Motorhome fixed bed layouts: ultimate design guide

No matter how basic or luxurious your motorhome, a comfy bed is a must. Motorhome fixed bed layouts have a big advantage over vehicles where the bed has to be pulled out and put away every night and morning – you can just crawl into bed when you like without any effort!

From island designs to French styles, we’ve put together a guide to the best motorhome fixed beds, so you’re sure to find something to suit! We’ll also look at popular motorhome lounge layouts, just to show you how it all fits together.

Motorhome fixed bed layouts: 6 options for your sleeping area

1. Island bed

An island bed is one of the most common and convenient motorhome fixed bed layouts. Usually a fixed double bed size, island beds can be set lengthwise or widthwise across the motorhome, and gives access to either side of the bed, as shown in Awhimai in Auckland above. They’re a brilliant option for under-bed storage, as a high level island bed can provide garage space of over a metre – just the right fit for your motorbike.

Pros

• Fit by length or width

• Can be placed in the front or rear of the motorhome

• Depending on height, allows for large storage area beneath

• No climbing over each other to get out of bed

• Can have his and hers wardrobes and/or bedside tables on either side

Cons

• Might limit headroom space if a raised style bed

• Storage space underneath can often only be accessed from inside the motorhome

2. French bed

Also referred to as a longitudinal double bed, a motorhome French bed is one that’s placed into one corner. It’s similar to an island bed but against one wall of the motorhome, and has a cutaway at one end – as above in Rita in Papakura – to maximise space and allow room for a small bathroom in the motorhome’s rear corner.

Note this style of bed mightn’t be the best idea if you and your travelling companion are both very tall!

Pros

• Space saving

• Suitable for shorter vehicles

• Usually have storage space underneath

• “Ensuite” as the bathroom is next to the bed

• Take up less space than an island bed

Cons

• One person will have to climb over their sleeping partner to get out of the bed

3. Transverse bed

A transverse bed uses the width of the motorhome for the length of the bed, i.e. in an east-west placement rather than north-south. They’re placed at the rear of the motorhome, usually cut off from the main living space by a bathroom. Transverse beds are great for maximising living space and under-bed storage, as seen in Charlie the Explorer in Auckland.

Pros

• Conveniently placed at the motorhome rear, leaving the rest of the vehicle for living space.

• Can be accessed via rear doors.

• Lots of storage space depending on bed height.

Cons

• A high transverse bed may limit headroom.

• One person will have to climb over the other to get out of the bed.

4. Bunk bed

Two beds in one space? Perfect! A bunk bed system is ideal for families who want a motorhome fixed bed layout that will maximise the number of berths without losing valuable living room.

As bunk beds normally lie along the length of the motorhome rather than across the width, they’re easier to separate off from the living area, leaving parents with the rest of the motorhome free once the kids are in bed.

Don’t discount bunk beds for mates’ trips either – not all adults are six feet tall!

Pros

• Two beds in one space

• Perfect for families – most kids love bunk beds

• Easily separated off from the rest of the motorhome

Cons

• Usually in singles and not doubles

• Often not suitable for taller travellers

5. Twin single beds

Often used as additional berths alongside a double elsewhere in the vehicle, motorhome twin single beds usually fit at the back. Both beds can be raised to provide extra storage beneath. The twin singles in Ataahua in Papakura, pictured above, offer up plenty of space.

Pros

• Can be two single beds or a double if a central platform is added

• Plenty of storage space underneath

• Bottom bunk can often be raised for extra space in the daytime

Great for kids’ sleeping space on family trips

Cons

• Not considered quite as comfy as a standard double, as the bed will be in three sections

6. Overcab bed

Of all the motorhome fixed bed layouts to pick from, this is arguably the ultimate space saver! An overcab bed leaves the entire below floor space free as a living area, and like all fixed beds means there’s no hassle arranging then dismantling the bed every night and morning. Add mesh nets, hooks or shelving to the walls to provide room for books, tablets, phones or other essential bits and pieces. Check out the use of space with this overcab bed in Fun Stuff in Christchurch.

Pros

• Big space saver

• Uses space that would otherwise be empty

• Can convert a two-berth motorhome to a four-berth, or a four-berth to a six

Cons

• Less convenient access to the toilet or other parts of the motorhome

• Might not be convenient for less mobile travellers

• As with transverse and French beds, one person will have to climb over their sleeping partner to get out of the bed

Motorhome lounge layouts

Before you choose your favourite of the motorhome fixed bed layouts above, you’ll need to know where it will fit in the bigger picture! Meticulous planning on layout and design is one of our top motorhome conversion tips – once you know where your bed and lounge area will be, the bathroom, kitchen and everything else can fit alongside.

Unless you have an overcab bed, having a fixed bed in the body of the motorhome means you’ll obviously need to discount that space as a living area. But that still leaves loads of options to pick from among the three most common motorhome lounge layouts – front, rear and twin.

Front lounge layout

A front lounge layout is perfect if you’re thinking of an overcab fixed bed, as you can have a comfy double bed and a decent lounge area without compromising on floor space. Front lounges also provide easy access from the driving cab of the motorhome, especially if you have swivel seats as seen in Sasha’s Christchurch Adventures pictured above.

Even if you don’t have an overcab bed, a front lounge is a popular pick for easy access to the kitchen area and leaving plenty of space in the rest of the motorhome for an island, French, transverse or bunk bed.

Pros

• Easy to access from the driving cab – driver and passenger seats can swivel round, or travellers can easily pass through into the body of the motorhome.

• Non-drivers can stay close to the driver during the day (this might be a disadvantage for some!).

Cons

• Generally gives the smallest lounge space of the three main options.

Rear lounge layout

Having your lounge space in the rear of the motorhome is an easy way to kick back and relax. Three large windows at the back mean making the most of views while on the road, as seen in R2D2 in Auckland. It’s also a chilled-out space as the motorhome entrance and exit will be at the front. This is our top pick for digital nomads who want a separate area during the day to work… while a travelling companion does the driving, of course!

Island, bunk and overcab beds particularly suit this type of lounge layout.

Pros

• Effective way of separating the driving and leisure parts of the motorhome

• Plenty of space to spread out

Cons

• Most rear-lounge motorhomes don’t have extra travel seats

• Rarely come with a garage underneath

Twin lounge layout

If you want a rear lounge but will need more than two travel seats, a twin lounge layout is the way to go. The front of the motorhome can accommodate a traditional pullman-style dinette, with room left for an additional U-shaped lounge area at the rear, as shown in Your Perfect Getawayin Pukekohe, pictured above.

This is a popular option for families or groups because of the extra space, and is perfect for those who like roomy living areas with a homelike vibe. As the front and rear of the motorhome will be used for lounges, lengthwise beds like bunks work well with this style, as do overcab doubles in the front.

Pros

• Gives plenty of space and the option of an additional lounge space for kids or teens

• Allows for a fixed bed elsewhere in the motorhome and the option of converting the U-shaped rear lounge into a sectional bed

• Usually come with storage underneath

• Common layout, so plenty of choice when choosing a motorhome

Cons

• Storage space can only be accessed from the inside

• Needs room for sleeping space elsewhere in the motorhome for those who want a fixed bed

Other motorhome layout considerationsStorage bed

As we’ve said many times, always think double use in motorhomes! A piece of furniture or kit that has a double usage is a brilliant way of finding space and storage space, like in a storage bed. This would work well in a motorhome bus conversion where you might be short on space. These either have space underneath, like most domestic beds, or have raisable mattresses so stuff can be placed underneath.

Berth bed

A berth bed is one that’s climbed into, similar to the sort of bed used on a boat – like a top bunk without the bottom bit! Like overcab beds, these are an excellent way of saving space. Check out this innovative berth bed in WEILD’S Italis Discovery 4/6 Berth in Christchurch. One consideration though is that they might be difficult to climb into if you’re not fully mobile.

Travel seat bed

Travel seat beds are like the convertible or rock and roll beds you see as standard in most campervans, and aren’t as common in motorhomes since there’s usually space for a fixed bed. That said, they can be handy to have for bigger groups as they provide convenient extra berths.

Choose the right motorhome fixed bed layout for your travels

Once you work out the best motorhome to buy, a fixed bed is one of the first things people will see in your motorhome, so make yours special! Our blog on how to decorate a motorhome has lots of tips on putting your own stamp on your motorhome.

Plus, we have**hundreds of motorhomes for hire in NZ** if you want to take a road trip and determine which motorhome fixed bed layout works best for you!