Counter space is the most precious commodity in a campervan kitchen. An over-sink chopping board doubles your workspace without taking up a single inch of permanent counter. Here are the best options for UK vans.
Verdict
The IKEA Skogsta (£8) is the best value — it fits most van sinks if you cut it to size. The Joseph Joseph folding board (£15) is the most versatile for stowage. For a perfect fit, make your own from an IKEA Aptitlig board (£6) in 15 minutes with a saw. Measure your sink before buying anything.
Why Over-Sink Chopping Boards Work
A standard campervan sink is 30-40cm wide. A board that sits over it gives you an instant prep area. When you need the sink, lift the board off and stow it. In a small van (Berlingo, Partner, Caddy) where the entire kitchen is one worktop with a sink in the middle, an over-sink board effectively doubles your workspace.
Pre-Made Options
| Board | Material | Size | Weight | Price | UK Stockist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Joseph Cut & Carve Plus | Bamboo | 38x25cm | 0.6kg | £20 | John Lewis, Amazon |
| Le Creuset Chopping Board | Acacia wood | 40x30cm | 0.9kg | £35 | Le Creuset, John Lewis |
| John Lewis Beech Chopping Board | Beech wood | 36x25cm | 0.5kg | £12 | John Lewis |
| IKEA Skogsta | Acacia | 37x28cm | 0.5kg | £8 | IKEA |
| Joseph Joseph Folding Board | Polypropylene | 38x28cm (folded) | 0.4kg | £15 | Amazon, Sainsburys |
| Tala Stainless Steel Board | Stainless + silicone | 35x25cm | 0.7kg | £22 | Amazon |
The Best Fit: Measure Your Sink First
The most important step: measure the internal width of your sink (rim to rim). An over-sink board needs to overhang by at least 2cm on each side to sit securely. If your sink is 32cm wide, you need a board at least 36cm wide. Common van sink sizes and best board matches:
| Van Sink Size | Recommended Board | Overhang |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm round (VW T5/T6) | IKEA Skogsta (37cm) | 3.5cm each side |
| 33cm rectangular (Transit) | John Lewis Beech (36cm) | 1.5cm each side |
| 35cm oval (Sprinter) | Le Creuset Acacia (40cm) | 2.5cm each side |
| 38cm deep sink (Ducato) | Joseph Joseph (38cm) | Exact fit |
The DIY Solution
If you cannot find a board that fits your sink exactly, make your own. It is easy:
- Buy a beech chopping board from IKEA (£6, the Aptitlig range)
- Measure your sink width at the rim
- Cut the board to width with a circular saw or jigsaw
- Sand the edges with 120-grit sandpaper
- Apply mineral oil (not vegetable oil — it goes rancid) to seal the cut edges
- The board now sits perfectly over your sink Time: 15 minutes. Cost: £8 (board + oil). Result: Perfect fit.
The Folding Advantage
The Joseph Joseph folding chopping board is designed for small kitchens. It has a hinge in the middle — unfold it to use as a chopping board, fold it to pour chopped ingredients into a pan. When placed over a sink, the hinge allows it to conform to the sink bowl slightly. It is also the easiest to stow — folded, it is 19x28cm and 2cm thick, which slides into any gap.
Over-Sink Board Features to Look For
- Non-slip feet: Rubber or silicone feet stop the board sliding around when you chop. The Joseph Joseph and Le Creuset boards have these. The IKEA Skogsta does not.
- Juice groove: A groove around the edge catches juices from meat and vegetables. The Le Creuset board has a deep juice groove.
- Handles: Cut-out handles make lifting the board easier. Some boards have them, some do not.
- Dishwasher safe: None of these boards are dishwasher safe (wood and bamboo warp). Hand wash only.
The "Sink Cover" Hack
Some campervan kitchens come with a sink cover — a flat panel that sits over the sink when not in use. If you have this, you can use it as a chopping board base. Place a thin plastic chopping board on top. This protects the sink cover from knife marks and gives you a proper chopping surface.
The Double-Decker Solution
If you have a van with a shallow sink and limited counter space, install a wire rack above the sink (an IKEA Variera, £4). The rack holds a chopping board flat above the sink. The space below the rack is still usable for washing up. This is a common hack in VW Caddy conversions where counter space is extremely limited.
