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    Home » Home Decor » Camper

    Our DIY Camper Kitchen Makeover - Painting Oak Cabinets

    Published: Jul 24, 2017 · Modified: May 12, 2020 by Christina Dennis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 42 Comments

    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:

    RV Camper Kitchen Makeover

    RV Camper Kitchen Makeover

    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.

    RV Camper Kitchen Makeover

    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.

    RV Camper Kitchen Makeover

    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.

    RV Camper Kitchen Makeover

    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.

    RV Camper Kitchen Makeover  RV Camper Kitchen Makeover

    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.

    RV Camper Kitchen Makeover

    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.

    RV Camper Kitchen Makeover

    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?

    RV Camper 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.

    More Inspiration

    • RV Renovation: How To Remodel A Camper (before & after!)
    • Before & After: RV bedroom and bathroom get a modern update!
    • 10 Best RV Remodel Ideas to transform your camper!
    • RV Renovation on a Budget - From Start to Finish

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara

      July 24, 2017 at 9:44 pm

      What a transformation!! It's looking great!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        July 25, 2017 at 9:00 am

        Thank you, Sara 😀

        Reply
    2. Dianne Gingrich

      July 25, 2017 at 11:41 am

      Love the updates! Looks beautiful.

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        July 25, 2017 at 3:01 pm

        Thank you, Dianne 🙂

        Reply
    3. SHI

      July 25, 2017 at 8:28 pm

      Paint can completely change the look of your cabinets-we did it ourselves a few years ago and loved it!!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        July 26, 2017 at 6:59 am

        We completely agree, SHI. It makes a beautiful transformation.

        Reply
    4. the cape on the corner

      July 26, 2017 at 1:33 pm

      um, AMAZING!! enjoy!
      b

      Reply
      • Renee

        June 10, 2021 at 10:26 pm

        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?

        Reply
    5. Larissa

      July 27, 2017 at 7:59 am

      Leave it to Christina to have a camper that's more beautiful inside than a lot of people's houses! Looks fantastic 🙂

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        July 27, 2017 at 8:50 pm

        You're too sweet, Larissa.

        Reply
    6. Bonnie Way aka the Koala Mom

      July 27, 2017 at 10:56 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        July 27, 2017 at 8:49 pm

        Thank you so much, Bonnie.

        Reply
    7. Sue

      July 31, 2017 at 5:13 am

      This looks amazing!!

      Reply
    8. Julia

      August 04, 2017 at 10:12 am

      We are starting our DIY makeover on our 1990 Toyota Warrior Winnebago. This is one of my favorite make overs! Great ideas!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        August 05, 2017 at 8:43 pm

        How exciting Julia! It's such a fun makeover and you will enjoy so many memories with it😀

        Reply
    9. Aslam and sons

      August 15, 2017 at 12:17 am

      Wow! This is great job! thanks for sharing your kitchen makeover task that's really helpful tips. And definitely these looks very beautiful.

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        August 15, 2017 at 8:56 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    10. Susan

      September 11, 2017 at 3:16 pm

      Wow. Just amazing.

      It looks so so beautiful. Thanks for sharing practical ideas. Paint can really do wonders. Thank you once again.

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        September 12, 2017 at 9:43 pm

        Thank you, Susan😀

        Reply
    11. Macs

      October 01, 2017 at 9:05 am

      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.

      Reply
    12. wilson

      October 21, 2017 at 12:29 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        October 23, 2017 at 7:15 am

        Thank you, Wilson

        Reply
    13. Adrian at ninjaDIY

      December 25, 2017 at 1:55 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        December 26, 2017 at 6:45 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
        • Adrian at ninjaDIY

          December 26, 2017 at 11:38 am

          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 ?

          Reply
    14. Caitlin

      March 11, 2019 at 1:02 pm

      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?

      Reply
    15. lisa

      April 23, 2019 at 3:57 am

      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!

      Reply
    16. Nicole

      September 07, 2019 at 9:24 am

      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!!

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        September 09, 2019 at 2:45 pm

        Christina primed & painted right over them, but you could also make fabric panels and glue them over the mirrors 🙂

        Reply
    17. Emily

      June 14, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      Have your peel and stick tiles held up over time? Would love any input!

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        June 15, 2020 at 9:08 am

        They sure have! Christina has installed them in a few places since as well 🙂

        Reply
    18. Tonya

      July 01, 2020 at 4:49 pm

      Nice remodel. I especially like the black and white contrast.

      Reply
    19. carrie Sandstrom

      October 31, 2020 at 6:21 am

      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??

      Reply
    20. Kris

      April 08, 2021 at 9:09 am

      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.

      Reply
      • The DIY Mommy

        April 12, 2021 at 6:46 am

        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/

        Reply
    21. Brittany

      November 27, 2021 at 6:43 am

      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?

      Reply
    22. Eudene

      June 23, 2022 at 8:27 pm

      Awesomeness………..

      Reply

    Trackbacks

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    Christina Dennis, The DIY Mommy

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