Many RVers set out for an adventure to leave work behind. It’s Friday, and they take off for the nearest campground for the weekend. They have no plans to open their work email inbox. However, for other campers, they have to do some work from the road. But when RVs are already small, how do you find a way to set up a workstation? Let’s look at eight great RV desk ideas to keep you working and traveling without interruption.
What Is a Mobile Workspace?
When you travel and still need to work, you need a mobile workspace. Many RVers aren’t retired, so working from the road is necessary. Having a dedicated workspace to answer emails, host video calls, complete projects, and communicate with clients is essential for productivity and efficiency.
It can be hard to get motivated when you don’t have a mobile workspace. It can also get old moving things out of the way every day before you can sit down.
Where Do You Put Your Desk in an RV?
Some RVers don’t use anything other than the dinette table for work. This may be ideal and cost-effective short term, but it’s not a long-term solution. You’ll have to clean off the table to set up your workstation and clear it off to eat dinner. Rainy days can be tough if you only use the dinette table. The kids may want to play card games or do a puzzle.
Sometimes you must find creative ways to put a desk in an RV. It might mean removing a piece of furniture you don’t often use or reconfiguring the space. Will you use two sofas? If not, take out one and replace it with a workstation. Do you need the top of a dresser to collect random objects? Perhaps extending the dresser top to form a desk will work perfectly in your rig.
How Do You Turn an RV Into an Office?
First, you can’t turn an entire space into an office unless you have a separate room, such as a mid-bunk or bunkhouse. You usually need to share the living room as a family space. The bedroom needs to bring peace and rest and not flood your mind with tomorrow’s to-do list. So being flexible with your areas will help transform your RV into an office.
Second, get inspired with Pinterest ideas or TikTok videos. People have done creative things to establish multi-functioning areas in RVs. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
However, ensure whatever changes you make stay within the appropriate weight limits of the RV. Don’t add twice as much weight to a slide. Don’t bring in so much furniture that it puts you over the GVWR. Pay attention to what comes in and what goes out.
8 Great RV Desks & Ideas for Building a Mobile Workspace
Find inspiration from things people have already done. See what might work for your space and tweak it to fit your needs. Below we share eight great ideas for creating a mobile workspace so that you can focus during work and leave it behind when it’s time to play.
1. Put in a Lagun Table
A Lagun table is an aluminum table that swivels 360 degrees. It’s lightweight and adjustable. Simply raise or lower the table to best suit you. Move it around, so it’s out of the way when you don’t need it. This RV desk option has a lot of functionality.
Pro Tip: We took a closer look at What Is a Lagun Table and Why Do People Love Them to help you decide if installing one is right for you!
- It is easy to disassemble and assemble, easy to store, and saves...
- The installation is simple, does not require complicated...
- Made of aluminum alloy, oxidized surface, corrosion‑resistant...
2. Tear Out and Replace the Dinette
One of the most common and easiest solutions is replacing the dinette with a workstation. Some RVers do this for homeschooling purposes, as well. It can provide a space for kids to focus and get schoolwork done. Small dinette spaces may not work for a larger family.
Enjoy your meals outdoors and opt for a mobile workstation instead. If you have a rig with camp-side windows by the dinette, you’ll have beautiful views to enjoy as you answer all of those emails. Again, ensure the weight you take out and the weight you bring in compare, so you don’t overload the space, especially if it’s on a slide.
3. Use the Garage Area in a Toy Hauler
If you plan on working from the road long-term or need a large space to work, convert a toy hauler garage. It has ample space, and once you remove the sofa, table, or bed lift, you’ll have a blank canvas.
Toy hauler garages carry heavy loads. This means you don’t have to worry about the weight if you want to put in several desks, chairs, and storage cabinets. Put the back patio door down and enjoy the sunshine and cool breeze as you work from anywhere.
4. Implement a Fold Down Desk
You could combine this idea with the second idea above. Remove the dinette and replace it with a fold-down desk. Then when you aren’t working, you can simply fold it away. You’ll have more room to move around and a bigger feel inside the RV.
Or, if you have a bunkhouse but only need one bed, install a fold-down desk on the other side of the room, so it doesn’t take up space. This is an excellent idea for a space-saver RV desk.
5. Convert Your Bunkhouse Into an Office
If you don’t need a bunkhouse for extra sleeping spaces, get rid of those bunks or sofas and create a separate work area. You’ll have an office where you can close the door, have video calls, and enjoy a quieter environment.
This is a great option for people with a large set-up like dual monitors. You can add a filing cabinet and a comfy sitting chair. This way, you can make the space work for you.
6. Get a C-table for Use in Multiple Places
If you don’t have space for a dedicated workstation, you can buy a C-table. Sit on the couch or the end of the bed and work for a few hours. The flexibility a couch table offers works well for small RVs. Plus, when you don’t need it as a desk, you can use it to play cards at night or take it outside and use it for your coffee in the mornings.
7. Utilize Modular Furniture
Additionally, use modular furniture instead of residential ones. This reduces the weight and allows you to move them when not in use. Modular pieces can separate or change shape to fit in smaller spaces. Like the Lagun or fold-down table listed above, you’ll have numerous office furniture options that work well for RVs.
8. Purchase an RV That Already Has an Office
Some newer RVs already have an office, or at least a desk, built-in. Airstream, for example, has the Flying Cloud 30FB Office that features a desk, sitting chair, office chair, and storage in the rear of the unit.
The KZ Connect 292RDK also has a desk in the rear underneath a window. You can add a dinette with a computer workstation or a dining bar with a cabinet, printer shelf, and drawer in the Tiffin Allegro Red 37PA. Other models feature mid-bunks with a sofa on one side and a desk on the other with lots of storage for office supplies.
Pro Tip: Increasing workspace in your kitchen is important too! Find out how you can install RV Countertop Extensions to increase the space in your RV kitchen.
Is Working at an RV Desk Worth It?
For full-time RVers having an RV desk isn’t optional. They have to work from the road. Getting focused at a desk helps RVers work more efficiently, too. It’s easy to get sidetracked with a beautiful ocean view. So if you know that you need to have a door to get five hours of work done, look for mid-bunk or bunkhouse RVs.
But even for travelers who just need to get some work done every now and then, having multi-functional pieces is the best solution. Use them when you need to work and put them away when you don’t. Or reconfigure them for another use. There are so many RV desk ideas, so if you’re figuring out how to work from the road, try one listed above.
Which solution seems to make the most sense for your situation? Tell us in the comments!
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