There are two types of vanlifers:
- Those who buy a camper van that’s already fully converted.
- Those who purchase an empty cargo van and build their dream home on wheels—either by themselves or with the help of a professional.
This article is for the second group! Imagine designing your ideal camper van from scratch, even with zero experience… Sounds amazing, right?
Between insulation, flooring, plumbing, electrical systems, and all the tools required, a van conversion can quickly get expensive (averaging around $6,500). That’s why it’s crucial to plan everything in advance. Before making any irreversible decisions, using a free camper van design app allows you to visualize your layout and make adjustments before you start building.
Luckily, there are plenty of design tools to help you create the perfect van setup. In this article, we’ll introduce you to three of the best options.
Take your time to think about what you truly need in your camper van—everyone’s needs are different! If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our 8 camper van layout ideas to kickstart your planning.
And if you’ve never traveled in a camper van, consider renting one for a weekend or a week first. This hands-on experience will teach you a lot about your real needs—space, vehicle size, power, reliability, and more.
Enjoy the read,
Johanna & Gabriel 🚐
Why You Should Plan Your Camper Van Layout
- To avoid costly mistakes and the frustration of redoing your build.
- To visualize how your life will fit into just 6m² of space.
- Most importantly, to use it as a step-by-step guide throughout your conversion.
As we mentioned earlier, converting a van is a significant investment (although it can be cheaper if you follow these 5 money-saving tips).
Trust us—you don’t want to realize halfway through your build that something doesn’t work and have to spend more money to fix it. Creating a 3D and 2D layout ensures that your van conversion meets your needs before you even pick up a tool.
At this stage, the possibilities are endless! Planning your layout is not only essential but also fun, rewarding, and exciting—it’s the first step in bringing your dream home on wheels to life.
Finally, your layout will be your blueprint throughout the entire conversion process. If it’s well thought out, all you’ll have to do is follow it step by step—turning a complex project into an enjoyable, stress-free experience! 🚐💡
3 Best Free Camper Van Design Apps to Plan Your Van Conversion
1. HomeByMe – A Versatile Free Camper Van Design App
Developed by Dassault Systèmes SE, HomeByMe is an online 3D and 2D space planning tool. While it was originally designed for home interior design, you can still use it to create your camper van layout—as long as you carefully input the correct measurements.
Since this app isn’t specifically optimized for small spaces, you’ll need to build your van layout from scratch, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a solid free option.
One major advantage? HomeByMe is available on both desktop and mobile (iOS & Android). You can start designing your layout on your computer and seamlessly continue working on it from your phone or tablet.
Unlike the web version, the mobile app is much lighter and doesn’t require a high-end device to run smoothly—making it a practical choice for vanlifers on the go! 🚐📱
2. SketchUp Free – A Powerful Free Camper Van Design App
SketchUp Free is another online 3D modeling software that can help you design your camper van layout with precision.
Compared to HomeByMe, it offers much more creative freedom—allowing you to customize every detail of your van’s interior. However, more freedom also means a steeper learning curve, making it a bit trickier to use for beginners.
Thankfully, Lucile and Pierre-François from the YouTube channel “Le Van Migrateur” have created an in-depth tutorial to help you get started:
If you’re a perfectionist, this is the tool for you. 🎯
Here are two more tutorials to help you get started with SketchUp Free:
Hands, Paper, Ruler, and Pencil – The Old-School Method
No, this isn’t the name of a third free camper van design app—we’re talking about good old-fashioned manual planning!
Sometimes, we forget to go back to the basics. But the truth is, you already have everything you need at home—or can easily get it.
Plus, not everyone is comfortable with digital tools. If that’s the case for you, don’t worry! A pen-and-paper approach can be just as effective for planning your van conversion.
Start by drawing a rectangle on a sheet of paper—this will represent your van’s top-down view. Make sure it’s large enough to fit your furniture layout inside.
Then, measure your van’s dimensions and transfer them onto your drawing. Based on these measurements, you can scale your furniture and decor accurately to visualize your space.
We hope this guide helps you take your van conversion planning to the next level! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—we’ll be happy to help.
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