When Kat and her husband Stuart Sobczyk packed up their lives and hit the open road in their campervan with three young kids, they quickly discovered that the key to happy caravan living is organisation.
And not just any organisation—think next-level, everything-in-its-place, nothing-flying-across-the-van-when-you-hit-a-bump kind of organisation.
‘You’re in a small space which has to work efficiently,’ Kat, 41, shared. ‘You need order, and everything has to be stable and stay in place for off-road travel.’
If you’ve ever tried to find a missing sock in a caravan, you’ll know exactly what she means.
But here’s the twist: the Sobczyks made a bold move that’s left many fellow travellers scratching their heads—they ditched drawers altogether. That’s right, not a single drawer in their kitchen.
Instead, they’ve embraced shelves, cupboards, and a collection of clever storage solutions that have made their home on wheels both practical and stylish.
Why no drawers? For Kat and Stuart, it’s all about weight and space. Drawers add unnecessary kilos and, in a caravan, every gram counts.
By swapping out eight drawers for open shelving and modular storage, they’ve created a kitchen that’s lighter, more flexible, and—dare we say—more fun to organise.
Kat’s storage hacks have become so popular that she now shares her tips and tricks with a growing community of caravan enthusiasts on social media.
And while her ideas are perfect for life on the road, they’re just as handy for anyone looking to declutter their home, downsize, or simply make the most of a small kitchen.
The $10 Kmart turntable that changed everything
One of Kat’s favourite finds is the humble $10 Kmart turntable.
This simple spinning tray has revolutionised her pantry, making it easy to access all those little jars and packets that would otherwise get lost at the back of a cupboard.
No more rummaging or accidental double-ups—just a quick spin and you can see everything at a glance.
She’s also a fan of Kmart’s clear storage boxes, which are perfect for grouping similar items together and pulling them out in one go.
‘You can see what you have straight away,’ Kat says, ‘and nothing gets forgotten at the back.’
And for laundry day? The $14 collapsible basket from Kmart is a game-changer. It tucks away neatly when not in use, freeing up precious shelf space for other essentials.
Spice up your life (and your storage)
If you love to cook, you’ll know that herbs and spices can quickly take over a small kitchen.
Kat’s solution? Mounting spice racks on the inside of cupboard doors. She found a set on eBay for about $12, and while they came with adhesive stickers, she quickly learned that screws were a better bet in the heat of the Australian outback.
Paired with stylish labels from Pretty Little Designs, her spice collection looks more like a magazine spread than a caravan cupboard.
Customising for comfort and style
Kat’s approach to storage is refreshingly practical. She recommends heading to Kmart, grabbing anything that looks like it might fit, and returning what doesn’t.
‘It’s too hard to go with 30,000 measurements for all the different spaces,’ she laughs. ‘Get what you think will fit, and if it doesn’t, take it back.’
Some of her biggest hits include Kmart’s shelves and shelving units, which she customises with paint or by trimming them to size.
‘We want things off the benches as space there is a premium,’ she explains. ‘We hook things up for a week to see if they work and then mount them properly.’
Her lounge area features a $13 Kmart shelf and a selection of rattan shelves, all tweaked to suit her family’s needs and style. ‘It’s our home, our space,’ Kat says. ‘It has to look good as well as being practical.’
Learning and adapting on the road
Over the course of three different vans, Kat has refined her approach to storage.
In their first van, she used $14 metal baskets from Bunnings for the kids’ clothes, complete with picture labels so her young children could put things away themselves.
As the kids have grown, she’s swapped out the wire baskets for lighter wicker options from Adairs, always looking for ways to save space and encourage independence.
Not everything comes from Kmart
While Kmart is her go-to for most things, Kat has also discovered some hidden gems from other brands.
Drop Bear Storage, for example, makes handy storage pockets that she attaches around the kids’ beds and on the backs of cupboards.
These pockets are perfect for stashing schoolwork, books, hats, and even sand brushes—because let’s face it, sand gets everywhere when you’re living the caravan life.
Keeping it real
Of course, not every storage hack is a winner. Kat is refreshingly honest about the trial and error involved in caravan living.
‘If it doesn’t work, I’ll post about that too,’ she says. ‘We live and learn and have a laugh. It’s all part of the journey.’
The takeaway: Small changes, big impact
Whether you’re a seasoned caravaner, a downsizer, or just someone looking to bring a little more order to your kitchen, Kat’s approach proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to make a big difference. Sometimes, all it takes is a $10 turntable and a bit of creative thinking.
Have you discovered any clever storage hacks—on the road or at home? Do you swear by a particular Kmart find, or have you come up with your own DIY solution? We’d love to hear your tips and stories in the comments below.
Also read: Caravan driver’s outback ordeal uncovers must-have life-saving item
