Airstream trailers emerged in the 1930s and became emblems of Americana—specifically automobile-oriented vacation culture—by the 1950s. The trailers were originally designed to incorporate aircraft construction methods that would lessen wind resistance and improve their strength-to-weight ratio—namely, an aerodynamic, curved shape, polished aluminum exterior, and riveted panels. The interiors were also innovative for the time, complete with synthetic fabrics, laminate countertops and cabinets, and creative storage solutions. Today, many Airstream owners and designers overhaul the vintage travel trailers by incorporating updated features while preserving the quintessential Airstream style.

Two Farmsteading Oregon Activists Give a Vintage Airstream a Glowing Update

Bethany Williams and Parker Bolden, the founders of Perpetually Devastated Acres, are committed to fixing up neglected farmland—and vintage trailers, including a 1973 Ambassador with a sunset-inspired renovation." layout="wide" credit="Courtesy of Lisa Bolden" photoUserId=""/>Their latest project, Sol (short for Solstice), captures the pair’s love of nature and their warm, down-to-earth energy. “The landscape inspired it,” Bolden says of the interior tones, materials, and styling. “From our porch, we can see the river across the highway, and it’s very lush—there are pasture lands, cows walking by, and rich, yellow-orangey sunsets.” The camper’s glowing color palette draws upon these natural notes." layout="wide" credit="Courtesy of Lisa Bolden" photoUserId=""/>

A 1966 Airstream Gets Road-Ready for a Single Mom and Her Son

A Musician Makes His Home in a Restored 1968 Airstream Land Yacht

The story of August Hausman’s restored 1968 Airstream Land Yacht begins about 25 years ago, when his father, noted interior designer Shawn Hausman, received it as a 40th birthday present from his own father, a film producer. “My dad had it for a while,” says August. “He lived in it a bit when he was working on projects and whatnot, but for the past decade it’s just been rotting away.”" layout="wide" credit="Courtesy of August Hausman" photoUserId=""/>

Bold Wallpaper Brings Dreamy Vibes to a Dated Airstream

Having spent nearly a decade casually leafing through the classifieds for a trailer, the couple developed a keen eye that quickly led them to the perfect purchase—a 1962 Airstream Overlander for $18,000." layout="wide" credit="Courtesy of Bonnie Christine" photoUserId=""/>As an artist and surface pattern designer, Bonnie was in her element crafting Marjorie into a chic, dreamy home. From the reupholstered green velvet couch to variated penny tile, the diverse finishes and textures breathe new life and charm into the Airstream." layout="" credit="Courtesy of Bonnie Christine" photoUserId=""/>

Augustine the Airstream Gets a Chic DIY Makeover

An Adventurous Florida Couple Revitalize a 1970s Airstream for Just $15K

For the first two years of their marriage, Ashton and DJ Whaley lived in a 900-square-foot apartment while Ashton completed her college studies. But having dreamed of traveling around the country, they eventually thought about making life on the road a reality. Once they figured out how to pay the bills and feed their savings account while on a cross-country adventure, they began researching travel trailers that required the least maintenance. Honey, a large, shiny, built-to-last Airstream was the ideal fit." layout="wide" credit="Courtesy of Ashton and DJ Whaley" photoUserId=""/>

A 1972 Airstream Sovereign Is Transformed Into a Family Home For $23K

The Cashios relocated the rear bathroom to the middle of the space, installed electrical appliances instead of gas appliances, and ditched the Airstream’s worn-out aluminum interior walls for 1/8-inch plywood walls. They custom made all the furniture, including the cabinetry in half-inch birch plywood." layout="wide" credit="Courtesy of Colleen Cashio" photoUserId=""/>

A Beautifully Retrofitted 1969 Airstream Strikes a Chord With a Nashville Musician

While searching for a new home and office, Nashville-based musician Ryan Hunter Sanchez decided that it was due time to embrace the call of the open road. He scored a 1969 Airstream Sovereign that was stripped down to its bare shell and proceeded to give it a complete overhaul." layout="wide" credit="Courtesy of Sheena Armstrong" photoUserId=""/>

A Photographer Couple’s Airstream Renovation Lets Them Take Their Business on the Road

and Gabi Fox—a husband-and-wife team of photographers—transformed this 1972 Airstream Overlander into a mobile live/work studio that lets them pursue their unconventional lifestyle. The Seattle-based couple run their photography business out of the renovated Airstream, traveling the country to shoot weddings and elopements." layout="" credit="Courtesy of Brandon and Gabi Fox" photoUserId=""/>

A 1970s Airstream Is Revamped Into an Off-Grid Home For Six

An Old Airstream Is Transformed Into a Midcentury-Inspired Dream Machine

A 1984 Airstream Shines With a Steely-Blue Shell and a Cozy Farmhouse Interior

California-based Airstream renovation company Innovative Spaces gave this 1984 triple-axle Excella a complete gut and shell-off renovation for a young family in San Antonio, Texas. The goal was to maximize space in the 34-foot-long trailer and make the Airstream off-grid compatible for weekend getaways and long-term vacations. The exterior of the chassis was updated with a fresh coat of paint in a blue-gray hue inspired by Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Robe + Signet" photoUserId=""/>

A Father-Daughter Duo Lovingly Revamp a ’70s Airstream on Vancouver Island

A Vintage Airstream Trailer Is Now the Ultimate Live/Work Mobile

A Couple Transform a Vintage Airstream Into a Scandinavian-Inspired Tiny Home

An Adventurer and Her Pets Find Solace in a Renovated 1973 Airstream Tradewind

An Oregon Couple Renovate Their 1966 Airstream Named Gilda

A 1973 Airstream Gets an Organic Remodel Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright

A Canadian Couple Revitalize a 1970s Airstream Using Salvaged Materials

A ’71 Airstream Overland International Gets a Gleaming Top-to-Bottom Overhaul

This Chic Camper Will Make You Want to Be an Airstream Dweller

A Mother-Daughter Duo Give a 1976 Airstream a Vivacious Remodel for $64K

A 1974 Airstream Renovation Radiates Modern Mountain Cabin Vibes

A Couple Revamp an Old Airstream Into a Charming Workspace and Home

A Landscape Architect’s 1959 Airstream Gets a Splash of Color

Landscape architect Andreas Stavropoulos transformed a 1959 Airstream that he bought off of Craigslist into a live-in structure situated in the garden of a co-op in North Berkeley, California. With just 150 square feet to work with, Andreas “jettisoned the 1950s colors and wall-to-wall linoleum, and moved in with cork flooring, track lighting, fresh, colorful paint, and custom- designed cabinets and furniture to fit the interior topography,” he says." layout="" credit="Photo by Mark Compton" photoUserId="6133451556067725312"/>Stavropoulos stripped the original “flesh-toned” paint to reveal the Airstream’s aluminum interior. Under the bed, a large drawer creates a storage area for the resident’s clothes." layout="" credit="Photo by Mark Compton" photoUserId="6133451556067725312"/>

A Converted Airstream Holds a Kitchen Island and a Hidden Murphy Bed

Japanese architect Toshihiko Suzuki of Tokyo-based design firm Atelier OPA applied his small-space sensibility to this gutted Airstream. A steel-clad central island in the center of the space can transform into a cooking surface with a hidden sink and hot plate, a dining table for six, and even two twin beds simply by opening or expanding various drawers and surfaces." layout="" credit="Photo by Sadamu Saito" photoUserId=""/>

10 Vintage Airstreams You Can Rent Right Now

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26 Vintage Airstream Renovations That’ll Make You Want to Hop on the Bandwagon