10 Things We Love About Our Van Build as New Full-Time Van Lifers
Hi, I’m Lauren Stone — and if we haven’t officially met yet, welcome. A few weeks ago (October 30) our house sold and we stepped fully into van life: me, my husband Jason, our 2019 Ram ProMaster 3500 (“Sam”), and our two dogs, Miles and Potato (you can check out a full van tour here!)
We’ve been on the road, adjusting, living, working — and there are so many things in this van build that we genuinely love. These weren’t part of the “mistakes” list we shared earlier; these are the wins. The features we use every day. The ones that have already improved our van-life reality.
So without further ado — here are 10 things we love about our van build.
1. Dog-Friendly Layout
From the beginning we knew the dogs come first. The layout allows them to join us on the bed, lounge space, cabin — no awkward restrictions. They sleep with us and that’s important. We prioritized their comfort and inclusion, and it feels right.
Sleep is key — when your partner, two dogs, and you are all squished or uncomfortable, every decision gets harder. This layout makes it simple.
2. Hooks All Around the Van
Tiny space? Hooks are game changers. Jackets, leashes, towels, hats — everything hangs up, stays off the floor, and is easy to grab. Living full-time means you notice every inch of wasted space. Hooks = no wasted space.
3. Upper Cabinets + Open Bookshelf Design
Above head height, we built DIY upper cabinets in the van and an open shelf section. Why open shelves? Because sometimes you want “grab-and-go,” visible storage, a place for those little everyday items. The cabinets offer hidden storage for things you don’t want on display. This mix gives us both function and aesthetics.
4. Plumbing + Electrical Setup That Works
We built our plumbing and electrical system with real-life use in mind. We’re living in the van now: cooking, cleaning, working, sleeping. The systems we chose were based on what works every day — not just for weekends. That makes a difference.
5. Inverter Added to Our Electrical System
We’re working from the van, creating content, using laptops, charging gear. The inverter we added means we can use regular plugs when needed. Simple but huge. It gives us flexibility, power, and less compromise.
6. Scopema Swivel Seat in the Passenger Seat
When you convert a van, you think about lounging, bed, kitchen — but what about when you’re parked, working, chilling? A swivel passenger seat in the van turns the cab into part of your living space. It gives you more room, more options, and feels more “home.”
7. Sliding Door + Garage Bug Screens
Bug screens on the sliding door + garage (i.e., the rear door area) = freedom. You can sit in your van, sliding door open, fresh air in, without half your life crawling in. It adds to comfort, keeps it airy, and gives you that indoor-outdoor van life feel.
8. Fixed Bed Setup
We chose a fixed bed in the van instead of a fold-down or convert-back-and-forth system. Why? Because we’re living in this van, not just vacationing. Having the bed ready every night, not needing to convert it each morning, means less friction. More sleep. More rest. More ease.
9. Lounging Couch Build
We built a lounge area that invites chilling. It’s our couch. It’s for the dogs. It’s where we watch a show, work, share a coffee. In a small space, a dedicated lounging zone feels luxurious. And it elevates daily life.
10. Indoor Movie Setup with Projector
We installed a projector and screen space for an indoor movie night. It’s not just “hey we built a van,” it’s “we built a home.” Nights in the van should have cozy-movie vibes too. This feature reminds us that we’re not giving up life — we’re redefining it.
Final Thoughts
Every one of these features matters because we’re living full-time in this van. These weren’t “nice-to-haves” — they’re part of our daily reality now. And while yes, we made some mistakes in our build (which I shared in the previous post/video), what matters most now is the wins. The things that make this lifestyle work for us.
If you’re building a van, planning to, or simply dreaming about van life, I hope this list gives you clarity on what’s actually worth prioritizing. Because in a small space, every choice counts.
Thanks for reading. If you want to dive deeper into any of these points – like our electrical schematic, exact build materials, or lounge couch build – let me know and I’ll share more. Until next time, happy van-life dreaming and planning!
