Spring is upon us, along with the school holidays, and that means camping and caravanning will kick off again with gusto.
The Block’s Kara Demmrich has sahred some creative tips on how singles, couples and families alike can turn a tiny space into home. With outdoor holidays more prevalent than ever and many Aussies switching to the minimalist caravan lifestyle, there has never been a better time to “unpack” how you can turn that tiny space into a liveable and homely atmosphere – including household gadgets that will simplify the journey and ensure it’s a relaxing time for all.
Along with her savvy styling hacks and inventive space maximising ideas, Kara relies on long-lasting batteries when on the road, for basic needs and especially when it comes to keeping the kids entertained.
Here’s how to maximise your space and how to make your caravan feel like home:
Bring your home comforts
Love a barista made coffee as soon as you wake up? Bring a coffee percolator to set on the fire pit and a battery-operated milk frother, just because you’re away from your favourite coffee shop doesn’t mean you have to miss out on good coffee! Also, things like bringing your favourite mug, plates or cooking pan are often overlooked but are so important when on the road or camping for a few weeks at a time.
Pack your comfiest bedding and a few good towels
Caravan beds aren’t always the most accommodating for a good night’s sleep, so jazz them up with the sheets and pillows you love at home. Fleece sheets are great for warming up on cold nights. Also, as well as packing beach towels, include another nice towel for showering. Whilst campsite shower blocks are often the furthest thing from luxury, having a large, quality towel to dry off after makes a big difference. And don’t worry about getting things dirty – you’ll be able to wash when you get home!
Simply adjustments for everyday convenience
In a small space, adding sticky hooks to the walls is perfect for de-cluttering and having a spot to hang keys, jackets, hats and bags. A doormat at the front entrance stops sand and dirt being tracked throughout, and an outdoor umbrella or awning is ideal for creating a shaded area directly in front, protecting you from sun or rain, as well as giving you a nice outdoor area for seating.
Don’t forget your AA and AAA batteries and charge your battery packs, as you won’t always have access to electricity on the road
The top situations leading to low battery anxiety in Aussies is forgetting to bring extra batteries/chargers/power banks for electronic devices when travelling (23%) according to the Energizer Battery Report, so have a good stash on hand! With torches, headtorches, lanterns and so many great kitchen and toiletry items (and let’s not forget kids’ toys) requiring batteries, choosing quality batteries that go the distance is so important. Our family chooses Energizer MAX™ AA and AAA batteries, as they’re up to 100% longer lasting and EnergizerMAX PLUS™ AA and AAA batteries as they’re up to 200% longer lasting, meaning we rarely need to change them.
Whilst heading out into the great outdoors means lots of activities to entertain the kids – do yourself a favour and pack the tech as a back-up
Items like a projector for family movie night, battery-operated lightbulbs or lamps for books before bed and walkie talkies which supply endless amount of fun for the kids, all are so worthy to pack or the kids!
