RV Renovations: Creating an Accent Wall in Our RV with the REVIVE Wallboard Kit
REVIVE by Genesis Products has come out with some incredible products to help with a task many RVers want to tackle: updating and personalizing their RV!
RV accent wall
We got the chance to meet some representatives from the company and see samples in person at an RV event and fell in love with the products.
They carry a variety of RV renovation products, including:
Wallboard kits to transform walls
Cabinet kits to refresh cabinets
Backsplash boards
Residential-grade hardware collections in 4 different finishes.
Our Renovation: A Wallboard Kit For An RV Accent Wall
We were so excited to get the opportunity to try out the wallboard kit for ourselves recently!
We have a 2016 Coachman Chaparral which we renovated back in 2018, and I’m always getting ideas of new ways to refresh it and keep things interesting and updated.
We originally painted all our walls white, and while it did brighten up our space, it was messy and our imperfect walls didn’t look great after painting.
I wish these wallboard kits were around back when we did our initial renovation!
The Before
I had been wanting to try an accent wall in the back of our RV as I knew it would provide contrast with the other white walls and would create a more moody space in the back of our RV. I thought about paining, but really wanted a pattern as well, so the textured Charcoal Diamond pattern that REVIVE offers was perfect.
We store a lot of things behind the recliners that sit in front of this wall, and are constantly pulling things out that we need, marking up the white wall. It had become quite the eye sore, so I knew it was the perfect space to bring some darker color into and refresh with a new covering.
Our REVIVE Kit
REVIVE offers 50’ and 100’ roll options. We have a ton leftover since we only did a small accent wall, so you could even split a roll with a friend if you decide only to do a small space.
The kit came with:
The 24” roll of wall covering
A smaller 1.5” roll for seams
3" putty knife to use in installation
Spray bottle
Microfiber towel.
You’ll also need:
Sandpaper 220 grit (only if your walls have rough spots you need to smooth out)
Utility knife for cutting around outlets/windows/lights
Screwdriver for removing light fixtures and outlets
Steps For Installation
We found the installation instructions pretty easy to follow. They have a PDF with step by step instructions, as well as an install video that walks you through the steps. After watching the video a few times before and during installation, we found the process pretty easy! Here was our process.
Prep Your Space
1. Move furniture and obstacles away from project area.
2. Carefully remove any wall hangings, treatments, light fixtures, and outlet covers.
3. Using your 220 grit sandpaper, smooth out any bumps on your RV walls. Lightly sand over the entire project area for better adhesion.
4. With warm water, wipe down all surfaces to remove any dirt or grease using the provided microfiber towel. Use a mild soap if needed. * Make sure your soap does not contain any citrus or oils.
Apply Film
1. Before applying film, use the spray bottle to lightly mist the wall with water, allowing for easy repositioning and film adjustments.
2. Using your 24" roll of film, peel back the release liner approximately 12" and place it in the top corner of the wall, applying vertically.
3. Use the putty knife to smooth out the film, working from the center and pressing out to the edges.
4. Continue slowly peeling the release liner back, working in small sections until the area is covered.
Trim To Fit
1. Use a sharp utility knife to carefully trim excess film near corners, window frames and trim.
2. When you get near light fixtures, outlets, and light switches, use utility knife to make necessary cuts.
3. To begin the next section, repeat the process above, paying close attention to the film’s pattern.
By starting each section in a different area of the film, you will minimize the chance of developing a repetitive pattern.
If needed, add seam tape
As a final step the company recommends covering the seams with the included roll of 1.5" seam tape. We skipped this step, as we couldn’t even really see the seams! Once you’re done, put furniture, frames and window treatments back in place and VOILA- you have a transformed space!
They encourage you to email them if you have any questions at ReviveKit@genesisproductsinc.com. Their team has been great to work with and are super responsive.
Summary: This was a fun project that really gave the back wall of our RV a new look that I absolutely love. I’m hoping to try out the backsplash board next to give our kitchen a refresh! Check out the large list of retailers that carry REVIVE products and let us know what your first project will be in the comments below!