Motorhome layouts: What you need to know

Finding the right type of motorhome is one thing—size, weight and style all matter when it comes to matching one to your camping lifestyle.

But that’s just the beginning. There are many motorhome layouts to choose from too, from modestly spaced interiors to the more luxury end of the spectrum.

Here, you’ll find a guide to the most popular motorhome layouts to help you find the holiday home that suits you best.

 

How to find the right motorhome layout for you

Before you begin looking at different motorhome layouts, there are a few considerations to make, such as:

1. Berths

It may seem obvious, but how many berths do you need? You may only need a 1-berth or 2-berth, but think about whether you want family or friends to be able to join you on your travels, too.

2. Fixed bed or non-fixed bed

Consider whether you want the beds to be fixed or non-fixed. There are benefits to both, as a fixed bed provides the comfort of feeling at home and doesn't require setup, but takes up permanent space. On the other hand, a non-fixed bed will need converting each day, but will save space in the long run if you want a smaller motorhome.

3. Travel seats

This links back to your choice of berth, but don't forget to also consider how many travel seats you may need. You can get travel seats that convert into sofas if you want to save further space.

4. Size of the vehicle

How big you want your vehicle to be will also have an impact. Of course, living space is one thing, but you also want it to be easy to drive and manoeuvre (particularly if you're planning to travel along winding country lanes).

5. Storage space

Motorhome owners can get pretty creative with their storage ideas, but it’s always good to consider the storage space you’ll need early on. Consider where you want to travel and how long you want to be on the road, as this will give you an idea of how much storage space you’ll need.

6. Living space

Your living space requirements largely come down to how you plan to use your motorhome. Are you planning on spending a lot of time inside it or travelling during winter? In that case, you may want more inside space. On the other hand, if you're only planning on travelling during the summer and using your motorhome just for a place to sleep, you may be happy with less living space.

 

Different motorhome layouts: The bedroom

Motorhome layouts with fixed beds offer more convenience as you can climb straight into bed at the end of the day rather than having to set up your sleeping area and bedding each night.

If you opt for a larger motorhome rather than a campervan, you’ll likely want a fixed-bed layout over transformable lounge furniture. This section covers each of the most popular options.

 

1. French bed layout

The French bed layout often involves a double fixed bed arranged lengthways against the offside or nearside rear of the vehicle. Since it requires less space than island beds, it’s usually best suited to low-profile motorhome layouts.

There will either be a small washroom in the corner of the room opposite the bed or one tucked just behind it at the very rear of the vehicle.

The outer side of the bed is usually tapered to allow for extra room, as there is usually limited space to move around due to its fixed design.

If you’re planning action-packed trips full of outdoor adventures, you may want to consider this fixed-bed motorhome layout—they’re more convenient than those you need to make up each evening.

 

2. Transverse bed layout

Low-profile motorhome layouts require innovative design features as they have limited space to work with. This is where transverse beds come in—they involve a fixed bed with ample storage space.

Their under-bed storage is unrivalled and makes them popular with motorhome layouts aimed at families with children or adventurous couples wanting to take extra equipment away with them.

Need help finding a motorhome layout with a long enough bed? Transverse beds are usually the longest, as they take advantage of the vehicle’s width.

One disadvantage to remember is that climbing over your sleeping partner can be a chore if you need to get out of bed, just as with French beds. If this presents an issue, you may be better off with an island or bunk bed layout.

 

3. Island bed layout

Couples looking for a more luxury motorhome layout will likely favour the island bed design—no more climbing over your partner to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.

Island beds are easily accessible on either side and allow for more of a separate bedroom space compared to transverse and French beds.

The headboard usually sits on the rear wall, with the foot of the bed leading to the toilet and washroom. They usually offer under-bed storage, too.

However, island beds can limit lounge space in smaller motorhomes, as they take up more room than other beds.

 

4. Single bed layout

This is one of the most popular motorhome bedroom layouts as it feels more spacious than the double fixed-bed options.

Some designs even come with the added versatility of pulling the mid-section out into a larger double bed. This is useful for those who want extra space to relax during the day but don’t want the hassle of assembling a bed each evening.

Since they’re still fixed beds, there is usually plenty of room for storage underneath, so you can easily pack clothes and other essentials out of the way.

They’re ideal for friends travelling together or couples who want the added luxury of an extra sitting area during the day. However, they may not be the best option for larger families, unless you have a pop-top roof containing another double bed.

 

5. Bunk bed layout

Bunk beds are one of the best motorhome layouts for families, especially if you have a pop-top roof to house a double bed. You could then easily sleep four.

They’re also a good choice for those who are travelling with friends or couples and want a more space-saving option.

While our example motorhome layout shows two bunk beds and an extra sitting space, this could be replaced with either a single bed or another set of bunk beds.

 

Motorhome layout ideas: The living room

Smaller low-profile motorhomes and campervans rarely have fixed-bed layouts and usually contain a lounge that transforms into a sleeping area or a bed within a pop-top roof.

If you’re in the market for this kind of motorhome, we cover each of the most popular layouts below so you can find the best option for you.

 

1. Rear lounge layout

Used to staying in caravans? You might find that a rear lounge layout brings a sense of familiarity, as your sleeping space is where it would usually be in a larger motorhome.

This layout typically features two adjacent couches that fold out into a double bed and some form of a table to eat at when you’re using the area as a lounge.

One of the main benefits of choosing this motorhome layout is that there’s no need for anyone to shuffle through the lounge to go to the toilet or use the kitchen.

It keeps the living space separate and usually has a better view, depending on the window placement.

 

2. Front lounge layout

Front lounge motorhome layouts are the most popular, mainly because you can turn it into a sleeping area and larger lounge when the swivelling front seats are in use. The table is usually packed away, and the couches are transformed into a double bed.

They are well-suited to those who travel with friends and family, as there’s more space for everyone to sit together.

If your motorhome has a toilet, washroom, and kitchen, these will be located towards the vehicle’s rear. The space will likely be more limited in these areas, as this layout makes the most of the space towards the front.

 

3. Twin lounge layout

Larger motorhomes without fixed beds may have two separate lounge areas, an added luxury for larger families, couples travelling with friends, or those living the ‘van life’.

This is known as a twin lounge motorhome layout and gives you more room to sprawl out and relax after a day full of adventures.

In some models, it’s possible to transform both lounge areas into beds—one double and two twin beds or two doubles.

 

Motorhome layouts FAQs

What is the best motorhome layout for dogs?

There are a few considerations to make when choosing the best layout for dogs, these include:

• How much floor space do they need?
  If you have a tiny Chihuahua, they may not require a huge amount of space, but if you have a medium-sized dog or bigger, think about how much space they’ll have to move around.
• How big an aisle will they need?
  Again, this comes down to the dog's size, but make sure that they have enough room to turn around in the aisle, and they aren't having to reverse out. It's a good idea to check that there's enough room for you or another dog to pass them if you have more than one, too.
• Where will they sleep?
  Providing your dog with a safe space to sleep or retreat to if they want some peace and quiet will help them feel more comfortable in your motorhome. When choosing which layout you prefer, consider where you could put their bed and their own space to relax.
• Where will they stay while the motorhome is in transit?
  This is another highly important consideration to ensure your pup is safe while you travel in your motorhome. In the UK, dogs must be restrained while a vehicle is in motion for their safety and to stop them from distracting the driver. This can be done via a harness or crate, so factor this in when choosing your motorhome layout.

What is the best motorhome layout for couples?

Depending on your preferences around space and whether you want a fixed or non-fixed bed, the best motorhome layouts for couples tend to be twin single bed or island bed layouts, as these offer more space and allow both of you to be able to get in and out of bed without disturbing each other! Alternatively, if you want even more living space, you could opt for a drop-down bed or a motorhome with a pop-top roof, which provides a separate sleeping area.

What is the best motorhome layout for families?

Families with young children, in particular, tend to prefer a bunk bed layout. The bunk beds provide a sleeping area for the kids, and then parents can either have sofas that convert into beds or make use of a pop-top roof as their sleeping area, leaving more living space in the rest of the motorhome.

 

Specialist motorhome insurance through Ripe

Whether you're looking to convert your campervan or deciding on the right layout before buying a new motorhome, you may want to consider getting specialist motorhome insurance to financially protect you and your vehicle from the unexpected. Get a quick online quote today.