Self-Built Camper Van Is a Unique Apartment on Wheels With an Epic Garage and a Hidden TV

What we have here is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter turned into a mobile home. John, its owner and builder, made it over an 18 month period. Soon after, he met Emily, and they moved in together in the van. Fast-forward a few years later, and the couple are building custom camper vans.

Even though this was their (or, better said, John's) first build, it was the unit that gave them a spotlight in the camper van design world. What makes it stand out is its unique design. So, let's jump right in.

As soon as you pop the sliding door open, you'll notice the living space (which used to be the cargo area) is separated from the driver's cabin by a partition wall. This helps make the space feel more like a home rather than the back of the van, as the driver's cabin is out of sight.

John added a hatch door, making it easy for the couple to jump behind the steering wheel in case of an emergency or when the weather isn't too friendly. Above it, a spacious headliner cabinet can store bulkier items.

Regarding design, this tiny home has a very homey feel. I love how the white walls curve into the ceiling and the multiple aesthetic touches, such as a grey subway-tiled backsplash or the various wooden accents paired with light green cabinetry.

The first part of the living space is a lounge/bedroom area consisting of an L-shaped couch. The couple can extend a wooden frame out of the couch, thus creating a decently sized bedroom. Moreover, two windows, one on each side, let plenty of natural light shine inside. There's also a skylight above, which can be opened for better ventilation.

By the way, all the windows and skylights inside this van come with black-out screens. One extremely useful feature to have, one I feel is a must in every camper build, is a mosquito net. A curtain like the one John and Emily installed will do the job almost as well.

The couch is divided into two parts. One hides two sizeable storage spaces underneath, while the other houses the rig's power system. It comprises a 2,500 W inverter, a 230 Ah Bosch battery, a battery-to-battery charger enabling the system to charge while driving, and an MPPT controller connected to a 300 W solar panel on the roof.

When checking out photos of this van's interior, you won't see a control panel for the electrical system. That's because the duo hid it behind a picture frame. It comprises a Webasto diesel heater controller, on/off switches for the fridge and water pump, an inverter controller, two USB outlets, and another controller for the battery-to-battery charger.

Next, we have the kitchen. It features a butcher block countertop with a flip-up extension, a two-burner stove, a farmhouse-style porcelain sink, and various storage options in the form of cabinets and drawers underneath the countertop. One of them holds a small Wreco fridge. Furthermore, two cute and tiny overhead shelves hold candles, plants, and more.

Opposite the kitchen, you'll discover one of the coolest features of this van: a self-hiding TV. At the press of a button, a 32-inch Smart TV rise from the counter. What's more, because it's attached to a swivel mount, you can arrange it to watch it from different places in the rig.

Personally, I'd put a recipe video in the background and try to make it in the kitchen. The TV runs off the inverter, as it's 240 V, and John explained it's really energy efficient – they can leave it on without worrying about it draining the battery.

The kitchen is separated from the van's rear by a partition wall. Behind it, you'll find another bedroom that can fit a single person. It's positioned higher up to leave room for the garage underneath. Moreover, it boasts a reading light and a sizeable skylight right above where your head is when you lie down, so it's the perfect spot to stargaze at night.

Next to the bedroom, John devised the bathroom. It's quite compact, offering just enough room for a person to shower. It’s also equipped with PVC lining and a wet room vinyl floor, making it fully waterproof. Furthermore, it's got a Thetford cassette toilet, which can be swiveled around.

Another notable detail is that the bathroom comes with its own classic door (instead of a sliding one). This gives you more privacy, but when it's closed, it also makes the interior feel a bit smaller.

The final part of this van is the garage, accessible by opening the two rear doors. It's divided into two parts: a tall one on the left and a shorter but much deeper one on the right. The left side can be used as a drying rack for wetsuits, skis, snowboards, and more.

The other side is used for storage – it provides a surprisingly large amount of space via many crates mounted on custom-made shelves. This is also where John fitted a Thermomate propane-powered heater, a propane canister, and a 70-liter (19-gallon) Fiamma freshwater tank. Furthermore, John devised a small door that serves as an access point to the toilet, thus eliminating the need to remove it through the interior.

All in all, this couple has come up with a different layout that's still very efficient and cozy. They have a ton of storage space in the garage, but it doesn't interfere at all with the living space. Some of you might think the interior feels a bit claustrophobic if you're used to the conventional van layouts, but I like that you get four specifically defined areas that make this rig a small apartment.

John and Emily founded a company called Jorvik Van Conversions, and they specialize in creating luxurious tiny homes on wheels, like the one you saw today, based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the VW Crafter.

They have built a bunch of different layouts, most of them quite similar to the one inside this rig. Moreover, the "Sandy Van" is the company's signature van conversion model, but the couple can also make custom conversions to fit the customer's exact needs. You can find out more information about the company, its products, and services on the Jorvik Van Conversions official website.