This Simple Upgrade Tripled My Camper Closet Storage

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My tiny camper closet looked organized, but it was hiding a frustrating problem: a surprising amount of space was going to waste.

I had been using a hanging PackGear organizer for my clothes. It kept everything fairly neat, but there was empty space beside it, behind it, and underneath it. Because not all my clothes fit inside, I also brought packing cubes to hold the rest.

When every inch matters, that is not the best use of camper closet storage.

I replaced that hanging organizer with a narrow, four-drawer Elfa system. The result surprised even me: the same clothes that filled my old organizer fit inside just one Elfa drawer. Once I finished my side-by-side test, I confirmed that this simple upgrade had more than tripled my usable clothing storage.

Of course, installing household drawers inside a camper created another challenge. The frame and drawers had to stay secure while traveling down freeways and bumpy roads. I solved that with two inexpensive RV organization hacks that did not require drilling holes in my camper.

The Camper Closet Storage Idea I Kept Seeing at My Meetups

I cannot take credit for discovering this idea. I first saw Elfa drawer systems inside several campers at my meetups.

Every time someone opened a closet, I was impressed by how much they could fit into such a small space. Instead of digging through a hanging organizer or pulling out several packing cubes, they could slide open a drawer and reach everything—including the items in the back.

I kept thinking, “Why don’t I have that in my camper?”

After admiring everybody else’s organized closets long enough, I finally decided to put my own wasted closet space to work.

Choosing the Right Elfa Drawers for a Small Camper

Elfa makes its mesh drawer systems in several sizes. That is good news because one may fit inside your camper closet, cabinet, pantry, or another awkward storage space.

Before ordering, I measured three things:

  • The width of my wardrobe closet
  • The depth of the available space
  • The usable height

I also measured the actual closet opening. This step is easy to overlook, but it is important. It does not matter how much room you have inside a cabinet if the assembled drawer unit cannot fit through the door.

For the wardrobe closet in my Little Guy Max, the narrow four-drawer Elfa system in Platinum and Grey was the best fit.

Products I used

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Is the Elfa Drawer System Easy to Assemble?

Putting the frame together was easy and took only a few minutes. The four mesh drawers slid right into place once the frame was assembled.

I did make one mistake you can avoid.

The frame connections were a very tight fit. A rubber mallet would have been the best tool for gently tapping them together. A patient person probably would have stopped and found one.

I am apparently not that person.

I grabbed the regular hammer I already had. It worked, but it also left a few marks that were definitely not part of the Elfa design.

My advice is simple: use a rubber mallet.

Two RV Organization Hacks That Make the Drawers Travel-Ready

If I had installed this system in my condo, I could have stopped after sliding it into the closet. But an RV closet moves, turns, stops, and bounces down the road.

Without extra support, the metal frame could slide around and bang against the closet walls. The drawers could also slide open and closed, repeatedly hitting the mirrored door.

I like extra storage. I do not like extra damage.

Here are the two simple modifications I used to make this camper closet storage system travel-ready.

1. Clamps keep the frame from sliding

I secured the drawer frame inside the closet with clamps. They hold the unit firmly in place, are easy to attach, and allow me to avoid drilling holes into my camper.

Once the clamps were installed, I gave the unit a good shake. The frame stayed put.

2. A bungee cord keeps all four drawers closed

The mesh drawers glide easily, which is wonderful at a campsite but not ideal while towing. I stretched a bungee cord across the front of the system to hold all four drawers closed.

It is not fancy, but it is easy to remove and gets the job done. The clamps and bungee cost me about $30 altogether. Now the frame stays in place, the drawers remain closed, and my undies should arrive exactly where I packed them.

My Side-by-Side Camper Closet Storage Test

The new drawers looked as though they held more, but I wanted to test the difference instead of guessing.

I started by removing everything that comfortably fit inside my old PackGear hanging organizer. Then I placed those exact same clothes into the Elfa system.

Every piece fit inside the top drawer—and that drawer was not even full.

That left three more drawers completely available.

The system includes three large mesh drawers and one thinner bottom drawer. I continued adding clothing, including some of my bulkiest items, until the next two large drawers were comfortably filled.

Everything fit without being crammed, and I still had the entire smaller bottom drawer available. I think that drawer will be perfect for underwear and other smaller items.

The test confirmed it: this easy RV storage modification more than tripled the usable clothing storage inside the same closet.

Why Pull-Out Drawers Work Better Than My Hanging Organizer

The additional capacity is exciting, but it is not the only reason I love this RV storage solution.

Everything is easier to see and reach

Each drawer slides all the way out, so I can see everything inside—including the clothes at the very back. Nothing needs to be dug out, and nothing should disappear into a dark corner until next camping season.

The drawers are removable

I can remove the drawers, carry them into my condo, pack my clothes directly inside, and return them to the camper. The drawers become both my packing containers and my everyday camper storage.

Everything finally has a place

Technically, I could have crammed more clothing and packing cubes around my old organizer. But cramming and organizing are not the same thing.

These drawers let me use the available space while keeping everything neat and accessible. That means I am going to be much happier every time I open the closet.

This Small-Space Organization Idea Is Not Just for Clothes

I use my Elfa drawers for clothing, but this idea could solve many RV organization and storage problems. Depending on the available space and the size of the drawer unit, you could organize:

  • Towels and bedding
  • Pantry items and snacks
  • Camping gear
  • Dog supplies
  • Toiletries
  • Shoes and accessories
  • Craft or hobby supplies

It could work anywhere you have vertical space that is not being used efficiently.

Was This Camper Closet Upgrade Worth the Cost?

The Elfa drawer system cost me just under $200. The clamps and bungee cord I added to secure it were about $30 altogether.

That is not the cheapest camper organization idea. But it more than tripled my usable clothing storage, made everything easier to see and reach, and gave me removable drawers that I can pack inside my home.

For me, those everyday benefits make this one of the most useful RV upgrades I have made.

I do not know how long Tom and I will keep this camper as we prepare for full-time RV living. But I do know that I can enjoy better storage on every trip we take in it. And whether we keep our Little Guy Max or eventually move into another small camper, this project showed me just how much difference the right small-space organization idea can make.

Ready to Upgrade Your Camper Storage?

Here are the exact products I used to triple the usable clothing storage inside my camper closet:

Be sure to measure the inside of your storage space and the actual opening before choosing your drawer size!

What is the most frustrating storage space inside your camper? Have you found a clever way to make it better? Share your solution in the comments because your ideas always give me something new to test—and then share with everyone else.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elfa Drawers in a Camper

Which Elfa drawer system fits a Little Guy Max?

The narrow four-drawer Elfa mesh system was the best fit for my Little Guy Max wardrobe closet. Camper measurements and configurations can vary, so measure your closet and its door opening before ordering.

How do you keep Elfa drawers closed while traveling?

I run a removable bungee cord across the front of all four drawers. It prevents them from sliding open and closed while the camper is moving.

How do you stop the Elfa frame from moving inside an RV closet?

I use clamps to secure the frame inside my closet. They prevent the metal unit from sliding and banging against the camper walls without requiring me to drill permanent holes.

Can Elfa mesh drawers hold more than clothing?

Yes. The drawers could organize towels, pantry goods, camping gear, dog supplies, toiletries, and many other items. Choose a drawer size that fits both your available space and what you plan to store.

Do you need tools to assemble an Elfa drawer unit?

Assembly requires very few tools, but I strongly recommend having a rubber mallet. The frame connections can be tight, and a regular hammer may leave marks.

Did the Elfa drawers really triple your camper closet storage?

Yes. I tested the capacity using the same clothes from my old hanging organizer. Those items fit inside only one Elfa drawer, leaving three additional drawers available. After adding bulky clothing to two more drawers, I still had the smaller bottom drawer unused.

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