How to Choose the best Motorhome layout for Your Family

Owning a motorhome gives you a great blend of convenience, comfort and opportunity for adventure. If you’ve got a family, the combination of a vehicle to explore in and the comfort of home is really exciting – a great way to enjoy some time together and bond. However, with a vast array of different layouts to choose from, picking the right one can feel a bit overwhelming. The best layout for your specific family depends on various factors, including sleeping arrangements to social space to storage options – and just about everything in between. In this edition of our blog, we’ll take you through the key things which can help you find the ideal layout to suit you on the road lifestyle.

Before you start browsing potential motorhomes to buy, it’s crucial to take time to think about your family’s unique needs. Understanding how your family lives, sleeps and spends time together means you’ll be able to quickly narrow down your options.

• How many people will be travelling: For families of four, prioritising space and comfort is smart – firstly by making sure there are enough beds for everyone who’s travelling. Motorhomes designed for three or four people often offer flexible sleeping options, including convertible lounge space or even overcab beds. Families of more than four will need to look at motorhomes of five berths upwards to make sure that everyone has a designated sleeping area.
• What’s your routine on the road: If you plan on cooking meals while you’re on the road, a layout which includes a kitchen with plenty of counter space and storage will be essential. Also think about the family’s morning and evening routines in terms of how often you’ll need to use the bathroom, and whether a larger shower area would be beneficial.
• How long are your trips: Think about the type of trips you’ll be taking, as that will influence how much storage, sleeping and living space you need. If you’re into weekend getaways, a smaller motorhome with minimal amenities might be more than sufficient for your family. However, if your road trips are longer breaks, having more space, comfort and amenities becomes more important. A motorhome with a large lounge area, comfortable seating, and a functional kitchen will make your experience more enjoyable. End lounge or L-shaped seating layouts are great choices for families who enjoy spending time inside the vehicle.

For more information on affordable and spacious options, you can explore 2-berth motorhomes, 3-4-berth motorhomes, or even 5+ berth motorhomes for sale.

Motorhomes come in a variety of layouts, each with different strengths and features.

End lounge

The end lounge motorhome layout features a spacious lounge area located at the rear, often including panoramic windows which give excellent views of wherever beautiful that you park up. The layout allows for a more open social area and are well suited to families who enjoy spending time together indoors. The large lounge area can be transformed into additional sleeping space.

• Pros: A spacious lounge area for socialising and relaxing, additional sleeping arrangements (such as a fold-out bed or convertible dinette), and great for families who like to unwind indoors and spend time together.
• Cons: Might not be ideal for families which need separate sleeping spaces, and limited storage compared to layouts with fixed beds.

Fixed bed

Families after comfort and convenience could be well-served by fixed bed layouts, which don’t need conversion each night. These layouts usually include a rear bedroom or a permanent bed over the cab, so they’re much easier for parents who have children to settle down at night. Fixed bed layouts are particularly advantageous for families planning on staying in the motorhome for long periods or who want to avoid the hassle of setting up beds every evening, and then taking them down every morning.

• Pros: Permanent beds are comfortable and convenient, there is less effort required to set up sleeping areas each night, and the layout is suitable for longer trips or for families who travel frequently.
• Cons: Fixed beds can reduce the overall available living space, and families with young children may find that the layout doesn’t provide enough flexibility.

Convertible lounge

This type of motorhome layout is perfect for families which require flexible sleeping arrangements. The lounge area can be converted into a bed at night, providing an easy answer for families with multiple children. This type of layout works well in smaller motorhomes, without compromising too much on comfort.

• Pros: Great for families needing flexible sleeping arrangements, space-saving in smaller motorhomes, and usually more affordable than layouts with fixed beds.
• Cons: May require more effort to set up sleeping areas, and limited space for large families or extended trips.

Bunk beds

Bunk beds are a fantastic solution for families with younger children, as they use some of the motorhome’s available vertical space rather than floorspace. A motorhome with bunk beds typically includes a separate sleeping area for the kids, so they have their own space and parents get privacy in the main bedroom area. This type of layout often also includes additional storage for toys, clothes and other belongings.

• Pros: Separate sleeping areas for children and adults, ideal for families with young children who need a dedicated space, and often including extra storage solutions.
• Cons: May not be suitable for families with older children or teenagers, and the bunk beds can take up significant space in the motorhome.

Overcab bed

The overhead cab bed layout allows for an additional bed positioned above the driver and passenger seats, which can be used by children or guests. Overcab beds are often accessed via a ladder, and they provide a cosy sleeping space without taking up any additional floor space.

• Pros: Maximises internal space by using the area above the cab, suitable for children or guests and great for families looking to save space.
• Cons: May not be ideal for adults who need more headroom, and children will probably need help getting in and out of the bed.

There are other things to think about when you’re trying to find the perfect motorhome for your family.

Privacy: Families which include older children or multiple generations might value privacy more than families with much younger children. Think about motorhomes that offer separate bedrooms or dedicated sleeping areas, so you can make sure that everyone has some personal space available.

Storage: This is a key consideration for any motorhome, especially for families which will need to bring along a variety of clothes, toys, kitchen supplies, activities equipment and other essentials. Think about how much storage space you’ll require for the duration of your trip, including under-bed storage, overhead storage and exterior storage (ie. garage or boot, for gear such as bicycles, tents or outdoor furniture).

Budget and size: Your budget will play a significant role in the type of motorhome layout you choose. Consider the size of the motorhome, too, as larger vehicles have a more powerful engine, and may be harder to manoeuvre. They also have a higher fuel consumption so will be more expensive to run.

For more information on affordable and spacious options, you can explore 2-berth motorhomes, 3-4-berth motorhomes, or even 5+ berth motorhomes for sale.

Before you make a final choice, it’s a really good idea to test drive and explore different motorhome layouts in person. Test driving is particularly important so that you can assess how the vehicle handles on the road, and whether it’s going to give you a comfortable driving experience for long journeys. Being in the actual physical motorhome space you’ll also get a clearer sense of what will and won’t work for your family in terms of sleeping arrangements, access to storage and practicality of the layout for meeting your day to day living needs.

Picking the right motorhome layout for your family involves balancing practicality, comfort, storage requirements, budget constraints and personal aesthetic preference. Whether you choose a compact 2-berth vehicle or a spacious motorhome with upwards of five berths, you should take your time as well as speak to some experts to get insight and advice. Get in touch with us at Go European to find out more!