While the size of your base van generally defines your cabinet layout options, we were keen to have a permanent bed to avoid re-making the bed each evening.
We half-succeeded…… maintaining a permanently made-up bed while preserving a separate seating / dining area is a big ask in a compact van!
After experimenting with a permanent ‘east-west’ bed across the rear of the van, we settled on a semi-permanent north-south bed (on the permanent east-west base) with a dining area between the bed and the kitchen area.
This arrangement has proven to be an ideal compromise, providing a permanent bed when required, an easily reclaimed living and dining space in cold weather, and a much-needed permanent storage area for large items under the bed.