There is a movement afoot in architectural and interior design circles that looks to merge Japanese and Scandinavian sensibilities. Dubbed “Japandi style,” the goal is to create living spaces that are both tranquil and functional yet also simple and minimalistic. Practitioners of Japandi deftly blend artistic and aesthetic elements from Japan with the comfort and warmth of Scandinavia. The result is an environment that is calming, comforting, and relaxing.
The minimalistic nature of the Japandi style makes it a good fit for use in RVs too. In the video above, we get a taste of what this design trend brings to the table in the form of a custom-built Class B camper van. In this case, the vehicle was built by Jennie and James over at Moonlit Campers, who have a history of creating unique and beautiful campers for their clients.
In this case, the couple created a luxury model built on the Ram ProMaster platform with some charming design elements. Those include a very spacious u-lounge with room for up to seven people. A highly adjustable—and removable—table makes the perfect gathering point for the van’s owners and their guests, with the rear of the vehicle opening to provide expansive views of the landscapes surrounding the campsite. And in an effort to utilize all of the available space, trunk storage is integrated underneath the bench seats.
When not in use, the lounge converts into a full-size bed, but this van is designed to sleep four comfortably. An elevated bunk is located just above the lounge area, lowering and raising automatically with the flip of the switch. Both sleeping areas include USB charging ports, LED lighting, and even climate controls.
The van has a wet bath with a privacy curtain and a pop-up shower with hot running water. It is also equipped with a CompoCloset Cuddy composting toilet, which is compact, lightweight, and completely portable. A 16-gallon gray water tank is mounted under the vehicle to capture shower and sink water for proper disposal.
The Japandi styling can be found throughout the van, thanks to its wooden floors and ceiling, large windows, and minimamlistic design. But it is most prevalent in the kitchen area, where wood countertops and gray-green cabinets create a more natural feel. The kitchen also has a large sink with a residential-style faucet, a single-burner induction stove, and a 12-volt refrigerator/freezer. A spice rack is integrated into the wall, and a water heater hides under the sink.
A Renogy energy system provides power throughout the van, running the vehicle’s lights, charging ports, appliances, and other items. All the lights are connected to dimmer switches, improving efficiency and creating a more ambient interior environment.
This is a just small preview of the wonderful features integrated into this camper van build. To get the full tour, watch the video above. Then head over to the Moonlit Campers website for more information. And for more awesome camper van builds from Jennie and James, check out their YouTube channel.