12 campervan lighting ideas

When it comes to lighting your campervan, it’s important to choose a mix of functional and attractive options to create the aesthetic you’re hoping to achieve without compromising on practicality.

In this guide, we share 12 campervan lighting ideas, from functional downlights to charming fairy lights, and highlight some tips for choosing the right options for you and your vehicle.

1. Recessed downlights

Recessed downlights are small, round LED lights that are mounted flush into your ceiling. These are a great option for general overhead lighting that will illuminate your campervan. Due to being set into the ceiling, these lights are low profile and don’t take up any space. However, holes will need to be cut for them during your campervan build.

2. LED strip lights

LED strip lights are a convenient campervan lighting option as they can be stuck anywhere you need extra illumination, including under cupboards, around beds, and along ceilings. These lights are extremely flexible, can be easily cut to length, and are perfect for accent or task lighting. You will need 12V strips to suit your campervan system, and keep in mind that the adhesive may weaken over time and need replacing.

3. Reading lights

Ideal for reading, working, or performing other tasks without lighting up the whole campervan, reading lights are a useful option for many reasons. Mount them by beds or seating so they’re nearby when you decide to pick up your book, magazine, or newspaper. Choose adjustable reading lights so you can point the light exactly where you need it and won’t disturb others who are trying to sleep or rest.

4. Light panels and tube lights

Slim rectangular LED panels and tube-style lights provide bright, even illumination that’s perfect for campervans. These are ideal for areas where you need a lot of light, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and they won’t take up too much headroom.

5. Dome lights

Dome lights are a traditional ceiling light option and typically come in a protective casing for durability. This campervan lighting type is reliable and can spread light across a wide area. Dome lights come in different sizes, with some designed to sit flatter against surfaces than others.

6. Touch lights

Touch lights are LED lights that can be turned off, switched off, or dimmed with a simple touch, making them useful for places where you want quick control with no hassle. It’s a good option to have next to the bed, so you can easily tap the light off when you’re ready to sleep. Or to turn on if you need to get up during the night or have an early start.

7. Pendant lights

Suspended from the ceiling, pendant lights look great and are a lovely option for a boho style campervan interior. While this lighting type is aesthetically pleasing, they hang low so might not be ideal for campervans with limited headroom.

8. Cove lighting

Cove lighting consists of LED strips hidden in ledges or alcoves which provide indirect, ambient light. This helps to create a warm, soft glow in a campervan rather than harsh direct light.

9. Fairy lights

Decorative, battery or USB-powered fairy lights add charm to a campervan and can give the space a relaxed feel. Hang fairy lights around windows and along shelves or coil them up into vases and jars to make your own pretty lamps.

10. Automatic lights

Automatic lights turn on when motion is detected or when a door opens, and can be very handy when entering your campervan at night. Campsites can be dark, so it’s nice to know you won’t need to fumble around trying to find light switches when you return to your vehicle after the sun’s gone down.

11. Wardrobe and storage lighting

If your campervan has dark storage options, like wardrobes and deep cupboards, lighting in these areas can be useful and help you find what you’re looking for. There are a few different lighting options that work here, including automatic lights, LED bars, and small rechargeable lights.

12. Exterior lighting

Exterior lighting for your campervan is also important, especially if you like to spend time sitting outside after dark. Consider integrating lighting into an awning, opting for portable lighting – such as rechargeable lanterns and flameless candles – or entryway lighting created by using automatic strip lights or LEDs around the door frame.

Things to consider when choosing campervan lighting

It can be easy to focus on aesthetics when choosing campervan lighting, but there are a few other factors to consider before making an informed purchase.

• Voltage – Choose 12V LED lights, unless you’re using an inverter, as these will match your campervan’s electrical system.
• Energy consumption – LEDs consume much less power than older halogen or incandescent lights, preserving your leisure battery.
• Colours – Lights come in different colours, and different tones create different vibes. For example, warm white lighting will make your campervan feel cosy and relaxing, whereas cool white lighting is bright and ideal for spaces where you carry out tasks, like cooking. Keep in mind that cool tones help to create an illusion of space whereas warm tones can make your campervan feel smaller.
• Dimming – Having dimmable lights helps you save power and set the right mood in your campervan.
• Mounting – Decide if you want recessed, surface, or flexible mounting. This decision often comes down to how much space or headroom you have available.
• Control – Opt for switches, touch sensors, or remote controls depending on the layout of your campervan.
• Combine aesthetics and function – Mix fairy lights and cove lighting with downlights to create an attractive yet functional balance.

Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe

Once you’ve got your campervan lighting in place and are ready to set off on an adventure, you might want to consider specialist campervan insurance so you can hit the road with confidence.

Get an online quote today!