There are so many caravan layouts to choose from these days, with two berths, four berths, six berths, ensuites, lounges and dinette options. Choosing the best caravan layout is about making the most of the space you have, taking into account both comfort and functionality. Whether you are a family, a couple or solo travelling, it is essential to have the right caravan layout to suit your needs. To help you make an informed decision on the best caravan layout, we explain why layout is important, what needs to be considered and guide you through the various configurations to choose the best caravan layout.

The Most Popular Caravan Layouts

The most popular caravan layouts will depend on the amount of people in the caravan, travel habits and personal preferences. With a plethora of options from the number of berths, to the type of lounge and location of kitchen, the most popular layout will be the one that fits best with your individual requirements. We have categorised the most popular caravan layouts into the three main types – caravans for families, couples and solo travellers.

Best Family Caravan Layout

Family caravans need to accommodate the needs of each member of the family, while providing space for socialising, dining, and comfortable sleeping. Because there are more people to accommodate than a couples or solo caravan, family caravans tend to be on the longer side between 18ft (5.49m) and 26ft (7.92m).

The best family caravan layout usually entails a bedroom at one end for the parents, central kitchen and dinette, and bedroom with bunks for the children at the other end. Often the bathroom will be adjacent to the bunks and a tall wardrobe between the bunks and the bathroom. Depending on the number of family members, caravan layouts can include anything from two, four and six berths. The lounge can be Club lounge or L-shaped and is often at the front of the caravan with a kitchen and appliances at the centre.

A popular layout for a family caravan is from The Highclere Family Range which consists of 18’ (5.49m) shower models through to 24’ (7.32m) vans with three or four bunks and a slide out club lounge. The family range also has a four bunk version with a queen bed and ensuite. The main bedroom is at the front of the caravan, living and dining room central, ensuite and L-shaped bunks at the other end. This layout is ideal for big families with three or more children.

Highclere Bunk Royal

The Viscount V3 Family Caravan is another popular layout for its space and large kitchen. It is fitted out with two or three bunks at the rear, en suite, central kitchen and living area, and main bed at the other end. This layout is ideal for medium sized families or those with young children.

Viscount V3 with two bunks layout

A further option is the X series (Family) with a range that offers several layouts. It can either be built in a caravan or pop top and is specifically designed for the camper trailer market. The Xseries Range has pop top, pods and toy haulers available with 2 or 3 bunks & combination shower toilet or full ensuite.

X Series Surge Family Pod

X Series Warrior

Best Couples Caravan Layout

With only two people to accommodate, a caravan for a couple can afford to be smaller than a family van, although you must make sure there is enough space for you to cohabitate comfortably. While you could choose a small size caravan, if you are going on an extended trip, a medium size, from 15ft (4.57m) to 20 ft (6.1m) would be more comfortable. The ideal caravan layout for a couple can include a variety of bed types. However, the most popular is a fixed double bed which offers comfort and convenience as a permanent fixture. The bed can be a central bed with room either side to get out, or a French bed layout where the double bed is fixed in the corner with only one side access. This does allow more living space, however. The most commonly sought after layout for a couple is lounge at one end, spacious kitchen and dining in the centre, and main bedroom with ensuite and wardrobe at the far end.

The Highclere Little Villa range are popular caravan choices for couples. This range is typically 19’6 to 20’6 in size. Both have ensuites, forward and rear doors. Both have the main bed at the front with wardrobes, central kitchen, dining and lounge area, ensuite and linen press at the other end.

Highclere Little Villa

Highclere Sanctuary

Best Solo Caravan Layout

The best caravan layout for travelling solo will be on a smaller scale. These caravans have the features of a larger van but on the more compact side. A small caravan will measure from 10ft (3.3m) to 18ft (5.49m) and will be easier to tow and manoeuvre. Sometimes referred to as micro caravans,the most popular layouts have a bed at one side of the van. Most small or micro caravans will have single or queen bed options. From the centre to the other side will be the lounge, dinette, kitchen and ensuite. Because they are smaller, there is usually less kitchen benchtop and only room for a small fridge.

The Dreamseeker Summit range has a variety of layouts available in a pop top or caravan, and range from 14’ to 17’ in length. The shower and toilet are quite large areas although they are combined. Most of these models have single or queen sized beds.

Dreamseeker Summit

Best Adventure Caravan Layout

The best adventure caravan layout is the Dreamseeker Tomcat Toy Hauler which is perfect for the ultimate outdoor lifestyle with a touch of luxury indoors. After a day of adventures, you will come home to a two zoned living space, tv points, full ensuite, a granite kitchen, three fold up bunks and an entertainment unit. Externally this caravan runs on coil suspension with a 6” chassis and extended A-frame to suit a wide range of toolboxes available. The caravan is free camping ready with a 100L grey water tank, 2x95L water tanks, a PM300 battery charger to run the lithium battery and solar system.

Dreamseeker F 14 Tomcat

How To Choose The Best Caravan Layout

There are multiple caravan layouts to choose from and all have pros and cons. When deciding on the best caravan layout, it is important to take into account two things – personal considerations and practical needs.

Personal Considerations

Personal considerations are the first thing to think about when looking for the best caravan layout to suit your needs. The size and layout of the caravan will depend on considerations like the number of travellers, age, disabilities, and time away. Let’s examine personal considerations here.

• Number of people. The number of people who will be travelling will dictate the number of beds needed which then has a big impact on caravan layout. If you are travelling with a family, you will need a medium to large sized caravan with bunk or single beds as well as a main bed. If you are a solo traveller, one berth will suffice and the van will not need to be as large. Most caravans have layouts with between two and six beds which can be either fixed or convertible. There is usually a main double or queen sized bed at one end and bunk or single beds at the other. Some caravans have beds that fold up and can be converted to dining and living zones.
• Accessibility and ease of use. If any travellers have accessibility issues, this must be considered when choosing a caravan layout. Wheelchair accessible caravans need an increased interior size to be able to manoeuvre a wheelchair around. They need fewer obstacles and practical modifications like ramps and lifts.
• Caravan usage. How you plan to use the caravan needs to be considered when finding the right layout. If you are only going on a short trip, it will not matter as much to have a large space for all travellers to feel comfortable in. You may not need to include all the creature comforts like an ensuite if you are only going away for a weekend or going to a caravan park, for example. If you are planning on an extended trip or even living in your caravan, you will need to think carefully about your priorities and creature comforts. A layout for living in a caravan or a long holiday may require more living space, a well equipped kitchen and bathroom facilities. You will want to consider more storage and bench space to allow you to live comfortably in your caravan.
• Car towing ability. It is important to know your car’s towing ability which is the maximum weight your vehicle can tow. Towing ability will directly impact the size caravan you choose and, as such, the layout. For instance, if you have a small to medium vehicle you will not be able to choose a caravan layout with 6 berths as it would be too large and heavy for your vehicle to safely tow.
• Will you be cooking? The amount of cooking you plant to do will dedicate the size and style of kitchen you need. If you don’t plan on preparing meals, a compact kitchen will be ideal. However, if cooking is a priority you will most likely need to look at a larger kitchen with more benchtops and appliances in your caravan layout.

Practical Considerations

After thinking about personal details like the number of beds you need or car towing capability, you will have a good understanding of the size and style of the caravan that will suit you best. The next step is to examine the layout more closely to take into account practical considerations like bed layout or living and dining style. Let’s look at some practical considerations here.

• Space ratio. It is important to think about the space ratio when looking at caravan layouts. This means considering the ratio of living space to other areas. The living space is important but so are other areas like the bedrooms and bathrooms. Keep in mind the amount of time you will be spending in each space. If you intend on using the indoor living space extensively, consider sacrificing bedroom space in return for a larger living area. Alternatively, if you prefer a spacious lounge you can always add extra room by having a convertible bed that folds up.
• Bed layout. There are so many choices when it comes to bed layout for caravans. Consider if you would prefer a fixed bed or not. Some people see it as an essential for comfortable caravan living, while others prefer the flexibility of the potential to convert to a lounge or dinette. Two fixed single beds are also another popular option for couples or children who do not like bunks. Fixed bunk beds are the most popular, however. They are always at one end of the caravan and usually opposite the bathroom. These are ideal if you have young children who need a nap during the day.

North South Double

Family Bunk

Single beds

• Kitchen layout. The majority of layouts have kitchens in the middle of the caravan. This is because the kitchen is the heaviest part of the caravan and being located centrally helps with towing safety. In small caravans, occasionally the kitchen may be at one end. However, this has become less common since many small caravans now also include bathrooms.
• Dinette Layout. The dinette is the eating area in a caravan and can be cafe style, L-shaped or U-shaped depending on the space available and caravan style. Dinettes can be located at the front of the caravan, centre to the side, or you can have double dinettes at both ends of the van. If the layout features two dinettes at each end of the caravan, they usually convert back to a double bed and bunk beds.
• Ensuite or bathroom layout. Usually the ensuite or bathroom will be located at the end of the caravan in the rear corner of the caravan. Some caravans have the ensuite in the centre of the caravan’s layout. Bathrooms at the end of the caravan do tend to offer more privacy and have more room for a separate shower. Some bathrooms have space saving features like a combined shower and toilet.

Choosing the right caravan layout is a great place to start when buying a caravan. The right layout will be the one that meets your personal and practical preferences. It will ensure life on the road has some creature comforts, and help you get the most out of your caravanning adventures. Follow our detailed guide to discover the best caravan layout for your needs or contact the experts in caravan layouts at Canterbury Caravans for more information.