30 Pics Of Old Ugly RVs Redesigned Into Beautiful Tiny Homes By “RV Fixer Upper”
Trina Sholin is a self-taught interior designer, and her husband Steve has a strong background in construction. The couple had been flipping houses to make a living but they started doing similar renovations on RVs on the side and in 2019, it became their full-time gig.
"Steve takes care of all of the maintenance and operations of the RVs, using his decade long experience with RVs, and I handle all design and social media as well as being hands-on during renovation," Trina wrote on their website. "Basically, we both wear 17 hats as do so many small business owners!"
And they're doing a hell of a job, too!
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CA is crazy with rent. Saving up to buy a nice travel trailer or RV. Not interested in being a home owner and have no kids.
So what happens with the flimsy coffee tables when the RV is moving? Looks like they’d be all over the place. Same with all the throw pillows. Unless the RVs have had underpinning installed to make them stationary.
well they did say turning into small homes - a lot of people here are saying that it's not going to be used for camping..
Load More Replies...This must have taken some serious hard work to accomplish. Kudos to all that helped. Its amazing and inspiring. I hope one day to have my own little house too. Far less to take care of and more to treasure.
The couple started this journey when they were seasonal full-timers in Alaska for Steve's job and were living in an RV themselves. "I couldn't handle how drab, dark and unappealing the interiors were no matter the year or the brand. This got my wheels spinning as to how I could make the interior more aesthetically pleasing while maintaining function. We spent three years living in that RV and I couldn't believe the difference it made and how much more it felt like a home after I completed the renovation."
A few years later, they started living full-time in Arizona and wanted to get back into camping, so they bought a fifth wheel, a 2004 Keystone Montana. It was at this point that their love affair for Keystone Montanas began. "It was so ugly, but the layout was perfect and it was in great condition," Trina said. "I could easily see the potential."
Why is everyone being so negative on these renovations?? They’re gorgeous!
i do admit that they are all pretty but its just that a lot of them arent always practical
Load More Replies...I would totally move into any of the after photos,,,and none of the before photos. Seems like people are just looking for stuff to complain and nit pick on this thread. *sheesh*
i agree. These are beautiful and a great way to save money while being able to travel for work. People just want to whine and complain.
Load More Replies...Do they hate cupboards? And, like, hello? PRIVACY please in the shower!
If it's just the two of them they probably don't need privacy, and being able to see through the space will make the area feel much bigger than having an opaque box.
Load More Replies...Love that shower and the dramatic black. One day when I have my own little house, I must have a bath tub. I am a bath girl and need my bathtub. But I do love this wee bathroom. Wonderful job!
While these are nice, there's only so much resell value you could get for that. Charge 100G for all those renovations and people will think you're nuts for setting a sale price that high for an RV.
They began the renovation by ripping out everything "RV" and replacing it with things they would put in their home. "We put in a chandelier, real tile, and many other beautiful features and completely changed the look and feel of the trailer. People couldn't believe the transformation!" Trina and Steve thought they might be on to something, so they put the renovated trailer up for sale.
"It sold immediately and the rest is history! We buy, renovate and sell RVs as well as offer consulting for clients that need help and guidance in renovating their own RV."
Unless there is more to the room, I would rather have the "before" sofas to relax on than a bench.
In another pic you can see that there is couch in a slide out, those stools are foot stools
Load More Replies...I live in an RV full time. Storage is paramount! So these are "cute" but not very practical.
I don't see a chimney, so I'm guessing the chopped wood is for outdoor fire pit?
I love the bench around the table! i wish i had a dining room like that..
In the 'before' one - what the heck is that weird thing in front of the window? At first I thought it was a toilet due to the shape.
Ughh the first one looks like my current kitchen. I didn’t think it was that bad 😏
yea i kinda like the before ones just because they give a more home-like feel to them
Load More Replies...OK, there's no way these RVs are ever intended to go on-road again. Table, loose objects, swinging light fixture... But nice manipulation of camera angle to make it look spacious.
They were redesigned to be tiny homes, not go back on the road
Load More Replies...A lot of negativity! A friend of mine redesigned her and her husbands 5th wheel to something similar like this- they live in it full time. They travel for work and wanted to feel like they are at home when parked, but able to easily pack up when on the road. It's worth it to them to make it feel like home and it's still roadworthy and easily hauled.
Wow, its like an entirely new space. So light and airy. I am sure when they do move the RV, all the bits that can fall will go some place secure. But fabulous job on renovating. Beautiful!
why does all the white make me feel like its like a little blanket fort? i think thats awesome either way
There is NO way this RV would be used. NOTHING white stays that way in one of these. EVER
This is a nice shot, and changing to the whites and losing the dark colors really opens this up.
deleting the cabinets also helped, but storage is always at a premium
Load More Replies...i like the way you use the contrast and lighter flooring vs carpet with white walls and grey cabinets well done .
Went from a dungeon to a bright, livable space. Looks so open and inviting now. Great job!
Beautiful, but they lost a lot of storage space which is already at a premium in an RV.
True! Hopefully they put some cabinets under the island.
Load More Replies...prettier - but they should have keep the cabinets, Also this is an RV - why put in fake wood support beams? It just looks like you're trying too hard.
I'm sure they thought long and hard about the changes they made, and had their reasons. Stop criticising someone's personal taste. There is just no need. Imagine you spending time and money doing something you're really proud off, only to have other people tell you you've done it wrong or made poor choices.
Load More Replies...I agree with Celeste,,,,no need for such negativity. The transformations are beautiful!
Beautiful, but they lost a lot of storage space, which is already at a premium in an RV.
I like how they added the wood on the ceiling - good accent to the atmosphere
I love how these are the same appliances and cabinets. They look like new!
well-applied paint has a way of doing that. (and deleting wallpaper borders)
Load More Replies...How I detest those white tiles they look like what you'd see in a public toilet
🤣 i didnt realize that till now. i still like them but you made me laugh
Load More Replies...Who else stores their wicker differentiated eating utensils on the cooktop?
wow, what a difference white paint did for this room. Plus the woodwork and the right accessories. Beautiful job.
honestly in my opinion all the wood cabinets give it a more home-y feeling. now it would feel like someone else's house
Load More Replies...Again...there is NO way anything white stays that clean in these!
not if you have kids, but i am assuming that you wouldn't buy a tiny house if you had kids.
Load More Replies...i like these full shots because like other people asked wher eyou would eat and play cards and now we can see a table
Thank you, Red Hair! It's been driving me crazy all of these people commenting, clearly not having read the title of this entire thread or not understanding that a tiny house is no longer an RV. It is a stationary house. And also everybody who's commenting that they took away storage: You are seeing one little piece of the entire thing, you have no idea what they did in the rest of it for storage. These are all so fabulous!
Load More Replies...I love the new bed colours. Not too sure about the greenish pillows, might just be me though.
wait a second! hygge? thats norwegian for "having a good time" or "cozyness" well a fireplace sure is cozy
At first i thought the pattern on the original couch and trimming was camo... but either way that was really ugly.
So they put in three much larger windows then ? or is this an illusion.....
Depends on if you have a family of 6 or a family of two living here. You only really need one set of dishes for each person. Eg. mug, plate and bowl.
Load More Replies...I feel like a lot are loosing the point of the make overs. I think they're all beautiful and this is really hard work to do....not just a can of paint....
This makes me angry. That is the exact same before picture a few away!
okay now we can tell that there is a couch on the other side and this is way better than the first picture
Love that chandelier. Love everything really. I bet it gets cozy in there when its cold too. Lovely job.
Beautiful, but uncomfortable. I choose "before". Comfort are more important.
I upvoted you because I actually like the before better too
Load More Replies...Okay Norma I think you've got too much stuff maybe. Speaking as a full timer, my husband & I renovated our 83 holiday Rambler & the excessive amount of cabinets were the first thing to go. We also moved our microwave for more space above the stove & we took out the top kitchen cabinets to replace with open shelves. It's beautiful, feels much more open. Also when on the move, it turns out that you can actually use you hands to grab things and put them somewhere else so they don't get tossed around on the road. I know, it's crazy to think you could move something for a short time then put it back in it's place but Norma...girl, where there is a will there is a way! I totally get their renovation style and functionality of it. It works for us & obviously it works for a lot of other people too or we wouldn't be looking at this article. Stop being such a downer and let go a little a bunch of stuff & things stuffed into a bunch of cabinets get in the way of an adventure.
And these were turned into houses. So no driving around in them.
Load More Replies...They are not meant for a family, it's meant for a couple or single person & maybe 1 small dog or 2 cat & most get placed on land or trailer parks permanently!
Load More Replies...What exactly is the black monolith above the stove in the 'after' picture?
What a view! That's awesome. What a perfect advertisement for doing what you are doing.
I loved all these pictures. Such a great job at modernization. The brightness, clean lines and added earthy colours inspired me.
I'm sure this is not the only sitting are in the home. I find these fabulous updates to what they use to be. Great job. Can't always float everyone's boat, good thing these are RV's!
that before-sofa looks really comfy tho same with the table and chairs, but i do like making it light instead of all dark
Love the new interiors; RVs tend to have old fashioned "granny" interiors, even the new ones.
Thank you, Kendra. That is absolutely right. They are beautiful designs. It drives me nuts to see the same people comment negative stuff on nearly every picture. We get it,,,,you're RV experts. You should use all that profound wisdom to build other people up, not tear them down. If you can't say something nice,,,,
kinda looks like those ewok stuffed animals from the 80s
Load More Replies...The question is what you value. There are people who travel the world with just a backpack. People fill their homes with c**p and the more room you have to store c**p the more c**p you will accumulate. Also all that c**p costs money that could be better spent on building memories of time spent with family.
Load More Replies...This is a situation where I have to agree with them. The bed should be most comfortable and welcoming spot. Having to duck around cabinets and having things looming over your head isn't so good.
Load More Replies...Norma, you do realize that your comments are being hidden probably due to the fact that you're such a negative Norma.
you know what I think those are shopping bags! I have a friend who makes them :) Talk about easy, walking in after visiting the grocer and just popping it in the wall
Load More Replies...I like the fruit bags and plant in a bag (shown earlier) no need to move them when driving!
Just lovely. Love the planking on the wall. Decor is simple but wonderful. Love it.
I haven't had a microwave in my entire life, it really doesn't matter.
The microwave could be in one of the cabinets on the side, or this camper might have been designed for people who have an outdoor kitchen.
This is the only one where they have put in a more "residential" sized stove, which is really a nice touch and adds to the convenience immensely.
you do realize there is another side of the room, right?
Load More Replies...Ok now your stove is bigger. Where are you going to set that bowl/hot pan/etc?
Well if you aren't using all the burners, then on the un-lit one. If you are using all, you'll just have to turn around and use the counter right behind you
Load More Replies...Oh my, some one has customized their home for their own taste. Geez you are so negative Norma
Load More Replies...You needed to get even closer. I can't see the individual atoms yet.
Perhaps it's perspective, but it doesn't look like there's room to sit at the table and relax.
These aren’t for camping, these are for people to live in who can’t afford a conventional home.
Load More Replies...Granted they look better but a lot of it seems to be lighting and brighter colors. And sacrificing a lot of storage and practically.
Also, how about the added weight? Real furniture in an RV can make it pretty heavy, and then once you get your personal stuff in there (food, clothing), the RV is overweight.
Load More Replies...Maybe they do not need "tons" of storage. I do not. I am a minimalist and the storage in this RV is way more than I would need.
Load More Replies...some of them are from the same rv though..just different angles and areas..did anybody notice?
Which is good, we can get a whole picture of the place and how it flows. I just wish they were grouped
Load More Replies...I'm going to guess none of these RVs are meant to ever be *mobile* again. B/c, y'know. Loose stuff.
I think that’s the point, these were designed to be homes for people who can’t afford a normal house. There are quite a few people, particularly in the UK, now buying and renovating old boats and choose to live on water as house prices are so expensive.
Load More Replies...Gotta be honest, a lot of these already looked pretty nice and there is some repeating of images going on here
So white and grey instead of brown and natural wood. Open storage instead of closed storage. Heavy materials and furniture instead of light ones. Did I miss something in the abc of RV rénovation ?
Ripping out storage space isn't exactly renovating. And I read the comments of people claiming that these RV's are meant to be used as tiny houses with the fitting "non-clutter" lifestyle, but that's not what this couple says. "We buy, renovate and sell RVs as well as offer consulting for clients that need help and guidance in renovating their own RV." So yeah, the interior looks fresh and nice but also no, because camping in those RV's is going to be difficult.
And, if used as a tiny "home", in the US it will not qualify as a permanent residence or structure. And if it's dressed as it is in the photos, it's not road-safe even for towing ot a permanent site in some locales. (Swinging light fixtures.) Great "concept", but honestly, I do wish people would realize they're about to dive into the sewage of real estate legalities if they park one of these on a lot and say it is a "house"....
Load More Replies...Granted they look better but a lot of it seems to be lighting and brighter colors. And sacrificing a lot of storage and practically.
Also, how about the added weight? Real furniture in an RV can make it pretty heavy, and then once you get your personal stuff in there (food, clothing), the RV is overweight.
Load More Replies...Maybe they do not need "tons" of storage. I do not. I am a minimalist and the storage in this RV is way more than I would need.
Load More Replies...some of them are from the same rv though..just different angles and areas..did anybody notice?
Which is good, we can get a whole picture of the place and how it flows. I just wish they were grouped
Load More Replies...I'm going to guess none of these RVs are meant to ever be *mobile* again. B/c, y'know. Loose stuff.
I think that’s the point, these were designed to be homes for people who can’t afford a normal house. There are quite a few people, particularly in the UK, now buying and renovating old boats and choose to live on water as house prices are so expensive.
Load More Replies...Gotta be honest, a lot of these already looked pretty nice and there is some repeating of images going on here
So white and grey instead of brown and natural wood. Open storage instead of closed storage. Heavy materials and furniture instead of light ones. Did I miss something in the abc of RV rénovation ?
Ripping out storage space isn't exactly renovating. And I read the comments of people claiming that these RV's are meant to be used as tiny houses with the fitting "non-clutter" lifestyle, but that's not what this couple says. "We buy, renovate and sell RVs as well as offer consulting for clients that need help and guidance in renovating their own RV." So yeah, the interior looks fresh and nice but also no, because camping in those RV's is going to be difficult.
And, if used as a tiny "home", in the US it will not qualify as a permanent residence or structure. And if it's dressed as it is in the photos, it's not road-safe even for towing ot a permanent site in some locales. (Swinging light fixtures.) Great "concept", but honestly, I do wish people would realize they're about to dive into the sewage of real estate legalities if they park one of these on a lot and say it is a "house"....
Load More Replies...
