We’ve already talked in another blog about the pros and cons of different shower setups. This article is going to skip the debating stage and get straight to the practical side: how to actually install a bathroom in your campervan. Whether you’re aiming for a tiny cubicle with just a loo, or you want the full shower-and-sink deal, the principles are much the same. Planning and sequencing matter, and getting it wrong is one of those things you’ll end up regretting down the line.
Deciding on Your Layout
Before you start cutting plywood or buying fittings, figure out exactly how much space you’re willing to give up. Bathrooms eat into living areas quickly, and once walls are up you won’t be shifting them around without major hassle. Sketch it out. Mark where your toilet, shower tray, and sink might go. Think about where your fresh and waste tanks will live, and where you’ll run your venting pipes. A common mistake here is ignoring headroom. You might be fine standing in the middle of the van, but step into a raised shower tray under a roof rib and suddenly you’re crouching to wash your hair.
Toilet Choices
Toilets deserve a whole article of their own, and we’ve already written one that dives into the pros and cons of each option. You can check out that article here. For now, the main thing to keep in mind during installation is how the toilet connects to the rest of your system. Some need external access doors, some need venting pipes, and others are stand-alone units that don’t tie into the plumbing at all. Get this decision nailed before you commit to your layout.
Hot Water
Again, we’ve covered hot water systems in more detail in another guide, but to summarise, diesel and gas boilers are common in van builds because they’re efficient and reliable, while electric heaters only make sense if you have a seriously powerful electrical system. Some people skip hot water altogether and keep things simple, but if you want a shower, you’ll need to decide which route makes the most sense for your build.
Water Capacity and Storage
We’ve gone into water capacity in more detail here, and we’ve discussed external water tanks in detail here, but water storage deserves another mention. Showers drink water at an alarming rate. Even a quick two-minute rinse can burn through ten litres. If you’re building a shower, make sure your fresh tank is sized for how you’ll actually use it. A 25-litre tank sounds big until two people shower back-to-back and you’re left with nothing for washing up. The waste tank needs to match that too.
Shower Head and Pumps
When planning your bathroom, don’t overlook the shower head and pump, the right combo makes all the difference to water use and comfort, and we’ve gone into this in more detail in another blog.
Sinks, Taps, and Cabinets
When you’re planning a bathroom, it’s easy to get carried away with the big stuff (toilet, hot water, tanks), but the little decisions make just as much difference to how usable the space feels.
One of the first questions is whether you even need a separate sink and taps in your bathroom. If you’ve already got a perfectly good sink in the kitchen area, adding another can feel like wasted space and plumbing effort. On the flip side, a dedicated bathroom sink means you’re not brushing your teeth while leaning over a pile of dirty dishes.
Cabinets are another tricky one. Storage in a van is precious, and a bathroom cabinet can be handy for toiletries and cleaning products. The trade-off is space. Those extra shelves can make a small cubicle feel even more cramped. Some people skip built-in bathroom storage altogether and keep their wash-bags in overhead lockers or drawers elsewhere in the van.
Bathroom Kits
Finally, you’ll need to decide whether to buy everything as a complete kit or piece it together yourself. A kit takes out the guesswork and guarantees that the toilet, pump, shower head, shower tray, cabinet, sink, and even the external door all fit together. For example, we’ve got several full Campervan Bathroom Kits on our site that bundles everything you need into one package. Going the kit route can save a lot of time and head-scratching. On the other hand, if you’ve got specific ideas, like a compost toilet, or a different style of basin, then buying individual components gives you more flexibility.
Check out our toilets, shower trays, bathroom sinks, bathroom cabinets, bathroom taps, showers & mixers, service hatches, and drains here.
Note: This bathroom kit does not come with the enclosure. Normally, the enclosure is bespoke fit using plywood panels and bathroom wall panelling.
Safety
Bathrooms in vans combine three things that don’t always play nicely together: water, electricity, and gas. Keep these systems separate wherever possible. If you’re fitting a water heater, pay attention to ventilation and always use the proper flues. Electrical pumps and lights in wet areas need to be protected with RCDs and fuses, and you should never skimp on sealant around fixtures.
Another big one is weight. Water tanks full of liquid are heavy, and if they’re not secured properly, they can shift while driving. Always bolt or strap them down.
Order of Installation
Ok, so you’ve chosen all your appliances and now you need to build your bathroom enclosure to install them. A bathroom install doesn’t stand alone, it fits into the bigger picture of your van build. If you put up cladding or insulation too early, you’ll end up pulling it all back out just to squeeze in plumbing or wiring.
Here’s how it usually makes sense in the overall order of works:
- Initial planning stage – Decide on the layout of your bathroom before you insulate. This means marking out walls, where tanks will sit, and where pipes or vents need to exit. Even if you don’t build it yet, you need the plan locked in.
- Run services before insulation – Any plumbing or wiring that will pass behind your insulation or ply lining should go in first. This includes hot and cold water lines, waste pipe exits, and cables for lights, pumps, or fans. Think of it as threading the skeleton through the van before the skin goes on.
- Insulate and line the van – Once the hidden plumbing and wiring are in place, you can add insulation and ply lining without fear of ripping it out later.
- Frame the bathroom space – Build the stud walls or partitions so you know the exact footprint you’re working with.
- Install tanks and anchor points – Secure your fresh and grey water tanks (both internal and underslung, if you’re using them). Fit the shower tray and toilet base next — these anchor everything else.
- Waterproofing and walls – Line the bathroom with waterproof panels, seal all joints and corners, and double-check for leaks.
- Fixtures and fittings – Add the toilet, sink, taps, cabinets, and shower hardware.
- Ventilation and finishing touches – Fit fans, windows, and trims, making sure damp air has somewhere to escape.
By tackling it in this order, you avoid the two most common headaches: cutting into freshly lined walls to run pipes, and discovering your tanks or drains have no room to fit because insulation is already boxed in.
Common Mistakes People Make
- Forgetting ventilation: Steam builds up fast, and without a vent or fan, mould will become your new best friend.
- Overcomplicating the plumbing: Simple systems last longer. Stick to straightforward runs of pipe, fewer joints, and accessible fittings.
- Not planning tank access: You’ll need to clean, drain, and sometimes replace tanks. Don’t box them in permanently.
- Rushing waterproofing: Cutting corners on sealing shower trays or wall panels guarantees leaks down the line.
Managing Condensation and Damp
Bathrooms are naturally the dampest part of a van, so managing moisture is critical. Steam from a shower will spread quickly into the rest of your living space if it doesn’t have somewhere to go. A roof vent with a fan is ideal, but even a small window makes a big difference. Using waterproof wall panels and sealing every joint is equally important. Don’t forget the floor! One tiny gap around a shower tray can lead to hidden rot in the plywood beneath.
If you’re using a heater that burns fuel, make sure it’s properly vented to the outside. Not only does this prevent dampness, but it also keeps you safe from carbon monoxide.
Bathroom Installation Summary
Installing a bathroom in a campervan isn’t exactly a small job, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming either. Break it down into steps, respect the limits of your van’s water capacity, and don’t skimp on waterproofing or safety. If you want to dig deeper into the types of bathroom setups and which one might suit you best, check out our other blog where we cover the pros and cons of each design.
