whether you’re a digital nomad or just looking for an adventure on the road, there’s a lot to think about when you’re deciding which items are must-haves, which features to include, and which van life essentials you actually need for your live-in van.
to make it a little easier, our florida van life co team put together the top 10 van life essentials for your tiny home on wheels — from built-in features to the extra-special, functional stuff.
#1: kitchen space
let’s be honest, you’re not fitting a huge countertop, a six-person dining table, a four-burner stovetop, a conventional oven, and a giant refrigerator into a tiny home on wheels. van life is all about downsizing. but life on the road doesn’t mean giving up home-cooked meals — the goal is efficiency without clutter.
- kitchen sink with fresh, running water and a built-in electric water pump
- microwave (shore-powered or solar-powered)
- off-grid rv fridge — we love the 12v portable refrigerators from bougerv
- cooktop — plug-in induction, propane, diesel, or an outdoor foldable cook station or grill. van lifer’s choice
- durable cookware, plates, utensils, and cups — stackable or nesting pieces save so much space
- compact cooking tools — small blenders, kettles, or a travel coffee press
#2: bathroom
let’s get into the down and dirty. a built-in bathroom is always a plus when you’re living on the road, and lots of camper vans have compact showers with portable toilets that tuck away when they’re not in use. there are plenty of options — cassette, composting, bag or bucket, even dry-flush systems.
some of our builds include a portable toilet and a shower with a built-in heater for hot water. if your van doesn’t have a bathroom, public facilities, rv campsites, and disposable wag bags are always an option.
#3: a comfortable bed
this one sounds obvious, but if you’re living in a van you’re going to want a comfortable bed to crawl into after a long day of driving. we build queen-size beds into most of our vans so there’s room to stretch out — or cuddle a travel buddy or a fur baby.
bonus: build the bed on top of storage. most of our vans already have cabinets and drawers underneath, so there’s room for everything you need on the road.
#4: window covers and shades
window covers are a must-have for privacy and safety. insulated covers with magnets also help you stay cool in summer and warm in winter by holding temperature while they stick to the glass all night.
shades block the distracting light that creeps in at night — passing headlights, streetlights, all of it. they’re easy to store too, so on the days you want the light, slide them off and tuck them under the mattress or behind the seats.
#5: temperature control
we won’t sugarcoat it — the weather outside will absolutely affect how your van feels inside. alongside insulated window covers, these help:
- portable a/c
- fans
- space heaters
- diesel or propane heaters
even where you park matters. shade keeps the interior cooler. the good news: a small space changes temperature fast, whichever way you need it to go.
#6: something that brings you joy
technically joy isn’t an essential. but who said a tiny home only gets the bare minimum? we’re all about spreading the joy, so we add little touches like hammocks for lounging after a long day of driving. bring in whatever makes you happy:
- incense or diffusers
- small art pieces
- led fairy lights
- swings
- desk lamps and pencil holders for the working nomad
- throw pillows and blankets
- photo walls
- glow-in-the-dark stars
- a travel map with pins for everywhere you’ve been
- a portable projector for movie nights
- instruments
it’s all about putting your personality into your van. we love adding pops of life with real plants and bright painted flowers — a homey touch, and a nudge to get out into nature.
#7: off-grid solar panels + battery system
solar panels and batteries go hand in hand, and you really do need both. solar energy gets converted from sunlight into electricity, which charges everything you use daily — your phone, your fridge, your lights.
most of our vans have both solar and batteries already installed, so running out of power isn’t something you have to think about. you need batteries to charge your things, and you need solar to charge the batteries. so we include both.
#8: storage space
we recommend traveling light, but there are still things you have to bring. storage keeps it organized and out of the way while staying easy to reach. we always build in plenty of it.
#9: recovery and safety gear
safety is the top priority. every one of our campers is mechanically sound and thoroughly inspected by mechanic shops we trust — but every vehicle runs into something eventually. stay prepared:
- collapsible shovel for clearing sand or snow
- tow recovery straps for getting unstuck
- car jack
- recovery boards for mud, snow, sand, or slush
- satellite communicator for off-grid travel
- tire pressure gauge
- air compressor
- tire repair kit
we also recommend a roadside assistance program, just in case.
#10: a skylight
last but definitely not least — our non-negotiable is a big, beautiful skylight.
when our founder estelle lived in a van traveling for five years, she loved the national parks. but she couldn’t see the stars from inside, and being tucked away every night with the windows covered for safety felt isolating. so when she started florida van life co, she started adding skylights to every build, so you can feel safe and still see everything around you.
skylights usually get treated as an add-on. we treat them as standard.
start your van life adventure
these are the essentials we’d recommend, but what goes in your camper is completely up to you. we love the process of building one out from start to finish, and every one of ours is one of a kind.
our campers live at our lot in sunny st. petersburg, florida, turnkey ready to drive off toward a beachside sunset. if you’re thinking about starting your own van life adventure, take a look at our latest builds, try the build quiz, or contact us.
happy van life!