Owner guides
Campervan table ideas
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With so many campervan table ideas out there, which type you have in your van conversion – and, crucially – where you have it, is something to be decided very early on.
Your table could form part of your bed, for example, to be folded down every evening. You might opt for a hinged table, that folds away when not in use and that doesn’t form any other function in the van. Or you might decide to keep things extremely simple and have a foldaway table for indoor and outdoor use.
Like pretty much everything to do with campervan conversion and # vanlife, campervan tables come in all shapes and sizes as clever converters seek to maximise space in their vans. read on for some smart campervan table ideas from campervanners on Camplify and further afield
13 campervan table ideas for van life
An island table is one of the most simple campervan table options as they work brilliantly in limited space. The single, central leg is stored while driving, as is the tabletop – just bring both out when it’s time to work or eat.
Most basic-build campervans designed to be customised will have a table like this already fitted, and if you’re starting from scratch, these are a cinch to add.
Biggest pro: Easy to fit
Something to consider: These types of tables can be smaller than you want, especially if travelling with several people.
Buy or build? Either. Buy a kit with a table and legs ready to fit, or buy a table leg and look for your own piece of wood for the tabletop.
2. Portable table
If you want to go really simple, just add a portable table you can fold up or down as required – and use it inside or outside. This is hands down the easiest solution for any van conversion. Have it as simple or as fancy as you like – just make sure it’s secured safely before driving. Don’t forget you’ll have chairs to fit in too!
And of course, a portable table doesn’t mean you can’t have a fixed one too: Coco (above) includes an outdoor as well as an island table.
Biggest pro: Easily moved for alfresco dining
Something to consider: Bigger tables might not fit inside the van
Buy or build? Buy
3. Permanent table
Not for the faint-hearted! One tiny home table option is to just buy one like you’d have at home, and have it as a permanent feature of the van. Or utilise a piece of furniture in the van, like how Frosty above uses a chest of drawers as a bedside table.
A permanent table won’t work with a 12-seater dining set, obviously, but will with literally thousands of types of tables. Simple and effective… unless you bark your shins on it at night.
Biggest pro: No faff with taking down/folding away daily
Something to consider: might get in the way
Buy or build? Buy
4. Pull-out drawer table
For their simplicity, versatility and genius space-saving design, these are one of the most popular campervan table ideas. Add a pull-out table anywhere you have room, such as in a bed drawer like Daisy in Redditch, above. Or how about a sliding drawer under the counter space, likeStorm in Linlithgow?
Biggest pro: A neat and tidy storage solution
Something to consider: Possibly not for the very DIY challenged
Buy or build? Build
5. Window table
If you don’t need much table space, and you want to have meals in fresh air while remaining inside the van, a small window table is a great pick. Harvey in Shepperton does this in style.
Biggest pro: Space-saving
Something to consider: Not much room – similar to tray tables on a plane
Buy or build? Buy
6. Hinge table
As the name suggests, these work by screwing a hinge onto a tabletop and then fitting the other part of the hinge to a surface in the van. The table is therefore easily folded away when not needed. These clever little space savers can be fitted anywhere there’s room, even the van doors. Check out the smart use of space in Bobby the Camper, which uses a hinge table to add to the kitchen counter.
Biggest pro: Big space saver
Something to consider: Could impede wall space
Buy or build? Build
7. Cupboard table
As we’ve mentioned before, campervan conversions need some clever thinking about how best to use their space! Van Dieselin Derby does this perfectly – not only are cupboards built into the counter space, but the upper cupboards have doors that hinge down to double as tiny tables. Or beer holders, if you prefer…
8. Add-on table
Is your kitchen counter or built-in table too short? Extend it! It doesn’t matter if you only have a tiny bit of space – every little bit helps. FiBee in Stratford-upon-Avon (above) uses brackets to add a small section to the kitchen countertop.
Biggest pro: Inventive use of space
Something to consider: none – we recommend adding bits of table everywhere!
Buy or build? Buy
9. Double table
Many campervan conversions use the nifty technique of having a slide-out table under the main one, like Rabbie (above). This is a great choice if you’ll be working while on the road – one table for breakfast, another for your laptop. Digital nomad: sorted.
Biggest pro: extra space
Something to consider: needs DIY skills
Buy or build: both
10. Storage table
If you have room for a fixed feature in your van, consider using a chest or ottoman as your table. It can store whatever you need for your trip, and double as a table by draping a cloth over.
Biggest pro: adds storage space as well as seating
Something to consider: as it’s fixed, it’ll take up space in your cabin
Buy or build: buy
11. Bench table
This is one of our favourite campervan table ideas. How gorgeous is this van? Check out the pics of this 2021 Bournemouth campervan conversion for lots of ideas in all aspects of fitting out a campervan. We love the long bench table, which is attached to a rail to fold down when not in use.
Biggest pro: decent-sized table for working or meals
Something to consider: DIY skills needed
Buy or build: build
12. Outdoor island table
How about an island table – but for outdoor times? Billy Bilbo in Nantwich adds an island table to the outside of the cabin seating, to slide out when the van doors are open. See alsoSpud in Halifax andDeli in Buckingham, which use this idea on the rear.
Biggest pro: Great for giving extra leisure space in smaller vans
Something to consider: Don’t forget space for the chairs
Buy or build? Both
13. Outdoor fold-out table
Our final campervan table shows a sleek and effective way to add outdoor table space without having to carry a folding table in the van.
Biggest pro: Great for giving extra leisure space in smaller vans
Something to consider: Don’t forget space for the chairs
Buy or build? Both
Should you buy or build your campervan table?
Once you have a rough idea of what type of campervan table you want in your conversion, it’s time to make an honest assessment of your DIY skills! Like many other campervan features, tables can be built from scratch, put together with custom-built parts, or bought complete and installed new. Which you go for will depend on how confident you feel with your campervan build.
By far the easiest way to add a table to your campervan is to buy all the custom-built parts as a campervan table kit and get a professional to fit it for you. Next down from that is putting the table together yourself from a kit, which is fairly easy for straightforward fittings.
The final and most time-consuming (but most satisfying) option is to build your table from scratch, using wood you’ve sourced. It can seem intimidating at first, but a bespoke table will really make your campervan stand out, and fitting it is easier than you think! You don’t even have to use wood for the table: we’ve seen hanging tables using recycled skateboards. Think big and think different!
Learn more about campervan conversions
Time to move these campervan table ideas towards the top of your conversion to-do list! And if fitting a table or even starting a van conversion is new to you, have a look at ourDIY campervan conversions, van conversion ideas and campervan bed ideas to get your brain cells ticking.
Campervan conversion social media groups, Pinterest and Instagram are great sources of inspiration too, or why not browse ourUK campervans for hire for ideas?
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