Whether adventure awaits your next family getaway, or it’s time to relax with a romantic retreat as a couple, your caravan holiday is guaranteed to hit the spot.
And with your favourite place booked, it’s time to think about the next step — packing.
We know, it’s the last thing you want to think about. As daunting as it can be, packing light can be an important part of your caravan holiday, regardless of whether you’re looking into rental accommodation, or exploring holiday home ownership with static caravans for sale.
Either way, you’ll want to pack the minimum so you can make the most of your caravan space.
With some handy hacks, you can easily pack all you need for your travels, without the hassle.
Here are our top tips for minimalist packing so you can focus on enjoying your trip away, and leave your worries behind.
1. Find the right bag
If you really want to pack like a pro, then you’ll need to start with the foundations, and the bag you’ll be putting everything into.
The right bag can be a gamechanger for your caravan holiday, and save you some of that much-needed space.
With static caravans, it doesn’t really matter if you use a backpack, holdall or wheeled suitcase. What matters is the size.
The simple trick to remember is, the smaller the bag, the lighter you pack. If you don’t have room in your luggage for those extra pieces, more often than not you don’t need to take them with you.
If you own (or are renting) a caravan on the smaller size, than fabric bags or rucksacks are ideal for all the family, as they can be easily tucked away under beds or in the bottom of a cupboard.
2. Pack only one week’s worth of clothing – maximum
The key to packing light is to only bring the exact items of clothing you need for your length of stay.
Staying more than a week? Then still limit to just one week of outfits.
It’s much easier to wash your clothes in a launderette than it is to bring endless amounts of clothes, which take up all your luggage.
When it comes to the clothes to bring, here some more top tips:
- Layers: No need for those bulky coats, it’s all about layering multiple thin layers. These will take up less space, and mean you’re prepared for any kind of weather – which is essential for a UK caravan holiday.
- Shoes: Only take two. Yes, you read that right. You need to only take two pairs of shoes – a pair to wear and a pair to pack. We would recommend some comfy trainers or walking shoes for days out, and something light, like sandals or flip flops, to pack in your bag.
- Easy drying: Don’t bother with fluffy towels, which can be over cumbersome. Stick to microfiber fabrics which can dry easily, and take up much less space.
- Simple: If the range of clothes you pack have a similar colour palette or shade, then it will be easier to mix and match, making more outfits from this capsule wardrobe.
The key is organisation.
Lay out all of your clothes beforehand, and think about what items you need the most.
You’ll always overestimate the amount you need, so try to whittle your holiday clothes to a selection of must-haves.
3. Think what you can do without
When it comes to packing light for your caravan holiday, it’s sometimes not about what goes in your bag, but what you can leave at home.
This boils down to packing versatile items. Want to pack some books, magazines and maps? Why not download these all onto a device? It will certainly save you some space in your luggage.
Depending on the caravan you own or are renting for your getaway, it’s likely you won’t need to bring along laptops, DVD players or other fancy gadgets, as you’ll have all the high-tech amenities you need, right at your fingertips.
Luxury caravans will often come fully equipped with the latest tech, including sound systems, Bluetooth connectivity, and top-end TVs.
So there really is no need to lug everything and the kitchen sink in your bag, as you’ll be more than entertained by what your caravan has to offer.