DIY couple share how they transformed damp-ridden £500 caravan into 'dream home'

A creative couple have triumphantly revealed their incredible transformation of a damp £500 caravan into their picture-perfect abode.

Hayley Rubery, 33, and her partner Ben, 40, took on the DIY challenge after spotting the 1989 Van Royce on Facebook Marketplace. Despite a tight budget, their determination and imaginative outlook turned the moisture-laden van into a dazzling dwelling, now standing proudly as a testament to their hard work.

As an influencer from Norwich, Hayley shares lifestyle snippets with her Instagram followers, and appropriately christened the completed project Joyce. She shared: "We've always loved the idea of van life. But with the costs of a new camper van or a big renovation project easily reaching £20-£30K, it just wasn't feasible for us."

Originally up for grabs at £1,500, the caravan admittedly came with a laundry list of damp-related damages. A strategic haggler, Hayley proposed £1,000 initially but halved the bid upon realising the full scope of its ailments, eventually clinching the deal at a mere £500.

"She was beautiful but in some need of some serious TLC," Hayley openly confessed. "Before we could start painting, Joyce needed a serious deep clean, so the first thing we did was pressure wash the entire caravan. We also used a mould remover spray to tackle any remaining grease or mould spots. It was essential to start with a clean slate, especially given the extent of the damp issues we were dealing with."

Hayley and Ben dedicated hours to meticulously cleaning every nook and cranny, ensuring the surface was immaculate for painting and not concealing any lurking issues. They then embarked on the task of preparing for the paintwork.

"We taped up anything we didn't want painted windows, handles, the works," Hayley recounted. "It was a bit nerve-wracking because I'd never used a spray paint gun before, but I was determined to get it right."

The duo even took to hand-painting their revamped caravan, with Hayley personally crafting the stripe across the door. "I taped up the stripe, cut in the green by hand, and then used a small roller for the rest," she detailed. "It took two coats to get the perfect finish, but it was worth every minute."

Following their hard work, Joyce was transformed beyond recognition from the damp-ridden caravan they had acquired weeks earlier. "Our 34-year-old £500 caravan had a new lease on life," Hayley proudly stated.

"It's surprising what a difference you can make with a small budget and a lot of elbow grease. The paint was gifted, but to give you an idea, the total came to around £150 ($195) for two cans of white and one of green, which was more than enough to cover the entire caravan."

Hayley and Ben also infused Joyce's interior with a rustic charm, meanwhile. "We originally planned to keep and paint the existing cupboards, but the damp was worse than we thought," Hayley revealed. "We ended up having to remove all the cupboards and the ceiling, which were too damaged to save."

The duo also had to reseal the caravan, both inside and out, re-board the ceiling, and completely transform the kitchen a feat they accomplished for a mere £60. "It was a labour of love, but the finished look is exactly what we wanted," Hayley closed.