Full-Time RVing: How to Make Your RV Feel Like Home
Krissy and I have always loved to travel and explore. Sometimes our adventures last just a day, while other times they take us away for two weeks or more. We've traveled close to home, across the country, and even overseas. We've even had a picnic in the median next to our neighborhood just because it sounded like fun.
As much as we love traveling, there is one thing we both look forward to after every trip: coming home.
That thought has made us pause as we prepare to become full-time RVers. Will coming back to our RV feel the same way? Will it truly feel like home?
Home isn't just a house. For us, it's being together. It's our puppies. It's having a place where we can relax, settle in, and simply be. I truly believe Lucky can become that place, but we're doing everything we can now to make sure it does.
If you know Krissy, you know she occasionally changes her mind. (Okay... maybe more than occasionally.) So I gave this dream plenty of time before believing it was really happening. Then I waited to make sure Lucky was the right RV. We've certainly looked at other options over the years—the Beaver was a very short-lived dream—but today I'm about 99% convinced that Lucky is our forever home on wheels.
So what are we doing to make Lucky feel like home?
First, we're making sure everything works. The air conditioner is fixed. The batteries are reliable. The slides slide. The dumping system makes sense. Every trip teaches us a little more about how our RV operates.
We're also learning all of Lucky's little quirks. We finally figured out the water heater. We know what sounds the slides and leveling jacks are supposed to make. We even know not to put anything against the back wall of the refrigerator unless we want it frozen!
Beyond functionality, we're focusing on comfort.
We've replaced the couch with one that's more comfortable for us—and much better for our puppies. We've organized the pantry with storage that actually works. We bought new bedding and pillows. We added colorful rugs to warm up the space. We're even figuring out how to make the washer and dryer work.
And, of course, there are still projects ahead.
We're putting the bedside reading lights on separate switches. We're replacing the toilet with a composting toilet. We're upgrading to an all-electric refrigerator. We installed a new camera system. Little by little, Lucky is becoming more "us."
The biggest milestone, though, happened when I finally felt confident enough to add my personal touches.
I put my hippie flowers on the outside of Lucky, along with our National Park stickers.
Those might seem like small things, but to me they mean everything. The flowers make me smile every time I walk up to the RV. The National Park stickers tell the story of where we've been while reminding us of where we're still hoping to go.
That's when Lucky stopped feeling like just an RV and started feeling like home.
After all, home isn't defined by four walls. It's defined by the people, pets, memories, and little touches that make you excited to come back at the end of every adventure.
What would you add to your RV to make it truly feel like home?
Home is where the heart is,
Anne
