Shuttle Bus Turned Boho Home on Wheels Is Brimming With Unexpected and Beautiful Details

Though it might sound like a grim story at first, it's not. The couple have been dreaming about living a life of freedom, self-sufficiency, and independence in a mobile home, but they thought that would happen in a more distant future.

Their journey into bus life started in 2018 when they bought a 2007 Ford E450 minibus they found on Craigslist for just $8,000 and turned it into a treehouse-inspired home on wheels. The couple spent about five years working on the conversion, which cost them around $25,000. They say it's still a work in progress, but we believe it is already a charming abode with a boho aesthetic and a warm ambiance.

The old bus turned tiny home on wheels used to be a San Mateo County, California, shuttle bus. Now, it's a permanent home for Kae, Alex, and their two dogs, Kaya and Bubba. Fittingly named the Treehouse Bus, this motorhome has been given a Botanical Green paint job on the exterior, which helps it blend into nature.

The interior of the bus is as spectacular as it is unique. Built using sustainable materials, reclaimed wood, and recycled items, the living space has an overall rustic look and feel. Kae, who is a full-time artist, put her skills and creativity to good work when designing the interior. She imbued the space with a nature-inspired style and decorated every nook with beautiful wood accents and plants, making it look like a lively treehouse.

Wood is actually the dominating material in this home, visible not only on the floors, ceiling, and walls but also in the furnishings and accessories that contribute to creating a space that brings nature inside. Decorated with vintage items, soft furnishings in earthy colors, and faux ivy, the laidback interior exudes rustic boho vibes.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that every piece of furniture inside this bus has a story to tell. Since they were on a tight budget, the couple used pre-loved and recycled items to furnish the bus. For instance, the kitchen is built on a vintage piece of furniture from Mexico, while the countertop and wardrobe are made from an old dresser Kae had since she was in high school.

It's well known that lighting can make a big difference in any space. It really helps set the mood and create a warm atmosphere, and this is particularly relevant in a rustic boho home. To allow sufficient natural light to get in, the couple preserved the original 360° emergency windows and also added a big skylight on the roof. The extensive glazing not only makes the interior luminous and inviting but also allows those inside to enjoy the views from any angle.

In terms of functionality, the bus is equipped with all the essentials for a hassle-free life on the road and features a practical layout specifically tailored to the owners' needs and lifestyle. It has a kitchen in front of the side doors that open to offer breathtaking views, a snug lounge, a workshop area, a pull-out dog bed, and a comfy double bed at the rear.

The kitchen is compact but makes up for the lack of space with its vintage aesthetics. The couple equipped it with a 17-inch oven with a three-burner range, a copper sink with an adjustable faucet, a chest fridge/freezer, as well as a 30-gallon fresh water tank, and a 5-gallon gray water tank. There is also a big space rack and open shelves and hooks that are used for storing pots, mugs, and other cooking essentials.

Next to the kitchen is Kae's workspace with a desk and a chair in front of a big window, and across from the cooking space is their wardrobe and teh dog's bed. And since it's not always warm in the places they visit, the bus is equipped with a rustic wood-fired stove that keeps it nice and toasty.

Another standout piece is a hand-carved vintage dresser that the couple uses for clothes storage. It is made from recycled wood and came from India, and it matches perfectly with the rest of the interior.

The sleeping area in the back of the bus is a cozy nook for relaxation and reflection. It includes a double bed with storage underneath and large windows that allow the couple to gaze at their surroundings. Next to the bed, they built a snug lounge with a bench seat that hides their Nature's Head composting toilet. There is no shower inside the bus, but the couple uses a Joolca portable camping shower.

A substantial solar system caters to their electricity needs in the summer, and a dual-fuel gas-propane generator takes over in the winter, when there is less sunlight.

The Treehouse bus conversion is full of character due to the little details that reflect the owners' unique personalities, and they say bus life has changed their life for the better. It brought them closer as a couple and taught them to appreciate having basic amenities. Besides, it helped them fulfill their dream of independence, waking up to different views every day and exploring new places at their own pace.