Vanlife is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you’re gonna get! If you’ve chosen to convert a campervan to live or travel in it and fill your life with freedom and discovery, you probably already know that there are many different ways to adapt your van. From the van kitchen to the bathroom, you’ll need creativity cleverness, and good building material to optimize the space you have. This free plan will help you get started with a DIY van kitchen project. If you’re also looking to build other projects -like a sofa bed or a canopy, for example-, be sure to check out our other free plans!
By the way, you’ll want to read this post until you reach the 4th step: we’re working hard to build the community and giving out promo codes, all you have to do is share some pics of your projects with us!
1. The parts you’ll need
Before you start building your project, make sure you get the following parts from your local merchants or online:
- Surface for the counter, the drawers and the shelves
- Drawer slides:
- Handle or knob for drawers
*Instead of buying and building new drawers, you may have some in your home that are no longer in use and could be given a second life! All you have to do is adjust the measurements accordingly.
And here is the list of tinktube parts to buy:
| Qty. | Part | SKU | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1-1/16" x 92" Jet black steel pipe | PT-92-BK | Buy now |
| 8 | Corner bracket metal | AI-CORNER | Buy now |
| 18 | Pipe clamp metal | AI-SUPPORT | Buy now |
| 4 | Pipe clamp single mount metal | AO-EMT1 | Buy now |
| 8 | Pipe mount start metal | AP-HOLE | Buy now |
| 33 | Plastic Pipe End Cap | AP-ICAP | Buy now |
| 1 | Y pipe rest metal | AS-REST | Buy now |
| 2 | Swivel stopper metal | AS-SWIVEL | Buy now |
| 3 | Tote hook metal | AW-HOOK | Buy now |
| 4 | Plastic Pipe Surface Leveling Shim | AO-SHIM | Buy now |
| 17 | Modular & Structural T Connector | HJ-1 | Buy now |
| 1 | Tee hinge black connector set | HJ-12 | Buy now |
| 13 | Flat Offset Pipe Clamp Black Set | HJ-15 | Buy now |
| 28 | 90 Degree Corner Pipe Connector | HJ-2K | Buy now |
| 6 | Double pipe hinge black connector set | HJ-23 | Buy now |
| 4 | 4 Way Structural Pipe Connector Joint | HJ-3 | Buy now |
| 8 | 3 way cross black connector set | HJ-4 | Buy now |
| 1 | 1" Screw for surfaces zinc-box of 100 | FA-SF81 | Buy now |
| 1 | 1/2" Screw for accessories zinc-box of 100 | FA-S81/2 | Buy now |
2. The cut list
To make your life easier, here’s the cut list to create this van kitchen! This is where you’ll need a T-cutter, if you don’t already have one. And remember: everything is adjustable, so customize it however you need!
Click on the images to enlarge them if necessary
| Pipe | Qty. | Length (inches) | Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3 | 37 5/16 in | 94,77 cm |
| B | 2 | 35 15/16 in | 91,28 cm |
| C | 1 | 31 15/16 in | 81,12 cm |
| D | 6 | 22 11/16 in | 57,63 cm |
| E | 2 | 21 1/2 in | 54,61 cm |
| F | 2 | 21 5/16 in | 54,13 cm |
| G | 1 | 20 3/8 in | 51,75 cm |
| H | 10 | 19 15/16 in | 50,64 cm |
| I | 2 | 18 1/2 in | 46,99 cm |
| J | 1 | 14 9/16 in | 36,99 cm |
| K | 1 | 14 3/16 in | 36,04 cm |
| L | 7 | 11 7/8 in | 30,16 cm |
| M | 2 | 11 3/4 in | 29,85 cm |
| N | 2 | 11 11/16 in | 29,69 cm |
| O | 5 | 11 9/16 in | 29,37 cm |
| P | 2 | 10 13/16 in | 27,46 cm |
| Q | 1 | 8 13/16 in | 22,38 cm |
| R | 2 | 8 11/16 in | 22,07 cm |
| S | 1 | 7 in | 17,78 cm |
| T | 1 | 6 15/16 in | 17,62 cm |
| U | 3 | 5 5/8 in | 14,29 cm |
| V | 3 | 5 in | 12,70 cm |
| W | 4 | 4 15/16 in | 12,54 cm |
| X | 2 | 3 13/16 in | 9,68 cm |
| Y | 6 | 2 3/8 in | 6,03 cm |
| Z | 2 | 2 1/8 in | 5,40 cm |
3. The build (the fun part)
Now that all the pipes are cut and you’ve gathered all the connectors, you’re ready to start building your DIY van kitchen!
First, you’ll build the structure. After that, you’ll get to choose the surfaces you want to add to your van kitchen. You’ll find great surface options at your local hardware store like Home Depot or Ace!First, you’ll build the structure. After that, you’ll get to choose the surfaces you want to add to your DIY sofa bed, and the cushions too. You’ll find great surface options at your local hardware store like Home Depot or Ace, and cushions at IKEA!
The tinktube joint sets are assembled with bolts that require one of the following tools -you might already have this at home-:The tinktube joint sets are assembled with bolts that require one of the following tools -you might already have this at home-:
| Tool name | Number | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Hex drill bit set (x5) | T-BIT | Buy now |
| T handle wrench | T-HANDLE | Buy now |
4. You’re ready to travel and cook!
Now, get a good GPS or a map and hit the road!
Plates, cutlery and kitchen equipment ready? You can now hit the road and cook yourself and your loved ones some tasty meals! If you decide to build this project, we’d be absolutely thrilled to see some pictures! Please send us your pics at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to send you a 10% OFF promo code to thank you! This free plan includes all the instructions you need to build your project or adapt it however you want. You can then buy all the parts online, including the few tools you’ll need to cut the pipes and assemble the fittings. Let the fun begin!
Do you have a van conversion project in mind?
To help vanlifers in their van conversion ventures, we’ve prepared a guide where you’ll find useful information on all things van-related!
