The RV Bathroom- Alternative Uses

The RV bathroom is something many RVers absolutely insist on having in any rig they purchase. This is understandable. After all, it is pretty convenient to have access to a shower and toilet anytime you might need one.

That said, an RV bathroom is not always necessary, especially when you spend time only in campgrounds with bathhouses, where you can shower and use the toilet with much more room and hot water. This leaves some campers feeling as though their RV bathroom is wasted space, and those who have two RV bathrooms may feel this even more strongly.

What’s a space-deprived RVer to do? Use that bathroom space, of course!

There’s no reason your RV bathroom has to be single-purpose. And if you’re not using your tiny restroom for that single purpose anyway, there’s even less reason for it to continue serving solely as a toilet and shower space.

Wondering what to do with your little bathroom if not use it for showers and potty breaks? Below are four excellent options!

#1: Closet

The most common thing we see people using their bathroom space for—besides a bathroom, of course—is storage.

This makes perfect sense, considering the typical RV bathroom is about the size of a closet and even has a door to hide all of the shutter away. We also like the fact that using your bathroom for storage means you can still access and use the toilet and shower if you’re in a pinch. (Maybe the bathhouse is being cleaned when you’re in a hurry, or it’s totally out of order. These things happen.)

Obviously, you could just throw stuff in the bathtub and call it a day. However, the more organized among us might prefer a bit more order. A tension rod hung across the shower is perfect for hanging clothes on. Hanging wall organizers are also a great idea, as are stacking bins or storage drawers.

Related Read: Saving RV Space with a Capsule Wardrobe

#2: Laundry Room

Hate using the laundromat while traveling? Wish you could do laundry whenever and wherever you pleased? Those who are on the road full-time might have especially strong feelings about their laundry situation. In fact, it’s one of the biggest complaints we hear full-time RVers voice.

For this reason, many people choose to turn their tiny bathroom into a tiny laundry room. This might sound like a huge project, and it could be if you wanted it to be. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. A simple, small washer such as this one fits perfectly in an RV bathtub or shower, and a drying rack will take the place of an actual dryer quite nicely.

Of course, you could also go all out and invest in a Splendide washer and dryer combo. Just know that the vented version is much preferred by nearly everyone, so you’ll need to be prepared to vent the unit to the outdoors.

Related Read: Laundry Solutions You'll Never Want to be Without, AGAIN!

#3: Pet Space

For many, taking their furry friends with them when they travel is a given. That said, finding a place for Fluffy or Fido to sleep and eat can be a real problem in the tiny space of an RV. Because of this, if you don’t use your bathroom for anything else, you might consider offering it to your pet.

A shower or bathtub can easily hold a litter box, keeping it out of the way and containing smells in the bathroom rather than leaving them to waft throughout the entire tiny home.

If you don’t have a litter box, a shower can also hold a small pet bed instead. Depending on the size of your bathroom, you may even be able to fit both a litter box and a bed in the space.

Of course, food and water bowls could also be stored in the bathroom, keeping them out of the way and preventing the spills that so often happen when a person is shuffling by.

The biggest problem with making your bathroom into a pet room is figuring out how to give your pet access to the space without always leaving the door open. Your best bet is likely to install a pet door, which should be easy enough to do, even on an RV interior door.

#4: Office

If you travel full-time and aren’t yet retired, chances are high that you do some sort of work while on the road. For some, this means work camping or selling items. However, a great many people are now turning to online work, and with online work comes the need for a computer, internet access, and a workspace of some sort.

Related Read: Online Jobs for RVers and Who You Can Trust

Of course, you could just grab your laptop and hang out on your bed while you work. However, many people find it hard to focus while snuggled up in bed (or even on the couch). This is especially true for those who have other family members using the space and no doors to separate themselves from the hustle and bustle of everyday activities.

The perfect solution? An RV bathroom office. Yes, you read that right, and yes, this is a real thing we’ve seen someone do.

The fact that the bathroom has a door is perfect because it means you get some privacy—maybe even some peace and quiet—while you work. The rig we saw had a chair set up over the toilet and a small folding TV tray in front of the chair, which was used as a desk. The whole setup could be taken down should the bathroom need to function as a bathroom, but it was usually left up.

Of course, you could also go all out, tearing out the components that make the bathroom a bathroom and creating a true office space with a permanent desk and chair. In fact, if you’re willing to go that far, you could even choose to use the space as a nursery, a kid’s bedroom, a reading nook, or any number of other things.

Why not think outside the box and see what you can come up with? You might be surprised just how versatile such a small space can be!