Your camper van bed is the one feature you’ll use every single day, so it deserves a little extra brainpower up front.
Pop-Top Roof Bed for a Second Sleeping Level
A pop-top bed creates an entire extra sleep zone without consuming your main floor plan, which is such a clever small-space move. I’ve always loved how it keeps the lower level free for seating and storage while your bed stays ready upstairs.
Check these products out:
- Telescoping Ladder: Access your elevated sleeping area safely and easily with a ladder that collapses for simple storage.
- Memory Foam Mattress Topper: Add a layer of comfort to your pop-top sleeping platform for a more restful night’s sleep.
- Rechargeable LED Reading Lights: Install these portable lights near your sleeping area for convenient reading without complex electrical wiring.
Raised Platform Bed With a Garage
I keep coming back to a platform bed with an under-bed garage because it’s simple, sturdy, and you never have to “make” the bed into something else. In my own setups, I’ve loved sliding big bins and bulky gear underneath while keeping the top cozy and always ready.
A few helpful options:
- Heavy-Duty Drawer Slides: Build your own sturdy under-bed storage drawers to easily access gear without crawling underneath your bed platform.
- Woven Storage Baskets: Organize your smaller camping essentials in stylish baskets that fit perfectly on shelves beneath your platform bed.
- Chunky Knit Throw Blanket: Add texture and warmth to your sleeping area with a cozy throw that makes the space feel inviting.
Low Rear Bed for Maximum Headroom
When I want the van to feel airy, I go for a lower rear bed and accept a smaller storage zone underneath. I’ve found this layout makes sitting up in bed feel way less cramped, especially if you’re a morning coffee-in-bed person like me.
Useful items to consider:
- Short Queen Memory Foam Mattress: Upgrade your van sleep setup with a pressure-relieving mattress designed to fit compact recreational vehicle spaces perfectly.
- Heavy Duty Drawer Slides: Build your own custom under-bed storage drawers with robust hardware capable of handling heavy gear loads.
- Textured Throw Blanket: Add a cozy layer of texture and warmth to your bedding setup, perfect for chilly morning lounging.
Transverse Bed Across the Back Doors
A side-to-side bed across the rear is a classic for a reason, and I’ve used it in layouts where every inch of floor space matters. I like pairing it with slim cabinets at the foot so you still get a clean rear-door view when the doors are open.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Van Interior String Lights: Add cozy ambiance to your camper van interior with warm, dimmable LED string lights for relaxing evenings.
- Camper Van Blackout Curtains: Ensure privacy and block unwanted light during sleep with easy-to-install magnetic or insulating window covers.
- Small Square Throw Pillows: Complete your cozy bed setup with soft, decorative throw pillows that add comfort and a touch of style.
Lengthwise Bed for Tall Sleepers
If you’re tall (or you just sprawl), I’ve seen a lengthwise bed save a lot of nightly frustration because you’re not sleeping curled up. In my experience, it also creates a natural “hallway” that makes the van feel more like a tiny studio than a storage tube.
Consider these options:
- Heavy-Duty Drawer Slides: Build smooth, durable under-bed storage drawers like these to maximize space without sacrificing accessibility or strength.
- RV Roof Vent Fan: Keep air circulating above your bed comfortably with a roof vent fan for cooler, fresher sleep.
- Textured Throw Blanket: Add warmth and style to your sleeping setup with a cozy throw blanket that complements natural wood tones.
Convertible Bench Seat Pull-Out Bed
I love a bench-to-bed design for people who want lounge seating all day without losing a real sleep surface at night. I’ve built versions with a simple pull-out platform, and it’s such a satisfying “slide and done” moment before bedtime.
Explore these options:
- Heavy-Duty Drawer Slides: Ensure smooth transitions for your pull-out bed frame with these sturdy, reliable slides designed for heavy loads.
- Custom Foam Mattress: Create comfortable, distinct cushions that stack for seating and lay flat for sleeping with high-density foam.
- Textured Upholstery Fabric: Wrap your bench cushions in durable, cozy fabric that withstands travel wear while looking stylishly inviting.
Split Bed With a Center Walkway
A split bed (two narrower platforms with an aisle) is my favorite for people who want easy nighttime access without climbing over each other. I’ve seen this layout feel surprisingly roomy, and you can still bridge the gap with a filler cushion to make a full-width bed.
Possibly handy products:
- Jute Runner Rug: Add warmth and texture to your camper’s hallway while clearly defining the walking space between beds.
- Narrow Fitted Sheet Set: Ensure a snug fit on custom camper mattresses with sheet sets designed specifically for narrower twin beds.
- Under-Bed Storage Drawers: Maximize every inch of space by installing smooth-gliding drawers or using bins beneath your bed platform.
Murphy Bed Fold-Down on the Side Wall
A Murphy bed in a camper van is the quickest way I know to reclaim floor space for daytime living. I’ve planned this for small apartments too, and the big win is you can keep a clean aisle for cooking, changing, or stretching without stepping on bedding.
These products might be useful:
- DIY Horizontal Murphy Bed Hardware Kit: Build your own space-saving bed frame with this essential hardware kit, designed for secure wall mounting mechanisms.
- Heavy Duty Locking Drawer Slides: Ensure your pull-out bed or storage stays secure while driving with these heavy-duty slides featuring locking mechanisms.
- Low Profile Mattress for Camper Vans: Choose a slim, supportive mattress that fits easily into fold-away compartments without sacrificing your nightly comfort.
Fold-Down Bed Above Storage Cabinets
I’ve helped clients tuck a fold-down bed above built-in cabinets so the bed lives “up high” while storage stays accessible underneath. It’s a neat way to keep the van looking uncluttered, especially if you style the cabinet fronts like warm wood paneling.
You might like:
- Heavy-Duty Drawer Slides: Build smooth, robust storage drawers beneath your bed platform to keep gear organized and easily accessible.
- Self-Adhesive Wood Veneer: Achieve that custom warm wood paneling look on your cabinets without the weight of solid timber.
- Recessed LED Puck Lights: Install low-profile lighting underneath the upper bed structure to illuminate your sleeping and living space effectively.
Lift Bed That Raises to the Ceiling
A ceiling lift bed is the “best of both worlds” setup when you want a big bed but also a wide-open floor during the day. I’ve watched clients fall in love with how it transforms the whole van in seconds, like turning a bedroom into a living room.
Products that could assist:
- Heavy Duty Rope or Pulley System: Secure your ceiling bed mechanism with strong ropes or pulleys to ensure smooth and safe lifting during daily use.
- 12V Linear Actuators: Automate your bed lift with motorized actuators, allowing you to raise and lower the platform with just a button push.
- Macrame Rope Details: Add a stylish, boho touch to your lift mechanism supports by incorporating durable yet decorative cotton macrame rope.
Side Sleep Extensions to Widen the Bed
If your van is narrow, adding side sleep extensions can make a transverse bed feel truly adult-sized. I’ve used the same idea as “micro bump-outs” in tiny homes, and it’s honestly wild how much comfort you gain from a few extra inches.
May just do the trick:
- Heavy Duty Folding Shelf Brackets: Install these sturdy brackets to create drop-down extensions that add vital inches to your sleeping platform.
- Unfinished Hardwood Board (for DIY Extension): Use a durable hardwood board as the base for your bed extension to match existing cabinetry seamlessly.
- Camper Van Insulation Foam: Insulate your new side pods or window flares to prevent cold bridges and keep your sleeping area cozy.
Diagonal Bed to Steal Extra Length
A diagonal camper van bed sounds odd until you try it—I’ve mocked it up in floorplans and gained surprising legroom in short interiors. If you’re right on the edge of fitting, this little angle trick can be the difference between cramped and comfy.
Maybe worth checking out:
- Self-Adhesive Measuring Tape: Easily map out your custom diagonal layout directly on your van floor to maximize every inch of space.
- Memory Foam Mattress Topper: Cut this foam to fit your unique angled bed shape for custom comfort without buying a specialized mattress.
- Heavy-Duty Drawer Slides: Build deep, accessible storage under your new bed platform to keep gear organized and within easy reach.
Hammock Bed for a Lightweight Sleep Setup
A camper van hammock bed is a fun, airy option when you want the bed to vanish completely during the day. I’ve tried hammock sleeping on trips, and the real perk is how breathable it feels compared to a mattress pressed against walls.
A few suggestions:
- Cotton Rope Hammock with Spreader Bars: Create a cozy sleeping spot with a breathable cotton hammock featuring sturdy spreader bars for ample space.
- Heavy Duty Ceiling Mount Kit: Secure your sleep setup safely using reliable, heavy-duty hooks and mounting hardware designed for suspension.
- Square Linen Throw Pillow: Add extra comfort and style to your hammock with a soft, durable linen throw pillow.
