DIY Mum Transforms Caravan Into Stunning Highland-Themed Space For Just £300
- Clare Moore, 47, wanted to renovate her caravan on a budget
- She managed to transform the space for just £300
- Clare used budget materials such as sticky vinyl and accessories from B&M, Wilko and Aldi
If you have a caravan in need of some TLC, you’ve probably thought that renovating it would cost thousands.
However, this determined mum has proven that you can pull off a stunning renovation for a lot less than that.
Clare Moore, 47, a nursery administrator and mum of three from South West Scotland, has had her caravan for nine years - but it was looking a little tired.
Now that her sons are grown up, she decided to embark on a DIY adventure, totally transforming the caravan into a stunning Highland-themed space.
By using budget materials such as sticky vinyl, doing it herself with the help of YouTube videos and accessorising with affordable decorations from B&M, Wilko and Aldi, Clare managed to pull off the entire renovation for just £300.
Clare told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: “I’ve had my van for nine years and had many brilliant holidays in it with our three young boys.
“They have now grown into three young men who have their own adventures to have, which made me decide on a wee revamp for my hubby and I to enjoy.
“I started with giving all the woodwork a couple of coats of paint, which was definitely the worst part - halfway through I did wonder why I had ever started it!
“To paint the cupboards, we removed all the doors, took off the hinges and removed all the trims, then washed everything down with sugar soap.
“We then sanded all the wood followed by two coats of Wilko paint applied with a small foam roller.
“I took out the bunk beds at the back, made up the bed and added a mattress topper and new bedding.
“I removed the blinds behind the bed and made a headboard.
“The headboard was made from a piece of plywood cut to size, then we used a spare quilt folded over for padding.
“The whole thing was covered with an old curtain and stapled to the back.
“This extra material was also used to cover the pelmet above the front windows.
"The headboard was attached by slotting it behind a small ledge on the wall and using plastic blocks to secure at the top so the whole thing can easily be removed if needed.
"The caravan is a five berth so the area with the bed doubles as a seating area.
“We just made it up as normal after unscrewing the fold up bunk bed that could be put up above it. This was to give us slightly more room.
"We added a mattress topper for more comfort and bought all new bedding.
“I had seen the stag bedding a while ago and thought it would be perfect.
“I had a small slip up when dyeing the curtains, and they came out checked, which led to the Highland theme.
"The curtains were one of the first things I did after the painting and were supposed to be a lovely espresso brown.
"I didn't realise that the material they were made of would dye but the cross stitching over them would not so I was very disappointed when they came out checked and not as dark as I had hoped.
"Four pods of dye and way too many hours of the washing machine being on later I decided just to go with it and embrace the pattern.
"I now think they go really well with my Highland theme, however the colour clashed so much with the seats I ended up buying all new seat covers from ebay.
“Buying stretchy seat covers from ebay made such a difference to the whole look.
“I used some leftover wallpaper for behind the sink and sticky backed vinyl for the worktop.
"It took me a very large glass of wine to attempt sticking the vinyl round the sink and I would prefer if no one looked at it too closely!
"I couldn't have done it without my husband's help and encouragement.
“The paint cost £20, the headboard was just a few pounds for plywood and the rest I already had.
“The bed cost £100 for the mattress topper, new duvet, pillows and bedding and the seat covers were £60 - they are elastic and just pop over the top of your seats.
"If needed you can get bed sheet clips to hold them in place but I've not needed these.
“A great tip is when you have the covers on, gently pull on the original buttons and loop them round loom bands, as this makes it look like you have had the buttons reupholstered in the same material.
“The dye for the curtains was £28, and the sticky vinyl for the kitchen was £10 - plus wine!
“The most enjoyable part was searching for accessories to tie it all together.
“I found the accessories at B&M, Aldi, Wilko and The Original Factory Shop.
“The stag and cow cushions and throws were £46.
"I used two cushion pads I already had and made the cushion on the bed from another piece of material left over from the headboard.
“I used a no sew method I found on a YouTube video.
"The beautiful stag candle was made by a friend and I also spent about £50 on artificial plants and hanging decorations.
"Finally there are little battery operated strip lights above the bed for reading, which cost £3.
“My last purchase was Christmas lights with little wooden stags for along the front which finish it off perfectly, which cost £6.”
Clare is thrilled with the results of her renovation, and says the hardest part was actually starting - once she began the project, she soon got into the swing of things.
“The total cost was roughly £300,” she adds. “I’m absolutely delighted with the results, which are much better than what I had hoped for.
"It is so much brighter and we can't wait to make more memories in her.
“My advice for anyone thinking of doing up a van is to go for it.
“The hardest part is having the courage to start it.
"I was so worried I would devalue it or it would be a disaster.
“Joining caravan Facebook groups was a revelation - they gave me so many ideas and the inspiration to finish it off.
"It was a fantastic feeling being able to complete the renovation for £300 and achieve such a beautiful result.
"The cost would have been so much more if we hadn't done everything ourselves!"
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, comments: “Looking at the before and after pictures of Clare’s caravan, you’d think she spent thousands turning the place into this gorgeous Highland-themed space.
“It’s amazing to think she only spent £300!
“It just goes to show that by using wallet-friendly materials such as sticky vinyl, and being thrifty by making your own headboard, you can achieve an expensive look on a budget.
“I think Clare’s tips of joining Facebook groups and watching YouTube tutorials are great - there are infinite resources out there to help you become a DIY pro in no time.
“As she says, just starting the project is the most difficult step!”
What to read next?
Save More With These Discount CodesRead More Money Saving Guides
I love what Clare has done to update her old caravan. It really looks like a new caravan. It just goes to show what you can archive when you put your mind into renovating something from old to new. 