This Luxurious Travel Trailer Has Better Interior Style Than Most Homes

Travel trailers have come a long way in terms of style and function. Some might even have better interior design than most homes. Take for example, this high-style trailer designed by Susan Weiss, interior designer and founder of Denver/Bozeman-based Emerson Bailey.

Emily Minton Redfield

The project came to Susan when she was having a conversation with a friend who is also in the design industry and an avid outdoorsman. Her friend was looking for mobile living options to complement his adventurous lifestyle, and after doing research, they came across the company Living Vehicle.

“The architecture and engineering of Living Vehicle is aimed towards full-time living and is designed intentionally to meet the needs of full-time use,” Susan explains. “While significant attention was devoted to the special and operational features of the design, there was a need to enhance the interiors to align with my client’s desire for a more luxurious living experience. I was enlisted to come in and pair the Living Vehicle’s top-of-the-line functionality with exceptional interior design.”

Emily Minton Redfield

Susan and her client saw the potential of the trailer, believing it could be more not just a vehicle but a full-time home. “Our goals were to design an interior that embraced adventure for those who viewed their living spaces not merely as utilitarian necessities but as extensions of their lifestyle and identity, and offered them a higher level of comfort and luxury,” Susan says. “Living Vehicle was not just a means of comfortable transportation, it needed to feel like home, with an added level of comfort and luxury.”

Emily Minton Redfield

After looking at different layouts from Living Vehicle, her client chose a model that worked for his specific goals. After that, it was up to Susan to make it feel even more homey and in line with her client’s style. She and her team upgraded the standard surfaces to higher-end materials; swapped out the original plastic roller shades for woven wood window treatments; brought in down-wrapped cushions in durable outdoor fabric; and made an effort to include organic materials.

Emily Minton Redfield

“Every detail was meticulously curated to evoke the elegance sought after by the client. These carefully considered details transformed a standard mobile living space into a home that redefines luxury living on the move,” Susan says.

Emily Minton Redfield

Of course, designing a camper isn’t the same as designing a home, and that was something that Susan had to get used to. “There was a lot to take into consideration such as material weight, stability of furnishings during transit, as well as the need for dual/multi usage,” she explains. “All these factors together demanded a level of incredible attention to detail. Collaborating with contractors unfamiliar with mobile living and vehicles added an extra layer of complexity. This prompted us to get creative and explore new workarounds and bespoke solutions to seamlessly translate residential home concepts into a mobile setting.”

Emily Minton Redfield

When it comes to the finished design, Susan’s client is ecstatic about the luxurious mobile living experience that is tailored to his interests and lifestyle. “He no longer had to pack and prep leading up to a weekend adventure, now everything he needed was conveniently at his fingertips,” Susan says.

Emily Minton Redfield

And as for RV/camper decorating and design tips she learned while working on the project, Susan shared five:

1. Consider the type of usage and amount of time that this mobile living space will be used. This is a key factor in approaching the design.

2. The more functional and comfortable the design is, the more it will be used and of course enjoyed by all who experience it. Oftentimes design is a balance of form and function. This is an example where it is critical given the space restrictions.

Emily Minton Redfield

3. Select your materials thoughtfully. Are they durable and easy to clean? I firmly believe that every design should be beautiful and achieving this also requires careful consideration to ensure functionality and practicality while maintaining beauty. 

4. Consider the client’s personal feelings towards comfort, what makes the home special and unique for them, and their perception of essential luxuries. Transforming a Living Vehicle into a luxurious haven on the road is entirely possible when it is tailored to meet the client’s expectations. With the appropriate budget, refrain from cutting corners or approaching it as just another home project. Given the limited space it is important to make every detail count to maximize functionality and luxury.

5. Have fun with it! Enjoy the process because it is an incredible opportunity to be creative and resourceful in an entirely different way than you are used to.