Library Bus Gets Revamped Into a Family-Friendly, Affordable Camper With a Play Cave

So, how can you prepare for living with kids on the road? There are many tips and tricks, such as packing the right gear and devising a suitable layout. But regardless of the preparation, the best way to figure out your exact needs is to hit the road.

Jenna and Cath's vehicle of choice is a Mercedes Vario library bus. They have lived and traveled in it along with their two kids, Luna and Bodhi. I was curious to see how they managed to fit all the necessities of mobile living with a family, especially since this is a shorter bus.

Keep in mind that their project is still a work in progress, but it can serve as inspiration if you're looking for ideas on how to create a comfortable camper that can fit your family.

Looking at the rig from the outside, you'll notice a clean look with a white and blue paint finish. To enter, you'll have to use the main door on the bus's side.

You'll notice a cozy, homey design featuring warm colors and many wooden elements. The layout is similar to what you'd see on other campers, only, of course, it's modified to fit four people instead of the usual two. The bedroom is at the bus's rear, the kitchen is in the middle of the interior, on the side, and the bathroom is near the driver's cabin.

I'll start with the kitchen. It's a quick, simple setup, really. You'll discover wooden cabinetry built by Jenna and Cath, a deep sink, a 90-liter (24-gallon) fridge/freezer, a four-burner stovetop, and a small counter space. For storage, the couple went for small shelves to store condiments and other ingredients, as well as drawers and wooden boxes.

Just as you look at the kitchen, you'll notice a wall on the left separating the space from the bathroom. Here's where Jenna and Cath installed a convenient element: a draining rack directly above the sink. It's a simple, cheap, yet effective solution.

What I love about this rig is the proper natural lighting inside it during the day. There are three skylights, a door with a small window at the rear, a porthole, and more windows. My favorite is the one between the kitchen and the bedroom, as it's a full-size window, which makes the area feel more spacious.

You'll find the seating area opposite the kitchen, just by the main door. Jenna and Cath's kids are still really young. So, as any responsible parent would do, she devised two properly fastened children's seats. Underneath them, you'll find the electrical system comprising three 170 Ah batteries, a 2,000 W inverter, a DC/DC charger, and a solar charge controller connected to solar panels on the roof.

Moving to the front of the van, the driver's cabin requires some finishing touches, specifically insulation and plywood. The bathroom is also a work in progress – you'll find a porta potty, but the shower has yet to be built.

And lastly, we have the bedroom/living room area. There's a small sofa next to a bench seat, which can be turned into an L-shaped lounge. Given the small space and the need for four sleeping arrangements, Jenna and Cath devised two bunk beds next to a king-size bed.

Here's how their system works – instead of rearranging the cushions and making the bed every single day, the main bed is permanent but comes with an extension that gives it its king size, which covers the couch.

What's clever about the kid's bedroom layout is that the kids can sleep on the bunk beds while the space left underneath serves as a play cave. You'll discover a pretty large bookshelf and drawers full of toys. I believe it's essential to let children have their own space, and this is one way to do it.

Storage is always a significant issue when it comes to living in campers. When traveling with your family, it becomes even more critical. In this bus, most of the storage spaces are in the back. The area underneath the bed serves as a garage, accessible via the rear door. Furthermore, there are two big drawers integrated into the couch. Regarding overhead storage, the duo opted for an open plan by using shelves instead of cabinets, which are more popular among van builders.

All in all, this DIY camper build seems to be the right fit for this family, and that's what matters. It features an ingenious layout and plenty of creature comforts. What's more, by the looks of it (and I'm not saying this in a negative way), it probably didn't cost a fortune either.