A camper van layout is the floor plan that determines how your van is arranged for sleeping, seating, cooking, storage, and daily use. The right camper van layout depends on who is traveling, where you plan to go, how much gear you bring, and whether you need a bathroom, kitchen, or extra sleeping area. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most popular camper van layouts we build at ADF Sprinters, including single bed layouts, two bed layouts, layouts with bathrooms, and space saving options so you can choose a van build that fits your life on the road.

Finding the right layout is essentially designing your entire van. The layout comes first, then the appliances, systems, add ons, materials, and gear. Not everyone realizes this early in the process, but everything flows from the bed placement. If you plan to sleep in your van, the bed will almost always be the largest feature inside. You can build around it, hide storage underneath it, make it fold away, or turn it into a lounge during the day, but the bed is still the anchor of the design.

That is why we always start there.

The Layout Starts With the Bed

The bed determines how much standing room you have, where your kitchen can go, whether you can add a bathroom, how much storage space you keep, and how the van feels when you are actually using it. A beautiful van layout that looks great in photos may not feel great if the bed blocks the walkway, eats up the galley, or makes the storage impossible to access.

With custom camper vans, the question is not just where do you sleep. It is how do you want to live inside the van when you are not sleeping?

Some people want a bed that is always made and ready. Others want a lounge space that converts into a bed at night. Families may need two sleeping zones. Couples may prefer a permanent queen size bed with a garage underneath. Some clients want a layout camper van interior with bathroom, while others would rather keep the floor plan open and use an outdoor shower or cassette toilet.

Once the bed is decided, the rest of the floor plan becomes much easier to design.

Single Bed Camper Van Layouts

A single bed layout does not always mean the van is only for one person. It simply means the build has one main sleeping area. This is common for couples, solo travelers, and some smaller family setups that rely on tents or occasional guest options.

Dinette Bed

The dinette is one of the most useful layouts because it gives you a place to sit, eat, work, and relax during the day. At night, the table drops down and the cushions convert into a bed. This layout is great for people who want their van to feel like a small home on wheels, not just a place to sleep.

The dinette is also a great choice if you enjoy entertaining or spending time inside the van. You can sit across from each other, play cards, work on a laptop, or enjoy dinner after a long day outside. The tradeoff is that you do need to make and break down the bed, so it is not as instant as a fixed bed.

Platform Bed

A platform bed is one of the most classic camper van layouts. It sits in the rear of the van and stays made all the time. Underneath, you get a large gear garage that can hold bikes, skis, storage bins, recovery gear, tools, and outdoor equipment.

This is the runner up for our most popular layout, especially for two person builds. It is simple, efficient, and great for anyone who wants to keep their living space separate from their gear. Many people choose a platform bed because they do not want to set up their sleeping area every night.

Examples of this layout include Trailhead and Serenity.

TriMax Bed

The TriMax is an ADF favorite because it gives you a hybrid between a platform bed and an open garage layout. It folds away to the side of the van, giving you more space when you need to haul gear, move around, or use the rear area differently. When it is time to sleep, the bed comes down quickly and gives you a comfortable sleeping area without the daily setup of a dinette.

This is a strong option for people who carry bikes, boards, moto gear, or bulky equipment, but still want a comfortable bed inside the van. It is flexible, fast, and clean.

You can see an example in the Jackson build.

Two Bed Camper Van Layouts

Two bed layouts are extremely popular for families, guests, and anyone who wants more sleeping flexibility. We build a lot of vans with two sleeping areas because they give clients more ways to use the van without making the interior feel cramped.

Dinette With Electric Drop Down Bed

This is our all time most popular camper van layout. It works in both 144 and 170 Sprinter vans, and it gives families and groups a layout that is practical every day.

The lower dinette acts as a lounge, eating area, workspace, and sleeping area. Above it, an electric drop down bed lowers from the ceiling when needed. Yes, the overhead bed reduces some ceiling height when stowed, but the tradeoff is worth it for many customers because you get two beds in one efficient zone.

This layout is ideal for families because the rear of the van becomes a true living space. You can sit together during the day, then sleep multiple people at night without using up the entire interior.

Examples include Trial Hob and Speedway Chalet.

Pop Top Bed

A pop top adds a second bed above the main cabin, which is great when you want extra sleeping space without giving up interior square footage. Families often choose this when kids want their own space, while couples may like it for occasional guests.

The benefit is that the lower layout can stay more open. You can still have a kitchen, storage, seating, or bathroom below while the second sleeping area lives above. The tradeoff is weather, insulation, and setup, so it works best for people who understand when and where they will use it.

Single Bunk Beds

Single bunks are a great option when you want dedicated beds that are always ready. They work well for kids, family travel, or clients who do not want to convert a lounge every evening. The downside is that bunks take up more fixed space, so the rest of the layout needs to be planned carefully.

A great example is Little Suite, which shows how bunk style sleeping can be integrated into a high comfort van.

Third Most Popular Layout: The Dinette Only

Behind the platform bed, the dinette only layout is one of the next most popular options we build. It gives clients the most flexible rear living space while still offering a comfortable bed when converted.

This layout is great for people who want a social interior. It also works well if you use the van for road trips, meals, working from the road, or relaxing inside during bad weather. It is also a good option if you do not need a massive gear garage.

Examples include The Wall and Blue Wanderer.

Layouts With Bathrooms Versus Without

A big decision in any van conversion is whether to add a bathroom. Camper van bathrooms are incredibly useful, but they take up space. If you want indoor showers, a toilet, and privacy, you need to plan for plumbing, a water tank, gray water, ventilation, and materials that can handle moisture.

A layout with a bathroom is best for retirees, families, full time travelers, winter travelers, and anyone who does not want to rely on public facilities. Options can include a wet bath, cassette toilet, composting toilet, dry flush toilet, or hidden bathroom.

If you are trying to fit a shower into a 144, it can be done, but the design needs to stay efficient. A larger 170 gives you more room for a bathroom without sacrificing as much storage.

Layouts without bathrooms feel more open. They work well for people who use campgrounds, travel in warm weather, or prioritize gear storage over plumbing. Builds like Baja Basecamp, So We Went, Nestor, and Carpool Cruiser all show how different bathroom decisions change the entire layout.

FAQs

What are the best camper van layouts for different lifestyles?

The best camper van layout depends on your lifestyle. Couples often like platform beds, dinettes, or TriMax layouts. Families usually need two beds, extra seating, and more storage. Full time van life travelers often prioritize bathrooms, power, and kitchens. Skiers need heat and wet gear storage. Surfers need board storage and outdoor showers. Moto riders need garages and tie downs. Retirees usually want comfort and easy access. Mobile office hybrids need seating, power, and work surfaces.

We cover this topic in more depth in our Sprinter Van Build: How to Design Around Your Lifestyle blog.

What are some small camper van layouts that still feel spacious?

A 144 wheelbase van can still feel open with the right plan. Some of the best space saving options include murphy beds, side benches, swivel front seats, hidden storage, compact kitchens, and fold away tables. A simple bench seat can also make the van feel larger than a bulky fixed passenger area.

For minimalist travelers and couples, less is often more. A smart 144 layout can include a bed, galley, storage, and even a compact bathroom if the priorities are clear.

How do you choose the right camper van layout?

Start with the bed. Then choose seating. After that, decide where the kitchen goes, whether you need a bathroom, and how much storage your gear requires.

A good layout should support your actual routine. If you cook every day, give yourself a better galley. If you mountain bike every weekend, protect the gear garage. If you travel with kids, prioritize seating and sleeping. If you work from the road, design around power and desk space.

Are camper van layouts with bathrooms worth it?

Yes, if privacy and independence matter to you. A bathroom makes the van more self contained, especially for families, retirees, winter travelers, and off grid camping. But if you want maximum open space, more gear storage, or a simpler build, going without a bathroom may make more sense.

The best bathroom layout is the one that matches your travel style, not just the one that looks best on paper.

Final Thoughts

The most popular camper van layouts we build all come back to the same idea: design around how you actually travel. Some clients need two beds and a bathroom. Others need a gear garage and a fixed bed. Some want a dinette, others want an open floor plan with a TriMax bed.

There is no universal best layout. There is only the layout that works for your people, your gear, your trips, and your routine.

At ADF Sprinters, we build custom camper vans around real lifestyles. Whether you want a family travel van, a couples camper, a ski van, a moto van, or a fully custom adventure build, we’ll help you create a layout that feels intentional from the first mile.