Vanlife Mistakes I 10 things we'd CHANGE about our NEW campervan (2021)

Van builds are never-ending projects! Here are 10 things that we already need to change, add or modify on our most recent build. Sometimes they're the most basic stuff. Some other time, we (Dom) literally made some mistakes while building. Lettuce know if you have ideas for some of our fails, especially for the wall deco and the shoebox.
Enjoy!
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WHO ARE YOU? WHAT’S WITH YOUR ACCENT?
We're Dom & Marie, a French Canadian couple who love Nutella toast and live in a van. Marie is the brain (Ph.D student) and Dom's the dreamer (Creative director). We have spent the last 2 years travelling around North America in our Promaster 136'' named Vanessa. In 2020, after a 12-month trip that was cut short because of Covid, we decided to sell our van to start a new project: a BIGGER van.
Our goal is to inspire others to start #vanlife​​ and to help build their very own home on wheels while living and enjoying a balanced online and offline life.

[@JaYoeNation]

That bit while Marie was describing her box idea and Dom was making the graphics had me laughing.

[@vanlifesagas]

That dude. He never stops!

[@dharmawater]

Saaaame

[@guigomusa]

Me too. And the lettuce. Hilarious

[@andreaandersen4278]

Best thing ever!!

[@JaYoeNation]

But to be honest… I did the same roundabout with regards to the space between my seat before realizing the swivel would make all my ideas moot.

[@jwjustinwatkins]

Dom, your video editing is hilarious! Laughed so hard at this one, especially Marie's box design. The edits and humor are one of the top reasons we keep coming back =)

[@vanlifesagas]

Hahaha thanks Justin !!! See you next week for another video😁

[@nikkiyeo5967]

Yes agreed as well as the French lesson!!

[@aliveinchrist2379]

ahah it was super funny! thanks for the tips guys!

[@susanscovill6817]

LED overhead strip for the lighting issue. On dimmer switch Shoes - Your wooden slot idea but in canvass Lagun table - Add another piece of wood to hold it farther from the wall. Or just flip the slats to the left side with the outlet and USB. Ottoman seat box - make it moveable. Just move it to the back when necessary. Can also be used as outdoor seating. Cheers from Vancouver eh!

[@debracottrill7989]

Great suggestions! I'd take your advice on a van build. I'm hoping soon to get Ford E 250.

[@MissMarieGrows]

Hello Marie & Dom. I’m an international flight attendant based in the US and I have so much fun watching your journeys! The kind of center console Marie is imagining might work well with a flight attendant cart idea. Our carts are on sturdy lockable rollers with a boat style ridge/frame on top that could be used as a holder for dividers or swapped out for a cushion to be used as extra seating or a foot stool. Obviously the design would need to be modified and shortened to fit your space but please keep in mind that it would be wise to make the mobile utilitarian box “bottom heavy” as to ovoid tipping. Hope this helps. Cheers🥂

[@DaltonsFriendswood]

What about a pretty wooden cutting board that hangs over the stove. Serves as a backsplash but can actually be used if needed.

[@vanlifesagas]

Ooommmmg! that's a great idea! Thanks for sharing 😁

[@heiscalling]

A high polished thin stainless steel sheet as a back splash attached to the wall. Might look nice and keep heat from stove from burning the painted wood...Just a suggestion. Love your van build and your videos. We always enjoy watching you both as they keeps us laughing.

[@ellynmerydith2590]

Love the cutting board idea- snd the stainless sheet too! I notice that Home Depot has a retro printed metal sheet that tries to replicate early (1920s) wall and ceiling tile/protective cover… it is very cute, and for some reason I think it originated in France. Tres bien, mais oui?

[@ladytrader688]

Cutting boards on one side, and stainless steel on the other, then you have decor options. Also. can use as cutting board (although cutting boards get ugly with use, or can be drink holder, flip over to stainless steel and it becomes a hot plate. OR skip the cutting board, put a pic on the other side of the stainless steel...maybe something yyou can change out the pic when you get board...OR on the wood side, so a wood-burn design. Cheers!

[@bearin29]

@@heiscalling Stainless steel as a backsplash is a pain in the ass, because every single little drop can be seen, and if you are as OCD as I am (and probably like Dom, it seems) that will bother you and you will have to wipe it every single time you pass by it. Wooden cutting board hides the tiny splash drops easier. You'd only have to wipe it maybe once a day, if that.

[@CandycaneBeyond]

AC outlet is a simple fix. Cut a board the size of the bracket and place it on wall with screws, then reinstall the table. Depending on the thickness of the wood will give you greater distance from the wall.

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks that's a great idea! 👍

[@sflscott11]

@@vanlifesagas or simply get a flat plug adapter :)

[@TheVAHam]

How about a 6 plug outlet adapter that has the outlets on the sides ( 3 on each side). Also flat plug extensions can be found on Amazon that are very short if you want to go that way : )

[@CandycaneBeyond]

@@TheVAHam can the outlet handle that many plugs ?

[@TheVAHam]

@@CandycaneBeyond Yes, as long as you don’t overload the circuit. Side outlets would not accept power supplies, just standard plugs. You also might have issue using an adapter because your existing outlet is recessed in your slatted wall paneling.

[@claudiano_jr]

Marie's box explained was one of the best things on KZbin ever. Really funny.

[@bairdnuckolls4640]

Two suggestions: for the shoes, Ikea makes a fold out shoe storage cabinet (Trones) that could be installed on the wall of the cabinet. They don't take up much room and they close to keep things neat. For the box in between the seats, we like to use a large Ghanan Bolga market basket. It is studily woven and has a leather covered handle. The sides are flexible, which helps protect equipment and the wide flat bottom allows you to put a great deal of stuff in it. The handle makes it easy to move out of the way when you want to get through and you can just set it on one of the seats.

[@robertosantovenia4409]

The Ottoman between the Seats could also be used for your shoe storage by the sliding door. Hence space saving and dual purpose.. PS, You guys are great, Stay Well.

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks Roberto that's a awesome idea 😃

[@ellynmerydith2590]

Just what I was thinking! I think someone did it. A wooden box, almost a cube. One side opens to show shoe cubbies- about 9. The top is cushioned but flips over to be a beverage / food tray. Underneath the top there is another tray, only an inch deep for pencils, a little clipboard, gas card, and maybe aspirin or an inhaler. The bottom has felt so it can slide between the seats and back to the cabinet by the sliding door without scratching your floor. And it latches to the cabinet to be an extra stool or feet-proper-upper when not between the seats. Eh!?

[@CandycaneBeyond]

Get a straw beach bag for shoes. It will be firm enough to hold off shoes, flexible enough to bend, and durable enough to wash with hose to rinse off.

[@vanlifesagas]

What a great idea, thanks !

[@debbydhill]

The "box" could be exactly like you described with cushion, cut-outs and etc... however I would put it on locking casters and make the bottom of it (under the cutouts) shoe storage. You could keep it between you when you are traveling, at the door when it's need for shoes and flip the top for a seat that with the extra shoe storage it would be tall enough to reach a table....just an idea. They have ac boxes similar to what you where talking about except they have the outlets on the side (not pivoted, fixed ones). I think maybe they might have options of plugs and usb connections.

[@mfs13]

Hey! Great and honest video! The box that Marie was describing between the front seats it’s like an ottoman. It would be great because it’s an extra seat for dinning with friends in the van.

[@jodiannkarambela4946]

Melissa - That's what we had in our old rig. The top fit on the ottoman both ways. One side had a pillow top and the other side was firm to use as a little table. We used it when we had long travel days for snacks, coffee and whatever to sit on while driving. We both had access to it. Once we got to our camp for the evening we used it as a coffee table for our little couch. Short trips, it stored under the table.

[@vanlifesagas]

Yes that's what I meant! I think it could work😁

[@Yannispawn]

@@vanlifesagas you can find collapsible cube ottomans online. The tops can even flip upside down as a tray. Fold it up when not needed. 😃

[@rachelfrossard]

I've been watching thousands of regret videos and you guys are definitely the most funny one. 😂

[@vanlifesagas]

We’re trying to moderate the drama a little.

[@carmenmarcinkiewicz7149]

Oh my gosh......I'm LITERALLY CRYING from laughing so hard, with Dom's illustration of the box for between the front seats.

[@saranlove6662]

Hi Dom & Mary!!! Wonderful work👍👍👍. I advise you to place a piece of thermal glass on the wall near the stove. Easy to wash. you can place a sticker on the back side. And use as a decoration. Minimalism style. And also you can write markers on this glass board and protect the wall 😊

[@RobynElms]

Absorption of the varnish - you made me laugh 😂

[@JamesHueston]

Love how you both help each other with words, the raw takes in the edits, Marie’s illustrative box ideas 😂🤣 and just the whole thing 🥰 I’ll try to remember the word of the day for my job 😉

[@michellejensen4090]

Light - buy a small 12v rechargeable batteripack that you can hide in the bookshelf, then you can buy a 12v lamp or bulb (depending on taste) to use with it. The "backsplash" - you could put up a piece of plexiglas in a way that it's easy to put up and down, which would make it possible to add pictures or a painting behind it. Beeswax for the counters :-) Ikea here in Denmark have a little shoecabinet where the front tilts out at the top (I bet you have them over there too), it's called Trones - it might fit in that spot.

[@janemack1933]

@Michelle Jensen Just looked up the Trones thing. Excellent idea - I’m snaffling it for my van!

[@vanlifesagas]

wow Michelle those are all amazing idea will definitely check each one of them to see if they work for us! Thanks for all those suggestion 😁🧡

[@michellejensen4090]

@@janemack1933 :-D

[@michellejensen4090]

@@vanlifesagas Can't wait to see how you solve the different issues :-D

[@francesca_ofthelions]

Y'all are HILARIOUS!!!! For real, new fave channel. Great info and fun. Cheers!

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks Francesca!

[@cimbra1550]

For dirty shoes, plastic hair covers are super cheap and easy to store-you can put shoes into them when you take them off and put them in your shoebox, so all the dirt stays in the plastic bag (hairnet).

[@vanlifesagas]

Oh damn, that sounds genius.

[@silviasanchez7619]

You guys are so much fun to watch! 😂

[@cherylkruisheer3365]

You are very fortunate that your problems are so easily corrected. Really good to hear about your pet peeves though. Sometimes it’s the small things that are easily overlooked but are a pain in the ass, also easily to record the issue and then maybe the solution. Can’t wait to hear your “best things”.

[@minivanjourneys]

The sketch was HILARIOUS!! 😂

[@vanlifesagas]

That’s what I do.

[@cathypham7225]

Maybe like a utility cart type thing with tiers? Bottom for shoes, middle for camera, top for snacks, it moves to make an extra seat.

[@vanlifesagas]

Sooo good. And then other people recommended adding lockable wheels on the bottom. You guys are clever!

[@sandygraham7943]

I am 5 1" and found the height of the van awkward, I ended up putting a Promaster running board and drivers step kit on my van it made a massive difference ! I also built a platform over the floor between the cab seats to protect the fuel pump that is directly under the very flexable flooring between the seats .

[@miniskooliewanda]

😂😂😂Marie's sketch 😂😂😂

[@tracypreston574]

OMG that was hilarious!

[@yogawithsarahmiller632]

Dead 🤣🤣🤣

[@vanlifesagas]

He did a amazing job at representing what I said 🥴😂

[@miniskooliewanda]

@@vanlifesagas 😂😂😂

[@rocio6919]

🤣😂🤣😂 She explains stuff just like I do! 🤣😂🤣👍👍👍 Love you both, you are so silly!!! 🤗

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks Rocio!

[@sarahmonster4936]

The explanation and illustrations are perfect! I love yall's content! Thank you!

[@vanlifesagas]

Awe thanks for all the love Sarah ❤️

[@mastermoko76]

You guys are what we call in Portugal "cromos". it's such fun to watch your videos

[@vanlifesagas]

What does cromos mean?

[@FadiHamoud1980]

You guys never fail to amuse. Love, love, love.

[@vanlifesagas]

Love love you! 🟨

[@stevenstark5650]

Love you two so much!❤

[@malphotography953]

Great video, thanks for being open and honest. Here are some suggestions, for no.10. - you could possibly use.the power source under the table and run a small cable up in to corner to where Marie was sitting. No.9 use a window shade visor, cut to size and secured with suckers on the glass.

[@Juliegriffiths1]

Loved the show. Keep on trucking.

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks for watching!

[@delana6463]

Hi Dom and Marie. I like the trivet idea, black iron against the white wall would look great, but I worry about it being all that functional against heat, and cooking splashes. Maybe mount a clear fireproof plastic of some sort behind the trivets. The mom in me would like to see a backsplash and a small wall of some sort, folding or staying, to the side of the burners in between them and the bed. As far as drinking glasses you should look into Tervis drinkware. I love them. They don't sweat, keep your drinks colder or hotter for longer and don't spill if you use the tops. Best of all no circles ever as long as you have a clean outside. I love my ice water and hot coffee. I use the stainless, but have used the others and loved them too. I sit them everywhere even on my treasured family antiques with no coaster or any worry at all. OH and you can have them made with your logo! If you do, I want one! ;) I think the shoe cubby Marie suggested sounds good, or if possible building a box under the floor with a lifting trap door to access just inside the door that would sit flush. Having a combination of the two wouldn't be bad either. Loved Dom's drawing of Marie's idea for the center box lol maybe use locking casters to roll the box and to secure it. I bet your Dad could solve that easily for ya'll. The van looks beautiful and pretty perfect to me. Love to you both, let the Vanlife Sagas continue.

[@rubberhatmtb]

We LOVE your videos - you guys are hillarious! See you next week!

[@vanlifesagas]

Awe thank you friends😁

[@chrisp7652]

A couple of gooseneck 12v lights mounted on the bookshelf with the wiring laying at the bottom of the bookshelf could bring a lot of light and be directional for each person at the table. The Marie sketch was hysterical!

[@vanlifesagas]

Gooseneck 12v lights hen? Looking it up now.

[@jonathanmartin397]

I love your work guys. Well done 👏 hopefully following suite. See you out there!

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks Jonathan! See you next Sunday 😁

[@lucyxxoo3309]

LOVE YOU GUYS!

[@vanlifesagas]

Right back at you!

[@guylainericard9670]

You two are so fun to watch! Loved the box sketch and the lettuce head 🤣🤣!! Hope to see you one day! XX

[@wanderingheap3738]

Just add about half inch wood flat piece to move the table mount out some, easy peasy

[@vanlifesagas]

That's exactly what we'll be doing. Thanks friend!

[@andreageller4804]

Laughed out loud!! Lettuce know!!!

[@vanlifesagas]

Hahaha 😂

[@cimbra1550]

For the blocked outlet…there are ‘slim fit’ extension cords for a short-term fix (?)…which lay nearly flush when plugged into the outlet…rather than sticking out.

[@vanlifesagas]

We saw those, but there would be no space for its wire stickin out!

[@bearin29]

You are two are freagin' hilarious. I love your energy. Thank you!

[@nancygervais6408]

Add a canvas of your favourite picture or scenery on your wall over your stove. Decorative and can act as a backsplash

[@vanlifesagas]

Little spaghetti splashes on the Mona Lisa?

[@bhadreshthakkar2921]

Hey dom and Mary, First for your workspace you can use rechargeable reading lights like magnetic one which can stick in wall and you can recharge them. Second, for the back wall there is something of a sort like heat resistant painting which can enhance your wall and since it's heat resistant no worries about the damage. Third for the countertop you can add a layer of epoxy over your countertop it gives a rich look to it without loosing wooden feeling dom wants and can take pretty much of a beating easy to clean and maintain. For the box beside front seats you can build something around the gearbox housing like the semi circular part in the front were gear sits around it you can fancy a box around it and which can hold all the stuff, it will be like an extension to the gearbox plasticy thing I don't know.

[@NataliaTuran]

I adore you, guys! You are some much fun! Love your videos, very helpful!

[@sarahloy830]

Countertop Waterlox is what I use. 8 years and it still looks good. Matte finish looks natural , semigloss brings out the beauty of the grain.

[@vanlifesagas]

Awesome we'll check out this product, thanks😁👍

[@izacbertrand3093]

I just saw your van at valuemart in shawville quebec, keep up the good work

[@marylinebeaudoin9327]

"Pivot" HAHAHHAHAHAHA from Friends TV Show ! Good one!

[@caliemm2159]

Solar lanterns, solar lights on their stick in a vase for the table. I love them.Unscrew the top part in the morning. Let them sit on the dash during the day. Yeah francophoners....c'est formidable!

[@vanlifesagas]

Ohhhh baby. Great idea! Thanks for that recommendation!

[@jvr4465]

Loved the part with Marie’s box idea….LOL 😂

[@VanlifeWonder]

This is our favourite video! 😂😂 Miss you guys so much! Dom and his gum moment is just too good!

[@vanlifesagas]

Hahaha yes ! Thanks friend see you next Sunday 😊

[@brendag2891]

This was one of the BEST videos!!!! Totally lol all the way! Ah, yes, I understand these problems. A center console that doubles as a bench, and triples as a table. The bamboo is already oiled, so you can't use latex over it now. And the shoes! A never ending battle. Maybe keep the shoe tray or bin, line it with a towel that you can shake out like a rug when mud dries to sand, and you can wash sometimes. Take a drive to Ikea and walk around. Ideas will come to you there. Get one of their catalogs, a physical one you can page through, and go through all of it. They might have some vertical dividers that are movable, for different sizes of shoes, depending on the season. It may be in the form of a towel bin in the bathroom section, or some random office thing, or plush toy pockets in the kids section.

[@cindyross1037]

I love you guys. I always have a smile and a laugh watching you. Mercy Buckets.

[@martywall6679]

On your outlet issue with the Laguna table, I would add a 1/2" wood spacer at the existing wooden mount. That should give you enough space to use the outlet. Love your videos!!!

[@vanlifesagas]

Sooooo much easier than destroying it all. Can't believe we didn't think of the one. Duh! 🙄

[@kristiansteele929]

You pair made me laugh out loud with this video, love the humour and the editing and the confession about the electrical outlet mistake 🤣 Thankyou 🙂

[@patsyp2561]

Hanging file holders that you buy in an office supply store can be attached to your cabinet. Your shoes will fit in them toes down.

[@vanlifesagas]

Ohhh that's good! Thanks Patsy!

[@craigrobertson2782]

Make the between the seats ottoman/box your shoe storage & have some way of clipping it to the bench when parked and use the same system to clip between the seats when driving. And yes Maries idea of a framed lid on top to swap between cushion or camera gear holder or snacks table sounds perfect.

[@RA-tj8lv]

Love the music 🎶! No undies shot but your bun on top of your head bops up and down when you shake your head! LOL 😆 to funny 😆😄love you guys

[@vanlifesagas]

Hahah i'm a little dash wobbling hawaiian girl!

[@deirdreanderson7620]

Love the French lesson as always, thank you! Also, loved the whole box, frame, dishes visual guide, very funny! Wish you could of done the same visual guide with your PaPa by cutting to him explaining why the outlet was an engineering failure! Kind of like “I told you so”! He is so dry but when combined with you, he is hilarious! Great video!

[@niterocketnick5963]

thanks for the tips.

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks for the comment

[@riffleball]

I think you should build Marie's box (ottoman) exactly like the drawing Dom showed. What a conversation piece. Lol. Thanks for adding a "Demonstration" lol. Love you guys!!🥰

[@vanlifesagas]

With the duck, right?

[@cynthianewfoundland2825]

Could your shoe box and utility box become one? Build a box with open shelving on the bottom with a closed in section on top that could become storage and a table. When you want to swivel the seats the box can move back to where your shoe box is now.

[@bonefog2663]

I was thinking this as well. perhaps make the bottom portion of the box slotted for shoe storage, and make the lid of the box reversable where one side would be a cushion for extra seating, and the flip side of it would be useable as a table while driving

[@vanlifesagas]

What a great idea, Will definitely be tried😁 Thanks for sharing with us!

[@vanlifesagas]

That's sounds amazing😁🧡

[@roberthernandez7564]

Great episode! Dom's illustration of Marie's Box idea was hilarious!

[@vanlifesagas]

That dude... he never stops!

[@dayz8866]

Walls are changing colour probably due to using oil/solvent based paints/varnish. Try a water based paint. Another idea build a shoe rack/storage inbetween the front seats with usable storage on top for when your driving. 2 birds 1 stone. Great build guys :)

[@trevorpaxton4088]

I also bought a great trunk organizer from Fortem (on Amazon for $23 USD) for my personal vehicle, but my fiancé and I put between the front seats on our cross-country camper van trip this summer! We drove a Ram ProMaster 2500 159” high roof, and it didn’t exactly fit perfectly (it required a bit of wiggling to get it in place) but it was super close, super handy, and easy to take in and out. I’d recommend it! It has dividers so it kept our snacks handy, but it could easily store a camera/camera bag and plenty of other non-food (or cooler backpack) based items.

[@simonefire]

You are so fun! Love the shoe box and btw the seats “ottoman” ideas.

[@vanlifesagas]

Yes, thanks I also think it's a great idea🙃

[@trudymcclendon3743]

The box illustration thing 🤣🤣🤣. I was hollering 😂. (Or am I too high)

[@vanlifesagas]

Hahaha yes 😂

[@AshUndone]

Awesome video as always! I'm not handy, but my dad certainly is. For any wood that we want to keep beautiful with heavy use my dad swears by epoxy layers for protection. The epoxy is super hard and resilient, but transparent. I don't know if that's the most budget friendly option and will involved some layers and sanding (the way he does it), but the effect is glorious. I don't know the exact type, but he perfected his skills with work on the boat, so that might be a place to start the research. Best of luck!

[@vanlifesagas]

Interesting idea! Thanks for sharing it with us😁

[@andylecouffe4375]

For the wall behind the stove you can put a steel panel (we found ours at Ikea). Dom you can colour match it to your wall with high heat paint. Then you have heat protection and you can hang magnetic stuff. We have spice jars with mag base that we found at Bulk Barn. For the step up to the sliding door opening, we went low tech - a plastic stool that you can find at big box or dollar stores. In fact the style we got is stackable so we bought two. One for outside and one that we place at the foot of the bed for easier step up. Especially helpful for those middle of the night, half asleep, trips to the porta-potty. Love your build and love your humour!!

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks Andy! We might just get a step in the end! Hahah.

[@goals6709]

Oh my.... you two are absolutely hilarious. I long for your vids each week. So authentic. Love you guys. We are building now and have used sooooo many of your ideas. It is coming along very well. Thanks to you both and your dads. Love all your content. Maybe another Lagun table for the center between the seats?

[@vanlifesagas]

Awww look at you! Thanks for the love friend! Appreciate you taking the time to comment!

[@juliec5309]

Your van is awesome. So well finished

[@vanlifesagas]

Thank you Julie 🧡

[@NursingNean]

We are short women too. We salvaged a fabric handle off (something) and installed it with riv-nuts(sp?) right where we wanted it on wall behind the passenger seat so we can use it to get in and out. Our van came with a step installed - we love it, but we still use the handle too. How about buying an over the door shoe pocket, cut it down and attach it to the cabinet?. Also use your cup holders for flip flops and small shoes. I think a removable box between the seats is a valuable project to work on! That's wasted space when driving, but has to move when you're parked (maybe store shoes in the bottom and have it live where your shoes currently are when you're not traveling?

[@markrenfrow9873]

Hey Ya'll, I'm a wild eyed southern boy from Kentucky, just found and subscribed to your channel. We converted a '09 chevy shuttle bus, and love it, are also finding the things that are not exactly right or handy to use. It's a struggle, eh? Thanks for the language lessons, I do like the way you talk! Roll on!

[@dianefusco6967]

Great video and very funny

[@pumpkin4539]

You said one of your priorities was to have space as you entered the door...if you put your shoe storage attached to your counter you are encroaching on that space. Maybe build your shoe storage into the box that you want in between your seats. Put that box on rollers so you can move it in and out as you need to access the front or turn the seats around. SUCH a beautiful conversion. Love watching your videos. You always make me laugh.

[@nanabananacricketadventure4024]

Love your videos as always. You could build the box as Marie suggested to accommodate shoes, camera gear and the top that could be a cushion or table top. It doesn’t appear to be that wide or long so if it was on castors that locked you could store it by the counter where you have your plastic bin. It would be tucked out of the way when you didn’t want it between the seats. Just a thought! See you next Sunday! 💕

[@blessedveteran]

Love you two..can't wait for you guys to come back to the US

[@vanlifesagas]

Ohhhhhhh c'mon borders. OPEN UP ALREADY!

[@chrisjones627]

Yes put a spacer on the wall table mount then longer bolts for the mount, probably 1 inch would do it.

[@vanlifesagas]

What a great idea😄

[@nataliejw8865]

Man, some great ideas in here. I think a follow up video in the future would be fun. :)

[@vanlifesagas]

Absolutely. You can count on us!

[@cecilneville6776]

As for the backsplash, how about painting aluminum with high temperature paint? That way you can dissipate the extra heat while having the finish you want.

[@vanlifesagas]

Yeah, a lot of people have recommended that and we love the idea. Thanks again for the help!

[@amyemtage5859]

Your humour is much appreciated as was the lesson in French Canadian.

[@vanlifesagas]

YAY!! We're happy you liked it!! Thanks friend!

[@ThePlantParadigm]

An aesthetically pleasing shoe storage near the door was on our minds too! Our solution was to simply downsize the amount of shoes we have haha

[@vanlifesagas]

HAHA!!! I think that's the best tip we had so far 😂

[@cindyjohnson1769]

I have puck lights that are rechargeable by USB and are attached by magnate or sticky pad. They work great and I love them. I don’t have my bus yet but I use them for night lights in my apartment. They also have a remote with a timer. 👍🏼😁

[@denathomas4861]

Hi...if you put the box on lockable casters you can easily move it around the van and would be a great place to put your shoes. You could put a tray on top for your snacks etc which you could replace with a cushion when having friends over and need an extra seat. You can buy fire proof glass that you can have printed with any photo you choose which would be practical and add decoration. Love what your doing...safe journey's

[@brunogiffard6357]

HAHAHAHA !!!! L'illustration de "La boite à Marie" est tellement excellente !!! :)

[@vanlifesagas]

J'ai (Marie) tellement ri quand j'ai vu le montage pour la première fois.

[@garagefaff]

Osmo oil for the worktop 👍 Won’t change the wood look, awesome stuff.

[@vanlifesagas]

Thanks 😄

[@rachiemushroom]

For the shoes if you just add a towel rack or something similar, in our bus I used suction one to also stick on outside to dry towels and other things . IKEA has battery puck lights. The middle of the seats could use fabric hanging pockets from each chair.

[@vanlifesagas]

Amazing idea! We'll think about it😁

[@keve3874]

My fav supa craaaaazy vanessanessa builders :))

[@stevenstark5650]

And thanks to you, i have been saying tappette a mouch at every opportunity!

[@ByteBitten]

10: LED strip in white channel with opaque diffuser . This way it looks like a regular white slat and wires can be neatly connected left or right of the window. 09: Magnet attached isolation black-out covers. 08: Automatic slide out step with switch in the sliding door (close: step away. open: step out). 07: See #06 06: Yellow stripes. Bring the yellow stripes from outside to inside. This also visually masks the yellowing of #07 a bit. 04: Coat hanger hooks (from stub of wood) low on cabinet where you hang the shoes on. 02: Box with sturdy cushion for sitting/feet bench. With hinge to 270° flip cup/plate holder on it. 01: Temp solution: 90 outlet socket, or outlet power cube (with 90° socket).

[@vanlifesagas]

Dude! Want a job? We'd love to have you in the shop with us. Far too kind man!

[@PeterAmanda2011]

I look forward to your videos every week! Love them all! So this might be too large but I bought shoe storage from IKEA called Trones. They are amazing and you can actually store so much in them & they take up mostly vertical space. I like the built in idea Marie had too! I totally get having a collection of shoes right at the door. If it’s not super easy to put away it just ends up piling. Thanks again for the weekly quality entertainment and great ideas.

[@vanlifesagas]

We’ll look at the ikea suggestion you have. Sounds amazing.

[@claudinebeaudet9585]

Had the exact same idea! Ils viennent en paquet de deux mais on peut en utiliser un seul à la fois. Seule chose, je me demande s'il restera fermé pendant le voyagement... Et pour la leçon de français, j'ai en effet déjà dit en appel avec des collègues anglophones that I had foam in my bangs 🤣 j'ai dû leur expliquer! Maintenant, je peux juste donner le lien vers votre vidéo!

[@OmSahaja]

#10 - what about a little wall mounted candlestick holder? You could even put a glass hurricane around it to protect the flame and amplify the light. Old fashioned but it works!

[@peterjohan6735]

Get a large rectangular embossed copper tray. 2 hooks, one higher as a wall decoration, one lower to protect the wall when cooking

[@PeacefulAbiding]

For shoes, you can use a cloth hanging shoe rack that has velcro at the top to go around a closet dowel. I use this at my house for shoes.

[@thetexasginger7913]

BACK OF STOVE what about a fold down 'counter like Murphy Bed concept? It could cover the stove when not in use and extend the counter space, protects wall when up. COUNTER Find a clear cover with 'feet'...a cutting board, if you will, see through to the wood and functional and removeable SHOE BOX A box-basket with dividers inside and a lid that holds items to wipe off/dust off shoes OR holds van shoes/slippers (shoes u only wear in the van) Love the transparency on the love/hate on a van u just built. Hope to meet someday! HUGS

[@_GntlStone_]

Shoebox Idea: look at the Ikea Trones shoe storage in white. just add a clip style latch so it stays closed during travel. You could add a top in matching wood to dress it up.

[@vanlifesagas]

What a great idea! Thanks friend!

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Ducktape! That will fix everything. You could ad a step bar vrs a wide folding step that might get old folding un folding. For white walls Do not varnish! Just sand prime and paint. Paint multiple coats. Ikea shoe box on side of cabinet near the door. Center storage try a removable center console. There are several options that come up. Several lock. Hint place velcro on the floor and bottom to help keep it in place. Then when needed pull out place in foot area of passenger seat out of way. For 110 plug do you have a few centimeters space between table bar and socket? There are right 90° angle adapters. Remove table bar. Plug in adapter then replace bar. Good luck 👍

[@vanlifesagas]

Wow thanks for all the amazing recommendation! We'll see if we can use them! See you next week friend 😁

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

@@vanlifesagas no thank you for creating such wonderful content 👏

[@buffalo068]

1st comment ! you guys have great energy and I love your sense of humor !! You just touched on washing clothes which can be a pain to go hang out in a laundry mat…An additional thing I learned from you is to build your van where it can be continually upgraded / converted ..for the extra need of light , lucy lights are nice …as far as # 1 a wide mouth gatorade bottle is great when you can’t go outside and of course they do have accessories for the female . I have seen so many fancy toilets which almost seem like more trouble than they are worth …a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat is quick and easy ..some people use cat litter ..others use different types of shavings ( for example like for hampsters) ..after you go throw the bag out at next convenient place ..you guys make others feel happy as you are ! :)

[@vanlifesagas]

You are so right about the toilet…but some do need it to be happy!

[@wr4tune]

There is always room to improve your van, even if it’s engineered by the best! These points are the finishing touch 😉 For light on your table you can look for lights used to light paintings 🖼 They have a fragile design and look well The step up at your door is often integrated in a metal side bar (black finish), which also protect you for damage to the van! A white IKEA shoebox is an easy solution and a looks closed very tidy.