5 Clever Campervan Table Ideas
- Shane Monks O'Byrne
- Jan 17, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: May 12
After a bed, a campervan table is about the most important piece of furniture you will need. In this guide, we will examine five of the most popular campervan table ideas so that you can make a more educated decision on what to build. We will look at how to build a campervan rail table, a folding campervan table, a swivel table, and others.
Shane, the founder of The Van Conversion, is a campervan professional and NCC-certified electrical installer. Since 2020, he’s lived on the road full-time, completing several van builds along the way. He’s the author of Roaming Home and the creator of The Van Conversion Course, which have helped thousands build their own vans. Shane also writes The Van Conversion Newsletter, where he shares hands-on tips and practical insights. He’s passionate about empowering others to make their vanlife dreams reality.
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Index
Design the Campervan Table First
Before hopping into building a campervan table, it's essential that you mock it up on paper or with CAD software first. Our full guide on campervan design will help you get started.
I highly recommend Vanspace3D for designing your campervan interior - it's a brilliant drag 'n' drop CAD tool specifically for van conversions. I designed my whole campervan interior with Vanspace. The quick and easy functionality for moving components around, changing their dimensions, and saving them as modules to use later made designing my van's interior a dream.
Types of Wood for Campervan Tables: Pros and Cons
When selecting wood for a campervan table, the choice of material is critical for balancing durability, weight, aesthetics, and cost. Here's a comparison of the most commonly used woods for campervan tables:
Wood Type | Cost per m² (€) | Weight (kg/m²) | Durability | Aesthetic | Ease of Maintenance | Pros | Cons |
Oak | €50-€120 | 8-10 kg | High | Rustic, Natural | Moderate | Strong, durable, and looks great with minimal finishing | Heavy, can be expensive |
Pine | €15-€50 | 5-6 kg | Moderate | Light, Natural | High | Affordable, lightweight, easy to work with | Softer wood, prone to dents and scratches |
Birch Plywood | €30-€60 | 6-7 kg | Moderate to High | Clean, Modern | High | Lightweight, strong, easy to cut and shape | Can warp if not sealed properly |
Maple | €70-€100 | 8-9 kg | High | Smooth, Fine Grain | Moderate | Dense and durable, good resistance to wear | Heavier and more expensive |
Beech | €60-€90 | 7-8 kg | High | Uniform Grain, Light Tone | Moderate | Durable, great for tabletops | Can be difficult to work with due to hardness |
Walnut | €100-€180 | 7-9 kg | Very High | Dark, Rich Grain | Low to Moderate | Beautiful, premium wood, highly durable | Expensive, heavier than other options |
Bamboo | €30-€70 | 6-7 kg | High | Modern, Eco-friendly | Low to Moderate | Sustainable, lightweight, and durable | Requires special care and proper sealing |
Key Takeaways:
Oak is ideal for those looking for strength and a classic rustic look, but it's on the heavier and pricier side.
Pine is a cost-effective, lightweight option, but it's a softwood prone to dents and scratches.
Birch Plywood offers a good balance of strength and weight, making it easy to work with for DIY projects.
Maple and Beech are excellent choices for durability, with dense, smooth grains, but they can be heavier and more expensive.
Walnut is a premium choice, offering a luxurious aesthetic and high durability, though it comes with a higher price tag.
Bamboo is an eco-friendly option that is lightweight and durable, but it requires proper care and sealing.
Table Size and Ergonomics
Designing a campervan table isn’t just about style or materials; it’s crucial to consider the right dimensions and ergonomics to ensure comfort and functionality. The size of the table must fit the space available in your van while allowing for easy use, seating, and movement. Ergonomics also play a key role in how comfortably you can move around the table and use it for dining, working, or other activities.
Usage | Width (cm) | Depth (cm) | Height (cm) | Clearance (cm) |
Dining Table | 90-120 | 60-70 | 72-76 | 25-30 (Legroom) |
Work Table | 80-100 | 50-60 | 70-74 | 25-30 (Legroom) |
Foldable Table | 70-90 | 40-50 | 72-74 | 25-30 (Legroom) |
Convertible Table Bed | 90-120 (Width) | 50-70 (Depth) | Adjustable Height | 25-30 (Legroom) |
By taking these ergonomic guidelines into account, you’ll not only ensure a functional campervan table but also create a comfortable and versatile space that enhances your overall van experience.
Table Bed or Island Table
The first table in our lineup is the table bed or island table. Here's how it works: A campervan table top is mounted on an adjustable marine pedestal. When the table is up, you have a place to eat, work, or have friends over. When the table is down, you have a big, luxurious place to sleep.
This is the campervan table I have in my van and I love it. I have a huge space to work from, can have 4-5 guests over for dinner, lots of headroom, and loads of storage under the benches.
We discuss the build process for a table bed in our article on bed setups.
Campervan Rail Table
The campervan rail table is one of the most popular choices given the popularity of fixed beds in vans. Here, the campervan table top is installed on heavy duty drawer runners and can be pulled out of the fixed bed on demand. This gives us a full-sized table without compromising on the limited space left after we install a fixed bed.
Check out the excellent campervan rail table setup below from the guys over at madetoexplore.ca.
The most important component here are the drawer runners. Choose well-made runners with ball bearing lubrication and a rated load capacity of at least 70kg. Dinner for a group of friends plus everyone's elbows weigh more than you think.
Swivel Table
Next up we have the swivel table, another very popular choice. It's one of the simplest campervan tables you can build. All you need is a rotatable pedestal and a campervan table top.
The benefit of this table is how small and compact it is. Most people fit these to their seating bench, so the table occupies the same footprint as the bench when not in use. A swivel table fits two people max for dinner and works very well for remote working with a laptop.
As with the rail table, the support is the most important thing here. Choose one with sturdy fittings and two points of rotation. Being able to rotate both the leg and the tabletop give you a lot of needed flexibility when positioning the table.
Folding Campervan Table
The folding campervan table is another very compact table setup. It folds away into nearly nothing and pops out just when you need it. This type of campervan table is also perfect for remote workers. It's very easy to install a folding campervan table; all you need are two heavy duty folding shelf brackets and a table top.
@faroutride built a folding table at just the right height to act as a bedside table and a desk/dining table for their seating bench.
Choose a pair of folding shelf brackets with a high load capacity, a strong locking mechanism, and an easy sliding action. Make sure your brackets extend to at least half the length of your tabletop.
Portable Campervan Table
Last up in our campervan table idea countdown is the portable campervan table. Sometimes, you don't need a permanent table at all. If you only use your van sporadically throughout the summer, this option could be for you. In my case, I have a permanent table and a portable table. The portable table acts as a bed extender that I use each night and stick in my garage in the morning.
A portable table isn't a bad thing to have in a van, as it allows you to eat and work outside. If you can make it work, a good option is to buy a folding table that you can use to extend your bed at night. Something with adjustable height legs works well for this.
Cutting the Table to Shape
A kitchen worktop is commonly used as a table in van. It's a very hard surface that can take a lot of wear and tear. Here's how to cut it to shape:
Step 1. Mark the Table Top
Use a tape measure and pencil to mark your measurements on the wood, ensuring the lines are perfectly straight with the help of a carpenter’s square.
For curved edges or custom designs, trace the shape using a template or compass. If you’re creating a rounded corner, a circular object (like a paint can) can be used as a guide to ensure consistency.
Step 2. Clamp the Wood Securely
Place the wood on a stable surface like sawhorses or a workbench. Secure it in place with clamps to avoid movement during cutting, which ensures both precision and safety.
Step 3. Cut the Table Top
For straight cuts, use a circular saw or a table saw. A track guide can help ensure perfectly straight lines, especially for larger tables.
Measure the required size and cut the kitchen top using a circular saw. Kitchen top wood is very hard wood, so make sure you are using a new, very sharp circular saw. Do not use a blade with a very high tooth count. You should use some tapping and cutting fluid to reduce the heat and increase lubrication while you are cutting. Installing a fence on your circular saw will help you get a clean, straight cut.
For curved or irregular shapes, use a jigsaw. Ensure that the blade is appropriate for the material you're cutting—use a fine-tooth blade for smooth edges.
Move slowly and steadily while cutting, letting the saw do the work. Avoid forcing the tool, as this can lead to uneven cuts.
Step 4. Smooth the Edges
After cutting the table, use sandpaper or an electric sander to smooth out the edges and remove any splinters or rough spots. Start with a medium grit sandpaper and finish with a fine grit for a smooth finish.
For rounded edges, be particularly careful when sanding to maintain the curve's integrity.
Step 5. Finish the Edges
If you’re using plywood or composite material, apply edge banding to give the table a clean, finished look and protect the edges from chipping.
For solid wood, consider rounding or beveling the edges for a more polished finish. This can be done with a router or by hand with a sanding block.
Conclusion
You should now feel inspired to design and build a campervan table of your own. Don't forget to check out our overview of campervan carpentry for a huge amount of important information on materials, carpentry techniques, and recommended tools.
Before you get started, make sure you check out the excellent VanSpace3D for experimenting with your furniture layout and design.
If you're still confused, check out our carpentry masterclass for an in-depth, step-by-step course on the whole process.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Van Conversion Newsletter for everything you need to get started with your own van conversion. We'll send you a free wiring diagram when you join.
If you're looking for some guidance with your van conversion, you might be interested in our book, Roaming Home, or in our online course, The Van Conversion Mastery Course. You'll learn directly from our founder Shane how to convert a van into your dream home - no prior experience needed. Shane also offers one-to-one consultations, where he'll help you with any aspect of your build in a face-to-face video call. All consultations come with a free copy of Roaming Home and our Diagram Pack.
Finally, our Van Conversion Ultimate Guide lays out the whole van conversion process in easy-to-follow sections with tools, materials, and step-by-step instructions. It's the perfect companion for your van build.
Until next time.
