I grew up while Danish Modern was spreading - it even appeared in cartoons then, starkly modern pieces with high function but eschewing the bulky overstuffed looks of the previous 50 years. Along with that was a focus on efficiency, the beginning of what a lot call the "Ikea" look. Modular with a lot of basic parts leaving the finish to install last.
Search "minimalist RV furniture" and you get the updated 80's mancave look, huge hulky recliners, overdone woodwork, extensively over detailed. It is, sorry not sorry, what folks choose that looks expensive while not being well made or well fitted to a limited space. It often resembles a suburban mans wallet, a leather filing cabinet filled with receipts, club cards, ticket stubs, etc, which are 87% never seen again and should have been filed with that years taxes.
Most 25 ft plus owners can get away with it, when you build something under 14 ft, tho, new priorities rise to the top. Kitchen, shower, dinette and a queen size mattress suddenly can't coexist, well, or, at all.
What to do?
First thing first - do you really need that huge space for a bed? Ok, what is an RV for if not a bed? Those of us who have slept on a US Army cot would balk right there, aint gonna happen. Then again, a zero gravity lounge chair might be a better choice, throw on a chaise lounge pad, even better. If you remember the lounges with vinyl tubing that adjusted either end, those turned out pretty good in summer.
Next best are those slide out frames with futons, its a settee by day, with foldout counter to dine, mattress at nite. It doesnt take up the full space permanently. Lounge chairs fold up in day, you use them outside as you like (sun bleach!) and sleep at nite.
Net half the space of that mattress for something else. Again, if you are 14 ft or less, that is a huge increase in floor space.
The fold down wall mounted table top is still useful, sit up to dine, and voila, you just eliminated the dinette that sleeps one and the bulky seats that add weight yet dont easily store much under them. They tend to be junk collectors unless you can make them with a slide drawer to pull out.
See it? Minimalist, trimming out the fat and egregious fashion for function. Now, with your bunks also your chairs and serving three purposes, it really leaves more than half the remaining space for a kitchen and bath.
Ive now successfully turned my floor plan 180 degrees and doubled the size of the bathroom. Are we really doing ourselves a favor building a mobile boudoir, or can we prioritize space and accomplish more?
Btw, some just put up a hammock and call it good. Are we building a trailer to function or are we just copying bad practices?
Search "minimalist RV furniture" and you get the updated 80's mancave look, huge hulky recliners, overdone woodwork, extensively over detailed. It is, sorry not sorry, what folks choose that looks expensive while not being well made or well fitted to a limited space. It often resembles a suburban mans wallet, a leather filing cabinet filled with receipts, club cards, ticket stubs, etc, which are 87% never seen again and should have been filed with that years taxes.
Most 25 ft plus owners can get away with it, when you build something under 14 ft, tho, new priorities rise to the top. Kitchen, shower, dinette and a queen size mattress suddenly can't coexist, well, or, at all.
What to do?
First thing first - do you really need that huge space for a bed? Ok, what is an RV for if not a bed? Those of us who have slept on a US Army cot would balk right there, aint gonna happen. Then again, a zero gravity lounge chair might be a better choice, throw on a chaise lounge pad, even better. If you remember the lounges with vinyl tubing that adjusted either end, those turned out pretty good in summer.
Next best are those slide out frames with futons, its a settee by day, with foldout counter to dine, mattress at nite. It doesnt take up the full space permanently. Lounge chairs fold up in day, you use them outside as you like (sun bleach!) and sleep at nite.
Net half the space of that mattress for something else. Again, if you are 14 ft or less, that is a huge increase in floor space.
The fold down wall mounted table top is still useful, sit up to dine, and voila, you just eliminated the dinette that sleeps one and the bulky seats that add weight yet dont easily store much under them. They tend to be junk collectors unless you can make them with a slide drawer to pull out.
See it? Minimalist, trimming out the fat and egregious fashion for function. Now, with your bunks also your chairs and serving three purposes, it really leaves more than half the remaining space for a kitchen and bath.
Ive now successfully turned my floor plan 180 degrees and doubled the size of the bathroom. Are we really doing ourselves a favor building a mobile boudoir, or can we prioritize space and accomplish more?
Btw, some just put up a hammock and call it good. Are we building a trailer to function or are we just copying bad practices?
