Living together in a tiny space can really put any relationship to the test. My husband and I not only live together, obviously, but until recently, we also worked for the same company, in the same office. Our desks sat side by side. We drove into work together, went to lunch together, and drove home together. Then we spent our evenings together. That’s a whole lot of togetherness!
We knew that we would need to come up with some ways to get a little privacy in our van. I love my alone time, but even living in a 2000 sq. ft. house, the only time I got to be alone most days was when I was in the shower or sitting on the toilet. So, at the very least, we needed to be able to make that a possibility in the van.
To do that, we hung a curtain between the bedroom/living area of the van and the kitchen/bathroom area. If one of us is sitting on the couch watching TV, the other can get a sense of privacy while sitting on the poop bucket by simply pulling the privacy curtain closed. Of course, that curtain does nothing to stop the offensive sounds or smells from floating to the other side. But certain sacrifices are necessary when living together in a tiny space.
What if you want a little alone time but don’t care to spend it sitting on a bucket? The front seat is actually a great area to hang out when you need to get away. Most people already put up a divider curtain between the cab and the back of the van, so just pull that closed and relax. I love sitting up front with all the windows covered and the curtain closed, giving me a dark and quiet space to do as I wish. Read a book, play a game on your phone or laptop, or do some writing for your blog. Even though my husband is sitting 7 or 8 feet away, I still get the feeling that I’m alone and in my own space.
Another option is setting up an outside hang-out area. Attach an awning to your van, pull up a comfy chair, and enjoy some fresh air. This won’t be an option when you’re parked in a Walmart parking lot, or at least it shouldn’t be. But if you’re out in the woods or a state park, take advantage of it. Staying cooped up inside your van 24/7 isn’t healthy for anybody.
Of course, there will be times when you need to get far away from each other for your own sanity. The only way to accomplish that is to get out of the van and go do something. If you’re parked around civilization, go shopping. Go grab some lunch. Go hang out in a bookstore. No matter where you’re parked, just go take a walk.
Living together in a tiny space can be enjoyable if you set up your space right. It’s amazing what a couple of blackout curtains can accomplish!