Our DIY Camper Kitchen Makeover – Painting Oak Cabinets
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I’m SO glad this little kitchen makeover is finally done. It may be tiny, but renovating our camper kitchen was a bigger job than I ever imagined! Let me share with you how I took our early 90s kitchen in Our DIY Camper into this decade with some paint and simple supplies.
Here’s what our RV’s kitchen looked like when we first bought it:
It’s your typical honey oak kitchen that was so popular in the early 90s. You can read more about our camper BEFORE right here.
Here’s how our camper’s kitchen looks NOW:
I think it looks quite different, don’t you?
The best part about this makeover was that it didn’t cost much at all.
I won’t lie: it was A LOT of work, but I think the results are 100% worth all of the effort.
I think paint has made the biggest difference in this makeover.
We also had to remove & replace the entire back wall due to water damage, but thankfully my handy hubby is good at these kinds of things!
I removed all of the cabinet doors in the camper, and then sanded, primed and painted everything with paint I already had on hand. You can see more of this process in the video at the end of this post. This took the most time, but I wanted to make sure that I did a good job so that the paint lasted! A coat of poly at the end of the process helps keep my paint from chipping.
Some shiplap-look wallpaper helped give the wall by the dinette some interest (you can read about the dinette’s upholstery job right here), and I spray painted some decorative aluminum in Rustoleum’s Copper Rose colour to replace the dated fabric panels that were in the cupboards. I used the same Rustoleum metallic spray paint in oil rubbed bronze to paint all of the hinges and screws in the cupboard doors’ hardware so that everything looked updated and refreshed.
Since I had so much of it from our own home’s renovation, I decided to paint our kitchen both white and black for a fun statement.
I covered the old countertops with marble contact paper for a quick & inexpensive refresh and new, modern hardware on all of the doors made a huge difference in the look of the kitchen.
I painted the fridge in the same way I painted the rest of the cabinets, and a rod with hanging baskets and hooks on the accent wall and the wall beneath the range hood act as decorative and functional storage.
For the walls in the kitchen, I had the pleasure of trying out Smart Tiles. These are peel & stick tiles that have the best sticking power that I’ve ever encountered! I tested them for a month or so on one of the walls (these are the Metro Blanco tiles for a classic subway tile look), and once I was satisfied that they’d stick to our camper’s walls, I installed the rest of the tiles on the entire wall of the kitchen. You can see how I did it in the video below.
Watch Our DIY Camper kitchen makeover video:
What’s next for Our DIY Camper renovation?
We still have to:
- do some paint touch-ups (on the dinette, the ceiling, the couch)
- sew a slipcover for the jack-knife sofa
- install a feature light fixture
- finish installing the vinyl plank flooring
- install some TVs
- refinish the bathroom
- clean the exterior
What do you think of our camper’s kitchen makeover?
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Rustoleum and Smart Tiles. As always, all of the opinions here are my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
What a transformation!! It’s looking great!
Thank you, Sara ?
Love the updates! Looks beautiful.
Thank you, Dianne 🙂
Paint can completely change the look of your cabinets-we did it ourselves a few years ago and loved it!!
We completely agree, SHI. It makes a beautiful transformation.
um, AMAZING!! enjoy!
b
I am right in the middle of renovating a 20 ft motor home. Year is 1988. I want to change cupboard hardware but they are the pull knob that opens the door. Did you have to change the latch system when changing theknobs to a pull?
Leave it to Christina to have a camper that’s more beautiful inside than a lot of people’s houses! Looks fantastic 🙂
You’re too sweet, Larissa.
Wow, it looks awesome!!! What a difference some paint makes. 🙂 I like all the other little hacks you used for the walls and counters too. 🙂
Thank you so much, Bonnie.
This looks amazing!!
We are starting our DIY makeover on our 1990 Toyota Warrior Winnebago. This is one of my favorite make overs! Great ideas!
How exciting Julia! It’s such a fun makeover and you will enjoy so many memories with it?
Wow! This is great job! thanks for sharing your kitchen makeover task that’s really helpful tips. And definitely these looks very beautiful.
Thank you!
Wow. Just amazing.
It looks so so beautiful. Thanks for sharing practical ideas. Paint can really do wonders. Thank you once again.
Thank you, Susan?
Your kitchen is just so perfect and adorable. Neatly arranged and the color choice is just so perfect. Thank you for sharing this, You are such an inspiration.
Wonderful kitchen you have here. Your kitchen is super awesome and looks sparkling clean. It’s nice of you to find time to share this, You are such an inspiration.
Thanks.
Thank you, Wilson
Hi Christina … I could resume my comment to : WOW 🙂
It looks stunning, it’s amazing what a little of paint can do. Of course, as you say in the post, I bet was a looot of hard work involved, but I have to say that it was well worth it.
It really looks like you’ve bought a new one 🙂
Congrats on your DIY, loved it!
Thank you so much!
Of course, I love to see this kind of skill and I love even more that crafty people like yourself are sharing this with the rest of us 🙂
Do you guys still use it ?
The kitchen looks great! I am currently in the process of making over our camper, I love the idea of contact paper! How did the contact paper wear for the counters? Have you taken it off? Is it easy?
The save money advice is an essential subject. You’ve shared the post just awesome. Your article is very helpful. I’ve benefitted from your blog. I follow your rule.
Thanks for sharing the informative post!
I have THE EXACT same trailer except it’s the bumper pull version! I’m absorbing every bit of info you’ve put out for inspiration:). Quick question though: what did you do to cover up the mirrored cabinet doors? This is where I get stuck every time I’m day dreaming.
Thanks so much!!
Christina primed & painted right over them, but you could also make fabric panels and glue them over the mirrors 🙂
Have your peel and stick tiles held up over time? Would love any input!
They sure have! Christina has installed them in a few places since as well 🙂
Nice remodel. I especially like the black and white contrast.
Looks great! Quick question- how is the cup hook hanger adhered onto your peel and stick backsplash over your stove?
Also, on the peel and stick counter top, are the seems noticeable??
Hello,
I’m wondering if I need to use a specific type of paint for painting inside my RV in an area with extreme temperature changes? Indoor/outdoor, latex, etc? Also what type of bonding primer? I do not want to deal with chipping or cracking preferably.
Hi Kris, I live in Alberta and chose paint that was recommended for our climate. Here’s a link to all the paint used in my camper: https://thediymommy.com/shop-our-home/
Love this transformation! So beautiful ❤️ The video was also super helpful. Did you have trouble with the countertops bubbling in the heat when the camper was being stored?
Awesomeness………..