From Bus to Bliss How One Couple Transformed a Minibus Into a Cozy Tiny Home on Wheels
The spaciousness of this home is nothing short of astonishing.
Kai and Julie made the leap into the tiny living lifestyle but they didn’t just dip their toes in. They dove headfirst into a whole new level of minimalist mastery.
They Call a 118-Square-Foot Mini School Bus Home And They’ve Never Been Happier
They spotted the bus parked quietly along a street in Berlin, Germany and by the very next day, it was theirs. An school bus is a rare gem in that part of the world, making it an ideal vessel for the adventures they envisioned.
To begin the transformation, they gutted the interior down to bare metal peeling away every layer to build their dream home from the bones up.
“Starting with a blank canvas is both liberating and brutal it’s the hardest part of a conversion like this. We didn’t map out a master blueprint. Everything evolved as we went along,” Kai and Julie shared with Apartment Therapy.
There were two non-negotiables they knew their home had to deliver: a cozy, restful place to sleep—and a fully functional space to cook up real meals on the road.
A wood-burning stove was an absolute essential they wouldn’t call it home without that crackling heart of warmth.
“Our favorite feature, without a doubt, is the wood stove. It wraps the space in a cocoon of warmth and transforms the entire bus into a snug, cabin-like retreat,” the couple shares.
“It instantly makes the space feel like home. There’s nothing quite like a candlelit dinner with the stove crackling beside you. Beyond the cozy ambiance, it’s incredibly functional we use it to heat the entire bus and even cook our meals on it. It works like a charm.”
They were also intent on incorporating as many reclaimed and repurposed materials as possible throughout their build.
They crafted their cupboards and dining table from reclaimed loft floorboards, breathing new life into weathered wood with a story to tell.
The shelves and wall paneling were fashioned from dismantled vegetable crates, transformed from humble produce carriers into rustic architectural charm.
“We aimed to keep everything as streamlined as possible even though the technical setup is fairly advanced, since we built the bus to function off-grid through all four seasons. We carry roughly 26 gallons of fresh water, filtered to safe drinking standards, and rely on a portable composting toilet, which has proven to be incredibly effective,” the couple explains.
Their kitchen features a polished countertop paired with generous cabinet storage, seamlessly complemented by adjacent built-in seating for both function and flow.
It also houses a gas cooker.
They chill their food in a compact refrigerator, draw fresh water from a functional tap, and enjoy the convenience of a full-size sink for everyday living.
They opted for a shabby chic aesthetic, blending rustic charm with soft elegance, and powered their tiny abode with a solar energy electrical system for sustainable living.
They also have a pull-out table to save space.
They chose to infuse their home with a shabby chic flair vintage textures, muted tones, and timeworn elegance—while equipping it with a solar-powered electrical system designed for off-grid efficiency.
“There’s nowhere else on earth where we’ve ever slept so soundly. Having a fixed queen-size bed was non-negotiable and we absolutely adore it. Since we usually park in secluded spots, we get to wake up to pure stillness, punctuated only by the soft murmurs of nature. Our bus is a sanctuary of calm, and in certain magical places, it feels as though time pauses just for us.”
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Article Sources: Source: Apartment Therapy
