9 Simple Ways to Enhance your RV Outdoor Living Space [create a cozy campsite] (2023)

Let me guess, you want to have a beautiful and organized RV, but you don’t want to spend every minute indoors. If that sounds like you check out these 9 outdoor living ideas to enhance your RV’s outdoor living space.

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This list of ideas to enhance your outdoor living space should help you improve your camping experience.

Just imagine how great your campsite could be with these cozy outdoor living RV ideas!

Use an Awning Extender for more covered space

Most RV’s and trailers come equipped with awnings, but even fully extended they may not provide enough shaded outdoor living space.

I discovered a cool product called the “Awning Extend’r” by Carefree of Colorado in the February 2018 issue of “Trailer Life” magazine.

The magazine has a full explanation on how to install the awning extender. (Link opens in a new window.)

The above picture is from Carefree of Colorado website.

The author from the Trailer Life magazine Kevin Livingston) states it is a relatively easy process to install the awning extender onto your existing awning, and it takes about 15 minutes.

The awning extender slides into the slot of your existing awning’s roller tube.

There are straps that attach to stakes in the ground to help stabilize the awning (you can see the orange straps in the picture above).

Block UV rays with an RV awning screen

This awning screen by Tentproinc attaches to your RV awning and provides a UV-blockade and helps to lower the temperature under your awning. This allows you to enjoy a warm, sunny day while blocking up to 86% of UV rays.

It is available on Amazon if you want more information on it.

Create ambiance with RV Outdoor Lights (Fun RV Lighting Ideas)

Lighting provides the ultimate ambiance for a campsite get-together. Gone are the days of kerosene lanterns as your only light around your campsite.

Today there is a huge variety of outdoor RV lighting ideas.

There are outdoor lights that can provide any atmosphere: from festive to relaxed.

There are LED rope lights, Globe lights, standard Christmas lights and more.

RV Outdoor Lighting Idea #1 – Colorful Globe lights

Below is a picture of some RV awning Globe lights by Camco that fit into most RV awnings.

These are fun lights for outside the camper. Click here to see more pictures of these globe lights on Amazon.

RV Outdoor Lights Idea #2 – LED Light Strips

The LED light strip displayed below are the ECO LED light strips.

They come with a wireless remote so you can change the color of your light strip!

It states they can run on 12 volt DC, or 110 volt AC.

If you want more information on this Product you can check out their website rvlighting.ca

RV Outdoor Lighting Idea #3 – Inflatable Solar Lantern

I recently learned about these products.

I had no idea what an inflatable solar lantern was.

This particular one looks pretty cool and can be charged via solar or USB.

The best part for RV’ers and campers is that it folds down really small for easy packing and storage.

It comes with a strap so you can hang it from the edge or your awning.

RV Awning Light Clips

Do you need some clips to hang your lights (or flags) from your RV awning?

Check out these popular “Klippy Klips” by RV Designer and are available on Amazon.

Create great ambience with an Outland Fire Bowl

We have an Outland fire bowl and we love it. It hooks up to a propane tank and you can easily start and put out your “campfire”.

What we love about the Outland fire bowl:

• how you can easily adjust flame height
• how easily it can be packed around
• you can enjoy a fire without stinking like smoke after
• can usually be used in places where there are fire bans (check local rules)

The one downside is that it isn’t a great source of heat, but if you’re wanting a fire for the ambience or some campfire cooking – without the smokey smell – then check out the Outland fire bow.

Get good Camping Chairs and RV Outdoor Furniture

Having a chance to relax under an awning and enjoy a cool beverage is the highlight of many folks’ camping trip.

If your camping chair looks like the one below then you’ve got a lot of catching up to do!

Zero Gravity Camping Chairs

These Zero Gravity camping chairs by Portal (shown below) can hold up to 350 pounds and can be locked into various adjustable positions.

Take a load off and a relax in comfort. It even has a little drink tray and cup holder.

Click here to see details of this chair on Amazon.

Coleman Folding Camping Chairs

If portability is your main concern then these Coleman camping chairs could be what you’re looking for.

They fold up and slip into a carrying bag.

The little cooler on the side holds 4 cans and keeps them cold so you can enjoy fishing, baseball games, or just a good game of bocce. (Soda though right.) [Check out this article for more fun camping games to play outdoors.]

These Coleman camping chairs may be available at your local retailer, or you can see them on Amazon.

I have a folding camping chair similar to this, but mine isn’t Coleman brand. I can get in and out of it okay, but I realize that people with mobility issues might have some problems getting up from such a low position.

A family member with knee osteoarthritis prefers a “director’s chair” with the solid armrests to help push himself up and out of the chair.

For more information on Camping Chairs click here to see out entire article dedicated to 12 Cool camping chairs.

Folding Outdoor Side Table – a portable RV outdoor furniture idea

Many camping chairs have built-in cup holders and flip-up side tables, but sometimes you still need a place to set down your book, your hot dog or coffee mug.

Thankfully there are portable, lightweight side tables.

The table above made by Trekology is available on Amazon if you want to see more details.

The one downside that I could foresee is that the legs aren’t adjustable to compensate for uneven ground. But if you do most of your camping at dedicated campsites you should be fine.

Indulge in some RV Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

Even if you have a beautiful kitchen in your RV it is still nice to get outside and prepare some meals outdoors.

And if you are in a hot location and want to avoid having to run your A/C then an outdoor kitchen can be a life saver. Instead of heating up food inside the RV you can do it outside.

Here are some RV outdoor kitchen ideas.

#1) Portable Camping Cook Tables

The portable cook table featured above is made by GCI Outdoor. It folds for easy storage during travelling days. And makes a good centerpiece for your RV outdoor kitchen.

The center aluminum shelf is 24″ X 16″ and will fit most cooking stoves and grills.

I love the look of the four fold-out tables. Looks like there would be lots of room to prepare a small meal. The wine glass holder and drink cups might catch a few eyes too!

Click here if you want to see more details on Amazon.

Do you often camp on uneven, rocky ground? Then you may want to check out Eureka Camping. They have a Camp Kitchen model with adjustable feet to provide a stable surface even on non-level ground.

#2) Portable Barbecue Grills

We have a Weber Q-series Barbecue that we have set up on our deck at home. It is large enough to make most meals, but it is also portable for picnics or camping trips.

Ours is hooked up to a large propane tank with an extension hose, but you can also use smaller fuel bottles with it.

The model I have has a 21″ wide footprint, so it would fit on the portable table featured above.

The only complaint I’ve had with out Weber Q-series is the electronic igniter. It has given us trouble, so we usually use a BBQ lighter to get it going, but besides that it is a nice small barbecue that weights about 43 pounds.

The picture below is the Weber Q-series 2200 and it is available on Amazon.

The fold out trays on both sides of the grill are super convenient.

You can put your plate of raw meat or veggies on there: you don’t have to balance the plates on one hand while lifting the lid with the other.

If you are looking at getting a small, portable barbecue for your RV’s outdoor kitchen, you should check out the Weber Q-series.

#3) Blackstone Tabletop Outdoor Griddles

In Facebook RV groups you’ll often see people debating the best outdoor cooking griddle for camping, and more times than not you’ll see the Blackstone tabletop griddle come out on top.

You can get it in a 17-inch version or a 22-inch version. (The 22″ version is shown in the picture above.) Just imagine the tasty breakfasts you’ll be able cook up if you had this in outdoor kitchen.

Define your space with Outdoor Mats for Campers & RV Patio Mats

Rugs may be an after thought for your RV, but a beautiful outdoor rug can help define your RV patio space and provide a welcoming environment. (And they help keep your RV interior a lot cleaner.)

I’m sorry I don’t have a better picture of this rug “in action” but I’m presenting it to show that outdoor patio rugs are more than Astroturf now-a-days.

(If you want to see more pictures of this mat, you can see more on Amazon.

This rug is UV coated to help protect the colors from fading.

And it comes with a carrying bag so you can pack up and get to your next campsite: your next home away from home.

Reversible Outdoor Mat for Campers by EEZ RV Products

This outdoor RV Mat is popular on Amazon and is available in grey or brown and in a variety of different sizes.
If you need to refresh your RV patio, and you need a new camper decorating idea, then you should check out this mat.

Want to see more quality RV mats?

Get some outdoor camping games like ladder toss

Have some fun while camping and get some outdoor camping games like ladder toss to play outside your RV. The set above is available on Amazon. (You should store it out of direct sun because it might damage the plastic poles.)

Check out this article on outdoor camping games for the family.

Ensure safety with Campfire Defender Fire Cover

A good way to enhance your outdoor living space around your RV is to make sure you don’t burn it down! Because warm, dancing campfire flames have enthralled humans for millennia and for many people a campfire “is” camping. But there is also a level of responsibility involved with having a fire.

To help deal with the responsibility of having a campfire there is the Campfire Defender Fire Cover.

The Campfire Defender Fire Cover can be thrown over a fire to either extinguish it, or with venting it can be used to keep embers smoldering overnight.

Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed these simple ways to enhance your RV’s outdoor living space.

No need to settle for a lackluster campsite anymore because with the awning extenders, RV outdoor lights, RV outdoor furniture (chairs and side tables), and outdoor mats for campers that are available now, everyone has a chance to set up an amazing outdoor living area.

There are so many great outside the camper decorating ideas and RV patio ideas….Pinterest is bursting with them!

If you have tried any of these products, or if you have any other suggestions on how to create an amazing outdoor living space for your RV, please comment below.

Check out these other RV posts:

If you want to find some organization ideas for INSIDE your RV check out these posts.

• Camping Chairs (12 Innovative Styles you may not know about)
• 9 Fun Outdoor Camping Games
• RV Cleaning – Tips and Products you’ll want to see

Thank you.