The Pop Up Princess

Adventures of a Pop Up Camping Princess

Shannon’s Pop Up Camper Makeover

Pop Up CamperI was helping a friend search Craigslist for a pop up camper the other day, and she mentioned that an indoor potty was on their non-negotiable list.  After scouring the ads for a few hours with little success, I had an epiphany.  With a little creativity and hard work, we could built a “bathroom” in just about any pop up camper.  We both agreed to widen our search a little bit to campers without built-in cassette toilets, because really, if you are handy, the sky is the limit.

Case in point… Shannon’s pop up camper makeover.  Of course her whole remodel is absolutely stunning, but that hand-built toilette is really the pièce de résistance.  It is ingenious, I tell you!  When Shannon sent me the pictures of her makeover, I knew you guys would love it.  Here’s Shannon to tell us all about it:

 

Shannon’s Pop Up Camper Makeover

My husband and I have been happily tent camping for over 30 years, and we’ve never owned a camper until now.  We purchased our 2004 Rockwood pop up in February of 2016 and brought it home in the snow and ice of Minnesota.   During a search for camping ideas, I came across Larissa’s blog, and it was LOVE at first sight!  We waited (impatiently) for the warm weather to arrive in order to start the many projects we had in mind.  Finally, after months of the weather not cooperating, we figured out we could get the PUP popped up just far enough in the garage to start the remodel.  At that point, there was no stopping us!  😉Pop Up Camper Renovation

We knew we needed a potti cabinet, so we began with a retrofit to one of the inside cupboards.  In the cabinet, we installed a false floor constructed out of 1/2 inch plywood to raise the toilette to the correct height under the lid.  We cut the counter top and face frame above the cabinet door and attached the top of the face frame to the bottom side of the counter top, so when the lid is closed it looks like a normal cabinet.  We installed four small hinges on the back cut of the counter top to allow it to open and close. Just open the cabinet door and lift the lid for the toilet.Pop Up Camper Toilet
Then it was on to paint.  We started by applying liquid sandpaper, followed by a coat of Zinsser Bondz primer.  For our paint colors, we chose Pittsburgh colonial white for the cabinets and seriously sand for the walls.  We applied two coats of paint and followed that with 2 coats of crystal clear water based polyurethane (gloss).  We removed the drawer pulls and cabinet hinges, those were spray painted with satin nickel.  While we were at it, we also used the same nickle finish on the fuse box and fire extinguisher holder, too.
Painting Camper Cabinets
The table and counter tops were in good shape, but very plain with gold edging.  We choose to leave the edging and we primed and painted over everything with the same Seriously Sand wall color.  While wet, we sprinkled Rustoleum garage floor chips onto all of the surfaces and blew the chips onto the edges out of the palm of our hand.  After the counter tops had dried we applied 3 coats of the crystal clear water based poly (gloss).  They turned out just like granite… really love the look, and it was fun too!  😀
 Pop Up Camper Countertops
For the floors, we choose Shaw resilient vinyl plank flooring in Ash Grey.  We applied the new vinyl directly over old linoleum, and for a more finished look, we applied a detailed PVC quarter round, shot in with braid nailer.  I’m in love with the end result!
 Pop Up Camper Flooring
Next up was the cushions and curtains… which I was dreading.  😛  I was very intimidated, as I hadn’t sewn since high school!  I knew the cushions were beyond my talents so I had a local upholstery shop take care of those.  I supplied the fabric from Walmart for $20.00 and he charged $20.00 per cushion.  They look just fabulous and have zippers so I can remove and wash as necessary.
Pop Up Camper Cushions
For the curtains, I used all the existing camper curtains.  I removed and washed them on a gentle cycle.  They came out really nice, but they were just too plain.  While looking around the house, and thinking of what I could use, it dawned on me that I had two panel curtains in an existing bedroom that matched the cushion fabric nicely.  I cut the panels to size, hemmed and sewed them right over the existing camper curtains, which allowed me to reuse the original slider clips.
Pop Up Camper Curtains
For the bunk end curtains, I choose to add a stenciled burlap border to the bottom of each panel.  I cut the unsightly ruffled valence edge off the top of the bunk end curtains and made a 6″ valance out of my left over cushion material.  Then I hung the valance on the top metal track was using Velcro strips.  To add some visual interest, we chose to add a pop of aqua around the camper.
 Bunkend Curtains
We’ve had so much fun working on our PUP and now with Spring having arrived, we’ll have her on the road soon… until then I’m sure we can think of a few more things to do.  There’s always the backsplash project to look forward to!

Pop Up Camper

I hear ya, Shannon!  Even though my pop up camper has been finished for over a year, I’m always tweaking little things here and there, too.  It’s an addiction, for sure.  🙂  Let’s take a look at that transformation one more time.  Isn’t it beautiful?

Pop Up Camper MakeoverWhat about you all?  Have you been bit by the makeover bug, too?  I’d love to see it.  Click here to find out how to get your remodel featured on the blog…  and don’t forget to take lots of pictures!

Happy Camping!

Larissa

Comments

  1. Love it. Colors are so soothing just like you are seeking to go with the whole idea of camping. The beautiful “nest”, bed area, is so inviting . Just perfect for that afternoon nap, after your morning hike or a great place to read. Shannon and her significant other are truly talented people. Love this site too.

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  2. I LOVE this potty cabinet! I thought I loved my potty cabinet, but this one is genius! I may have to copy this idea if I ever remodel another pop up! Great job!

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  4. I love what she did with the table and counters!
    The whole camper looks great! I’m in the beginning stages of my pop up make over and your site is SO inspiring!

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  5. Wow, Looks great!! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it but I am working on that same potti cabinet concept. I cut my countertop opening a little bit different to give my cabinet walls more stability since they are so thin. I also placed my lower shelf a little higher to give our potti a little more height since we are all tall people. Amazing job Shannon!

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  6. Love this Glampover…I really love how the counter tops came out…looks very high end!!…when we bought our PUP the sellers left a potty in the camper…my Hubs & I were not big fans of having a potty in such close quarters…(mind you, it is just the two of us occupying the PUP)…but after seeing this awesome way of concealing the potty, we may change our minds…great job!!!

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  7. I love the toilette cabinet! I’m going to put one in my 12′ pop up! Thank you, it’s adorable!
    Sandie

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  8. I absolutely love the colours Shannon chose! Looks so great! I wanted a PUP last year, but with a new house it wasn’t in the budget. This year I started looking around and was able to find something in my budget. While pinning furiously for ideas I came across your website and OMG! I wasn’t even really thinking of “glamming” it up but wow after seeing all of these amazing transformations I just HAD to! I’m almost done and can’t wait to see the finished product!! Thanks everyone for your inspiration and ideas!

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  9. Absolutely love Shannon’s makeover. We own a 2004 Coleman westlake. I am truly inspired by all the makeovers! I am wondering if Shannon painted the fridge and with what sort of paint.

    Thanks Ava

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    • Yes Ava
      We did paint the fridge with the same process as the cupboards. The deglosser, primer, 2 coats paint and 2 coats poly.

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      • What a beauty, Shannon! I’m from MN and starting the process of glamping my pop up. Could you send me the contact info for the person you used to reupholster your cushions? Also, how is your double sided Velcro working for your valance? Thanks! Again, amazing job!

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  10. This is gorgeous! We had a pop up but decided to get a seasonal spot. Hence, we sold it and now have an RV to renovate! I LOVED our pop up and I was sorry to see it go. I still miss the old girl… However, I enjoy seeing what you all are doing to yours!
    What a fabulous idea for the countertops! I decided to do the sponge painting technique for the faux granite effect in ours but next time, I think I will try this approach!
    Happy Trails!

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  11. I LOVE the potty cabinet! We just bought a pop up and now my mind is in overdrive! What size is your cabinet? The cabinet I’m thinking to use is in the same spot but it slopes in the back because of the tires (??) and I’m not sure if it’ll work.

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    • Shanna
      Yes ours did too. So hubby built false floor on the top over the slant which raised the toilet to the right height.
      If you need more pics let me know.
      Good luck from another Shanna. My family calls me Shanna. ☺

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  12. I just want to say you have totally changed my outlook and mind on a pop-up camp trailer. Your’s is the 3rd one I looked at today, your ideas are genius! Instead of waiting another couple of years to afford a trailer, you have motivated me to get a pop-up trailer instead and start glamping now:) Can’t wait to get one and start tweaking it to my taste. Thank you for your wonderful inspirations!

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  13. I love your makeover. Beautiful! Yesterday I bought the exact year and model of the Rockwood. Today the painting started! I’m looking forward to completing the transformation. I am needing new tires and wondering which ones carry the load. They currently have 145 r 13 but I’ve read some people use 285 r 15. I don’t even know the trailer’so weight.

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    • Evonne,
      Congrats on your new pup…it’s so fun and I’m still coming up with ideas. This weekend I’m going to paint a quote on the bottom of the door. Our tires are 145R / 12C.
      Happy remodeling…
      Regards
      Shannon

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  15. This is amazing!! You have done a wonderful job and I’m sure you can’t wait to hit the road with this beauty! 🙂 Would you mind sharing the name of the upholstery company that you used? We live in ND and are looking for a great upholsterer. Thanks again for sharing such a wonderful project!

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  16. For a couple who are sharing a bed, no children and not traveling with anyone, what do you do with the extra bed? Can it be converted into something else?

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    • Good question…we keep our empty bins, clothes, electric cooler, dog kennel etc. Over there. Can’t imagine if it was being used😊

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  18. Your bed looks so comfy! Do you have an extra mattress on top or what did you use for more cushion? (And comfort?!)

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    • We actually bring the mattress over from other bunk end so our mattress is twice the height.
      This weekend we tiled the empty bunk plywood with black and white tiles.

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  19. We are wondering if putting down the vinyl tiles will mess up the slide-out in our Coleman Utah. Has anyone tried new flooring with a slide-out?

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  20. LOVE what you did with the counters!! Where do you buy just the bag of garage floor speckles used on the counter?!

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  21. I love the potty cabinet! What did you use to cut the countertop so you could do the hinged top? I don’t have a lot of power tools and am wondering if I would have to rent something or have someone help me make these cuts.

    Reply

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