My Latest Van Life Gadgets and Organizing Tips

Dee | Lady Bugout
by Dee | Lady Bugout

It's been quite a while since I've done a full-on gadgets video, so if you love those as much as I do, you're in for a big treat! Today, I’m sharing items that have helped me stay organized in van life.


Some of these aren’t necessarily gadgets, but they’ve become essential in helping me streamline my small living space. Since van life requires a lot of creative solutions, organizing has always been a challenge that I enjoy. In another life, I think I’d be a professional organizer because I just love having everything in its place!


With that in mind, I’m excited to show you my newest organizing finds for 2024. Whether you’re in a van or just trying to keep your space tidy, I hope these inspire you to think outside the box and get more creative with storage.

1. Clever Visor Organization

Let’s start up front! I was looking for ways to organize my visors and came across these super handy tissue holders.

They zip open so you can refill the tissues easily, and they hook securely onto the visor. When I’m driving, they stay out of the way, but when I need them, I can just flip the visor down and grab a tissue.

Plus, because it’s a zippered pouch, I realized I could store something flat behind the tissues for extra hidden storage. It’s a great little multi-tasker!

Along the same lines, I found these nifty magnetic clips that also attach to the visor.

I use them for my prescription glasses and sunglasses, but they’re perfect for holding anything else you want to keep within reach.

The magnetic design makes them super easy to use—just snap your glasses in, and they’re neatly stored and ready to go.

2. Solving Audio Problems

Now onto a gadget that’s been a game-changer for me: a Bluetooth speaker!

My van’s old radio wasn’t working well, especially after I removed some of the built-in speakers. For a while, I was just listening to music from my phone, but that doesn’t cut it when it’s windy or noisy outside.

This little speaker connects via Bluetooth, letting me blast my favorite Spotify or Apple Music playlists while I’m driving. It’s affordable and significantly improves my listening experience in the van.

3. Handy Seat Pocket Organizers

I’ve always wanted to make better use of the cab area, and I finally found seat organizers that I love. These organizers strap around the headrests and the bottom of the seat with elastic bands, and they have several pockets, including mesh ones and a zippered one.

On the passenger side, where I hang out the most, I keep my phone chargers, flashlights, and little essentials like toothpicks and ChapStick. There’s even a spot for my phone, making it easy to grab when I need it.

The organizer comes as a pair, so I have another one on the driver’s side for extra storage when I’m driving.

4. Compact Cord Storage Solution

Here’s another great gadget: a device that plugs into my 12-volt slot and organizes my cords.

It has a display that shows the current voltage, and it comes with ports for USB-C and PD charging, as well as two extra ports.

The cords snap back into place when you’re done using them, keeping everything neat and tidy.

5. A New Ottoman Setup

I had an unfortunate incident where I sat on my ottoman wrong, and the lid broke. It still worked, but I realized it was time for a change.

So, I upgraded to a longer ottoman that’s split into two compartments. Now, I can store my bathroom supplies in one section and my dry goods in the other.

I also moved my trash bin inside the ottoman to save space. This new setup works even better for seating, and the extra storage has been a huge help.

6. More Stylish and Functional Storage

For the back of my van, I’ve upgraded some of my old mesh pockets to felt storage pockets. The soft felt material keeps things looking neat while staying functional.


I use these pockets for little items like biodegradable bags, hand sanitizer, and wipes.

The felt is soft enough that it won’t be uncomfortable for anyone sitting against it, and I like how it blends in with my van’s interior.

7. A Magnetic Trash Bag

Another cool find is this magnetic trash bag that I’ve attached to the door. It’s designed for vehicles, so it’s waterproof and easy to secure in place.

I like that it’s big enough to hold a decent amount of trash but still compact enough to stay out of the way.

Plus, the sleek design adds a clean, modern touch to my space.

8. Finding Hidden Storage

I’ve been on a roll with finding new ways to organize, and I couldn’t stop there! I found another smaller trash bag for the front area of the van.

I’m thinking of using it to store bamboo towels or wet wipes for easy access.

Like the larger trash bag, it hooks onto the plastic trim of the vehicle, making it a super handy addition without taking up floor space.

Never Enough Storage!

Just when I thought I was out of storage ideas, I found even more solutions!

Each new gadget I discover helps me stay organized in ways I didn’t think possible. For anyone living in a small space, the key is to keep finding clever tools to organize and maximize every inch of your space.

Final Thoughts

My hope is that this inspires you to think outside the box when organizing your own space. Everything I’ve used was found in the car or vehicle department, but I’ve repurposed them to fit my van life.


If you have any fun gadgets or organizing ideas, I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below, and as always, thanks for watching! See you in the next video.


For details of some of the products featured, check out the video description box here.

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