Below, you’ll discover practical, easy-to-implement ways to maximize storage throughout your RV, so you can enjoy a clutter-free, functional, and totally stress-free travel experience.

Laying the Foundation for RV Organization

Before you delve into rearranging your kitchen, bathroom, or closets, it really helps to rethink what you bring to your mobile home and how you store these items. Try approaching your RV with these helpful habits in mind:

• Embrace “less is more”: RV living invites a minimalist mindset. Fight the temptation to bring “just in case” items. After all, you can always grab something on the road if it turns out you truly need it.
• Go for multi-purpose items: Buy items for your RV that work double duty, like an ottoman with storage, a cutting board that fits over the sink, or nesting cookware, which saves a ton of space.
• Think vertically, not just horizontally: Look up! Shelves, tension rods, adhesive hooks, and wall or door-mounted organizers will productively change the way you use your space.
• Choose collapsible and stackable everything: From laundry hampers to dish racks, collapsible items make a huge difference when space is tight.
• Use the “one in, one out” rule: Bringing in something new? Then let something old go. It’s the easiest way to keep clutter from creeping in all over again.
• Group like items together: Use bins, baskets, or drawer dividers to keep similar things tidy in one place and make sure they don’t “disappear”.
• Label everything: Use a label maker, or even masking tape, to clearly label bins, containers, and shelves – it’ll save you time and frustration.
• Do regular mini-purges & pre-trip decluttering: Schedule small, regular decluttering sessions once a month. Just 15 minutes will make a world of difference! Before embarking on your next trip, do a quick sweep to clear out any items that you didn’t use last time.

How to Organize Your RV Kitchen

Your RV kitchen is the heart of your mobile home – but it can feel crowded fast. These simple, smart ideas help you keep it clean, functional, and ready for action.

Maximize Your Cabinet & Pantry Space

• Stackable containers: Clear, stackable containers to let you see exactly what’s inside at a glance. If you use square or rectangular containers, you can make great use of every corner.
• Tension rods: Use them upright as dividers for baking sheets, cutting boards, and platters. You can even use a small rod to hold paper towel rolls or suspend spray bottles by their nozzles.
• Under-shelf baskets: Slide wire baskets onto existing shelves to instantly double your shelf space.
• Use of the inside of cabinet doors: Add adhesive hooks for measuring cups and spoons, or install a shallow spice rack. Use a magazine file to neatly hold aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and more.

Smart Countertop & Wall Solutions

• Magnetic strips: Free up drawer space by mounting knives and metal utensils on the wall.
• Collapsible everything: Collapsible bowls, colanders, and mixing bowls are lifesavers in a tight kitchen.
• Over-the-sink cutting board: Get one that fits right over your RV sink to create instant extra prep space.
• Wall-mounted shelving: Lightweight shelves give you extra room for spices, mugs, and daily essentials without eating up precious counter space.

Keep Your RV Fridge Secure & Organized

• Use clear fridge bins: Use these to group condiments, snacks, or dairy, so nothing slides around during travel, while making it easy to see what’s inside.
• Add fridge rods: Add tension rods along shelves to keep items from shifting during a bumpy drive.

How to Organize Your RV Bathroom

RV bathrooms are notorious for being tiny and cramped, but with the right tricks, they can be functional and still feel surprisingly spacious.

Making the Most of Your Bathroom Vanity

• Drawer dividers or baskets: Keep toiletries, makeup, and first-aid items tidy and easy to find.
• Stick-on pads: Use adhesive pads to attach small containers inside cabinet doors for things like toothbrushes, razors, hair ties, and cotton swabs.
• Under-sink storage: Use small bins or stackable baskets to store extras, like toilet paper and toiletries, without crowding the space.

Create Smart Storage in Your RV Shower

• Hanging shower caddy: A rust-proof hanging caddy is an absolute must for holding your bottles and soap. Place a tension rod with S-hooks in your shower to hang loofahs or scrub brushes.
• Vertical wall organizers: Wall-mounted soap/shampoo dispensers and slim hanging organizers can both help to eliminate messy bottle clutter.
• Over-the-door storage: Add hooks or a pocket organizer on the bathroom door to hang towels, haircare tools, or cleaning supplies.

How to Organize Closets in Your RV

RV closets may be small or oddly shaped, but with a few creative touches, you can still make the most of them:

Rethink Your Wardrobe Space

• Slim hangers: Ditch bulky plastic or wooden hangers for ultra-slim velvet ones to maximize how much clothing you can fit.
• Hanging organizers: These fabric shelves are perfect for folded clothing items, accessories, or keeping outfits grouped.
• Packing cubes: These are great for keeping drawers tidy and making various clothing articles easier to find.
• DIY drawers: If your closet doesn’t have drawers, create your own system with collapsible fabric bins or stackable containers to keep things organized.

Hidden Storage Opportunities You Might Be Missing

Once you start looking, you’ll find storage in places you never expected. Here are some clever spots around your RV you probably haven’t tapped into yet:

• Under the dinette benches: Hidden underneath the cushions, this area is perfect for storing extra blankets, board games, small appliances, or pantry overflow.
• Overhead cabinets outside the kitchen: Dedicate sections of overhead cabinets in the living area or bedroom for books, small electronics, or extra pantry items.
• Under the sofa/jackknife couch: Hide flat items underneath, like folding chairs or a slim vacuum cleaner.
• Behind curtains/blinds: Tuck slim bins or tension rods into small gaps or ledges behind windows.
• In the shower (when not in use): Store bulky items like laundry hampers, outdoor chairs, or camping gear during travel days.
• Behind the TV or entertainment center: This is a great spot for discreet storage of charging cords, remotes, or small electronics.
• Inside unused appliances: If you rarely use your oven or microwave, store lightweight items inside temporarily, like dish towels or pot holders – just remember to remove them before use!
• Rear bumper attachments: Bumper-mounted add-ons let you stash your tools, grill, bicycles, and other gear securely outside the RV.

Self-Storage: A Perfect Extension of Your RV Organization

Even if your RV is carefully optimized to be space-efficient, there will still be items that don’t make sense to carry with you year-round. Seasonal gear, hobby equipment, extra supplies, and bulky essentials can quickly overwhelm your mobile space – and that’s where self-storage becomes a strategic advantage.

Think of a storage unit as an extension of your RV, offering the flexibility and breathing room that motorhome living sometimes lacks. By keeping non-essential belongings stored safely off-site, you’re able to maintain an RV that’s organized, efficient, and truly comfortable on every trip. No clutter, no unnecessary weight, and no more digging through items you only use once in a while.

And when you’re not on the road, RV storage provides a secure and convenient place for your vehicle itself, protecting your investment while freeing up space in the driveway at home.

Ultimately, self-storage supplements your travel lifestyle. It helps you stay organized, simplifies the transition between seasons, and ensures that you’ll always have what you need at the ready, without having to use up the living space inside your RV all the time.

Simplify RV Living Today!

A well-organized RV does more than create visual order that’s Instagram-worthy – it enhances the entire way you travel. When everything has a dedicated place, your day-to-day routines become smoother, your space feels more comfortable, and your life on the road becomes far more enjoyable. By putting these smart storage strategies into practice, you can turn every corner of your RV – from the kitchen to the bathroom to your smallest storage compartments – into a space that works for you.

If you’ve already maximized your RV’s built-in storage and still find yourself with items you want to keep but don’t necessarily need on every trip, a self-storage unit is a practical next step. It allows you to hold on to what matters, reduce clutter, and start each new journey feeling organized, confident, and ready to hit the road again for the next adventure!

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Making the Most of a Small Home

How To Prepare Your RV For Winter Storage

The post Ideas for Maximizing Storage in Your RV appeared first on Public Storage Canada.

Once you’ve selected a site where you’d like to store your recreational vehicle, there’s plenty of preparation work to do before you put it away for the season. To help you get started, we’ve gathered some essential tips to help you keep your RV in tip-top shape while you’re not using it:

1. Clean and wax your vehicle’s exterior surfaces

Exposure to sunlight can cause a lot of hazards in the long run. It can fade your vehicle’s paint job, and do damage to its rubber and vinyl components. To help prevent this, apply a thorough wash and a good coat of wax to your RV before storing it.

2. Reseal any tears, cracks, or openings in the body and roof of your RV

It doesn’t take much for the smallest opening to create a world of trouble. If undetected or untreated, water leaks can create mildew formation, and even structural damage to your motorhome. If you discover any suspected openings in your vehicle, seal them properly before putting it in storage.

3. Leave rooftop vents open

Don’t like the musty smell of a dank basement? You can eliminate the potential of this unwanted odour by leaving your RV’s overhead vents open, with a vent cover installed overtop to keep the rain out.

4. Screen or cover any vent or pipe openings to the outside

Overlooking these areas is an open invitation to any pest large enough to infiltrate. Place special fly screens over appliance and gas vents, and pipe ends, to block pesky insects like wasps. Use expanding foam or silicone to plug openings underneath your vehicle to keep out rodents. Don’t forget to leave traps inside the RV, too, just in case!

5. Pay attention to security when you store your RV

Getting a specialty lock designed for your vehicle type is a smart investment, and acts as an effective theft deterrent. Thieves tend to look for the easiest targets, so make sure your RV utilizes high-quality security devices. Choose a storage facility with onsite security features, like surveillance cameras and high-powered outdoor lighting. Additionally, you should also keep appropriate insurance on your vehicle, in case anything happens to it while it’s in storage.

6. Keep your tires fully inflated to the recommended maximum pressure

To prevent weakening during storage, keep your RV’s tires inflated to the maximum pressure recommended by the manufacturer, and cover them to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Give your tires a good soapy wash to get rid of the build-up they’ve acquired on the road. If possible, especially if you’re storing for the long term, raise your vehicle onto blocks or use lift jacks so that it’s not resting directly on the tires.

7. Place a wooden plank between the tires and the ground

If you’re not going to be using wheel blocks or jacks, make sure the parking surface you plan to use is firm and even. If the ground is made of asphalt, leave a piece of plywood underneath the tires to prevent surface oils from wearing on the tire rubber over time. You sure won’t want an unexpected blowout next time you hit the road!

8. Keep your RV covered

If it’s made of breathable material, it’s a good idea to place a cover over your motorhome to protect it from dirt, and from the elements if you’re storing it outside. The breathable fabric will allow enough air flow to keep mildew from growing underneath while you’re away.

9. Wash your vehicle’s interiors thoroughly

Giving the inside of your RV a good wash not only prepares it for the next travel season, it also rids the vehicle of any residual food particles or odours that might attract unwanted guests. This is also a good opportunity to discover small openings to the outside which can enable any such pests to pass through, such as cracks between wires or cables. When doing your cleaning and inspection, don’t make the mistake of forgetting about cupboards, drawers, and closets. After washing, leave the RV’s interiors as dry as possible to guard against mould.

10. Close the window shades

Prolonged exposure to the sun can leech the colours right out of your motorhome’s interior fabric, such as carpets and upholstery. Use the daylight shades to shield your vehicle from the sun’s rays, while still allowing light inside. Having at least some light filter in will have the effect of discouraging mould growth.

11. Keep your cabinets and closets open

You should also prop open your refrigerator door, while you’re at it. Leaving such internal components open will prevent moisture and mould buildup while you’re away. And place a box of baking soda inside the fridge for odour control.

12. Take out any items from your RV which can freeze

Any liquid remaining in your vehicle can easily freeze over the winter. When it thaws, it can cause damage from bursting inside pipes, and create a huge mess. This can happen to the contents of containers, too, so remove items like liquid soap, water bottles, soda pop, cleaners, etc.

13. Remove any articles that pests might use for food or nest material

Without a doubt, this is super important! Let’s face it, pests will not be attracted to an environment which is inhospitable to their needs, so make sure there’s no traces of any items such as food, toilet paper, newspapers, soap, cleaning rags, etc. Also pack up and remove any fabric items like towels, sheets, or blankets.

Check out our full range of moving and packing supplies

14. Run antifreeze through your RV’s piping

During the winter in Canada, temperatures can be expected to fall below zero just about anywhere. So as a precaution, it’s a good idea to run some antifreeze through your motorhome’s pipes, including valves and drain traps. This step especially applies if you plan to store your RV out of doors, or at an indoor storage space without heating.

15. Shut off the LP-gas supply valve

Turn off the appliances, too, and remove all fuses, including the gas leak detector, and the shut-off valve itself. Otherwise, fuses can be a needless cause of battery drain throughout the off-season.

16. Remove your RV’s batteries

It’s important not to allow your batteries to freeze, so disconnect them and store them safely above ground in a dry, separate area with a heat source. Also, like fuses, dry cell batteries can passively consume power, even if the appliance in question is turned off. Check items like clocks and radios, and remove the batteries from these devices. This also eliminates the risk of battery corrosion, which can occur if such items are not in use for long periods of time.

On a final note, it’s still a good idea to go and check on your trailer or motorhome every once in awhile, just to make sure everything is in order. This is especially true if you’re storing outdoors. After all, security cameras onsite won’t be able to alert you to things like a slow tire leak or minor damage caused by a storm. You’ll also want to verify that there are no unexpected moisture leaks or pest infiltration that occurred during your absence, so be on the lookout for signs of chewing, droppings, or water flows inside the vehicle.

By taking proactive storage measures for your vehicle, especially in combination with the occasional check-up, your RV should be just as you left it. You’ll be good to go when the travel season rolls around again!

Ready to store your RV? Here’s where RV and trailer storage is offered at Public Storage:

Alberta:

• Calgary – 2140 23rd St N (Barlow Trail NE/23rd St NE)

British Columbia:

• New Westminster – 94 Braid St (Braid St/Brunette Ave)
• Port Coquitlam – 1522 Broadway St (Mary Hill Bypass/Broadway St)

Ontario:

• Ottawa (Orléans) – 3545 St Joseph Blvd (St. Joseph Blvd/Tenth Line Rd)
• Woodstock – 1310 Dundas St (Dundas St/Lansdowne Ave)

Québec:

• West Island (Dorval) – 2801 Montée St Rémi (Boul. des Sources/Boul. Hymus)
• Montréal (St-Laurent) – 5605 Ch de la Côte-de-Liesse (Ch. de la Côte-De-Liesse/Aut. 15)
• South Shore (St-Lambert) – 380 boul Sir Wilfred Laurier (Boul. Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier/Av. Victoria)

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How to Winterize Your Boat: The Ultimate Boat Winter Storage Guide

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Bicycle Storage – Nifty Solutions for Your Two-Wheeler

The post How To Prepare Your RV For Winter Storage appeared first on Public Storage Canada.