Van Life Essentials

There's a lot of noise online about van life gear. Some of it is useful. A lot of it is just people trying to sell you stuff you don't need. Here's what actually matters when you're living in a van, organized by priority.

Sleep System

You spend a third of your life sleeping. In a van, your sleep system is the foundation of everything else. This is where you should spend money, not where you should cut corners.

Bed Frame & Mattress

A sturdy platform bed and a good mattress make the difference between waking up refreshed and waking up with a sore back. We typically build either a rear-mounted queen bed or a side-mounted double bed, depending on the van. Dimensions matter — a full-size mattress that fits snugly in your van is way better than a mattress that moves around or doesn't fit properly.

For the actual mattress, you need something that handles the movement of a vehicle and doesn't off-gas in a tiny, poorly ventilated space. Memory foam, natural latex, or a hybrid work. Don't cheap out here — a $300 mattress will feel like a bad choice after six months on the road.

Bedding & Blankets

Good sheets, a duvet or quilt rated for the climate where you'll be, and a spare set of everything. Moisture happens in vans. Having a second set of bedding means you can wash and dry one while using the other. Merino wool or high-quality cotton sleep better than synthetics, especially in vans where you're cooking and creating steam in a tiny space.

Kitchen Essentials

How much kitchen you need depends on how much cooking you actually do. A lot of people imagine making elaborate meals in their van, then order takeout most nights. Be honest with yourself.

Stove & Stovetop

Either a two-burner propane stovetop mounted in your galley or a portable camp stove you use outside. Most people with a dedicated van kitchen choose the mounted option because you can control it in bad weather and it's integrated with your water system. A stovetop is way more useful than a full oven — if you really need to bake, there are campground facilities or you make do without it.

Sink & Faucet

A small single-basin stainless steel sink with a mixing faucet. This is your water hub — you wash hands, rinse food, do dishes here. The smaller the sink, the less water and counter space it takes up, but it still needs to be deep enough to actually function. Taller faucets with a spray head make life easier.

Pots, Pans, & Basic Cookware

One good skillet, one pot, one saucepan. A mixing bowl, a cutting board, a sharp knife. You don't need a full kitchen. A small strainer and a colander cover 90% of cooking needs. Avoid non-stick pans that off-gas and opt for stainless steel or cast iron instead.

Cooler or Fridge

This depends on how long you stay in one place and how you shop. A high-quality cooler works for weekends and short trips. A 12V fridge or freezer works for longer stays but adds weight, draws power, and costs more money upfront. Some people use both — a fridge for long stays, a cooler for quick trips.

Electrical System

Your electrical system is the nervous system of van life. It needs to charge your devices, power your water heater, run lights, and handle whatever else you've built in.

Battery & Power

A lithium battery bank (100-200 amp hours for most people) paired with a quality inverter (2000-3000W). This is where people go wrong by undersizing. If your battery is too small, you're always anxious about running out of power. If it's too big, you've overspent. The right size depends on what you're actually running and for how long.

Solar Panels

400-800W of roof-mounted solar is standard for people who stay off-grid for extended periods. Less if you move frequently and can plug into campgrounds. More if you're running an AC unit or electric water heater. Solar is about independence — you're not depending on finding a campground with hookups.

Outlets & USB Ports

AC outlets in your galley, bedroom, and bathroom (if you have one). Multiple USB ports for charging devices. These should be thoughtfully placed — you want power where you actually use devices, not in inconvenient spots.

Water System

Fresh water, gray water, black water. You need all three systems even if you're a light user.

Fresh Water Tank

30-60 gallons depending on your van size and how often you want to fill up. Bigger isn't always better — extra weight affects fuel economy and handling. Most people use their tanks every 3-5 days even with light usage.

Gray Water Tank

Captures water from sinks and showers. 30-40 gallons is typical. The bigger your gray tank, the longer you can stay off-grid between dumps.

Toilet

Options: a cassette toilet (portable, empties into campground facilities), a composting toilet (no water, minimal waste), or a traditional holding tank system. Which one is right depends on how often you're in developed campgrounds vs. boondocking. Most people with standard vans choose either a cassette or a small holding tank.

Water Heater

A tankless water heater or a small tank heater. Propane-powered works well and doesn't drain your batteries. You don't need it to be huge — 5 gallons is plenty for a shower in a small bathroom.

Climate Control

Heat and humidity management matter way more than you think when you're living in 70 square feet.

Insulation

Good insulation in the walls and floor keeps your van livable in cold weather and reduces AC strain in heat. Thinsulate (spray foam) or mineral wool in walls, XPS foam on the floor. These aren't luxuries — they're essential infrastructure.

Ventilation

Roof vents, windows, and good air flow reduce condensation and keep the space from feeling stale. A Maxxfan or similar variable-speed vent is worth it — you can adjust it based on weather and humidity.

Heat

A propane heater or diesel heater depending on how much time you spend in cold climates. If you're winter camping, a heater is non-negotiable. If you're only in warm climates, you can skip it.

Air Conditioning

Less common because it draws serious power and isn't always worth the trade-off. A high-quality window shade, good ventilation, and smart driving (avoiding the heat of the day) work better than AC in most vans. If you're serious about desert camping in summer, a small rooftop AC can be worth it.

Safety & Security

You're living in a mobile vehicle. Some gear keeps you safe.

Locks & Latches

Good locks on doors, windows, and slide-outs. Nothing fancy, but stuff that actually secures. A deadbolt on your entrance door (not just a privacy lock) makes a difference.

First Aid Kit & Emergency Supplies

You're on the road. A solid first aid kit, jumper cables, spare fuses, a fire extinguisher, and a basic tool set are non-negotiable. Keep these accessible.

Lighting

LED interior lights throughout, plus good exterior lighting for nighttime. Don't underestimate how important adequate lighting is for safety and comfort.

Storage & Organization

Space is your most valuable resource in a van. Smart storage keeps you from living in chaos.

Cabinets & Shelving

Built-in storage integrated into your walls. Don't leave empty wall space or dead zones. Everything should have a home. We design storage during the build so it fits your actual needs, not generic guesses.

Underbed Storage

If your bed has space underneath, that's prime real estate. Drawers or compartments for clothes, tools, camping gear, whatever you don't need daily.

Closet Space

A dedicated hanging rod or compact closet keeps clothes organized and accessible. Without it, you're living out of bins.

Daily Living Gear

The small things that make van life feel less like camping and more like living.

Shower Setup

If you have a bathroom: a compact shower head, good water pressure, and good ventilation to handle moisture. If you don't: an outdoor shower kit works fine and saves you fresh water. A lot of people use both depending on weather.

Desk or Workspace

If you work remotely or do any kind of creative work, even a small fold-down desk or lap desk makes a difference. A place to put a laptop that isn't your bed matters for both productivity and for keeping your bedroom feeling like a bedroom.

Seating & Dining

A dinette booth or compact dining table, or even just swivel captain's chairs. You need somewhere to sit that isn't your bed. Eating in bed every meal gets old fast.

Entertainment & Comfort

A decent sound system or Bluetooth speaker, good insulation so you can hear yourself think, and adequate seating. You're going to spend a lot of time in your van. Make it comfortable.

What You Can Skip

A lot of gear gets marketed to van lifers that sounds good but doesn't actually improve your life. Here's what most people realize they don't need:

• Oven: Takes up space, heats up the van in summer, and you're not going to use it as much as you think.
• Washer/Dryer: Laundromats exist. A small portable washer and line drying is more practical.
• Full Bathroom: A composting toilet and outdoor shower works fine for most people, and saves you 50+ pounds and valuable space.
• Fancy Smart Home Automation: Complexity breaks in the road. Simple, reliable systems beat Wi-Fi-enabled switches that lose connection.
• AC Unit: Good shade, ventilation, and driving at cooler times of day work better than power-draining air conditioning.
• Generator: Solar and a big enough battery bank are cleaner and quieter. You only need a generator if you're running a lot of power-hungry equipment.

Our Approach

When we design a van conversion, we're thinking about this list. We're not adding systems you don't need or skimping on infrastructure. Every component — your bed, your electrical system, your water setup — is designed around how you're actually going to live.

Want to talk about what essentials matter for your specific trip? Get in touch and let's figure out what makes sense for your situation.