Selecting a color scheme for your camper van interior is a huge decision to make. Once you paint, there is no way to go back, unless you spend the extra time and money to redo your work.
In this post, we share you the basic of color theory and how to create a color scheme, step-by-step, for your own van conversion interior.
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Why Is Creating A Camper Van Interior Color Scheme Useful?
Designing the camper van interior can be different than from a normal house since the interior area space of the van is much more limited. As a result, the arrangement of colors in your camper van can have a greater affect on the character and atmosphere of your living space.
What is a color scheme? A color scheme is an arrangement of colors often used for interior design. It helps the designer to organize and keep the consistency of the colors they select. It is just like a color palette for painting.
Understanding the basics of color theory
Color theory simply means how colors, or combinations of colors, can affect the mood, feel, and symbolism of a particular space. In general, there are three basic groups of colors.
Warm colors (e.g. reds, yellows, oranges, etc) – give energy, warmth, and exude a welcoming mood. They are great colors to add in a living room since these colors are used for dining and lounging; where people get together and socialize.
Cool colors (e.g. blues, greens, purples, etc) – create a calm and relaxing atmosphere. These colors are suitable for spaces like the office, bedrooms, or bathrooms, where people focus on their work or relax at the end of the day.
Neutral colors (e.g. whites, browns, grays, etc) – create a natural, earthy feel, and they are great colors to be used in every day spaces. These colors would be used in places you see the most, like walls or ceilings, or the exteriors of homes and other buildings.
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How To Create A Van Interior Color Scheme
Step 1:
Choose A Base Color
A base color should be applied on the largest area of the camper van interior, such as wall, ceiling, and floor.
We recommend avoiding bold colors here. Though you can be adventurous experimenting with bold colors in a normal house, the feeling that bold colors exude will be much more exaggerated in a tiny space, like a camper van. That is because the walls of your van are much closer to you than in a normal house. Can you imagine always being surrounded by a bright red wall? :/
Instead, opt for a neutral color (white, brown, gray) as a primary color to make your camper van look more open and to help brighten up the small space.
Step 2:
Choose A Secondary Color
Secondary color should be applied on the second biggest area of the camper van like furniture, counter tops, and/or ceiling. Your choice of color here is largely affected by the total look you are intending to create.
A color wheel and color theories table (below) will help you to visualize and choose your secondary color.
| Color theory | How to select colors | Finished look |
|---|---|---|
| Achromatic | Colorless scheme (no hue) using black, white and grey only | Simple, urban, cool, modern |
| Monochromatic | Using a tint, tone or shade of just one color | Warm, cozy, chic, luxurious |
| Analogous | Using 2-4 colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel (yellow-orange / yellow / yellow-green) | Bold, pop, exotic, country style |
Achromatic Color Camper Van Interior Design
Monochromatic Color Camper Van Interior Design
Analogous Color Camper Van Interior Design
Step 3:
Choose An Accent Color
Finally, you can pick an accent color to apply on small area or objects like cushion fabric, kitchen backsplash, or pillows & throws. You can even use some art crafts to introduce your accent color, create contrast, and add a personal touch to your camper van interior. Remember to keep the accent color to a minimum minimum and not overdo it. This will help keep maintain a consistent and sophisticated look for your van’s interior.
Helpful Color Picker Tool
A great tool that allows you to play around with color palettes is Benjamin Moore’s personal color viewer. If you are unsure which colors to select for your van’s interior color scheme, give this color picker a try.
You can choose the type of the room and style from their photo gallery and virtually paint the wall with the color of your choice using their color palette.
Building a camper van? Download our free e-Books with intuitive electrical, solar, and plumbing diagrams.
Enjoyed reading? Check out our “Camper Interior Design” category page for more similar content.
Final Thoughts On Van Conversion Color Schemes
Design is all about organization and making information tidy so that the information makes sense for everyone. Color plays a huge role for human brains to process information and it also has a large effect on our psychology.
Interior design from scratch might seem like a difficult task, but you could also say that designing a camper van interior is easier than a traditional home interior because you only have to think about one inclusive space that comprises your kitchen, dining space, and bedroom.
The biggest tip for interior design is to try creating a home that makes you want to always come back. And creating a color scheme will help you to pick the best color combination that makes a beautiful and comfortable tiny home on wheels, just for you.
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