Some may say that van life is going by the wayside, but the sheer amount of van conversions we're seeing on the highways, at campgrounds, near beaches, and on social media tells a different story. The truth is the industry has flourished tremendously over the past few years, so if you're dreaming of a campervan road trip, there's no shortage of options.
Traveling and exploring new locations is an activity that appeals to all kinds of people, from singles who want to adopt a nomadic lifestyle to families who seek freedom and adventure on the open road. Due to their versatility, camper vans allow plenty of scope for customization, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to fulfill their adventure dreams in a custom mobile home specifically tailored to their needs and desires.
When it comes to families who want to enjoy weekend getaways in nature or longer round-the-country trips together, finding the perfect campervan that can offer them both the freedom to explore and comfortable accommodation is not easy. That's why designs like the Sprinkles from Michigan-based outfitter Safe + Sonder Vans are special and worth taking a look at.
Based on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 170" Extended with a rather unassuming exterior finished in Graphite Gray paint, this family-oriented camper van reveals an interior that is as ingenious as it is unique. It was built for a family of five, and besides introducing an innovative layout that makes great use of every square inch of available space, it is brimming with unique features that make life on the road with kids a comfortable and pleasant experience.
Photo: Safe+Sonder Vans
Sprinkles was designed to allow the family to pack up and hit the road whenever they felt like it. Its ingenious interior configuration offers seating and sleeping space for all members of the family without feeling cramped or overcrowded, as well as plenty of storage solutions for all the things they want to take with them.
With the driver and passenger seat in the cab and a pair of seatbelted fold-up bench seats in the back, all five of them can travel safely inside this van. Sprinkles offers comfortable accommodation for the same number of people with a convertible front lounge that turns into a short queen bed, custom Murphy beds for growing kids, and a separate Luno mattress.
The interior boasts an open layout, but the front cab is somehow separated from the actual living quarters by a curtain and the front bench seating arrangement that creates a visual barrier. As you slide open the side door, you're greeted by this generous lounge with plenty of seating space and an adjustable table that will also serve as the family's indoor dining spot during the day and the parents' sleeping space during the night.
Photo: Safe+Sonder Vans
As you venture further into the van, you'll find a pair of Bellagio rear seats that flip up and get out of the way when the family reaches their camping spot. They make room for the 24" solid Murphy beds to fold down from the opposite wall and offer the kids a comfortable space to sleep, play, read, and relax.
You won't believe how spacious the interior of Sprinkles feels until both the seats and the beds are folded away, turning the back of the van into a spacious playing ground for the kids. It's so spacious that you can even hang a hammock inside, with hooks installed at the front and back of the van.
For the family's storage needs, the front benches boast integrated storage space, and there are no less than five upper cabinets lining the driver's side of the van.
The only thing that's missing from this build is a proper kitchen block, but the designers found ingenious ways to still incorporate a sink and a cute retro fridge. The latter can be found neatly integrated inside a custom cabinet between the front lounge and the rear seats, while the sink cabinet is at the back of the van, along with a hot water heater and an outdoor shower.
Photo: Safe+Sonder Vans
Other nifty features meant to make life on the road more relaxing include a Dometic skylight right in the middle of the van's ceiling, a Maxxfan, a ladder to access the Murphy beds and through the rooftop, and a Smart TV on a flip-down swivel mount up front that can be watched from any corner of the van. What's more, 360 Watts of solar power, a reliable EcoFlow 5kwh power kit, an air conditioner, generous water tanks, and a portable toilet ensure the family can also go on off-grid adventures.
Crafted with functionality and versatility in mind, Sprinkles' interior also impresses in terms of aesthetics. Dominated by a black-and-white color scheme, the interior exudes timeless elegance. The white walls make the interior appear more spacious, while the proper scaling of the monochrome furniture and accessories inside makes the living space look classy. Moreover, playful patterns on the curtains and pillows prevent the space from appearing too rigid or dull.
All in all, this Sprinter-based camper van conversion designed and built by Safe + Sonder Vans is a great lesson in how to fully maximize the available square footage and create a space that allows you to bring the entire family along for unforgettable adventures.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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