Step into another action-packed day of van conversion as we take on one of our biggest challenges yet - designing and installing custom kitchen drawers and clever appliance storage in our Australian van transformation project. Today's goal: creating the perfect storage solution for our microwave, electric frying pan, toaster, and all our cooking essentials while making the most of every single millimeter of space in our mobile home.
Follow along as Matt embraces his quirky hippie steampunk style while we dive deep into precise woodworking, sticking to the golden rule of measuring twice and cutting once to make sure our appliances fit perfectly. We're building a large custom drawer that will hold our microwave with the electric frying pan stacked on top, plus we're getting creative by using empty space inside appliances for maximum storage efficiency. Smart design is everything when you're living the van life dream across Australia's amazing landscapes.
From morning until evening, we're cutting wood, sanding, assembling, and solving problems through complex storage challenges. You'll see our complete process for creating proper ventilation for the fridge freezer, installing heavy-duty drawer slides, and making everything earthquake-proof (Matt's building philosophy - if it survives an earthquake, it's built right!).
This episode shows the real side of van conversions - the hard work, the precision needed, and the amazing feeling when your vision comes to life. We're working on sawhorses at back-breaking heights, dealing with sharp drawer tracks that cause cuts, and pushing through tiredness because we're so close to finishing.
Tomorrow brings bed base installation, front panel fitting, and getting ready for the solar installation team arriving in three weeks. We're also finishing up our house sitting duties, cleaning everything, and preparing for the next part of our Australian van life adventure. Whether you're planning your own van conversion, enjoying our journey from home, or just love watching skilled craftsmanship in action, this episode gives you the real DIY van building experience. No shortcuts, no magic - just honest work, creative problem-solving, and occasional moments of doubt followed by breakthrough success.
From appliance puzzle-solving to structural engineering, from hippie steampunk style to practical storage solutions, this episode has everything van life fans want to see. Subscribe for more real van conversion content as we continue turning this vehicle into our mobile home for exploring Australia's incredible scenery and remote locations.
