Great job with the whole build guys.
For the pantry, put the 3 different sections on rolling trays (like those floor scooters from elementary school lol but like you could just make them yourself with a board and wheels.) that way when you want to get stuff from the right, pull out the middle/front tray out then roll the right tray over and that same with the left. (I honestly probably wouldn’t put the stuff on the left on a tray and just move the middle one out when you need to get to that stuff.)
What if you had a triangle shaped wall by the sink, or even on both sides for symmetry, to prevent the comforter from going in the sink. You'd have a bit of room for a spice rack but the open feel still. Or even just some small "fencing" that you could hang spice jars on and keep the blanket up
Instead of putting a full wall in the kitchen you could use like 1x1 lumber and space them out. That way it keeps your sheets out of the sink, but it would look more open, and you could still add a spice rack!
Thank you for sharing! I feel like the pantry space needs more of a shelf system, even if it is just more of those plastic drawers. I don't know if they make a lazy Susan for a van/boat where things would not constantly fall off but that type of a turn table idea might help make things easier to grab from the hard to reach areas.
For the pantry , why don’t you put two sets of drawers (one on each side) and leave the middle open to pull them out ! That way you can really use the full width and just have the middle fairly free ! Love the van 💙
Suggestion: Shorten the couch on the bed side just enough to fit the pull out seat. Make that pull out drawer into a stand alone portable storage seat. Seat can be moved around to access the water tanks and pantry and you get to keep the massively long couch. Also no assembly of seat required. And get a lazy Susan. Thinking shortening the couch wouldn't be as hard because you already made the frame to fit the seat, just cut that section off.
For the covers in the sink problem: what about something like you would have on the top bunk of bunk beds? Just a few planks, Not all the way to the ceiling, that way it was still open.
Use a glass or perspex divide that slots into place when you in bed, which would still give you the flow but prevent the sheets in the sink. With regard to the pantry space, use space savers on runnerswith only a small margin on either side to allow for the food slides. With regard to the water, use the quick release sister Eamon and Bec have that way you can release the pipes and then slide the bottles in and out whilst sitting on the couch. With regard to the steps slide out bottom draw and place a length of timber over each drawer to keep clothes clean. When travelling, or cooking simply push drawers in rest timber on its side. With regards to the front sweet not swivelling, could you not move the lagoon table mount, or seat mount to facilitate the rotation. Just suggestions
Solution for the Pantry access. Take that corner of the couch and chop it into a stool. Mount the stool (now a portable box that can store things) on wheels. Put a folding door (or 3 sliding doors) on the face of the bed platform. Easy access to everything.
Can you swap the laundry space with some of the pantry space? Also, could you make a cover for the sink? Like a cutting board that fits over the sink?
johnsonfamilyvideos1 cover for sink! Great idea!!!
Good ideas!
I had the same thought with a cutting board over the sink. Great minds think alike!! :D
Great idea specially considering they have the pee funnel at the pantry too, food + pee 👎🏻 dirty laundry + pee go better together
about the couch beiong too high, could you make it so the bottom drawers have a lid on the top , so that you could pull them out a few inches and rest your feet on them. maybe replacxe the handles with rope so that you can do it by foot. also about the openness flow being the reason for no seperating wall, wat about a wall that comes out about 12 inches from the siide, but the wall is made of a see though surface, such as something like a wire mesh wall in a wavy paterrn, iim piitcturing kindof a towel rail lookin thiing as the seperating wall. that way you can still have magnetiic spice rack, and you can still see through it.
ITSTOMMYNUTTER only issue with the lids for the drawers would be storing the lids when they weren't in use, like when they have to get something out of the drawer. maybe like telescoping plastic covers hahaha :3 might be a bit advanced xD
id just make lid so it covers the first few inches of the drawer, hinges at the front, so that when the drawer is pulled open iit just flips up if you need it to.
I would use one side of the pantry to store your dirty laundry, and use the current laundry space for storing dry goods.
I think you must have some female brain cells to think of such a great idea!
totally agree
About the comforter going into the sink. Just add a footboard across the counter area. Something just tall enough to stop the blankets from falling into the sink but doesn't block of the entire area.
I feel like the issue with that is climbing into the bed
Dream Weaver Maybe make it of glass so the flow isn't interrupted? :3
HayleyTief If you added a wall, you could actually cut out a section and make a handle, then it would aid in getting into bed. Someone would have restricted leg space though. :/
Brandon Bachmeier aren't they both pretty short? I could be wrong though. No offense meant guys.
Yup .. and I don't think it would effect getting in and out of bed
Cut a little slit in a cutting board and put it over the sink so that it hooks on and your sheets won't fall in 🤷
Trim a cutting board to fit in the sink to keep the sheets out. Get two folding step stools for the couch
how about strapping some sort of a net from the top between the sink and the bed? Would keep things open, the sheets out of the sink and you could hook things into it for storage.
That's a great idea and I was thinking just take the wall part way up, leave the top half open and a spice shelf could be attached to the wall but the net idea made me think of using one of those clear vinyl shoe/kitchen pantry pocket storage things that u hang on a door typically. U can put spices in the pockets and whatever else and u can cut to fit. Being clear may keep the open feel. The only problem I see with this is it getting splattered from the sink and it being difficult to clean. Perhaps take the wall up part way and net or vinyl pocket thingy up rest of he way.
I like Butch’s idea. I was thinking just bring the wall up as far as the top of the bedding. But the net idea is good too.
I was thinking the same, but maybe peg board instead?
Instead of a wall maybe you could hang some fisherman looking netting tight enough so you can hang little pictures off it or something. Basically the right netting could look cool but still give the van the open concept it has. It could look ugly or good...no idea but might be worth trying
Hindsight is 20/20
First time I saw the sink I said the sheets will be in it.
Can you divide couch and use left side for pantry? Move shoes and some other things under bed? Or make a top access to pantry?
Or even a shoe container in the deep pantry area, since I imagine they are only using one pair regularly at a time, and then that drawer can be used for pantry. Maybe this is exactly what you are saying :p
Add a double shelf lazy susans on each side of the pantry. Go to the cabinet dept at Home Depot.
Ok so the sheets in the sink thing, a quick fix would be that you could make some kind of a lid for the sink. So that it’s at least covered and the blankets don’t get wet. You’d still have to make sure the counter around it is dry tho. You are so thorough in your explanations of everything, regardless of the hiccups in your build! I’m learning so much!!
For the pantry, i’d add shelves in the area on the sides then use lazy susans on each shelf. could be good for organizing cans, canisters, and other boxes and bagged food. then for the middle space, you could put in a taller rolling plastic drawers. that way you could pull it out easily to access the side shelves.
I'm with Aubry on the wall. Maybe a trimmed and painted piece of peg board?
For that walk by the sink regret- how about a walk that isn't a full wall. What I mean is something like trellis walls on porches. You could still hang spice racks with hooks or something, and it would keep your sheet tucked in- but would still breath. I'm sure with some searching you could even find something really interesting and beautiful- vs just a generic trellis. Just an idea if you are still debating this!
wall
For comforter in the sink issue. Get simple brackets that you could mount to ceiling and counter to slide a piece of frosted plexi glass in. Something nice and thick that could maintain open airy feel and would still let light through. Nice division w/ out compromising the feel of the space. Love the channel!
Build a sled in the pantry where you can slide it side by side.
Dede Huchteman Craft Hippie I was thinking the same-ish
I was thinking the same some sliding shelves that would make the side spaces more usable.
add a circular 3-tiered shelving to the pantry that spins.
Dede Huchteman Craft Hippie they need one of them convertable spice racks that fit in cupboards.
Maybe add a lift to the bottom of the bed frame and then make storage spaces inside.
People are giving some great ideas in the comments!! I really like the idea of swapping part of the pantry with the dirty laundry, maybe it can join the pee funnel? 😂
Cut a cutting board to fit over the sink and number 5 is solved! I am still thinking on solutions for the pantry. Add some shelves for one. This will help. And maybe look at ikea or something for baskets that you can pull all your spices out together and put away when you’re done cooking.
Love the sink idea. My husband and I were going to put the sink where you have it, but now we are you go put it in in front of our door. Thanks for the tip.
You could build 2 sleds for the pantry. One to pull the accessible part out, and the other to move stuff behind sideways ☺️
Also for the sheets in the sink, you could make a little cover that could also serve as a chopping board, to go over the sink so that the sink is covered while you sleep. Love what you guys have done with the van! It looks really good ☺️
Heya! In regards the kitchen sink/sheet situation ye got goin, maybe instead of a full wall, put a partition up to maybe halfway? You could use a sheet of steel maybe, which would act as a backsplash for your sink as well as a barrier.
That way, you're still allowing light the whole way through
OH I forgot to say, for the couch, could you put a curve on the end and shorten your drawer just a bit in order to allow the seat to swivel out? If you did that, you could also put a cubby hole in the awkward part of the curve because obviously your drawer sliders won't be able to go on a curved surface.
For the problem of not being able to reach the floor from the couch, maybe you could put a tiny ledge that folds up or down on your drawers under the couch. If you cut three pieces and just had a ledge on each drawer, then you could just open down or up the ledge you're sitting above 😁 also I LOVE THE WHOLE VAN and Aubrey, that cushion ❤❤❤
Use your couch drawer as your step by placing a board on it after you pull it out, or build a top board on a drawer or two for comfortable foot placement.
Use a sogi screen wall so light goes through and the illusion of openness remains.
Thanks for sharing, your build is almost what I want to do with mine 👍🏻
This may have been already suggested, but you could put some tracks on the ceiling and/or counter or bed frame to put a folding and sliding space divider to keep the sheets from falling into the sink. It could be a pleated/creased plastic or harder material, but it could also just be fabric. It doesn't solve the spice rack thing, but it would help you keep the open flow during the day when not in use. Also, I appreciate hearing your honest experiences. I'm not at a point in my life where I can live the van life, but it's on my bucket list, for sure. So, thanks for sharing. 😊
Great videos, guys! Re problem #5, sheets in sink vs open layout, what if you install a cloth pocket divider. The pockets could hold your spices, & could roll down when you’re cooking or sleeping, then roll up when you want the open space. Have grommets or Velcro in the corners to steady the divider in place with hooks/Velcro. Good luck!
For the pantry, I've seen people who use baskets or stackable bins to group like items together. It's easier to pull things out to access the weird hidey-holes in the cabinet - you just pull out one or two baskets instead of 70,000 food items. The key is to keep it organized so you always know which basket holds what you're looking for.
For the pantry, maybe you could install a corner cabinet pull out shelves sort-of thing? you're not working with much space to pull it out but they have ones that are circular, you can rotate and move the shelf to access everything!
Put up a partial stainless steel grid: keeps sheets out of the sink, you can still see through it so doesn't affect "the flow" AND you can hang a spice rack on it!
Covers in the sink issue... a Cutting board that fits upright at the end of the counter that you can put up when you go to bed. Double duty win.
If hiking find some branches to make a little wall that can be seen through and you can add little boxes to store thinks in. It can go with your ceiling.
For the pantry, you could take the drawer you currently have in the middle rotate it 90 degrees and place it in the pantry on the left side so this way you can open the drawer and reach the things but also can close it and it's using the available space
Nice build 🤗 Perhaps in order to keep the flow, you could put up a simple clear plexiglass “partition” right in front of the sink so your bedding doesn’t go in the sink and you wouldn’t have to tear anything down or restructure anything 😁 The clearness will keep it looking open and all flowy! Just a thought!
They make grabbers for the elderly that has a light so you can see what your grabbing, my mom has one. It's great and will help you in your pantry you can probably find on a medical equipment website.
Maybe make use of your ceiling with some flat magnetic thing to hold spices. Looks great! How about put a solid lid on the bottom draws ...pull out and there is foot rest. Or pull out draws and put a plank across. You could paint some friendly we coming words on the plank and then you could hang on wall. Dual purpose!
You can fix dangling feet by cutting a small 6-8” board the length of your drawers you can pull the drawer out a bit and pop in the board and have a place for your feet. You could also run a longer length of tubing to the back of the van for your water storage.
Thought for under the bed. Pull out center (at door) Slide for shelves (each side) these would slide to the center. Use same type slide mechanism you already have used.
An idea for your kitchen, you could still switch your water and fridge. Put the fridge under the sink, in the same position, but slides out sideways toward the couch instead of the towards the front of the van. Then move the water system to where the fridge was, not sure about your plumbing situation. It might be extra effort but this could work.
Add a sliding curtain by the bed (i know what I’m thinking of but I don’t know if that’s the name). You could keep it closed to separate things when you want them separate but open them when you want to have a nice flowy area. A stiffer one would keep the sheets out of the sink too.
Use those see through glass blocks to build a small divide but still allows light. Also, you can add a metal sheet, even a cookie sheet, and have your spices in small magnetic tins.
What about a lattice type of wall next to the sink? You would have the wall space, the sheets would stay out of the sink, but keep the openness.
For the pantry- if you're not looking to make any big customizations, you should store things on the left and right instead of the only middle as you currently are. It would double your current space (even though accessibility would be a little tricky) without doing any type of construction.
Im still dreaming and scheming for my vanlife future, and Im really enjoying your journey. Thanks for all the hints and tips and honest appraisals. Keep having fun!
Just add a half wall between the kitchen and the bed! It's a good compromise. It keeps the flow open but will help keep the sheets out of the sink! 😊
hinge the bed and use struts so it lifts up to get access to everything underneath. Lots of beds and seats are made like that to access storage. Just an idea.
Met Eamon and Bec in Windermere last week and I'm totally hooked on both your channels. Absolutely love the open plan. Love your friendship with both the vans travelling around. A simple solution to the duvet in the sink is to create a small lip at the end of the bed on the sink side to stop it falling into the sink. Definitely leave the open plan look. Subscribed and cannot stop watching. I have got my girls watching you so they can see what we will be doing in our LWB sprinter. Cannot wait to see your next video. Keep safe and live life to the full.
Another alternative to avoid sheets in the sink may be to have a cutting board fit to cover the sink. Multipurpose by saving space and keeps the sink closed when you’re sleeping! Love your videos and thank you for all the awesome content!💕
i agree totally with the sliding door in the pantry - maybe consider a partial funky curtain stabilized on the floor next to the sink to prevent your sheets in the sink
one trick to see if you might like a separation between the bed and the sink, get a large piece of Foam core from Hobby Lobby of Micheals and cut it to a shape you might be happy with. Just use painter's tape to keep it in place and see how well you might like it. I done this a few times for all sorts of things.
Put a slider in the pantry so you can easily reach the stuff behind your plastic drawer
In regards to the sheets falling in the sink, you should get a curtain that runs to the floor so when you sleep you can pull it over and it’ll act as a barrier between the kitchen and the bed and it’ll also be good for like if someone needs to change and you have people in the van or if one of you wants some extra alone time or something
Instead of a full wall between the kitchen and bed, what if you do a short one (6-8 inches) then cap it with a little shelf? You could put one of the small spice racks beneath (one shelf corral/bin type), deflect the blanket, have a place for a cup in the morning, and still keep it mostly open.
Nice to see you staying positive in the face of failure.
Let Aubrey have her wall, spice rack is a necessary in the kitchen!!!! 😝
They could fit magnetic spice jars on the wall where the mirror is. I think tiny house,giant journey did that. Not many since the knives are there already but like 6 or so.
Add a sliding drawer on the ceiling so you can use the space above the bed when the bed isn't being used and slid it forward when using the bed. Depending on the area available.
I was going to say use the ceiling for magnetic spice containers.
I agree with leaving the deep pantry for items that you don’t access very often and use part of the storage under the couch for the pantry.
For the kitchen/bed situation - maybe you could add a grid-like wall. It would still be (at least) half open. It would stop the sheets and you could hang a few things from both sides. just a thought :)
For the couch, a really easy solution might be to turn your bottom drawers into step stools by adding a slap of wood on top. You could add a hinge that would allow a plank of wood to sit on the top of the drawer and you could open it to access whatver you have inside. I think it would also be a very attractive looking solution.
If you have enough stuff, you may even be able to rest a slab of wood on top of all your items as a good temporary fix
Hope this helps:)
Also I love your guys relationship, when one of you talks, I love the way the other looks. It’s like a deep sense of pride and love.
Love you guys!
For the storage issue under the bed I would do three sliding compartments for storage... One left, one right and one forward. For the couch height/foot rests, I would build inserts for the lower drawers to become elevated foot rests. You could get one of those small bungee nets hung vertically to cover the gap between the mattress and the sink. It could be hooked up at night and removed during the day. Sorry. I have no suggestions for the other issues.
Get some sets of plastic drawers for the pantry that are on casters. You can roll them out into your little hallway to access stuff and then roll them back in when youre done with them. Get another dolly for your water jugs. They might rattle while you're driving, but you can fix them in place with hook and eye latches to minimize that. If they're sturdy enough, they can become extra seats as well with a cushion on top. Kinda of like the stool you already have, but on wheels and designed to fit inside your pantry area.
metal piece/ fencing in the kitchen! It doesn't obscure the view, but you can hang a spice rack and still have flow/not a full wall cutting the space off
The sink and water think is the only major thing to me and adding a partial wall by the sink would be great.
put a lazy susan in the pantry
A lazy susan would waste a huge amount of space. I would put things in boxes or baskets that you can slide out when needed. I hate plastic, but putting stuff in clear containers makes it easier to find something.
For the sink: cutting board. For the pantry: Pull out cabinet organizer (The container store)... and some stackable shelving would help.
Suggestion for the pantry issue. Since you have the sleds in back for the garage, build the sleds to slide all the way into the unusable space of the pantry and then steal some space from the middle of the garage and use the same sled idea so you can easily pull the pantry out and see/access everything.
Build your wall to separate the kitchen sink and the bed on a hinge. So when you drive you close it and secure it. And when you park, you open it to separate. Still allowing to have to open space and her spice rack storage/ divider.
Suggestion re: the kitchen "wall" - put up some kind of metal or wood filigree that you can see through, but that will keep your sheets and blankets out of the sink. You won't be able to put a spice rack on it, but it will help to make the separation you want. Another suggestion would be to make a cutting board that fits over the sink when you aren't using it (like so many of the RVs have).
Here's your free ideas: for #2, make fold down foot rest on one of the drawer fronts, kind of like a shelf with a hinge; on #3, mount a shelf to the back of the cabinet for a bit of storage and you might be able to get a 3/4 pie shape turntable like used in kitchen corner cabinets; on #5 use a chip clip or similar clamp to hold the corner of the covers to the wood end of the bed, or do a kind of open screen like macrame or woven curtain/net that you can open and close back with a snap to be out of the way, and that would keep the cover on its side of the barrier.
A couple of ideas --
For regret #3 (the pantry) - Can you add a small shelf above the main opening? Maybe make it more of a "box" without a top so things don't slide off. You could also add piano hinges to the front of the box so you could pop that down and make access even easier. I would also recommend getting a couple of lazy susan type things. That way everything can stay more organized, but you can swing it around to access what you need.
For regret #5 (no bed/kitchen barrier) - Using something like peg board might be a nice compromise. You can re-arrange it to fit any of your needs (hang spice rack, cutting board, etc), and you could use it on the bed side as well. Maybe put your phones there? Plus with peg board some of the light would still get through.
You should def make a cover for the sink so it stays open and flowy. You could even make it like a cutting board so you gain some more cooking space. Spice rack wise you could put magnets on the other side of any cabinet door so they are right there
You can put slides in the pantry so that you just pull it to the center and access everything! It would still be possible for you to do that now, and would make getting to your food so easy!
You could add a ‘half wall’ of sorts between the bed and the sink just to give some separation and also add a small spice rack! Or perhaps just make a cutting board that covers the sink? Anyways you should be proud of the build regardless you did this with your own hands, and that’s amazing! X
For the pantry, you guys should look into Blind Corner Systems. they can be a little on the pricy side, but would make that so much easier to grab everything.
Really loving these videos guys! Thank you for all the time and effort you go to for these. 😊
Suggestion....use a type of old bottle wooden crate and hang with chain attached on top and bottom by the sink and the light will come through....
For a step stool for the couch, I would have a 1x6 board laid across the bottom drawers when they are open a bit when you are sitting on the couch and tuck the board under the cushion when you don't need it.
you could put the whole kitchen on a slider not just the fridge so when you need access side the counter over and change the water also with the couch if you turn the frame boards on end you wont lose the amount of storage space but you will gaine about 6 inches on the end of your couch to swivel the chair and it will be just as Strong
Hey there. What about putting a large lazy susan type shelf on at least one side. We have one in our corner under the counter and it works great. You may remember that Christian. Just put a cutting board over the sink and don't worry about it. Sound like things a going well. Love you!!
It sounds to me like you need to consider taking a 2nd run at the couch. How could you build it to use the space more efficiently? Less wood, more usable space. And a little shorter.
I would start with the containers to hold your stuff. My first thought was that they should be as light weight as possible so they are easy to slide out and then set on the couch or counter, but another option is to make them strong enough to be structural, or at least supporting.
oh and for the bed... you could make two short curtain rods (the depth of your counter top. mount it to the ceiling and one at the base of your bed. add fabric. this could create a “softer” half way.
I'm always amazed that people just don't copy what others have that works.
Add a slide-out foot-rest in between the drawers under the coach... like they do in kitchens with the slide-out cutting-boards (out of the way when not in use). An idea for the kitchen-spicerack/bedroom separation, you could just build half a wall (the height of bed mattress), so visually doesn't interfere with open space feel, yet offers some storage for magnetic spice jars. (brainstorming!)
Put the containers in your pantry on wheels so you can move them out to access the other containers. Do a rope style net next to counter between it and the bed and hang smaller nets on it for kitchen storage. You can still see through it so you keep the flow plus it's soft and won't interfere with sleeping if you kick it and it will keep the sheets out of the sink. Also you can do a board with a cushion across the two front seats for extra seating.
have you guys considered putting a wire rack in between the kitchen and the bed? it wouldn't screw with the flow as much as the wall and would probably be a lot easier to install right now. You could probably find shelves with hooks that could hang on the wire wall and hold your spices? Just a thought
If you would make a little rails in your pantry (with maybe like a box or just a shelf on top) you could slide two parts to the side. If you want to acces them just get the box in the middle out and slide the box you want to acces to the middle.
For the pantry area you can add a lazy-susan type rotating platform so you can access the whole space from the door.
Maybe for the kitchen wall you could put like metal mesh or grating like chicken whiteish (idk how to describe it) so it separates but also doesn’t damage the openness of the space.
You don't need a wall. At night, just hang a curtain up between the kitchen and bedroom for when you sleep. Otherwise, you have the blanket tucked in and it's out of the way. The curtain can be taught against the counter, using hooks, and hook it to a decorative attachment on the ceiling. It can be just by the kitchen, or all the way across to the other wall, crosswise on the van.
If you guys do some sort of trellis type thing for the wall, You could do a hanging storage for spices. But it will still allow light to pass, creating the idea of open concept
A white lattice wall would allow light and a see through flow plus an artistic element depending on the type of lattice used. It could also be a home for spice rack, towels and pot holders while also being a place for a small book shelf on the bedroom side. Plus no blankets in the sink
Love the colours you chose. Clean and bright, looks open and airy!
You could make the wall behind your couch cushions into an access panel to that side of the pantry. It wouldn’t help with the grey water but it would open up your space on the other side, and it can be closed when your not using it
Solution for the Drivers Swivel Seat. 'Chop' off the end of the sofa. The central part of the sofa can remain fixed in place. The storage stools on either side can be fixed in place with extra-strength Velcro.
Or you could turn the entire sofa into a series of block storage stools. Mount them on wheels or attach plastic sliders to the bottom.
Cut handles into both side of the box. They can be brought outside the van for extra seating around a fire pit.
Each storage block can be individually designed for storage - 2 large drawers, 4 small drawers, X-cube, the enter box used for storage.
Put a temporary divider in by the sink at night, a thin piece of luan or something similar. Take it off again in the morning. Van looks great.
In the pantry, I would add a shelve in the back and the side that is hard to access, plus a basket on top of your plastic storage box for the bread and things like that. The storage box and basket would be easy to pull out, so you can get to the things stored on the floor and shelf behind it. Small storage boxes on the shelf and floor will keep things organised and easy to pull out. As for the wall or no wall between the bed and sink debate. What about a ladder type of frame? It would be easy to make, you could hang a couple of Ikea style storage containers on it to keep spices, yet it is still open enough to not g give the space a closed in feel. Great job with the whole build guys.
For the pantry, put the 3 different sections on rolling trays (like those floor scooters from elementary school lol but like you could just make them yourself with a board and wheels.) that way when you want to get stuff from the right, pull out the middle/front tray out then roll the right tray over and that same with the left. (I honestly probably wouldn’t put the stuff on the left on a tray and just move the middle one out when you need to get to that stuff.)
What if you had a triangle shaped wall by the sink, or even on both sides for symmetry, to prevent the comforter from going in the sink. You'd have a bit of room for a spice rack but the open feel still. Or even just some small "fencing" that you could hang spice jars on and keep the blanket up
Instead of putting a full wall in the kitchen you could use like 1x1 lumber and space them out. That way it keeps your sheets out of the sink, but it would look more open, and you could still add a spice rack!
Thank you for sharing! I feel like the pantry space needs more of a shelf system, even if it is just more of those plastic drawers. I don't know if they make a lazy Susan for a van/boat where things would not constantly fall off but that type of a turn table idea might help make things easier to grab from the hard to reach areas.
For the pantry , why don’t you put two sets of drawers (one on each side) and leave the middle open to pull them out ! That way you can really use the full width and just have the middle fairly free ! Love the van 💙
Suggestion: Shorten the couch on the bed side just enough to fit the pull out seat. Make that pull out drawer into a stand alone portable storage seat. Seat can be moved around to access the water tanks and pantry and you get to keep the massively long couch. Also no assembly of seat required. And get a lazy Susan.
Thinking shortening the couch wouldn't be as hard because you already made the frame to fit the seat, just cut that section off.
For the covers in the sink problem: what about something like you would have on the top bunk of bunk beds? Just a few planks, Not all the way to the ceiling, that way it was still open.
Use a glass or perspex divide that slots into place when you in bed, which would still give you the flow but prevent the sheets in the sink. With regard to the pantry space, use space savers on runnerswith only a small margin on either side to allow for the food slides. With regard to the water, use the quick release sister Eamon and Bec have that way you can release the pipes and then slide the bottles in and out whilst sitting on the couch. With regard to the steps slide out bottom draw and place a length of timber over each drawer to keep clothes clean. When travelling, or cooking simply push drawers in rest timber on its side. With regards to the front sweet not swivelling, could you not move the lagoon table mount, or seat mount to facilitate the rotation. Just suggestions
Solution for the Pantry access. Take that corner of the couch and chop it into a stool. Mount the stool (now a portable box that can store things) on wheels. Put a folding door (or 3 sliding doors) on the face of the bed platform. Easy access to everything.