Creating a Color Scheme for Your Camper Van Interior

Selecting a color scheme for your camper van interior is a huge decision. Once you paint, there is no way to go back unless you spend the extra time and money to redo your work. 

In this post, we share the basics of color theory and how to create a step-by-step color scheme for your van conversion interior.

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Why Is Creating a Camper Van Interior Color Scheme Useful?

Designing the camper van interior can be different from a typical house since the interior area space of the van is much more limited. As a result, the arrangement of colors in your camper van can significantly affect the character and atmosphere of your living space.

What is a color scheme? A color scheme is an arrangement of colors often used for interior design. It helps the designer to organize and keep the consistency of the colors they select. It is just like a color palette for painting.

Understanding the Basics of Color Theory

Color theory means how colors, or combinations of colors, can affect the mood, feel, and symbolism of a particular space. In general, there are three primary groups of colors.

Warm colors (e.g., reds, yellows, oranges, etc) – give energy warmth and exude a welcoming mood. They are great colors to add to a living room since these colors are used for dining and lounging, where people get together and socialize.

Cool colors (e.g., blues, greens, purples, etc) – create a calm and relaxing atmosphere. These colors suit spaces like the office, bedrooms, or bathrooms, where people focus on their work or relax at the end of the day.

Neutral colors (e.g., whites, browns, grays, etc.) create a natural, earthy feel and are great colors to use in everyday spaces. These colors would be used in places you see the most, like walls, ceilings, or the exteriors of homes and other buildings.

How To Create a Van Interior Color Scheme

Step 1: Choose a Base Color

A base color should be applied on the largest area of the camper van interior, such as the wall, ceiling, and floor.

We recommend avoiding bold colors here. Though you can be adventurous experimenting with bold colors in a normal house, the feeling that bold colors exude will be much more exaggerated in a tiny space like a camper van. That is because the walls of your van are much closer to you than in a normal house. Can you imagine always being surrounded by a bright red wall? :/

Instead, opt for a neutral color (white, brown, gray) as a primary color to make your camper van look more open and to help brighten up the small space.

Also Read: Are White Walls Good Idea For Camper Van Interior?

Step 2: Choose a Secondary Color

Secondary colors should be applied on the second most significant area of the camper van, such as furniture, countertops, and ceiling. Your choice of color here primarily affects the look you intend to create.

A color wheel and theories table (below) will help you visualize and choose your secondary color.

Color theory	How to select colors	Finished look
Achromatic	Using a tint, tone, or shade of just one color	Simple, urban, cool, modern
Monochromatic	Using 2-4 colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel (yellow-orange / yellow/yellow-green)	Warm, cozy, chic, luxurious
Analogous	Using 2-4 colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel (yellow-orange / yellow / yellow-green)	Bold, pop, exotic, country style

Achromatic Color Camper Van Interior Design

Monochromatic Color Camper Van Interior Design

Analogous Color Camper Van Interior Design

Step 3: Choose an Accent Color

Finally, you can pick an accent color to apply on small areas or objects like cushion fabric, kitchen backsplash, or pillows & throws. You can even use some art crafts to introduce your accent color, create contrast, and add a personal touch to your camper van interior. Remember to keep the accent color to a minimum and not overdo it. This will help maintain a consistent and sophisticated look for your van’s interior.

Also Read: How To Decorate A Camper Van

Helpful Color Picker Tool

Benjamin Moore’s personal color viewer is a great tool that allows you to play around with color palettes. If you are unsure which colors to select for your van’s interior color scheme, try this color picker.

You can choose the type of room and style from their photo gallery and virtually paint the wall with the color of your choice using their color palette.

Final Thoughts on Van Conversion Color Schemes

Design is all about organization and making information tidy so that the information makes sense for everyone. Color plays a huge role in how human brains process information and has a significant effect on our psychology.

Interior design from scratch might seem like a difficult task, but you could also say that designing a camper van interior is easier than a traditional home interior because you only have to think about one inclusive space that comprises your kitchen, dining space, and bedroom.

The biggest tip for interior design is to create a home that makes you want to return to. Creating a color scheme will help you pick the best color combination that makes a beautiful and comfortable tiny home on wheels just for you.