The decor in these campers, even most of the new ones, is just unbearable to me. The very first thing I did after driving ours home was remove the window treatments and borders (except for where the backsplash was going). No, I didn’t want to recover or reattach the valances, and no, I didn’t mind going without shades or blinds for a while. I could not get rid of those things fast enough. Oh, and I also peeled off the laminate countertop edging. Luckily, it was already coming loose in spots so the job was pretty easy.

Next, I filled in any gaps or imperfections in the cabinet surfaces and sanded down the areas once dry. I really like using this spackling because it changes color to white as it cures, which I find super helpful when working in multiple areas at once.

Finally, every surface got a thorough cleaning. Following the advice of others, I’ve been using SIMPLE GREEN wipes on everything as a key step in preparation for paint or wallpaper. Even if a surface looks and feels clean, there’s usually some grease or buildup that can affect adhesion, so don’t skip this step!

I knew I wanted the cabinets painted a light neutral color. And I also knew it would be a total pain. I’ve painted countless walls over the years, but I’ve always left cabinet painting to the pros. And let me tell you, painting cabinets in the confined quarters of a camper definitely confirmed why! It’s been a tedious process, but I’m treating it as a necessary means to an end. The more patience you can find, the better your results will be.

After a lot of research, I chose Manor House by Heirloom Traditions for the cabinets. It's a soft creamy shade that was similar to what was catching my eye in inspiration photos. I also used their Iron Gate color (a deep black) on the fridge panels for contrast. This brand markets itself as an all-in-one paint (primer, paint, and topcoat), but many reviews recommended priming anyway, so I did.

I didn’t paint the inside of the cabinets, but I did paint both sides of the doors. My main complaint: the paint peeled off easily when I used blue painter’s tape along the edges, even after it had dried completely. Definitely something to keep in mind if you’ll be taping to paint adjacent surfaces.

Since I was working with unfamiliar surfaces and wanted the best result possible, I used the tools recommended by Heirloom Traditions. The thick brush helped with their recommended heavier application, and the sponge tools were useful for smoothing things out. If you go this route, their website has tons of helpful resources...worth checking out before you begin.

Hardware Swap

For the cabinet hardware, I kept it simple with squared black handles that matched the existing width. That way, we didn’t have to patch or drill new holes.

If your original hardware is still in good shape, consider reselling it as a full set on Marketplace. We did this with our kitchen knobs and pulls during a recent home remodel and made a little extra cash. Just make sure to take a few appealing photos before you remove them to make your listing stand out.

My original plan was inspired by a blogger who used black chalk paint over gray primer, finished with a clear matte topcoat to mimic the look of soapstone. I loved how it turned out in their example, and the best part was that it could be applied directly over the existing laminate. I decided to test it out on the dinette table first, but after many coats of each product, I just wasn’t happy with the result.

I also experimented with replacing the edging. The first option I tried fit perfectly, but I worried about food and debris getting caught under the small top lip. Using extra sealer or glue made things messy. After more online searching, I found a wider edging with built-in adhesive on the lip, but then the challenge became smoothing it around the rounded corners. In the end, I scrapped this whole idea. But if you try this route, I wish you better luck!

What I settled on (for now) is a peel-and-stick matte black wallpaper with heat-applied edging covers and this caulk trim to make a smooth and sealed transitions between the countertops and the walls, sink, and appliances. It’s far from a perfect or permanent solution, but I remind myself that it still looks much better than the original laminate. Down the road, we’ll likely explore a full countertop replacement, possibly butcher block.

For the backsplash, I went with a small peel-and-stick tile that came in 12" x 12" panels. It was super easy to cut as long as I was keeping the tiles whole. But when it came to angled cuts or trimming tiles to smaller sizes, I definitely could’ve used a more professional setup. These particular tiles didn’t allow for repositioning once they were on the wall, so precision is key. Because of their strong adhesive, I didn’t use any extra adhesive spray. It wasn’t necessary and might have made things messier.

A few finishing accessories helped pull everything together: White adjustable trim around the switch box. Grout to fill any noticeable gaps or slight unevenness and help seal out moisture. Caulk along the edges for a smooth, sealed border. I did look at coordinating trim pieces specifically made for peel-and-stick tile backsplashes, but they were a bit pricey. For a camper setup, I think the caulk worked just fine.

The kitchen window in our camper has very little surrounding wall space, which made choosing a window treatment surprisingly specific. I needed a rod that was only 24 inches long, but most options started at 28 inches. I also needed small finials, low-profile wall brackets, and ideally something that could adhere without screws.

Tension rods were tempting since they often come in smaller sizes, but they weren’t an option here. The window trim isn’t wide enough to support one, and there’s no wall on both sides for it to anchor against. In the end, I found a curtain rod that fit the bill. It came in a 2-pack, had the right size and scale, and could be mounted with adhesive tape or screws. So far, I’m happy with the fit and look, but time will tell how well the adhesive holds up in the heat and humidity of summer.

There are tons of curtain options online, and honestly, if I were handier with a sewing machine, I probably would have made my own. I was looking for something neutral, with a bit of texture and just enough privacy. Total light-blocking wasn’t a priority for this space. I love the look of curtain rings with clips, but in such a tight area, that style would have dropped the curtain too far below the top of the window so that was out. The ones I chose work well for the space and were inexpensive, so there wasn’t much risk involved. We’ll see how they hold up in a high-traffic area, but for now, they do the job and look great.

Renovating this tiny kitchen was a labor of love. And at times, a test of patience. But I’m so happy with how it turned out. The space feels brighter, more functional, and way more like us. While not every plan went perfectly, each project taught me something and helped move the vision forward.

If you’re considering your own camper kitchen update, I hope this post gave you a few helpful ideas and maybe a little confidence to take the leap. You don’t have to do everything at once, and it doesn’t have to be perfect to be so much better than where you started. Thanks for following along and stay tuned for more renovation updates as we continue making this camper our home on wheels!

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