RV Furniture Vs Home Furniture

The bottom line for your RV interior is if you don’t like it, you’re not stuck with it. RV interior renovations are pretty common and there are a ton of ways to improve your space. If you have the money available and are willing to spend it, you can take your average camper and turn it into your dream home away from home. Whether you’re living in your RV full time or are just in it for a little bit of the year, you have probably thought about changing the interior, specifically the furniture, to better suit your needs and your style. If you’re riding around in an older rig or have a growing family, this is even more so. With the right furniture, you can take your rig from average and OK to amazing and avoid the thought of “Well, I guess we’ll just have to make do for now.”

Why Replace Your Furniture?

There are a ton of reasons why you should replace your original RV furniture, however, there are certain reasons that stand out above the rest:

• Comfort. Many times, the original furniture that comes with your RV isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world. Oftentimes, your couch is stiff, your mattress is lumpy, and your dinette cushions are tough. Trying to relax on a frumpy mattress or sofa can leave you with a bad back, something that will make taking a hike or going for a swim that much more difficult. With new furniture, though, you can make your RV into a relaxing and comfortable place that you will be excited to travel in.
• Durability. The originally manufactured furniture that you get in your RV doesn’t tend to last long. This is a common problem that many people face and one of the more common reasons why people replace them. The furniture that originally comes in your RV is mass-created and because of this, the quality isn’t always the best. To get the best quality for your RV, it’s a good idea to find high-quality RV furniture to replace the original set-up.
• Aesthetics. You want your space to look nice and to reflect your lifestyle and your needs. Investing in high-quality RV furniture that adds to your set-up rather than just getting in the way is the perfect way to do this. After all, the first thing people look for when they step into your home away from home is the perfect place to sit.
• Space. If the current floor plan of your RV just doesn’t meet your needs, then you can change it with a sofa or recliner. You can add more space with a smaller piece, work out a better way of walking from the front to the back with a great new layout, and even add space with the storage capabilities that many RV furniture has built-in.
• Weight. This one is pretty important for RVs. The amount of weight you have in your rig can influence the safety of the rig, the fuel efficiency while on vacation, and the number of other appliances that you’re able to put into your RV. By going for a lighter RV furniture piece, you can reduce the weight while increasing comfort and style.
• Storage. It’s common knowledge that RVs only have so much space and sometimes the furniture that you get in your RV eats that space up. By replacing it with more space-efficient furniture pieces, you can reclaim your floor space and have more room to walk around and relax.
• Quality. Sometimes even when you have good furniture pieces, they can become damaged, whether by scratches, stains, or even mold. If your original set isn’t looking too great, replacing them with a fresh set can be the best way to go.

What’s The Difference?

So if you’re going to replace your furniture, then what’s the difference between RV specific furniture and regular home furniture? Can’t you just put your favorite recliner into your rig and call it good? Not quite. There are a few concerns with this.

• Weight. Weight is a concern in RVs and furniture built for RVs have this in mind. While household recliners might be comfortable, they are heavier than RV recliners and can add unnecessary weight to the rig. This added weight can make the RV harder to drive and can end up costing you more in gas.
• Purpose. RV furniture is designed with that life in mind, which means that many times, the pieces serve many functions. Whether you have a couch that turns into a bed, a bed that turns into a table, or simply a recliner with some extra storage space, the RV-specific furniture is designed not only for comfort but for saving frustration as well. With the multi-purpose design that RV furniture has, household furniture just doesn’t measure up.
• Construction. Life in an RV is much different than life in a stationary home. The things you add to your RV interior need to be able to withstand the stress of life and travel, which isn’t something that home furniture is made for. RV furniture is made for this life, with durable internal construction and sturdy materials.
• Attachment. Many people bolt down their furniture in their RV. This is an important consideration that adds safety when you’re riding in the rig. RV furniture is designed with this in mind, however, residential furniture isn’t. Having the ability to hold down your recliner or hide a bed while traveling is key and home furniture just isn’t really meant for that.
• Size. RVs have limited space, however, this doesn’t just apply to the floor plan. In order to get your new furniture into your rig, you’re going to have to either fit it through the small door opening or cut into your RV, which really isn’t the best choice when you’re just doing a simple furniture switch. Home furniture isn’t designed for this kind of fit and you’ll find yourself in a frustrating situation, trying to shove a big recliner through a 26” door. RV furniture is generally designed to fit through these smaller doors, with our selection able to fit through a door opening of 22”.

Consider This

After you’ve decided to go for RV furniture, there are a few things to consider, such as the cost, the features, the style and fabric, and more. The bottom line, though, is to make sure you have a plan. Know whether the fabric is going to work with your pets or kids. Know the exact dimensions you have to work with before buying. Know how you are going to use it. Do you need a full-time bed or just a hide-a-bed-style couch? Knowing these things can save you a ton of frustration later down the line. Also, a tip for remodeling your whole RV: leave the furniture until last. No one likes to paint around a big recliner and trying to avoid scratching up your new sofa doesn’t make for an easy remodeling job. Having a plan saves you frustration, cost, and more.

So whether you’re looking for a simple switch or a full remodel, choosing RV furniture and making sure you have all of your plans set before starting can help you create the RV design of your dreams.