One of the most liberating ways to live or travel is in a small van. But there is one problem that nearly every van lifer encounters early on — storage. When your entire life is packed into a vehicle the size of a garden shed, every inch counts.
The good news? You don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to create a smart, functional space. With a touch of creativity and some out-of-the-box budget thinking, even the smallest vans can have an airy and organized feel.
This guide takes you through 5 small van journeys storage ideas that are smartly designed for best use of space. And whether that’s a weekend trip, or a full-time life on the road, such ideas can help you maximize your space — without spending an arm and a leg.
The Importance of Storage Planning in Small Vans
Let’s take a step back though, before we dive into the solutions, and discuss why storage planning is so vital.
Small vans — the Ford Transit Connect, Volkswagen Caddy or Vauxhall Combo, for example — tend to have somewhere between 2.5 and 4 cubic meters’ worth of cargo space. That’s fine until you consider a bed, a kitchen setup, clothing, tools and outdoor gear.
Poor storage leads to clutter. Clutter leads to frustration. And tension on a road trip can turn the adventure of a lifetime into an unpleasant slog.
Good storage, conversely, gives you:
- Quick access to what you want
- More interior space in the van
- Approaching the road with a calmer, more organized mindset
- Improved safety (unsecured items become projectiles during sudden stops)
The secret is to play on the van’s natural geometry — dead space, height, and selecting systems that are flexible rather than fixed.
Idea 1 — The Overhead Net System (Price: £10–£30)
Let’s start up top. The ceiling area is totally blank for most small van owners. That’s a mistake.
Using a couple of cheap and handy cargo nets is one of the best ways to maximize van living space. Online you can purchase a simple hammock-style cargo net for around £10–£15, or build one using paracord and carabiner clips.
What You Can Store Up There
Use the overhead zone for light, bulky items that you don’t need constant access to. Think:
- Sleeping bag rolls
- Lightweight jackets or hoodies
- Snack bags and dry food items
- Spare shoes or sandals
- Rolled towels
How to Install It With No Drill
Most people get scared of doing permanent changes on their van. The good news is that you don’t need to. Grab handles, seat belt anchors and D-ring attachment points for tie-downs are commonly integrated on the roof or walls of most small vans. You can stretch bungee cords or nets between those points with zero drilling involved.
If you do want something firmer, removable adhesive hooks (3–5 kg rated) stick surprisingly well to painted metal surfaces and pull clean when it comes time to sell the van.
Pro Tip
Use a bright-coloured net so you can easily see what is packed inside. Dark nets across a dark interior ceiling can conceal objects inside them and you forget what you’ve stored away — leading to repurchasing at the shops.
Idea 2 — Storage Under the Bed With Pullout Bins (Cost: £40–£80)
If you’ve built a sleeping platform in your van — or are planning to do so — you’re sitting on one of the most valuable storage space zones in the entire vehicle.
For example, in a small van the space under your raised bed platform can store 100–200 litres of gear depending on how tall you build it. Most people just throw loose items under there and leave them. A more efficient solution uses pullout bins or slide-out drawers that make everything instantly accessible.
Budget Bin Setup vs Custom Drawers
You don’t have to build fancy joinery for this to work. Here’s how the two choices stack up:
| Approach | Cost | Skill Level | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA Samla bins on castors | £15–£30 | Zero | Very high |
| DIY plywood slide-out tray | £30–£60 | Medium | Medium |
| Purpose-built van drawer kit | £150–£400 | Low | Low |
| Repurposed filing cabinet drawer | £10–£20 | Low | Medium |
Prices are based on research; varies according to location and availability.
The most inexpensive and versatile option for budget van journeys storage has to be the IKEA Samla bin setup. Fix four castor wheels to the bottom of each bin, slide them under your bed and you’ve got yourself a pull-out storage system for less than £30.
Dividing the Space
Use one bin for clothing, one for tools and cables, and another for food. Write what goes in each bin on masking tape and stick it to the front. Simple. Fast. Effective.
What to Avoid
Keep heavy items out of slide-out bins that aren’t mounted on a track. In the event of a sudden halt, a 20 kg bin can simply slide out on its own and strike someone or damage the floor. With a simple bungee loop or a hook-and-eye catch, you can keep your bins locked in place while driving.
Idea 3 — Door Panel Pockets and Hook Rails (Cost: £5–£25)
The side doors of your van are grossly underutilized storage real estate.
In a standard small van, the two flat vertical surfaces offered by each door panel measure roughly 60 x 80 cm. It’s enough room for everyday things that you want to grab quickly — without rummaging through bags.
The Shoe Organizer Hack
There’s a reason this is one of the most famous budget van journeys storage hacks. A hanging fabric shoe organizer — the kind with clear pockets, available for £5–£8 at most home stores — can be hung on a van door using command strips or bungee hooks, or simply tied through the window winder or handle.
Each pocket holds:
- A water bottle or travel mug
- Sunscreen, chapstick or first-aid items
- A phone, wallet, or keys
- Pens, maps, or notebooks
- Snacks
That’s 12–18 objects organized and visible in a space that previously held nothing.
Adding a Hook Rail
For bulkier items, you can attach a short S-hook rail or towel bar to either the door panel or the wall beside the sliding door. Hang items like:
- Reusable shopping bags
- Coats and waterproofs
- Headlamps and torches
- Dog leads
These can be purchased for under £10 at hardware stores, or made from a length of dowel rod and two cup hooks.
Door Pocket Insert
If the pocket on your van’s door is a large factory one (like in common VW vans or Ford Transits), use a foam insert that you cut to fit and divide into sections. It prevents small things from sliding around and disappearing to the bottom.
Idea 4 — Wall-Mounted Rail and Basket System (Budget: £15–£60)
Think of this as a modular shelving system — but without the need for a trip to a specialist van fitting company.
The IKEA SKÅDIS pegboard and accessories are a cult favourite in the van life community. And for good reason. The SKÅDIS panel is about £10, and you can hang baskets, hooks, holders and shelves off it using removable pegs. No shelf is permanent. Everything moves.
Where to Mount It
A wall rail or pegboard is most useful in the following locations inside a small van:
- In the space behind the driver’s seat (facing towards the living area)
- On the side wall between the wheel arch and sliding door
- On the inside of your side or barn door (if your van has rear doors)
The Conduit Rail System: Cheaper Than IKEA
If you need something even cheaper, a metal conduit pipe (the kind used for electrical cables) runs £3–£5 a metre from your hardware store. Mount it on the van wall horizontally with two pipe clips and you’ve instantly got a new rail to hang S-hooks, bags, and baskets.
Screw two rails at different heights, and you’ve got an instant tiered hanging storage system for less than £15 in materials.
What to Hang on the Rail
Here are a few practical items that do very well on a wall rail system:
- A small frying pan and pot (hang from their handles)
- Reusable produce bags full of vegetables or fruit
- A first aid kit in a zip pouch
- A small container holding headphones and charging cables
- A clipboard or notepad for journey planning and route notes
The beauty of this system is that it scales based on changing needs. Going on a longer trip? Add more hooks. Back to day trips? Get rid of the extras and clear the wall.
Idea 5 — Collapsible and Foldable Gear as Storage (Price: £10–£40)
This last idea is a bit different from the others. Instead of spending money on storage systems, this is about selecting the proper equipment to begin with — equipment that collapses, folds or stacks when not being used.
In a small van, the amount of gear you have is just as crucial as how you pack it. A rigid storage box that’s half empty is wasted space. A collapsible crate that folds down flat when it’s empty is a huge win.
The Best Foldable Storage Items for Van Life
Here’s a quick reference guide to foldable gear worth buying:
| Item | Folded Size | Approx. Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collapsible silicone bowl set | Stack of 4 = 3 cm | £8–£15 | Cooking and eating |
| Foldable fabric crate (30L) | 3 cm flat | £5–£12 | General storage |
| Roll-up tool pouch | Pencil case size | £8–£20 | Tools and cables |
| Collapsible water carrier (10L) | Paperback size | £6–£15 | Water storage |
| Stackable stool that doubles as storage | 30 cm tall closed | £15–£40 | Seating + kit |
Why This is More Important in Small Vans
In a full-size campervan, you might have to live with a rigid plastic tub that occupies the same volume whether it’s packed or empty. In a small van, everything must earn its floor space when full and shrink to near-nothingness when empty.
It’s like the difference between packing for a flight in a hard suitcase and packing in a soft duffel bag. The duffel compresses. The suitcase doesn’t.
Combining Collapsible Gear With Your Other Systems
The real magic happens when you combine this idea with the others. For example:
- When not in use, store your collapsed crates under the bed (Idea 2) to keep them out from underfoot
- Hang your roll-up tool pouch on the wall rail (Idea 4) to keep it instantly accessible
- Tuck flat-packed bags into an overhead net (Idea 1) alongside your sleeping gear
Everything nests. Everything has a place. And when you arrive at a campsite or wild spot for the night, setup takes minutes.
Bringing All 5 Ideas Together Into One System
The true magic of these budget van journeys storage ideas happens when you stack them on top of one another. Each idea focuses on a unique segment of the van and addresses a distinct problem. Combined, they make up a full organization system.
Here’s a simple layout plan for a smaller van:
Front of van (driver’s area): Daily essentials in a door pocket organizer
Mid section (living area): Wall rail system with hanging baskets on the side wall Overhead net for light but bulky items
Rear section (sleep area): Pullout bin storage underneath the raised bed platform Foldable items stored in a collapsed state inside bins
If you shop around, compare prices and do the fitting yourself, this setup costs roughly £80–£160 all told. For more ideas and inspiration on van travel on a budget, visit Budget Van Journeys — a great resource for anyone planning life or travel on the road.
Van Storage: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Alongside the best budget van journeys storage ideas, there are a couple of pitfalls that catch people out. Here’s what to watch for:
Overloading one zone. It’s easy to stow in the most convenient spot — say, the space just behind the front seats — and turn a blind eye to the awkward corners. Spread the load evenly.
Ignoring weight distribution. Keep heavy items (tools, water carriers, battery packs) low and central. Storing high and heavy changes your van’s centre of gravity, which can alter handling.
Not securing items for driving. Anything that’s not in a latched compartment or secured by some kind of strap is dangerous. A £3 bungee cord can save you a nasty accident.
Purchasing before you’ve slept in the van. Try sleeping in your van a few times before you spend money on permanent storage. You will figure out fast what you really need to access, what can remain hidden and what isn’t even used.
Quick Wins: The Least Expensive Changes That Will Have the Most Impact
If you’re new to budget van journeys storage and want to start seeing immediate results, here are the three quickest wins ranked by impact per pound spent:
1. Cargo net overhead (£10) — Frees up floor space instantly and corrals large soft items. Takes 20 minutes to install.
2. Door shoe organiser (£6) — Generates over a dozen individual storage pockets in a space that currently holds zero. Takes 10 minutes.
3. Castored bins under the bed (£20) — Converts dead space into a readily accessible, organized closet and pantry. Takes an afternoon.
Just these three alone will transform the feel of your van on the road.
FAQs
Q: Do I have to drill holes in my van for the storage systems? No. Many of the best budget storage solutions — cargo nets, shoe organizers, magnetic hooks and conduit rail systems — can be installed using existing anchor points, adhesive hooks, or tension fittings. Drill-free setups are the best option if you are renting your van or planning to sell.
Q: What’s the one area that needs to be organized more than anywhere else in a small van? The area that makes the most difference for daily comfort, most van lifers say, is where they spend much of their time — the living zone behind the front seats. Reclaim that space first, with a wall rail or door organizer system.
Q: How much weight can a cargo net support? A standard cargo net designed for use in a van or car usually holds 15–25 kg. If you’re using a net overhead, use only light items (under 5–8 kg total) to keep the weight evenly distributed and minimize the chances of pulling the net loose.
Q: Am I able to use IKEA furniture in a van? Yes, with some modification. IKEA furniture is designed for flat, static-floor environments, so make sure you fasten stuff down securely and that drawers have positive latches to hold them shut. IKEA Samla bins, SKÅDIS pegboards and TROFAST storage units are a common sight in van life.
Q: How can I stop things from sliding around when driving? A simple piece of non-slip rubber shelf liner (purchased for £2–£5 per roll) cut to size and placed under bins and trays can make a world of difference. Anything larger is handled with bungee cords, ratchet straps and hook-and-eye latches.
Q: Does van life storage change for a weekend trip versus full-time living? Yes and no. The basic principles are similar — utilize every zone, keep most-used items within reach, go with collapsible gear. But full-time van lifers would generally invest more in permanent, custom-installed solutions over time, while weekend travelers want flexible, removable systems they can clear out when the van returns to everyday use.
Wrapping Up
You don’t need a massive budget or professional fitting skills to make smart storage in a small van. This calls for some creative thinking, a few inexpensive tools and a willingness to fill every available inch of space.
The five budget van journeys storage ideas in this guide — overhead nets, under-bed pullout bins, door pocket organizers, wall rail systems, and collapsible gear — can be mixed and matched in any combination and adapted to any van size or style of travel.
Take one idea out for a spin this weekend. See how it changes the feel of your van. Then add the next one. Soon you will end up with a little van that feels bigger, calmer and more like home — no matter where in the world you park it for the night.
