Guide to motorhome bus layouts

So, you’re thinking about buying or converting a bus. Good choice! Buses make for spacious motorhomes. But have you decided on a layout?

There’s a tonne to think about when it comes to designing your motorhome bus layout. To make life a little easier for you, we explain the most popular options in Australia for maximising space and comfort on the road.

Making our list of the best motorhome bus layouts is:

1. Fixed rear sideways bed - Most popular layout

2. Fixed rear lengthways bed - Second most popular layout

3. Rear queen bunk beds - Best layout for a family with young children

4. Rear single bunk beds - Best layout for a family with older children

5. Convertible rear lounge - Best layout for a large family

Below, you’ll discover the benefits and considerations of each motorhome bus layout. And if you find a layout you like, we recommend that you “try before you buy”. Consider hiring the motorhome through Camplify to test whether it actually is the right floor plan for you before converting your own bus!

5 best motorhome bus layouts

1. Fixed rear sideways bed: Most popular layout

Seats and sleeps Seats 2-3 and sleeps 2-3 internally.

Layout and features This is a convenient motorhome bus layout for people who don’t want the hassle of a convertible bed , yet still want plenty of internal cooking, dining and living space.

Placing a queen bed sideways in the rear means that you gain more kitchen and dining space in the middle of the bus. However, be aware that sideways beds are normally slightly shorter than lengthways beds and have shallower storage space underneath.

Some layouts place the bathroom in the middle of the bus (opposite the kitchen bench). Others have a long sofa on one side, which can double as an additional single bed. This example uses a fold-out bench that can sleep up to 2 small children.

At the front of the layout, you can set up a spacious dining area (which could also be used as another convertible bed, should you need more sleeping berths).

Best for This motorhome bus layout is best for a couple or a family with one young child. It provides a spacious kitchen, dining and living area without compromising too much on sleeping space.

Motorhome examples

• Alice the Coaster (Wangaratta, VIC)

• George (Kulun, QLD)

• Sunny the Coaster (Port Macquarie, NSW)

• The Mothership (Port Macquarie, NSW)

• Gimme Shelter (Brighton East, VIC)

• Brisa the Bus (Tugun, QLD)

• Bluey (Belmont North, NSW)

• Sunny the Coaster (Reservoir, VIC)

• Jessie 2 (West Lakes, SA)

• Bluey (Currumbin, QLD)

• Kruisin with Kermit (Moonah, TAS)

2. Fixed rear lengthways bed: Another great layout for couples

Seats and sleeps Seats 2-3 and sleeps 2-3 internally.

Layout and features This motorhome bus layout is very similar to the design above, but the lengthways bed tends to provide a slightly longer sleeping area at the rear. It can also lend more storage space underneath the bed due to its longer design.

Again, some of these bus motorhomes include the bathroom in the middle of the layout, whilst others include a long sofa that can be used as a single bed. However, be aware that placing the rear bed lengthways might mean that you lose some space in the middle of the bus.

For added privacy in the rear bedroom, consider adding a dividing wall between the bed and the living area.

Place your dining area at the front of the layout (which, again, can also be used as another convertible bed).

Best for This motorhome bus layout is best for a couple or family with a small child who are willing to give up kitchen and bathroom space in favour of a longer bed and extra storage space at the rear.

Motorhome examples

• A Bus Called Wanda (Maroochydore, QLD)

• Casper (Adelaide, SA)

• Tilly (Denmark, WA)

• Slow Lane (Mooloolaba, QLD)

• Swagman Signature (Melbourne, VIC)

• Dennings Motorhome (Cranbourne West, VIC)

• Rosie (Perth, WA)

3. Rear queen bunk beds: Best layout for families with young children

Seats and sleeps

Seats 4 and sleeps 4 internally.

Layout and features

This motorhome bus layout has a set of queen bunk beds fitted at the rear. The beds run sideways and are perfect for sleeping children on the bottom bunk and parents on the top bunk. Just be careful when sitting up in bed that you don’t smack your head.

The rest of the layout is very similar to the other layouts on this list, with the kitchen and bathroom sitting opposite one another in the middle of the bus. At the front of the motorhome layout, you have plenty of room for a dining area and lounge.

Best for

This motorhome bus layout is best for a family with young children who want a balance of dining, cooking, sleeping and storage space.

Motorhome example

• Burnt Orange (Cranley, QLD)

4. Rear single bunk beds: Best layout for families with older children

Seats and sleeps

Seats 4 and sleeps 4 internally.

Layout and features

This motorhome bus layout has a set of single bunk beds fitted at the rear. The beds run lengthways and sit next to the bathroom , which is also fitted at the rear. The bathroom is accessible via the rear door , perfect for cleaning your feet after a day at the beach.

Towards the front of the bus, you have two lounges that can be converted into a large double bed (the width of the bus). This is a spacious bedding solution for the parents.

Much like the other layouts, the kitchen sits in the middle of the bus and the dining area is positioned at the front.

Best for

This motorhome bus layout is best for a family with older children who want to sleep separately. It doesn’t compromise too much on living space due to the convertible double bed and the rear bathroom access is great for washing up before entering the motorhome.

Motorhome example

• Eastwood Bound (Baldivis, WA)

5. Convertible rear lounge and diner: Best layout for large families

Seats and sleeps

Seats 6 and sleeps 4-6 internally.

Layout and features

This motorhome bus layout has a rear dining area that consists of two sofas on either side of a removable dining table. When the table is set up, there is enough space for up to 6 people to eat at one time.

The two separate sofas can be used as single beds or they can be converted to form one queen bed. The example below has a queen mattress that is lowered from the ceiling and locked into position.

In addition to the queen bed, large motorhome buses might have enough space at the very rear to add another set of single bunk beds (see example). You may also be able to convert the dining area at the front into a double bed, meaning you could sleep a total of 6 people internally.

As with other layouts, the kitchen and bathroom sit opposite one another in the middle of the bus.

Best for

This bus motorhome layout is best for large families who require multiple beds. Its convertible bedding options mean there is still plenty of space for family dinners.

Motorhome example

• Gypsy Rose (Mount Nathan, QLD)

Discover more motorhome bus layouts

Use the search feature on Camplify to discover more motorhome bus layouts. On our homepage, simply click “Find a van” and then set the van type to motorhomes.

Then take a peek into plenty of privately owned rental motorhomes around Australia. Flick through the photos to source endless layouts and motorhome interior ideas for your bus.

And if you are thinking about buying a motorhome, we strongly recommend experiencing your favourite layout ideas first hand before you purchase or convert your own. Hire one of the motorhomes listed in this article and test the layout to see whether it meets all of your needs and expectations.

Make a return on your motorhome

There’s a quick and easy way to start earning a return on your investment in a motorhome bus conversion - when your motorhome’s not in use, rent it out on Camplify!

Why Camplify?

Each year, heaps of Aussies earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their motorhome through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.

And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:

• Comprehensive hire insurance.

• 24/7 NRMA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.

• Dedicated customer support.

If you’re interested in joining Camplify as an owner, try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year by renting out your unused motorhome!