Owner guides
Campervan Ceiling & Wall Ideas
)
Transform your living space with the ultimate campervan ceiling ideas and wall options.
When it comes to campervan ceiling ideas and wall inspiration, we recommend using a selection of three quality materials: aluminium composite panels (ACP), plywood sheets and/or tongue and groove panels. But it’s up to you to decide where and how you want to install them in your DIY campervan conversion - affix the same material to both your ceiling and walls or mix it up between two or even three different options!
Timber is timeless and charming, expelling natural warmth with unique patterns on each plank. Placed together, they create a sense of serenity in your living space, blending in with the wilderness beyond. It’s one of the best campervan interior ideas if you're going for a cosy cabin feel!
Aluminium composite panels on the other hand are a more modern idea, providing gloss and shine. If you’re going for a clean contemporary feel, this is a great option.
To get you on your way, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of these campervan ceiling ideas, as well as some handy tips for installation and timber staining.
As a van owner, you can earn over $10,000 each year by hiring it out on Camplify. As a holidaymaker, Camplify helps you to find the perfect rental so that you can experience the joys of van life without having to own one yourself.
Interested? Learn more about Camplify at the end of this article.
Safety Disclaimer: We are not professional carpenters or builders. Performing structural work on your van is a safety hazard so you need to do your research, double (and triple) checking that the below information is correct and safe to apply to your build. Before you begin, always discuss your plans with a certified builder, who should also assess and approve the finished work.
The best campervan ceiling and wall ideas for your conversion
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP)
Want to go for that clean contemporary look? Aluminium composite panels (ACP) are the perfect campervan ceiling and wall idea for you!
ACP consists of two thin pieces of aluminium bonded to an insulated core of polyethylene. Once stuck together during the manufacturing process, the layers become inseparable. It’s available in a wide array of colours and has a nice glossy finish to it.
One of the best things about ACP is how durable it is. Plus, it’s waterproof, easy to clean and impenetrable to stains. But it does weigh slightly more than plywood or tongue and groove panels.
Although it’s tough, ACP is also fairly flexible and will bend nicely to the contour of the walls of your campervan. However, you’ll likely need an assistant to help you pick it up and hold it in place.
Pros
Durable, waterproof and stain-resistant
Simple to cut, trim and drill
Easy to clean
Fairly flexible
Insulated
Available in a range of different colours
Cons
More expensive than timber options
Weighs more than timber options
How to install ACP wall panels
Install plywood strapping over the insulation in your van. This is what you will fasten the ACP wall panels to.
Hold cardboard up to your target section, measuring and marking its dimensions.
Cut a cardboard template.
Ensure that you have plywood strapping behind each cardboard template. If you need more strapping, don’t be afraid to add more.
Trace your template onto the ACP. Leave the protective film on the ACP to prevent scratching.
Use a jigsaw or circular saw to cut along the trace on the ACP.
Drill through the ACP where you want to insert screws for attaching to the strapping.
Use fascia screws or sheet metal screws to attach ACP to wall strapping.
Remove protective film from ACP.
Plywood sheets
If you’re after an affordable, quick and easy campervan ceiling and wall idea, then thin plywood sheets (about 7mm) are your new best friend. The awesome thing about plywood is how pliable it is, bending easily to your campervan’s contours.
Plywood comes in a variety of types, the most popular of which is pine or lauan (for their price points and grain patterns). You can also find hardwood plywood, which is a solid option for furniture and fixtures. However, it is generally heavier, more expensive and less bendable, making pine or lauan a better bet for walls and ceilings!
For those working with a larger budget, cedar plywood not only looks lovely, but it’s also mould and mildew resistant - which is a big bonus if you plan on camping in hot, humid destinations! That said, it’s harder to source, a little bit fragile, and can cost up to five times more than pine or lauan.
Pros
Very affordable
Simple to cut, trim and drill
Bends easily
Available in a range of different types
Stains well
Cons
Looks-wise, it might not have the same wow factor as ACP or timber panels!
How to line your walls with plywood
Optional - attach pine studs down the length of the cabin (such as on either side of each metal rib) to prevent screws from being drilled directly into your vehicle’s frame.
Hold cardboard up to your target section, measuring and marking its dimensions.
Cut a cardboard template.
Test your template, trimming where necessary to get as flush a fit as possible.
Once you’re happy with it, trace your template onto plywood sheeting.
Use a jigsaw to cut along this trace.
To cut out space for your window, puncture four corners with a drill bit before joining the holes with a jigsaw.
Test fit your plywood - although your template has been trimmed, you’ll probably have to trim your plywood sheeting as well to make it a perfect fit.
Affix your plywood to the studs or metal body with self-drilling metal screws, which can pierce through the plywood and into the frame without having to drill pilot holes. Just don’t screw into your van’s exterior sheet!
Do it all over again with the rest of your plywood sheeting!
Check out our video to learn more about plywood ceiling and wall installation!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bb37KvSLcYs
Timber tongue and groove panels
If you’re looking to turn your van into a relaxing retreat, there’s no better option than tongue and groove timber panels. A defining feature of any van conversion, panels will fill your cabin with character and create a warm, inviting atmosphere wherever you roam.
Pine and cedar panelling are both solid options for your van build. As mentioned above, cedar panelling will set you back more but looks amazing and is resistant to mould and mildew. Pine, on the other hand, costs less, looks great and delivers on durability, too.
Whichever type you choose, we suggest using 7mm boards. Thinner panelling is lighter, more affordable, takes up less space and can bend to your van’s curved surfaces.
The only downside is that tongue and groove installation requires more effort than plywood. You’ll be cutting and drilling a lot more, always having to double-check whether your lines are straight. But if you have the patience to get the job done, tongue and groove panels are definitely worth the extra work!
Pros
Creates the ultimate cosy cabin vibe, looking and feeling fantastic
If installed correctly, panelling can follow the arc of your van’s curved surfaces
Cons
Not as easy to install as plywood
Not as affordable as plywood
How to install tongue and groove wall panels
Optional - attach pine studs down the length of the cabin to prevent screws from being drilled directly into your vehicle’s frame.
Measure your wall and ceiling dimensions to determine how many panels you’ll need and where to place each one.*
Cut your panels with a circular saw. If you need to make more intricate cuts and trims, use a handheld jigsaw.
Beginning at what will be the bottom row, get one person to hold a panel in place while the other drills it into the stud or metal rib with self-drilling screws. Just be careful not to pierce your van’s exterior sheet if you don’t have studs!
Position subsequent panelling with the help of the tongue and groove of each board.
Pro-tip: Plan your cuts carefully so that the end of every board is positioned near a pine stud or metal rib for smooth attachment. Don’t place a screw too near a board’s end, either, or it could split!
What to do before hanging your campervan ceiling
Before you install your campervan ceiling, you’ll need to complete a few crucial steps:
How to hang your campervan ceiling
You line your ceiling pretty much the same way you do the walls. That said, there are a few roof-specific tips to follow, especially when it comes to tongue and groove ceiling installation:
Your van will likely curve as it reaches the ceiling, tapering at the top of your wall. So to avoid losing valuable space, don’t use a single stud straight from floor to ceiling. Usually, the simplest way to follow the arc is to cut your pine stud into three sections, placing them beside the van’s metal studs.
Alternatively, you can double up the studs on the highest sections of your ceiling to even out the surface. While this will make lining your ceiling easier, bear in mind that you’ll also lose precious height and headroom.
Once your studs are in, hang your panels one row at a time, switching between the driver’s side and passenger’s side as you go. The aim is to have both sides meet in the middle, so make sure to measure this out beforehand.
Don’t panic if you find that your two sides are meeting at an angle! It just means you’ll just have to cut the middle row to fit between them. Trace the shape of the gap by holding a board up to it and marking the angle. Then cut along this trace with a jigsaw, testing and trimming to make it slot in seamlessly.
And hey, even if it doesn’t end up being 100% neat and tidy, the great thing about timber is that imperfections only add to its rustic vibe!
Using timber? Complete your campervan ceiling with a stand-out stain
Has anyone ever disliked a stained timber ceiling?
While your walls and ceiling will already look beautiful, a timber stain gives that magic touch your campervan deserves. Enhancing grain patterns while adding depth and contrast to each panel, staining will take your walls and ceiling to the next level!
Take everything out of your van and put down a drop sheet to protect that precious floor of yours.
Put on gloves or you’ll stain your hands, too!
Dip a lint-free cloth into the stain, wiping your walls and ceiling in a circular motion. Begin at one end of your van and continue until you reach a natural finishing point.
After five minutes or so (the longer you leave it, the darker the colour will turn out), go back and wipe over your work with a clean rag to get rid of excess stain.
To create a mismatched look, use a bunch of random stain colours as you go.
Use a small paintbrush to stain the little cracks between each panel.
If you’re going for a darker shade, apply a second coat after two hours. Then allow the stain to dry overnight.
Add a polyurethane topcoat the next day. This will seal and protect your timber, creating a sheen that enhances the stain underneath
Test out campervan ceiling ideas and wall options before you commit
It’s easy to get things wrong when picking and choosing between different campervan ceiling ideas and wall options. You don’t want to install a ceiling and walls that you later find to be ugly or uncomfortable.
That’s why we always recommend that you ‘try before you buy’.
Use Camplify to search through heaps of privately-owned Kiwi campervans for hire - each one with unique ceiling and wall ideas. Then hire a camper that takes your fancy and test to see whether its ceiling and walls are what you want before undertaking the changes in your own campervan.
Once you have your ceiling and walls sorted, rent out your campervan through Camplify and begin making back the money you’ve invested in your conversion.
Earn a return on your campervan conversion
There’s a quick and easy way to start earning a return on your campervan - rent it out on Camplify when it’s not in use!
Instead of letting your campervan sit idly in the driveway, hire it out and make money from the comfort of your own home. Holidaymakers love campervan rentals that have a nice ceiling and floors - not only is it cosy but it makes for great Instagram material!
Why Camplify?
Each year, heaps of Kiwis earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.
And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:
Comprehensive hire insurance.
24/7 AA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.
Dedicated customer support.
If you’re interested in joining Camplify as an owner, try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year by renting out your unused campervan!