Building Out Your Campervan At Ikea | Cheap Van Build Ideas
Building a van is simple. Do not overthink the luxuries you will need to get started in the van lifestyle. YES you can build your dream home at ikea. My name is Chrome i live full-tiime in my cargo van with my english bulldog "Cruz". We travel a little more everyday and film our day to day adventures "Everyday Van Life" Below is a list of all the basic questions you may have about us
A lot of people wonder about what its like living in a cargo van. how do you live in such a small space. Living in a van has more space than you think. Tonight i got to show my friend bobby that my van space is everything you will ever need. Its perfect for life as a digital nomad. My name is Chrome i live full-tiime in my cargo van with my english bulldog "Cruz". We travel a little more everyday and film our day to day adventures "Everyday Van Life" Below is a list of all the basic questions you may have about us
STICKERS AND MERCH AVAILABLE AT www.vancityvanlife.ca
Support The Channel
Patreon / vancityvanlife
PayPal (Please Attach Note) : www.paypal.me/vancityvanlife
THE VAN AND US:
2004 Ford E250 Extended Cargo van
Purchased Aug 16th 2017 with 165,000 KMS (Paid $6500)
Van Dimensions tinyurl.com/yyupe8sf
Started Full-time Van Life September 11th 2017
How I Make Money: 100% KZhead
Camera I Film On: iPhone XS Max
Video Editing Software: Adobe Premier CC
Products I Use In The Van: www.amazon.com/shop/vancityva...
STICKERS AND MERCH AVAILABLE AT www.vancityvanlife.ca/
Email (Business Enquiries Only): workwithus@vancityvanlife.ca
General Email: No Longer Accepting Personal Messages. Sorry!
AMAZON STORE www.amazon.com/shop/vancityva...
These are affiliate links, Any purchase you make after clicking our links we get a small commission on your purchases.
All Logos And Graphic Work By DAFINE DESIGN (Tell his Vancity Vanlife Sent You, He has been my graphics guy for over a dozen years) dafinedesign.com
INSTAGRAM: / vancity_vanlife
FOLLOW CRUZ THE BULLDOG
On KZhead
/ @cruzthebulldog
On Instagram
/ cruzthebulldog
CRUZ "The Bulldog" is from Symarun bulldogs in Thunder Bay Ontario Canada. thundermountainbulldogs@tbaytel.net
MUSIC USED IN MY VIDEOS are all from these sources.
EPIDEMIC SOUND share.epidemicsound.com/vancit... (My FAV)
SOUNDSTRIPE app.soundstripe.com
I really appreciate your focus on affordability. Everyone cannot afford a $80k custom van build... thanks for this!
I've seen quotes for fit outs. Starting from $50k - $80k (Van not included) is just ridiculous. I want to live in a van to save 💰
don't forget the expensive drone for those youtube videos to easily finesse the youngins.....
Yes awesome thanks 😊
It's hard to take a man seriously when he has a dangling ear ring.
@@markbowman7420 They are spares for his..........
The trouble with shopping in IKEA is you've retired by the time you've found your way out. Legend has it, this KZheadr is still looking for the exit.
theres a way out? ive been here for 38 years.
😂😂😂
This would make a great Twilight Zone episode 😂
@@zrzrzrzrz do you WANT to be rescued ?? 😁🤗🤭
Hahahahahahahaha. Effing IKEA and their arrows. It's a trap. 😜
@4:10 It's not garbage. I've had Ikea stuff for over 30 years. With multiple moves, and rearrangements, and still Works 100% fine, just like it was new. It all comes down to knowing how to put it together. Don't tell anyone but the secret is to read the directions and to follow the directions. It's not rocket 🚀 science.
Me, too! I bought an IKEA sofa in 2004 in the As Is section. Slipcovers mean it still looks new and it’s clean even though I have dogs, and the cushions and frame are still perfect.
I've had the same experience with furniture I bought about 30 years ago at ikea: its still there after moving 7-8 times. 😊 Unfortunately the newer stuff is a bit different. Some of it looks similar to the older designs, but they made it a bit "lighter" saving material and stability. Well, as it is with many new products anyway...- but useful for vanlife in this case... 😉
Exactly .. 💗🎩💗 me too
Would be awesome if ikea has a van life section😂💯
Jacqueline night great idea! 😝
If they did, I’d start buying items now and put them away till I find my van!
Cathie Tonkin lol sammmee
FocusFanatic lol quarantine got u buggin
It kinda is depending on what van you get lol I took apart my dresser and used it in the van
You might just have the best, most realistic videos on KZhead for people looking to start out vanlife. Your videos help me so much
I worked for IKEA in Gateshead UK for 10 years. I must have helped hundreds of people plan out their van builds with kitchen units. They're so versatile and low cost. The only problem I have now... other than not yet having a van.. is that I've seen so many different variations, layouts and features for alsorts of different sized vans.. I just can't think which layout/van I prefer for myself.
Ikea usually has a "scratch and dent" section that includes partial parts of kits like doors, drawers, etc., for even cheaper. It's a good place to look if you're building/modifying from scratch.
My favourite part of ikea 💗🎩💗
Thank you so much for giving me purpose to my life at 60 single female in Oz. This video has given me so much to plan in but first work to get my van. Best wishes to you and your lovely lady. Cuddles to your pup. X
great ideas, especially for people without woodworking skills/access to tools.
I got that gate leg table 12 YEARS ago USED! It's been through more moves than I care to mention and a kid that's 7 now. When we rented an apartment we took one side of the table completely off and saved a bit of room. When we got a house, we put it back on. That table is rugged AF!
I have one too, it's the only thing that would fit my kitchen and it provides more storage (that I needed) in those drawers
IKEA has always been full of stuff that can be used in alternative ways. Yes, most of it is particle board, but unlike many other manufacturers they are very open about that, plus they really test it to make sure it lasts. 45 Years ago, when I was furnishing my first place, I used tall upper kitchen cabinets to create a sideboard. Perfect height and depth, and designed to hold a shed load of stuff.
"Gross ... Underwear." So, you grab it! 😂😂😂 The thing about Ikea cabinetry is that it is light weight. The wood is adequate to do the job, but it is thinner than normal. Weight is an important factor for a nomad.
can you explain why weight is important?
For real. Like they were giving me middle school boy vibes, it's literally clean unused underwear. Does his gf not wear underwear? Immature.
@@bleak100 , adding a lot of weight to your van build will impact gas mileage.
I love IkeA. It’s not only affordable,it’s modular design so it can expand forever. Light airy design, and also the store experience is unparalleled.
What my wife and I did for a kitchen in our van was we bought an IKEA play kitchen took out the sink and used a 12×9 baking pan we had to use a jig saw to cut the hole for the sink wider then just used regular sink plumbing for the grey water and bought a 12 dollar rechargeable pump for a water cooler jug and siliconed it to the kitchen then we replaced the fake stove top with an electric hot plate its perfect (and we just have a standard E-250)
First! I bought today a van for myself, it has earlier been an ambulance. 🚑 Thank you for being there and inspiring! ...And yes, I also went to Ikea today, cool coincidence.. 😀
OMGosh so exciting
@@VANCITYVANLIFE Yeah, it is 😀 Greetings all the way from Finland 🇫🇮
@@Tomumaja skål 🍺🍺🍺
Tomumaja CONGRATULATIONS I would love to see what you do with your new home. Maybe you can share a picture with us?
That is awesome, congratulations 🎉
Chrome you really put a bigger impact on other people with your videos and who you are. Thank you for everything you do.
I found your channel from watching van builds, but now I'm watching your vlogs. Youre more than than just a van man, man.
Martha "Chrome" Stewart - "It's a beautiful thing." HA! Looking at tiny houses I ALWAYS thought of that IKEA folding table. So useful.
You convinced me - YOU ARE THE BEST! We raised five kids. When they were teens we bought a larger home and furnished almost the entire home from IKEA. That was 1994. Downsized and sold the house in 2015 and all the IKEA furniture for almost what we had paid for it. Now, we just bought a van and are building. Guess where the furniture is coming from? IKEA!
I temember Bob Wells doing a video on first vans. His use what you have really helped me. I'm going to start out with bedroom furniture that was my mom's...the kind they used to make that really lasted. I've got my dad's old army wooden foot locker I will incorporate in there so he's with me too. I'm not real handy with tools but have a few things I actually will have to build. Mine will be the insulation, walls and floors. Don't want propane or running water. Simple life. Small solar needs. Willget solar generator...maybe a jackery or 2😂😂😂. First stop is van itself and I'm saving for w yrs to get. Meantime...set my room up as if it is tje inside of my van. Helping me to downsize and simplify.
That's a clever idea to help downsize figure out what you need and what works
@@mommahil4323 It does help. I've already started putting stuff in boxes for a yard sale. I'm doing it mainly to get used to doing stuff in the small area.
THIS IS BRILLIANT. IKEA Atlanta watch out 🤸🏼♀️🤸🏼♀️🤸🏼♀️
I LOVE the sentiment of this video. “You don’t have to live up to the hashtag”- beautifully spoken.
Aw, what a Dad! I hope that adorable pup lasts through the day. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Hey thanks ! The ikea peg board and the plastic hanging flower pots gave me the best idea for my craft supplies. And the folding table too. Much appreciated!
My husband and I want to do a build do bad! I had NEVER thought of IKEA….this is great! Thank you so much!
This post has the essence of custom build on a budget all wrapped up with style and practical knowledge great post .
Thank you so much. Will post pics of my sprinter when finished with IKEA. The canvas will definitely live on my wall.
I loved this. It was awesome of you to walk us thru IKEA and point out things that may not occur to someone who isn’t living Vanlife... yet. I love that you are always aware of where we may fall short because of lack of experience or knowledge. Thank you! Safe travels ❤️
Wow... those are some pretty awesome ideas, Chrome. Love the canvas idea for the walls.
I have used bathroom vanities to make cabinets in several vans I have done over the years. Been playing/working with full size and minivans since the mid 1970's.
What an awesome video! Great tips! I don't have my van yet but I've pinned this to my Pinterest board! Thanks & Blessings ~Sidney
I never thought IKEA! I thought I would look at 'Dorm' items, for my first Van Build, but I am grateful that you did this video!
Glad you put this video out to give people inspiration. People get overwhelmed with pre-made vans from places like Airstream for over $160K and say forget it. With ideas like this the van can look so individual to your own style and cost a fraction of one made by professionals. (I love that canvas artwork background idea....and the dining room fold up table too.)
Thank you for the walk through Ikea. Love the voice over.
That folding table great for between back of passenger seat and side door. Fold up for food prep, too! Great ideas.
Chrome you are a gift to so many people. Thank you for taking me to the store. Great options. You Rock 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 Hi Cruz 💖🐾🐾🐾
I got a parking ticket building out my camper in car park 😂😂
Should have chosen an empty factory car park on the weekend!
Oof
love ikea used to get my furniture from there when l lived in England, was so excited when they opened a store here in Kansas City Missouri
The plush dog at the end, priceless.
Hey Chrome!!! I just realized I have been watching you on my TV, so I haven't been commenting...I hope you're getting the view count, because I haven't skipped one video..... still digging the content, and I love that Disco plush toy💖 yesterday's video, I must admit I teared up a bit, thinking about Disco💖 Hope you n Cruz are having a wonderful day!!!!
Thank YOU! That table was something I've been keeping my eye out for. Lots of great ideas!
Dreaming and planning now. Thanks you so much for the great ideas. Love those canvases!
I flipping LOVE IKEA
We completely remodeled our kitchen several years ago from Ikea, we had the kitchen we wanted. Glass doors, pantry, drawers for dishes...great idea on a budget. I can see doing a van from Ikea'
I had the same thought. Glad you put it up for us to see. 👍 Update 1/8/23: It worked perfectly. In my van I have an Ikea bed, kitchenette, and small chest of drawers. The other items came from Bi-mart, Walmart, and Fred Meyer stores. I've been urban stealthing for 2 years in the neighborhoods surrounding my place of employment. Everything is solid and functioning well. 👍 My entire build cost was just over $2k. The majority of that is my diesel heater and the power supply to run it.
Cruz is going to be jealous that you have Another dog. Nice video which stirs the imagination. Thanks for sharing
I purchased a kitchen with sink from Ikea for my van for a tad over $400! I love it!
You have a nice voice to listen to.
This video makes me hopeful that I can ACTUALLY do this van build and make it beautiful AND affordable
I love ikea and have thought about doing my van with items from IKEA so thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks for the trip outside the box.
I think I will do this when I get my van to save money and then slowly change or replace/rebuild things as I go. Great idea!
After having my van a few years I upgraded to Ikea kitchen cabinets for storage (started with plastic bins). Ikea is much more affordable than many options.
I love that store, they have great stuff. Thanks for sharing
Great video, loads of ideas there. Off to IKEA for a small unit to store my food & clothes in my car to camper conversion. Thanks for the inspiration x
This video got my creativity going for my future van build!! 💛💛 Thank you for making this video!!
I got my dose of happiness watching you..
Yeah no when Van life KZheadrs say they spent like 20k on the internals of their van it makes me wanna 🤮, like howwwwww
Lol right I’m all about saving money. I’d build it all my self if I have to. KZhead has a DIY for everything 😂
Ok. Probably the only woman in all of Canada who has never been in an ikea....there must be a self help group for that.....I loved the brick wall effect and the murals for a full wall...wicked. I am very open in my current home space to multilateral purpose utilization of items and I am big into using items for things or rooms that most folks would not think of. Great ideas here Chrome....mind exploding with new ideas for my spring 2020 van build....hope you did purchase the stuffed bully for Cruz. 🐶💗
The canvas idea was eye opening, definitely doing that!
Hi , I’m from the Uk 🇬🇧 I’ve used ikea wall kitchen cabinets for my van , Ikea mattress too 😁 Keep the videos coming guys , 🎶
How heavy was all that cabinetry?
bicanoo_magic , hi , if you go on ikea site , it tells you the weight of individual items 😊😊 hope that helps
@@ru5tynutzvanlife556 - how hard was it to cut the ikea cabinets to be able to fit the curved wall?
I can see already I'll be on my way to "Ikea" next week to get some more ideas. Thanks for the video!
Ikea here I come. Thank you
i was so inspired!!! thank you! i just got the van, now im working on the rest of my journey
Sure ! For cabinets,lights,decoration,storage boxes ikea is perfect
Amazon and IKEA have become the essential for savings improvement. Smart ideas at a great price.
Wow some gorgeous pieces. Thank you!
Thanks Chrome for the incredible ideas with Ikea. Didn't know they had these great build accessories!
Ahhh, a lil snuugle buddy for cruz. Super sweet
Awesome video - thanks for that. And the great thing about Ikea here is that they have a "Free Wood" section outside the store. Help yourself to cabinets, doors, counter tops, frames, some of them damaged but usable. I got a couple of drawer fronts and turned them into cool picture frames.
That drop leaf table has been on my wish list 4ever. Its perfect👍👍 for small kutchens..dann you now i want to go Christmas shopping at ikea 4 myself 😄😄💖💖💯
I love that table too! Norden is the name. I've been stalking it for so long..lol
@@kimberlyw.5712 yupp same here. I been holding out hoping for a price drop, its a tad too much right now😄👊
I was the same way the first time I saw this table. I gotta get a van and then I’m definitely getting that table. 👍🏻👍🏻😂😂😂
I worked at an IKEA store for about a year -- and remain in awe of what the design team could do. I still make a point of walking through the store at least a couple of times a year just to get ideas, and as I've begun looking into van life (at least part-time) some of their products have been popping up high on my list. :-)
Love the big pics for wall decor.
Yah,you’re right. Very good idea for starters and low budget options 👍
Tha is for taking me to IKEA, I've never been there. I will definitely go back. 👍😊
😂 yea my first visit also
Never been to IKEA 😱😱😱
Michael Ng that’s correct I have never been inside of a IKEA store chrome post is my first time 😁
I've never been to IKEA and I really want to go
I had that table in a 700 sq ft apartment when I was in the navy; we kept it for 13 years. The butcher block became my counter in my build. Really solid.
I’m heading there tomorrow. I don’t want to break out the saw and drill. Ironically, all I was doing when I woke up this morning was drawing out measurements for cutting, and then you made this video... love the irony!
Yep! I cut up furniture I bought on craigslist to the size I needed. $60 for a whole living room solid wood.
Great idea for a video! Ikea would be a place to find inspiration for your van or tiny house! Thanks for posting this!
Oh my goodness I love this video such great ideas got my creative juices flowing and I have not even bought a van yet but I’m going to do the van life so I’m just watching videos and getting ideas and then once the Lord blesses me with the van then I can have some ideas already but IKEA is Gold mind of ideas! Thank you so much😉🤩😎
IKEA 👍 Loved the Bull Dog Stuffie!! So excited to receive my stickers today...thanks Chrome! 🤗
Very informative. I've never been to an Ikea before. Shopping trip time.
Great video! Lots of great ideas & I love the canvas prints.We definitely need a "Cruz the Bulldog " stuffed replica! Thanks for all the ideas.Safe travels.
Mind blown 🤯 can’t wait to start my van build
Kudos Chromeo on a job well done. Not to disregard your other videos because I like those too but this was great. I love your voice overs you have the perfect voice for it. Please give a big ole hug to Cruzie... he's the bomb (probably literally too - huh?)
Hey, I have those cheesy brick panels! Hahah. Doing insulation now, cheesy bricks are up next! 😂😂
Wall murals are great!!
I always love your enthusiasm Chrome!
I've been in my van for 3 months now and have so much ikea stuff from my old house. My kitchen/wardrobe is the Malm chest of drawers, I have the peg boards and bought a memory foam mattress from there, so easy to cut down to the right size.
So inspirational. Love you guys! I feel like we are best friends from how many videos I’ve watched of yours. 😆 Hope to meet you and Cruz one of these days and show off my van (coming soon) that you inspired.
Great furniture! Plush Toy Priceless!
Aww you got another Bulldog, cute little fella. Great ideas from Ikea. :)
I always wanted took see the inside of that store.. THANK YOU
Well, thank you this video has given me so many ideas. Thank you thank you!
so awesome they had a Cruz teady their! unreal
Thanks for the awesome inspo and ideas Chrome! Got a cheap twin bed frame in the back of my Ford van and now thinking about drawers/cabinetry and more fun (and cheap) decorating ideas! ✨🙂🙃🙂✨
Excellent advice! This can help so many to step out and give this a try!!
Thanks. Lots of cool stuff!
Thanks Chrome you got me thinking about some great ideas 😉🙏✌💞🐶💞👍👌😊
I salvaged a shelf unit out of a cable guys, wook van. Took it apart. Painted it. Added some solid wood shelves for a counter top. It all ready had locking drawers! My boy friend thought i was crazy till he seen it finished.