Interior Design
Custom Sprinter Van Interiors Built to Last
Every layout is designed around how you actually use your van. We build interiors that look great, hold up on rough roads, and make the most of every inch.
A Sprinter van interior includes custom cabinetry, a bed platform, kitchen with sink and cooktop, flooring, wall and ceiling paneling, and optional bathroom — all built to handle road vibration and temperature swings. At Emery Custom Builds, we design every Sprinter interior from scratch based on your wheelbase (144", 170", or 170" EXT) and how you use the van. Interior buildouts range from $8K–$15K (Basic) to $25K–$40K+ (Premium), with the difference driven by material quality and craftsmanship.
The interior is what makes a van feel like home. It's where you cook, sleep, work, and spend most of your time — and it has to do all of that in roughly 50 to 80 square feet. That's a design challenge, and getting it wrong means living with something frustrating for years.
At Emery Custom Builds, we design every Sprinter interior from scratch based on your specific needs. No templates, no one-size-fits-all floor plans. Here's what goes into a well-built Sprinter interior and the choices you'll be making.
What layout options work for each Sprinter wheelbase?
Your Sprinter's wheelbase determines how much floor space you have and what's realistic to fit inside. Here's how it breaks down:
144" Wheelbase
The most agile Sprinter. About 10.5 feet of interior length. Great for solo travelers or couples who prioritize easy driving and parking over living space.
- •Fixed rear bed with under-bed storage (most common layout)
- •Compact galley kitchen along one wall
- •Toilet nook or portable toilet — full bathroom is tight but possible
- •Good for weekend trips and extended travel without a lot of gear
170" Wheelbase
The sweet spot for full-time builds. About 14 feet of interior length gives you room for a real kitchen, bathroom, and dedicated sleeping area without feeling cramped.
- •Fixed bed with full garage underneath for bikes, gear, or equipment
- •L-shaped or galley kitchen with proper counter space
- •Enclosed wet bath with shower and composting toilet
- •Dinette or work area between kitchen and cab
170" Extended
Maximum space. About 15.5 feet of interior length. If you want a spacious full-time home on wheels with room for everything, this is the platform.
- •All 170" layouts plus more storage and breathing room
- •Larger bathroom, more counter space, wider walkways
- •Room for a dedicated office nook or gear closet
- •Slightly harder to park and navigate in cities
What kind of cabinetry goes in a Sprinter van?
Cabinetry defines the look and feel of your van more than almost anything else. It's also one of the biggest differences between a Basic and Premium build.
In our Standard builds, we use Baltic birch plywood for cabinet boxes — it's lightweight, strong, and takes stain beautifully. Premium builds step up to hardwood faces, dovetail or finger-joint drawers, and more detailed edge work. In both cases, every door gets soft-close hinges and every drawer gets locking latches.
We don't use particle board, MDF, or anything that falls apart with moisture and road vibration. Van cabinetry takes a beating that house cabinets never see — the materials and construction methods have to account for that.
Custom cabinetry options include overhead storage, pull-out pantries, under-bed drawers, shoe cubbies, and integrated trash and recycling. We design storage around what you actually carry — not around a generic checklist.
What kitchen layouts work in a Sprinter van?
The kitchen is where layout planning matters most. You need prep space, storage, and appliances in a footprint that's maybe 3 to 5 feet wide. We build galley kitchens (everything along one wall), L-shaped kitchens (wrapping around a corner), and rear kitchens (built into the back doors for outdoor cooking).
Standard kitchen setups include a two-burner cooktop, 12V compressor fridge (usually 50–65L), stainless sink with a foot pump or electric water pump, and butcher block or solid-surface countertops. Premium kitchens add larger fridges, dedicated spice racks, pull-out cutting boards, and integrated dish drying.
What are the bed platform options for a Sprinter?
How you sleep in a van is a personal decision. Here are the common options:
- •Fixed rear platform: A permanent bed across the back with a garage underneath. Simplest and most popular. Fits a queen or full mattress depending on van width.
- •Convertible dinette: A seating area that converts to a sleeping surface. More flexible use of space, but less convenient for daily sleeping.
- •Murphy bed / fold-up: Stows against the wall during the day. Good for people who want maximum open floor space when awake.
- •Flared or widened platform: We can extend the bed platform past the wheel wells to gain a few inches of width. Common on 144" builds where every inch counts.
Can you have a bathroom in a Sprinter van?
Bathrooms in Sprinters range from a simple portable toilet tucked behind a curtain to a fully enclosed wet bath with a shower, sink, and composting toilet. What makes sense depends on your wheelbase and how you travel.
On a 170" or EXT, a dedicated bathroom enclosure with a proper door is standard in our mid-range and up builds. On a 144", we usually do a combination shower/toilet space with a curtain partition — it works well but requires creative layout design.
All bathroom builds include waterproof wall and floor treatments, proper drainage, and ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
What flooring works best in a Sprinter van?
Van flooring needs to handle temperature swings, humidity, heavy foot traffic, and the occasional mud or sand. We start with XPS foam insulation on the subfloor for thermal protection, then lay a plywood base and a durable finished floor.
Most builds get luxury vinyl plank (LVP) — it's waterproof, looks great, and handles everything a van throws at it. Some Premium builds use engineered hardwood for a warmer look. Check out our flooring options for more detail.
What materials does Emery Custom Builds use for van interiors?
Every material in a van conversion has to earn its place. It needs to be lightweight, durable, moisture-resistant, and good-looking. Here's what we typically work with:
- •Insulation: 3M Thinsulate for walls and ceiling, XPS rigid foam for the floor. Thinsulate handles moisture well and doesn't need a separate moisture barrier.
- •Wall panels: Birch plywood or tongue-and-groove cedar, depending on the look you want.
- •Countertops: Butcher block (most common), solid surface, or stone composite.
- •Hardware: Stainless steel latches, soft-close hinges, marine-grade fasteners throughout.
Want to see finished interiors? Check out our past builds for real examples of what we've done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wood do you use for Sprinter van cabinetry?
Most of our builds use Baltic birch plywood for the cabinet structure — it's strong, lightweight, and holds up well on the road. Standard builds get birch with a clear finish or stain. Premium builds use hardwood faces, edge banding, and more detailed joinery.
Can I have a full bathroom in a Sprinter van?
Yes, and we build them regularly. A 170" or 170" EXT wheelbase gives you enough room for an enclosed wet bath with a shower, composting or cassette toilet, and a small sink. On a 144", it's tighter but still doable with a compact layout.
What bed layout works best in a Sprinter?
It depends on how you use the van. A fixed rear bed gives you a permanent sleeping platform with garage storage underneath — great for couples who want simplicity. A convertible dinette-to-bed setup gives you more daytime living space. We'll help you figure out the right trade-off during your consultation.
How do you handle flooring in a van conversion?
We insulate the subfloor with XPS foam board, lay a plywood base, and install a durable finished floor — usually luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or engineered hardwood. Both handle temperature swings and moisture well, which matters in a vehicle.
Will the cabinets rattle when I'm driving?
Not if they're built right. We use locking latches on all cabinet doors and drawers, soft-close hinges, and cross-bracing where it matters. Every cabinet and shelf is built to handle road vibration — that's a big part of why professional builds outlast DIY.
Design Your Interior
Tell us how you want to use your Sprinter. We'll design an interior layout that fits your life — not the other way around.
Tell Us About Your Build