6 Best Space Saving Hammocks For Small RV Storage That Maximize Every Inch
Explore our top 6 space-saving hammocks for RVs. These ultralight, packable options ensure you can relax anywhere while maximizing your limited storage.
That pile of stuff on your RV dinette—the jackets, the dog leash, the bag of groceries—is a daily frustration. Every time you want to eat, it all has to be moved, only to reappear a few hours later. This constant shuffle is the reality of limited horizontal surfaces, but the solution isn’t more cabinets; it’s looking up. Storage hammocks transform the unused, awkward air space in your rig into functional, flexible storage that weighs almost nothing.
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Why Hammock Storage Excels in Small RV Spaces
Hammock-style storage thrives by using the Z-axis. Your RV’s floor plan is finite, but the volume between your head and the ceiling, or inside a deep cabinet, is often completely wasted. Hammocks and cargo nets let you claim that vertical and overhead space without installing heavy, rigid shelving.
This approach is uniquely suited for life on the move. Unlike a fixed box or bin, a fabric hammock has give. It cradles its contents, preventing fragile items like fruit from bruising and stopping heavier gear from rattling and shifting during travel.
Furthermore, hammocks are incredibly lightweight and versatile. A wooden shelf adds permanent weight and serves one purpose, but a net hammock can be installed in minutes, weighs mere ounces, and can be easily moved or taken down. It conforms to whatever you put in it—a lumpy bag of potatoes, a bulky fleece jacket, or a tangle of charging cords—making it far more adaptable than any rigid container.
Ollieroo Fruit Hammock for RV Galley Storage
Organize your kitchen with this hand-woven cotton fruit hammock. It easily installs under cabinets with included hooks, providing ample storage for fruits and vegetables while adding a touch of boho decor.
The classic under-cabinet fruit hammock is perhaps the most recognizable form of this storage, and for good reason. It’s a simple, brilliant solution for your RV galley. Hanging produce allows for 360-degree air circulation, which helps fruits and vegetables last longer, a critical benefit when you’re miles from the nearest grocery store.
Installation is typically straightforward, involving small screw-in hooks placed on the underside of an upper cabinet. However, be mindful of your RV’s cabinet construction. Many are built with thin luan plywood that won’t hold a screw under load. Always try to anchor into the solid wood frame of the cabinet for a secure hold that can handle the weight of apples and onions on a bumpy road.
The main tradeoff is visibility. A fruit hammock puts your food on display, which can feel cluttered to minimalists. But from a practical standpoint, it keeps your limited counter space clear and prevents you from forgetting about that avocado you bought until it’s too late. It’s a small sacrifice in aesthetics for a major gain in function.
ENO Gear Sling for Bulky Items Underneath Beds
Not all storage hammocks are delicate macrame. The ENO Gear Sling is a beast, built from the same durable nylon as their popular sleeping hammocks. This makes it the perfect candidate for wrangling heavier, bulkier items in out-of-the-way places like under-bed storage compartments or in your pass-through "garage."
Imagine lifting your RV’s master bed. Instead of a jumbled pile of camp chairs, hoses, and leveling blocks on the floor, they’re suspended neatly in a sling. This keeps them organized, easy to access, and—most importantly—off the floor, preventing potential moisture damage and mildew.
Because it’s designed to hold significant weight, the Gear Sling requires robust anchor points. You’ll need to screw sturdy eye bolts directly into the bed frame or wall studs, not just the flimsy paneling. Use a stud finder to locate a solid mounting point. This isn’t for your bananas; this is for the gear that makes your campsite functional.
LORYERGO 3-Tier Macrame for Vertical Storage
Flat, empty walls are a storage dead zone in an RV. A 3-tier macrame hanger turns that vertical plane into a lightweight, multi-level storage station. It excels at holding collections of small, everyday items that would otherwise clutter up a counter or get lost in a deep drawer.
Think of it as a soft, flexible medicine cabinet. Hang one in the bathroom for toiletries, brushes, and sprays. Mount another by the entry door to be a catch-all for keys, sunglasses, bug spray, and dog treats. The separate tiers allow you to organize items by category, making it easy to grab what you need.
The primary consideration here is weight. These are decorative pieces, not utility slings. They are best for lightweight items and are typically hung from a single hook. The woven cotton can also stretch over time if overloaded. While it adds a welcome touch of warmth and texture to a sterile RV interior, its function is best suited for organization, not heavy lifting.
MiniOwls Toy Hammock for Linens and Soft Goods
Don’t let the name fool you; a "toy hammock" is one of the most effective tools for managing soft goods in an RV. Think about all the bulky-but-light items that consume entire cabinets: extra blankets, bath towels, puffy jackets, and even dirty laundry. A corner-mounted toy hammock gets all of it up and out of the way.
These nets are specifically designed to utilize corners, which are notoriously inefficient storage spaces. By stringing one up high in the corner of your bedroom or over a cab-over bunk, you can free up an entire cabinet that was previously choked with linens. That valuable, enclosed space can now be used for denser items like canned goods or tools.
This is a game-changer for full-time RVers. The constant battle for storage is often a battle against low-density items. Compressing and stashing your soft goods in an overhead net is one of the single best ways to win back a massive amount of prime storage real estate with minimal weight and cost.
Sea to Summit Gear Loft for Overhead RV Storage
Originally designed for backpacking tents, a gear loft is a flat, mesh panel that attaches at four corners to create a small overhead shelf. In an RV, it’s a fantastic way to create accessible "attic" storage, especially in areas with higher ceilings like over the master bed or in a toy hauler.
Install four small, secure eye hooks into the ceiling (ideally into ceiling joists) and clip the gear loft in. It becomes the perfect spot for things you need to access from bed: a book, a tablet, a headlamp, or your phone. It can also be a great place to air-dry a damp towel or a pair of socks indoors on a rainy day without hanging them in a doorway.
The crucial limitation is weight. RV ceilings are not structural load-bearers. A gear loft is strictly for your lightest items—think ounces, not pounds. Overloading it could damage your ceiling or create a safety hazard. Used correctly, however, it’s an elegant solution for keeping small essentials off your nightstand and within arm’s reach.
BlueDot Trading Cargo Net for Custom Storage Bays
Secure your cargo with this durable 4' x 6' truck bed net. It stretches to 8' x 12' and features a tight mesh to contain items, plus 12 metal carabiners for easy tie-down.
For the ultimate in flexible, DIY storage, nothing beats a simple elastic cargo net. These stretchy nets, equipped with hooks, aren’t pre-shaped like a hammock. They are utility players that you can adapt to create custom storage solutions anywhere in your rig.
Want to keep pillows and blankets from falling off the sofa while you drive? Stretch a cargo net across the front. Need to secure items inside a cabinet so they don’t tumble out when you open the door after a long travel day? Mount a net across the opening. You can even line the ceiling of your pass-through bay with one to hold long, lightweight items like fishing rods or folding camp chairs.
The tradeoff for this versatility is a lack of structure. Items can get tangled, and it can look messy if you just stuff things behind it. But for creating contained storage on an empty wall or securing loose items in transit, a basic cargo net is an indispensable tool in the small-space arsenal.
Choosing & Installing Your RV Storage Hammock
Selecting the right hammock comes down to answering three simple questions. Answering them honestly will prevent you from buying the wrong product or, worse, damaging your RV.
- What am I storing? The weight, shape, and density of the item dictate the solution. Produce needs a gentle, breathable hammock, while camp chairs require a heavy-duty gear sling.
- Where is the unused space? Identify the dead zone you want to activate. Is it a corner, a flat wall, an under-cabinet area, or an overhead ceiling? The location determines the shape and style of the hammock.
- What can I anchor into? This is the most critical question. You must know if you’re screwing into a solid wood stud, a cabinet frame, or just 1/8-inch decorative paneling. The strength of your anchor point determines how much weight your hammock can safely hold.
When it comes to installation, always assume the wall panel is not strong enough. Use a stud finder or probe carefully to locate a solid backing. For light-duty hammocks, small cup hooks might suffice if screwed into real wood. For anything holding more than a few pounds, upgrade to stronger eye hooks or bolts, and always consider the dynamic forces of a bouncing, moving vehicle in your calculations.
Ultimately, integrating storage hammocks is about rethinking the volume of your rig, not just the floor plan. By turning empty air into active storage, you reduce clutter, improve organization, and make your small space feel significantly larger and more livable. Start with one project, reclaim one corner, and you’ll quickly see the massive potential waiting just above your head.
