Dreaming of transforming your RV into a charming, elegant retreat that feels like a Provençal cottage but don’t have a Hollywood budget? You’re in the right place! Achieving that coveted French Country aesthetic is all about embracing soft, natural colors, rustic textures, and vintage-inspired details—many of which can be found secondhand or DIYed for a fraction of the cost.
The key is to focus on strategic updates that deliver maximum impact, like swapping hardware, adding soft textiles, and incorporating thoughtful decor. It’s not about a full, expensive renovation; it’s about creating a feeling of warmth, history, and relaxed elegance.
Get ready to be inspired by these 29 beautiful and budget-friendly makeovers that prove you can have a chic mobile abode without breaking the bank.
1. The Distressed Armoire Kitchen Pantry
This brilliant makeover solves two common RV problems: lack of character and lack of pantry space. Instead of a generic flat-panel cabinet, the owner sourced a small, vintage armoire door from a flea market or thrift store. It was lightly sanded and painted in a soft, chipped white to enhance its timeworn charm. The door was then carefully measured and hung to replace the original, instantly becoming the kitchen’s focal point and adding a incredible amount of rustic French character.
The interior organization is just as important. Using uniform glass jars and wicker baskets to store dry goods continues the theme while keeping everything neat and accessible. This approach proves that you don’t need to remodel your entire galley; sometimes, changing just one key element is enough to completely redefine the space’s style.
PRO TIP: When thrifting for furniture pieces to repurpose, look for items made from solid wood, as they are easier to modify and attach to RV walls than particle board. A strong magnetic catch will ensure your new vintage door stays securely closed while traveling.
2. Lavender Sachets in Linen Closets
The French Country aesthetic is as much about scent as it is about sight. This simple, virtually free upgrade leverages the power of aroma to create an authentic experience. By making or purchasing small sachets filled with dried lavender, you can infuse your entire RV with the calming, signature scent of the French countryside every time you open a cupboard or closet.
This idea goes beyond closets. Tuck these sachets into drawers, under pillows, or even hang a few discreetly in corners. The natural fragrance is far more inviting than chemical air fresheners and perfectly complements the visual style you’re working to create. It’s a tiny detail that makes your RV feel cared for, fresh, and wonderfully authentic.
PRO TIP: For an even stronger and longer-lasting scent, gently warm the sachets on a sunny dashboard or near a vent for a few minutes before placing them. This will help release the lavender’s essential oils.
3. Toile Wallpaper Accent Wall
Wallpaper, especially a traditional pattern like toile, is a quintessential element of French Country design. However, covering an entire RV interior can be overwhelming and expensive. This makeover uses it strategically as an accent wall behind the bed or dinette. The intricate pattern immediately draws the eye and establishes the theme without making the small space feel too busy or closed-in.
Modern peel-and-stick wallpapers are a game-changer for RVers. They are easy to install, renter-friendly (no messy glue), and can be removed without damaging the RV walls. Choosing a monochromatic color scheme, like black on cream, keeps the look elegant and timeless rather than kitschy.
PRO TIP: To ensure the pattern stays straight and aligned on a curved RV wall, use a laser level. Start applying the wallpaper from the center of the wall and work your way outwards to smooth any air bubbles perfectly.
4. Ruffled Slipcovers for Dinette Benches
Standard RV dinette upholstery is often bland and prone to wear. This makeover introduces softness and texture with simple, DIY slipcovers made from drop cloths or neutral-toned linen. The key detail is the addition of a ruffled skirt along the bottom, which instantly softens the hard lines of the dinette and adds a romantic, cottage-core feel.
Not only is this approach stylish, but it’s also incredibly practical. Slipcovers can be easily removed and tossed in the washing machine after a long trip or a spilled glass of wine. This allows you to maintain that crisp, clean look that is essential to the French Country style without a lot of effort.
PRO TIP: Use heavy-duty elastic or drawstrings sewn into the hem of the slipcover to ensure a snug fit that won’t shift or slide around while you’re driving down the road.
5. Wrought-Iron Curtain Rods and Tiebacks
Swapping out plain, modern curtain rods for scrolled wrought-iron ones is a detail that speaks volumes in your RV. This small change adds an instant touch of old-world elegance to any window. Pair them with simple linen curtains and use matching wrought-iron tiebacks to hold them open during the day, allowing light to flood in and showcase the beautiful hardware.
This is a low-commitment update that makes a high-impact difference. You don’t need to change your existing curtains if you love them; simply changing the rod can elevate the entire window treatment. Look for lighter-weight options designed for faux wrought-iron to avoid adding too much weight to your RV’s walls.
PRO TIP: If you can’t find tiebacks you like, a simple and beautiful alternative is to use a length of luxurious ribbon or a strip of the same fabric as your curtains, tied into a graceful bow.
6. Bistro-Style Café Table Upgrade
The standard RV dinette table is functional but often lacks charm. This transformation involves replacing a bulky table with a smaller, round pedestal table reminiscent of a Parisian café. A table with a wrought-iron base and a wooden top, perhaps distressed or painted in a soft cream color, becomes an instant focal point. It creates a more intimate dining experience and frees up floor space, making the interior feel larger.
Pair your new bistro table with delicate chairs or simply refinish your existing dinette chairs to match. Paint them a complementary color and reupholster the seats in a classic toile or striped fabric. This combination of metal and wood is a hallmark of French Country design and brings an air of casual sophistication to your meals on the road.
PRO TIP: Ensure the new table is securely mounted to the floor pedestal base, and that the base itself can be safely secured to the RV floor for travel. A folding bistro table is another great option for saving space when not in use.
7. Vintage-inspired Floral Window Valances
Instead of full-length curtains, consider adding soft, floral-print valances above your RV windows. This approach maintains privacy and light control with simpler blinds underneath while framing the windows with a burst of romantic pattern. Choose fabrics with classic motifs like roses, lavender, or olive branches in a muted color palette.
You can easily sew a simple gathered valance or even repurpose a vintage floral scarf by draping it over a curtain rod. This is a fantastic way to incorporate pattern without overwhelming a small space. The valance draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of taller windows and a more airy interior.
PRO TIP: Use tension rods inside the window frame to hold lightweight valances. This avoids drilling new holes into the wall and is a perfect solution for renters or those who want a non-permanent upgrade.
8. Baskets and Wicker for Cohesive Storage
Open shelving in an RV can quickly look cluttered. The solution is to corral items into beautiful, natural-material containers. Wicker baskets, seagrass boxes, and wooden crates are not only storage solutions but also key decorative elements. Use them to hold everything from blankets and throws to kitchen utensils and bathroom toiletries.
The varying textures of natural fibers add depth and warmth to the space, which is a core principle of French Country design. Group baskets of different sizes and shapes together on shelves or stack them neatly in a corner to create a visually appealing and highly functional storage system that hides clutter in style.
PRO TIP: Label your baskets with small, elegant tags tied with twine or ribbon. This maintains the aesthetic while ensuring you can always find exactly what you need without rummaging through every container.
9. A Curated Gallery Wall of Thrifted Art
Blank RV walls are a missed opportunity for injecting personality. This idea involves creating a curated collection of small, vintage-inspired artwork. Hunt for oil-painted landscapes, delicate botanical prints, or classic French advertisements at thrift stores, flea markets, or print them yourself. The key is to unify them with simple, coordinated frames—think distressed gold, matte black, or clean white.
Arrange your collection in a salon-style cluster on a prominent wall, perhaps above the sofa or beside the bed. The mix of art and consistent framing creates a collected-over-time feel that is rich and personal. This approach tells a story and adds layers of visual interest that flat, mass-produced decor simply cannot match.
PRO TIP: Use command strips and velcro picture hangers to secure your artwork to the walls. This prevents damage from drilling and ensures your beautiful gallery won’t end up on the floor while you’re navigating a bumpy road.
10. A Farmhouse Sink Skirt for a Built-In
While installing a true farmhouse sink in an RV is often impractical, you can easily fake the look. This clever hack involves adding a simple, tailored skirt to the front of your existing RV sink cabinet. Use a fabric that complements your overall scheme, such as a subtle stripe, a muted gingham check, or a simple linen.
The skirt instantly softens the hard, utilitarian look of the RV cabinetry and adds a touch of homely charm. It also serves a dual purpose by concealing the often-cramped under-sink storage area, hiding cleaning supplies, and water hoses from view.
PRO TIP: Attach the fabric to a tension rod placed inside the cabinet frame or use hook-and-loop tape (Velcro) for easy installation and removal. This makes it simple to take down for washing or to access the plumbing.
11. Copper and Pewter Accents for a Patina of Age
Swap out shiny, modern fixtures for ones with a lived-in patina. Introduce warmth with small copper items like a vintage-style tea kettle, measuring cups, or a beautiful bowl. Complement these with the cool, soft gray tones of pewter tankards or utensils. These materials feel authentic and historical, directly contrasting with the RV’s inherently modern construction.
Display these items openly on open shelving or use them as functional decor on your countertops. The mix of metals adds a layer of sophistication and avoids a matchy-matchy look. Over time, these materials will develop their own natural patina, making your space feel even more unique and loved.
PRO TIP: To keep copper pieces shiny, polish them with a simple lemon juice and salt solution. If you prefer the aged verde gris look, you can use a commercial patina solution or let them age naturally.
12. Dried and Faux Florals in Simple Vases
Fresh flowers are a luxury on the road, but the charm of blooms is non-negotiable in French Country design. The solution is a beautiful collection of dried lavender, eucalyptus, pampas grass, or high-quality faux peonies and roses in your RV. Arrange them in simple pitchers, mason jars, or ceramic vases and place them in sunbeams on tables or counters.
Dried and faux florals provide permanent, zero-maintenance color and texture. They bring the outdoors inside and contribute to the rustic, romantic atmosphere. A sprig of dried lavender tied to a cabinet knob or a small bud vase on the nightstand completes the look effortlessly.
PRO TIP: To make faux flowers look more realistic, gently bend the stems and fluff the petals to avoid a stiff, “just out of the box” appearance. A light dusting is all they need to stay looking fresh.
13. A Slipcovered RV Sofa for Instant Elegance
The standard RV sofa often comes in dark, heavy fabrics that can feel bulky and out of place in a light, airy French Country design. A simple solution is to drape a large, neutral-colored slipcover over it. Choose a fabric like linen, cotton duck, or even a lightweight canvas in beige, cream, or soft gray. Tuck it in neatly to create a tailored, yet relaxed look.
This instantly transforms the largest piece of furniture in your living area, unifying the space and providing a clean canvas for your other decor. For an added touch, layer with throw pillows in complementary toile or floral prints and a chunky knit blanket draped over one arm. This is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to achieve a major style shift.
PRO TIP: To keep the slipcover from shifting during travel, strategically place a few safety pins or strips of hook-and-loop tape (Velcro) between the slipcover and the original upholstery in hidden areas.
14. A Vintage Trunk as a Coffee Table and Storage
Replace a mundane coffee table in your RV with a vintage leather-bound or wooden trunk. This choice is not only highly stylistic, echoing a sense of travel and history, but it is also incredibly functional. The interior provides valuable hidden storage for off-season clothing, extra blankets, or board games, helping to minimize clutter.
A trunk offers a sturdy surface that can hold trays, books, and decor. Its rustic, weathered appearance adds instant character and a focal point to your living area. Look for one at antique markets or online marketplaces; a little wear and tear only adds to its charm.
PRO TIP: Ensure the trunk is a comfortable height for use as a coffee table. If it’s too low, you can add furniture risers discreetly underneath to elevate it to the perfect level.
15. Stone Contact Paper for a Countertop Facelift
Laminate countertops are common in RVs, but their patterns can often clash with a desired aesthetic. Peel-and-stick contact paper designed to look like marble, quartz, or limestone is a brilliant, budget-friendly solution to achieve that French Country Look in your RV. This easy upgrade can make your kitchen or bathroom feel custom and high-end without the cost of a full replacement.
The key to a realistic application is to take your time. Carefully measure, cut, and use a squeegee to smooth out all air bubbles. Applying heat from a hairdryer can help the adhesive conform around edges and corners. The resulting light, reflective surface will brighten the entire space.
PRO TIP: After applying, seal the edges around the sink with a clear, waterproof silicone caulk to prevent water from seeping underneath and loosening the adhesive.
16. A Ladder as a Blanket and Towel Rack
A simple, wooden leaning ladder is a multifunctional decor star in your French Country styled RV. It serves as a beautiful, space-saving alternative to a bulky linen closet. Drape soft throws, quilts, and even towels over its rungs to add vertical interest and texture to a corner of your bedroom or bathroom.
This approach keeps cozy blankets within easy reach while contributing to the rustic, collected feel of the interior. The ladder itself acts as a piece of sculpture, adding visual height and a sense of casual elegance. You can often find small, vintage ladders at flea markets or easily DIY one from reclaimed wood.
PRO TIP: Secure the top of the ladder to the wall with a clear furniture safety strap or a discrete hook to prevent it from shifting or falling over while the RV is in motion.
17. Muted, Washed-Out Color Palette on Walls and Cabinets
The foundation of the French Country look is a soft, sun-bleached color palette. Painting your RV’s walls and even cabinetry in these hues is the most transformative change you can make. Move away from dark woods and bright whites to colors like pale sage green, dusty blue, warm greige, or buttery cream. These colors reflect light beautifully, making the small space feel larger and more inviting.
When choosing paint, opt for a satin or eggshell finish for walls, which is durable and easy to clean. For cabinets, a specialty cabinet paint or a high-adhesion primer followed by a durable enamel will ensure the finish stands up to the vibrations and use of RV life. This cohesive background allows your textiles and decor to truly pop.
PRO TIP: Before you commit to a color, paint large sample swatches on poster board and tape them to different walls. Observe how the color changes throughout the day under both natural and artificial light inside your RV.
18. Antique Brass and Crystal Cabinet Hardware
Updating hardware is a small detail with an outsized impact in your french country style RV. Swap out generic, modern cabinet knobs and pulls for pieces with an antique finish. Look for pulls in worn brass, oil-rubbed bronze, or even ceramic with floral patterns. For a touch of glamour, consider crystal or glass knobs on bathroom vanities or upper cabinets.
This is a quick and easy upgrade that requires only a screwdriver. The new hardware will catch the light and add a sense of refined age and craftsmanship to your storage spaces. It’s an affordable way to make factory-grade cabinets look custom and curated.
PRO TIP: Ensure new pulls will cover the existing holes from the old hardware. If not, you may need to fill the old holes with wood filler, sand smooth, and drill new ones, or choose a backplate style that can cover them.
19. A Freestanding Wooden Room Divider
Create separate “rooms” and add architectural interest with a beautiful freestanding screen or room divider in your RV. A bifold screen with a French Country pattern—such as a botanical print, a landscape scene, or simple linen panels—can be used to subtly partition the sleeping area from the living space or to hide a cluttered corner.
This addition provides flexibility and a dynamic visual element that breaks up the standard RV layout. It also offers a large surface for displaying art or fabric that reinforces your theme, all without any permanent renovation.
PRO TIP: Choose a lightweight screen that can be easily folded and secured for travel. You can also DIY one by hinging together three old wooden shutters or large canvases covered in your favorite fabric.
20. Patterned Peel-and-Stick Floor Tiles
Vinyl flooring can be another giveaway of an RV’s manufactured origins. Cover it up with peel-and-stick vinyl tiles designed to look like aged terra cotta, worn stone, or patterned encaustic cement. These tiles are easy to cut to fit and install directly over most clean, stable subfloors.
This upgrade grounds the space with a material that feels ancient and earthy, which is central to the French Country vibe. A patterned tile in the kitchen or a simple stone-look tile throughout can completely redefine the entire interior’s feel.
PRO TIP: For the best adhesion and to prevent shifting, use a high-quality primer recommended for vinyl floors before installation. After placing each tile, use a J-roller (a small hand roller) to firmly press it down and eliminate air bubbles.
21. A Painted Floorcloth for a Custom RV Rug
Finding a rug that fits the odd dimensions of an RV can be a challenge. Instead, create a custom painted canvas floorcloth tailored to your exact space. This project involves priming a heavy canvas drop cloth with gesso and painting a classic design—a checkerboard, a floral motif, or a faded medallion—in muted tones of cream, gray, and sage green. Several layers of polyurethane seal and protect the design from RV travel wear.
This DIY solution adds a huge dose of personalized charm, defines your living area, and protects your RV flooring. The painted surface is easy to sweep clean of tracked-in dirt and provides a soft, warm underfoot feel that is both practical and perfectly rustic.
PRO TIP: For a perfectly worn, antique look, lightly sand the painted surface after the polyurethane has fully cured, focusing on high-traffic areas and edges to simulate natural aging.
22. A Hanging Plate Wall in the RV Dinette
The large, often blank wall behind the RV dinette is a prime canvas for decor. Display a collection of vintage-inspired plates to create a focal point with classic European charm. Hunt for plates with botanical illustrations, soft floral patterns, or delicate gold edges. Arrange them in a cohesive cluster using secure plate hangers designed to withstand the movement of RV travel.
This strategy transforms a plain wall into a gallery, adding pattern and color in an artful way that feels curated and personal. It draws the eye upward in the compact space and celebrates the beauty of everyday objects, a key tenet of French Country living.
PRO TIP: Use removable adhesive plate hangers or secure traditional hangers with a small dot of museum gel to ensure your beautiful display stays perfectly in place on the road.
23. A Repurposed Shutter as an RV Headboard
The RV bedroom often lacks a defined focal point. Add instant architectural interest by mounting a salvaged wooden shutter behind your bed as a headboard. Choose a shutter with a distressed paint finish in a soft blue, green, or white. It can be mounted directly to the RV wall or secured to a base that is then bolted down.
This hack creates a beautiful headboard without sacrificing precious space to a bulky piece of furniture. The worn, weathered wood brings in texture and a sense of history that standard RV furnishings lack, perfectly anchoring the sleeping area in the French Country style.
PRO TIP: Ensure the shutter is securely fastened to the RV wall studs using a French cleat or heavy-duty hardware. For a lighter touch, attach it to a piece of plywood first, which can then be securely bolted to the wall.
24. A Tiered Stand for RV Countertop Display
RV counter space is precious and can easily become cluttered. Utilize vertical space beautifully with a classic tiered stand. Place it on your galley counter to display pretty, frequently used items: a ceramic bowl of fruit, small potted herbs, or canisters for tea and sugar. This keeps essentials within reach while turning them into part of the decor.
The open, airy structure of the stand keeps the small RV galley feeling light and uncluttered. Look for stands in wire, worn white metal, or bamboo to fit the rustic aesthetic without overwhelming the limited surface area.
PRO TIP: To prevent the stand from becoming a projectile while your RV is moving, use a small dot of museum putty or QuakeHold under the base of each foot. This will keep it securely in place without damaging your countertops.
25. Embroidered Linen Towels for the RV Bathroom
The small RV bathroom is an ideal place to inject a dose of luxury and charm. Swap out plain, utilitarian towels for beautifully embroidered linen or cotton towels. Look for designs with delicate motifs like sprigs of lavender, roosters, or simple monograms in muted thread colors. Drape one over the sink faucet or hang it from a simple hook on the wall.
This small change instantly elevates the space from purely functional to thoughtfully decorated. The texture of linen and the artistry of embroidery are hallmarks of French Country design, making even the most compact RV bathroom feel like a quaint Provençal washroom. They are also quick-drying and compact, making them practical for RV life.
PRO TIP: To keep your embroidered towels looking pristine and to prevent snagging during RV travel, store them in a dedicated, lined basket or drawer when not in use.
26. A Wrought-Iron Paper Towel Holder for the RV Galley
Even the most mundane kitchen item can be styled to fit your theme. Replace a plastic or modern paper towel holder with a ornate wrought-iron one. Look for designs with scrolls, floral details, or a rustic black or antique white finish. This tiny detail sits on your countertop or can be mounted to an RV cabinet door to free up space.
It transforms a simple roll of paper towels into a decorative element, reinforcing the curated aesthetic throughout your RV. The wrought-iron adds a touch of old-world craftsmanship to the galley, proving that no detail is too small to be considered in your design scheme.
PRO TIP: For a truly integrated look, remove the paper from a commercial roll and re-roll it onto a more neutral or brown paper roll that better complements the rustic hardware.
27. A Vintage-Style Radio or Bluetooth Speaker
Ambiance is key to the French Country experience, and that includes sound. Source a vintage-style radio or a Bluetooth speaker housed in a wooden or retro case. Place it on a shelf or countertop to play soft French music or classical stations. The look of the device itself, with its wooden accents and classic dials, serves as a decorative object even when it’s not in use.
This addition provides the soundtrack to your relaxing RV getaway and adds to the overall sensory experience. It’s a functional piece of decor that enhances the theme without taking up valuable space with a modern, techy-looking device.
PRO TIP: Many companies make Bluetooth speakers designed to look like vintage radios. This allows you to stream your own playlists while maintaining the perfect aesthetic in your RV.
28. Mason Jar Storage with Burlap Toppers
Mason jars are a pantry staple, but you can elevate them to fit your French Country theme. Use them to store dry goods like pasta, beans, and coffee on your open RV shelves. Then, cut circles of burlap or neutral linen fabric, place them over the lids, and screw the outer ring on to secure them.
This simple touch adds wonderful rustic texture and a uniform, curated look to your open storage. The natural fabric softens the industrial look of the glass jars and ties them seamlessly into the overall design. It’s an incredibly affordable and effective way to achieve a cohesive look.
PRO TIP: Write the contents of each jar onto the fabric lid using a paint pen or a simple tag tied with jute twine for a charming and functional labeling system.
29. A Floral Fabric Valance over the RV Windshield
The large front windshield of an RV presents a unique decor opportunity and a practical need for light control. Sew a simple, gathered valance from a classic French Country floral or toile fabric and install it above the windshield using a tension rod or discreet brackets. This softens the hard, glass-heavy front area and adds a major splash of pattern and color.
This valance provides a beautiful frame for your front window without blocking the crucial view for driving. It also helps to filter harsh sunlight and makes the cab area feel more like a cozy living room and less like a vehicle dashboard, seamlessly connecting the driving and living spaces thematically.
PRO TIP: Use blackout fabric as a lining for your valance to significantly reduce glare and heat from the front windshield when your RV is parked. This makes the space more comfortable and energy-efficient.
