When you’re building your own camper van, space is everything. And the bed? Well, it takes up a big chunk of your living area.

In fact, a bed in a van can easily cover half—or even two-thirds—of your available space.

And let’s be honest, you can’t really skip it. You’re going to need somewhere comfy to sleep 😄
(Trust us, it’s worth it.)

That’s why smart bed in van ideas are essential. Whether it’s a slide-out bed, a folding bed, a Murphy-style bed, or even bunks, there are plenty of creative ways to save room.

If you’re planning your van layout, we seriously recommend starting with the bed setup. It all comes down to personal preference—but let’s face it, you’ll spend a good chunk of your time there, especially at night. 💤

Plus, the bed becomes the centerpiece that shapes the rest of your build:

• Storage placement
• Walking space
• Kitchen layout
• Seat and furniture arrangement
• Bathroom or toilet area
• And so on

If you scroll through Pinterest, you’ll find an endless stream of clever bed in rv designs and dreamy layouts.

We spend hours every week pinning cool setups to our account (it’s honestly our favorite platform). It sparks our creativity, feeds our wanderlust, and often inspires upgrades to our van, Hermès.

But we didn’t want to keep all these awesome van with bed in the back ideas to ourselves—so we decided to share them with you!

Here’s a round-up of our 6 favorite bed in van ideas to help you plan your perfect camper layout.

Enjoy the read!
Johanna & Gabriel 🚐

🛏️ 1. The Fixed Bed

This is one of the most popular bed in van ideas among vanlifers. 🚐

And it’s easy to see why—it comes with plenty of perks:

• No need to set up your bed in a van every night—it’s always ready to use.
• You get a dedicated sleeping area, just like a real bedroom.
• With a van with bed in the back, you gain tons of storage space underneath—perfect for creating a large garage area to stash your gear.

🛋️ 2. The Convertible Bed

Living full-time in a van means adapting to about 65 square feet of space…

…and often sharing it with a partner or a friend.

You won’t have the same comfort as in a house or apartment. But with the right approach, it can still feel like home.

The key? Multi-functional living. 💡

One of the smartest bed in van ideas is turning your dinette into a bed.
That means your bench seat and table—where you work, eat, or play—can transform into your bed in a van at night.

That’s exactly what we have in Hermès. 👍

The downside? We do have to set up the bed every evening. But to be fair, it’s mostly because the previous owners didn’t design the table system very well. Lowering it into « night mode » can be a pain. ❌

If you go for this type of setup in your camper, focus on efficiency. The switch between « bed mode » and « living room mode » should be quick and smooth—every single day.

This setup is especially great for a bed in rv or a compact van with bed in the back, where space is limited and versatility is everything.

🪄 3. The Murphy Bed (Fold-Away Bed)

You don’t see this one too often in the vanlife world…

But it’s one of the most space-efficient bed in van ideas out there.
No wonder it’s become so popular in small urban apartments.

A Murphy bed—also called a fold-away bed—is mounted on hinges, so it folds up vertically against the wall or ceiling. 👨‍🏫

As you’ll see in the photos below, this clever layout can free up a huge amount of floor space during the day.

Best part? You don’t need to make your bed in a van every night. It stays fully made—just pull it down at bedtime and fold it away in the morning.

The only downside is that it’s a bit more technical to build than other setups. 🛠
But if you’re aiming for a minimalist van with bed in the back, or want a flexible bed in rv layout, this might just be the perfect solution.

🛏️ 4. Bunk Beds in a Van

There are plenty of ways to set up bunk beds in a van—something for every style and need.

This option is especially popular with families traveling with kids or friends sharing the road together.

In the examples below, you’ll notice a second double bed mounted above the lower sleeping area. It’s a practical and space-saving bed in van idea when more than two people are traveling.

If you choose this setup, we highly recommend making the top bunk removable or foldable. That way, your van can adapt more easily to your travel needs.

For example, when you’re not using the upper bed, you’ll enjoy more headroom—which can make your van with bed in the back feel way more spacious.

This kind of bed in a van is generally easy to build. You’ll find tons of helpful tutorials on YouTube.

Just be sure to plan ahead: where will the upper bed go when it’s not in use? That’s the part you’ll want to think through carefully. 😉

🌙 5. The Hammock Bed for Vans

If your top priority is maximizing storage and freeing up floor space, then the hammock bed might be one of the most surprising—and clever—bed in van ideas to consider.

We first came across this on Pinterest, and it instantly made us smile. It’s such a fun and creative option, we had to include it in this article. 👍

Plus, sleeping in a hammock is said to offer several health benefits:

• Better sleeping posture
• Faster sleep onset
• Deeper, more restorative sleep
• Gentle rocking has a calming effect on the nervous system
• Can even help reduce insomnia

Of course, the downside: it’s not ideal if you’re planning to sleep two people in it. 😉

We actually bought one ourselves! We mostly use it outdoors when the weather’s nice, but honestly, for the price and comfort, it’s a fantastic add-on.

So if you’re looking for a lightweight, removable bed in a van, or want to keep your van with bed in the back flexible and open, the hammock could be a fun and affordable solution.

🛠️ 6. The Slide-Out “Comb Bed” for Camper Vans

When it comes to sleeping comfortably without sacrificing space, the slide-out « comb bed » (or slat bed) is one of the smartest bed in van ideas out there.

This setup gives you both a comfy bench during the day and a full bed in a van at night.

Here’s how it works:

• One part of the bed is fixed
• The other part slides out when it’s time to sleep

It’s simple—and full of benefits:

👉 First, it’s made entirely of wooden slats. That means your mattress stays well ventilated, reducing the risk of mold or moisture buildup.

👉 Second, this is a budget-friendly solution that’s perfect for compact vans like L1H2 models. You can easily gain over 2m² of usable floor space during the day.

👉 And third, it’s surprisingly easy to build! You’ll find free plans online and plenty of YouTube videos to guide you step by step.

If you’re building a van with bed in the back and want something modular, efficient, and affordable, this could be your perfect match—even for a compact bed in rv setup.

❓ Which Bed Setup Is Right for Your Camper Van?

Now that you’ve got a ton of bed in van ideas, it’s time to make your choice!

But here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question,
“What’s the best bed in a van?”

Each option has its own pros and cons—and ultimately, it depends on your needs, your space, and your travel style.

We’ve shared 6 ideas here, but there are plenty more out there to explore!

To help you narrow it down, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• How many people will be traveling with you?
• What’s your budget for the build?
• Do you need storage space under your bed for bulky gear?
• Will you need a dedicated workspace?
• Are you planning to travel with more than two people?

We hope this guide helped spark inspiration—and will lead to many cozy nights in your van with bed in the back, parked in beautiful places. ✨

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