"Van living" isn't right for everyone, but if you're going to take the big leap into the lifestyle and turn your van into a tiny home on wheels, why not go all the way with your decor? I admit I'm a little too claustrophobic to commit to full-time van living as a hobby, but I appreciate the skill that a lot of van lifers have to do a lot with a little, turning their tiny living spaces into intricately decorated maximialist masterpieces.
It's no surprise, then, that the over-the-top psychedelic aesthetics of the late 60s and early 70s are an enduring favorite among some van lifers. These fully customized retro vans are a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Get ready to take a flower-powered trip back through time!
Be still, my kitsch-loving heart. Vintage "vanner" @kaleidoscopekenna toured these super-retro "vanteriors" at this year's National Truck-In, aka the Van Nationals, an annual celebration of custom van creativity that just celebrated its 51st year. Every year, these vans come out dressed to impress - and boy, was I impressed.
These vans' renovators have gone all in on ramping up their retro aesthetics to the max. Shag carpeting, velour walls, flower motifs, and disco balls abound, with most of these van interiors bearing the lurid color scheme of a lava lamp . Even the less overtly psychedelic interiors were full-on retro. I mean, come on: wood paneling, macrame art , and swiveling plush armchairs behind the wheel? All it needs to complete the vibe is a bubbling fondue pot (just, you know, not while the van's in motion).
These vans are a minimalist's nightmare, and even as a self-described maximalist, I found a couple of the vans kinda intense (vacuuming some of these has got to be an ordeal, too). However, I couldn't help but love the pure artistry, camp, and love of all things vintage on display here. Where else are you gonna find a van with a conversation pit and an astronaut helmet-shaped TV inside? If the Scooby-Doo gang had unlimited funds to fully deck out their Mystery Machine, the result would probably look a little something like this.
Checking in on the National Truck-In
Though not all van lifers go this far trying to emulate an ultra-retro aesthetic, they still owe a lot to the hippie era . As the National Truck-In Board's website explains, the custom van craze first grew out of the hippie movement during the 1970s, and the period's groovy aesthetics have endured among custon van enthusiasts throughout the decades since.
If you're a custom van enthusiast with a decked-out recreational vehicle to show off, a van lifer looking for decor inspiration, or just passionate about all things vintage, visiting one of these National Truck-In events is a worthy pilgrimage. July's event was held in Greenfield, Massachusetts, but they move throughout the country, so next year's event could be anywhere. The official website is linked above if you want to stay updated, but if you found its multi-colored text, uh, "challenging" to read, they have an active official Instagram page that's a lot easier on the eyes!
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