A bedside locker is one of the most practical additions to any campervan bedroom. It provides easy access to your phone, torch, and personal items — without rummaging through a cupboard.
This guide covers the best campervan bedside locker options for UK van lifers in 2026, from DIY solutions to premium commercial products.
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Why You Need a Bedside Locker
In a campervan, every square centimetre matters. A bedside locker:
- Keeps essential items within arm's reach while in bed
- Provides storage for phone charging cables
- Offers a flat surface for your phone or torch
- Keeps clutter hidden and organised
- Can include integrated lighting
- Provides additional seating or footrest
Bedside Locker Options
DIY Plywood Bedside Locker — Best Value
Cost: £15-£30 (materials)
The most popular UK van build solution — a simple plywood box mounted to your bed frame or wall.
Materials needed:
- 18mm marine plywood (cut to size)
- Corner brackets
- Wood screws
- Varnish or paint
- LED strip light (optional)
Dimensions:
- Height: 30cm
- Width: 25cm
- Depth: 15cm
- Capacity: ~9 litres
Pros:
- Very cheap (£15-£30)
- Custom size for your van
- Hidden storage
- Can integrate LED lighting
- Easily replaced
Cons:
- Requires basic tools
- Needs measuring and cutting
- Not as refined as commercial options
Best for: DIY van builders, budget builds, anyone who wants a custom fit
3M Adhesive Box — Quick Fix
Cost: £10-£20
A simple storage box stuck to your wall with 3M VHB tape. Common in Sprinter and Transit Custom builds.
Materials:
- Plastic storage box (IKEA, Argos)
- 3M VHB tape strips
- Optional: LED strip
Pros:
- No drilling required
- Takes 5 minutes to install
- Cheap
- Can be removed/repositioned
Cons:
- Not as secure (can fall off if weight is too heavy)
- Limited weight capacity
- Not as refined
- May not suit all wall surfaces
Best for: Renters, Sprinter builds, temporary installations
Commercial Bedside Locker — Premium Option
Cost: £40-£80
Commercial bedside lockers from UK van suppliers offer a refined, purpose-built solution.
Popular options:
- Aldi Campervan Bedside Locker — £40 (seasonal)
- Swaggy Campervans locker — £60-£80
- Van System UK custom locker — £50-£100
Pros:
- Professional finish
- Purpose-designed for vans
- Often includes LED lighting
- Precise fit
Cons:
- Expensive (£40-£100)
- Limited customisation
- Longer delivery times
Best for: Premium builds, people who want a professional finish
IKEA Introducer Box — Budget Hack
Cost: £5-£15
The IKEA Introducer drawer unit or similar small storage boxes make excellent bedside lockers when mounted to walls or bed frames.
Pros:
- Very cheap (£5-£15)
- Neat, organised appearance
- Sliding drawer action
- Available everywhere
Cons:
- Standardised sizes may not fit
- Not weatherproof
- Limited weight capacity
- Not purpose-built for vans
Best for: Budget builds, people who already have IKEA
Bedside Locker Features Comparison
| Feature | DIY Plywood | 3M Box | Commercial | IKEA Hack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £15-£30 | £10-£20 | £40-£100 | £5-£15 |
| Customisation | Full | None | Limited | None |
| Installation | Moderate | Easy | Moderate | Easy |
| Durability | High | Medium | High | Low |
| Professional Look | Good | Poor | Excellent | Medium |
Integrated Lighting Options
LED Strip Lighting
Adding LED strips to your bedside locker is one of the best van upgrades:
- LED strip — £5-£15 (12V, addressable)
- Battery-powered puck light — £8-£15 (magnetic)
- USB puck light — £10-£20 (runs off 12V)
Best for: Night reading, locating items, ambient lighting
Magnetic Contact Switch
For a premium touch, add a magnetic contact switch that turns on the LED when the locker door opens.
Cost: £5-£10 Installation: Cut a small hole in the locker face, mount the switch and magnet, wire to LED
UK Shopping Guide
Where to Buy Materials
- IKEA — Storage boxes, LED strips
- B&Q — Marine plywood (18mm), screws, brackets
- Halfords — 12V LED strips, cable
- Argos — Plastic storage boxes
- Amazon UK — LED strips, magnetic switches
- Swaggy Campervans — Commercial locker kits
Recommended Suppliers
- Van System UK — Premium locker kits
- Swaggy Campervans — Mid-range commercial lockers
- IKEA — Budget-friendly storage solutions
Final Verdict
For most UK van lifers, a DIY plywood bedside locker at £15-£30 offers the best value. You can customise the size, integrate LED lighting, and fit it perfectly to your van.
For premium builds, a commercial locker from Swaggy Campervans at £60-£80 offers a professional finish with less DIY work.
