Van Life: DIY Kitchenette Creation

I’m down to just a few short weeks left in the Central Oregon area. My trip to Greece is quickly approaching and shortly after I return, Hank and I will start traveling across the country in the van.

With my deadline for leaving approaching so soon, my Dad and I have been spending spare time on the weekends to finish projects in the van. The latest was starting the installment of my little kitchen!

I decided some time ago that instead of building cabinets, I would find furniture that I could renovate to my needs on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. In the moment this was a decision of ease that seemed to work best with the limited free time both my Dad and I had to build, but in the end, I have loved the unique result!

It then sat in my parent’s house for months and my Dad commandeered it to store his homemade mead…

Last weekend the sun came out and so did the hutch. I ordered a sink from the internet and we set to work measuring (not the girl way this time) and cutting holes in furniture.

Of all the projects we’ve done on the van since I purchased it, I think getting this little kitchenette started has gone off the smoothest. Several hours worth of work in the appreciated Spring sun and she went right into place.

My favorite part of this project? The pretty knobs I replaced the original silver ones with. Ever since spending some time in Turkey, I have loved the bright colors and patterns popular amongst their pottery, which inspired my choice here.

The next step will be installing the black/fresh water tanks, the drain, and the water pump and we’ll be all set to take off. I also have a little propane stove on the way that will have a permanent home on the counter.

All in all, I’m super stoked with how this turned out and can’t wait to do some van life cooking!