Caravan renovation in a Bürstner caravan from 1992: Glamper Edition 6
Maike and her husband share their exciting story about the renovation of their beloved caravan, which she lovingly calls "Wohni". This 32-year-old Bürstner LUX is their "rustic new treasure" into which they put a lot of love and inspiration for the transformation and renovation.
The highlight of the caravan is definitely the rear kitchen, which the two loved from the start. They bought the caravan in 2020 after having to cancel their honeymoon due to corona. A blessing in disguise.
Fate led Maike and her husband to "Wohni" when their honeymoon plans were thwarted by the pandemic. But what initially seemed like a disappointment turned out to be a blessing in disguise. With "Wohni" an exciting renovation adventure began.
The renovation was not an easy task. Maike and her husband had a clear vision: they wanted to preserve the original structure of the vehicle, but at the same time improve its aesthetics and functionality. With a lot of creativity and craftsmanship, they managed to transform "Wohni" into a true glamper.
Instead of changing the basic structure, they concentrated on improving the caravan with as few new purchases as possible.
The vision behind the caravan renovation
When Maike and her husband began their caravan renovation project, they didn't have a clear vision. But one thing was important to them from the start: their new caravan concept should have enough space for a large bed and enough storage space . This principle formed the foundation for the start of the caravan renovation.
With great attention to detail, they began by sanding down all the fronts and painting them in soft, light colors . The decision to remove the partition wall to the bed was particularly effective, giving the interior a more spacious and airy feel - the best decision!
They really liked the upholstery and curtains that the previous owners had already renewed , so they decided to keep them and add additional, opaque curtains. But even after the major renovations, their attention to detail continued: They freshened up yellowed roller shutter frames, preserved the charm of the original stove and the heater cover, and gave the old panels a new shine with a clever wood-look foil.
Inspiration for caravan renovation
"We tried to get inspiration on Instagram for carrying out a caravan renovation. Unfortunately, we only ever saw the finished result, but never the path to get there. This also gave us the idea for our profile, where we really showed step by step how we made each change."
Best implementation in the caravan
When renovating the caravan, Maike and her husband opted for clever solutions and personal highlights that increased comfort and charm. The conversion of the bed was particularly challenging and at the same time ingenious. Originally designed to measure 130x200 meters, they cleverly transformed it into a spacious 160x200 meter bed , which they also jacked up.
The decision to make maximum use of the existing storage space under the bed paid off. By raising the bed - now about 20 centimeters higher - they not only gained space, but also created the possibility to store their chairs vertically. This clever solution allowed them to save valuable space for bulky items.
Another highlight of the renovation was the removal of the partition wall , which significantly increased the living space and created an airy atmosphere. But personal highlights were also not to be missed. For Maike, this was her little "sin" in the bathroom - a glass washbasin .
Although it was not necessarily practical and required intensive care, it brought her pride and joy every time she cleaned and cared for it.
The colour concept
The two chose white as the main color for the caravan renovation.
White not only opens up and enlarges a room, but also lends a timeless elegance to the 1992 caravan. So, in their caravan renovation, they set about painting the caravan walls and ceiling in brilliant white .
In the caravan kitchen, Maike decided to make a subtle contrast. The lower fronts were carefully painted in a warm shade of grey. This small but effective colour variation not only serves as a visual highlight, but also has a practical function: grey is less susceptible to dirt and discolouration than the bright white that dominates the rest of the caravan's interior.
With her clever combination of white and grey, Maike has renovated her caravan, which not only looks cosy and stylish, but also practical and easy to maintain.
3 upgrades that are taken into account in every subsequent caravan renovation
Cover old records with beautiful foil
Removal of the bed - if possible
Buy a new awning that can be set up very quickly.
More projects?
Actually, not at the moment.
Nevertheless, Maike dreams of a life in which she is "self-sufficient" - even if that is not the case at the moment, the thought never leaves her completely. After all, this idea can offer many advantages, especially for longer trips with the caravan.
If it were up to her, she would completely equip the camper with new electrical wiring and have solar panels installed on the roof to be self-sufficient. But while these plans progress, a macrame curtain is still waiting to be completed in the basement.
Making macrame turns out to be just as tricky as the idea of being "self-sufficient". Maike finds that making macrame is trickier and less fun than she imagined.
Favorite campsite
Since Maike and her husband have had their little son and they have to look at it as a family - true to the motto "happy child, happy holiday" - the "Hasenkammer" in the Sauerland is definitely the ideal destination for them. Not far from their home, it is perfect for weekend trips, and their son has rarely been as relaxed and happy as he is there.
Your advice to people who don’t dare to renovate their caravan?
Be brave and ask yourself: “What is the worst that can happen?” “Who in my environment has practical knowledge and who could I ask for help?” If in doubt, first choose one small thing that you would like to change. Even small things make a big difference! You don't have to change everything like we did. Do you like the wood? Great! Then you'll save yourself weeks of tinkering. Would you like to go a bit more modern? Then consider changing the upholstery and curtains. It makes such a difference! Find bed linen that matches the color and you'll have a whole new look for little money.
Follow Maike on her Instagram Account @reisefieber.caravan to gather more inspiration from their "Wohni" and their caravan renovation.
