Blacking Out The Back Windows

Because there are windows all around, I have had to think of different ways to create a private space in the back where I can change, wash and sleep. As hunky and gorgeous as my body is, I'm sure people don't want to be watching me do all that, but more importantly, when I park up and go to sleep in the back, I don't want it to be completely obvious what is happening.

I decided that some of the windows could be blacked out complete, while others needed something that could be removed easily and quickly when I wanted to rev up and drive off. The back four windows don't offer much in the way of visibility out and create a problem when leaving things in the back, so I decided to block these up with solid in-fills.

I started with some pieces plain A4 paper and stuck it to the window, pushing it into the corners to create crease lines, which I later cut around with scissors. Once I had the entire window covered, I pulled the paper off and cut out a template for the window.

Left back door

Right back door

The two side windows at the back are blacked out with plastic picket signs I found lying around after a day of strike action. Four of those were perfect to create the two window in-fills I needed. The in-fills in the back doors were cut out of corrugated card from boxes. All four in-fills are covered in red, shiny wrapping paper, which is stuck on with glue stick. For some reason the wrapping paper bubbled in places and at first I wasn't happy with this. Later I decided that the metallic appearance combined with the bubbling actually creates an interesting texture so I decided to leave it as it is. 

As with every job I do, I know I'm not an expert, the quality isn't great and nobody would actually pay to get this done. I am always open to suggestions, ideas and constructive comments, either as actual comments on the blog or by email to myredvan@outlook.com.

A van called Tyrion...

For many years I have wanted a van to use as an occasional camper. I would love to have the budget to buy a motorhome with all the mod cons, but I have to be realistic, so I know I shall have to start with a second-hand van and fit it out myself.

To this end I have watched countless YouTube videos, read countless blogs and scrolled through countless photos learning how it should be done. In many cases I have seen some excellent examples of how it should not be done, and these are just as useful.

I have considered vans of many sizes, from micro-van to Luton box. I even considered an estate car after watching an episode of Top Gear. I have looked at a variety of layouts, including large vans with wet rooms, small vans with a board resting on plastic crates, and the seemingly popular sideways-bed that blocks all access through the rear doors.

Several factors have steered my choice, with two factors overriding all others; budget and size. We don’t have an immense budget and the wife has raised a serious objection to me parking a large panel van on the drive. I offered to park it on the road in front of the house instead, but this did not seem to appease her at all.

So I have bought a little red van. And called it Tyrion. Because it is small and ugly.

Not my van, but one like it.

But I like it an awful lot. I really enjoyed the test drive and can’t wait to collect it on Saturday. At that point my project will begin in earnest, but there are two more rather restrictive conditions I have to work within.

Budget remains a major consideration. We are currently saving and I can’t justify throwing hundreds of pounds at fittings and furniture. I would love a combi sink and hob and a mains hook-up with inverter, leisure battery, etc. etc. but buying them would put a strain on our finances (and ensure that I slept in the van a lot more often than I mean to). So I have to achieve everything as cheaply as possible.

Space is also a consideration. I need to be able to empty the back of the van when necessary but there is literally no room in the house to store van furniture and fittings. To overcome this I hope to make everything collapsible so it takes up as little space as possible when stored.

Trying to make a van comfortable for an overnight stay on such a tight budget while making sure the fittings fold up for storage is going to be a bit of a challenge, so I welcome any and all suggestions.

If you have any suggestions about my plans (or spot something that won’t work in one of my designs) please let me know. You can comment here on the blog or email myredvan@outlook.com and let me know. I welcome links to websites, YouTube vids and pictures that you might think are useful too and will happily share such links on the blog.

Hopefully, with a bit of help I can make Tyrion into a place where anyone would want to spend a night.