This Skoolie Is an Affordable Tiny Home for a Family of Five, Features Clever Design Hacks

One common thing among the family camper builds I've written about is build creativity – these adventurers have come up with all sorts of clever layouts and features that make mobile homes as comfortable and enjoyable as conventional homes. The same goes for the Tycholis family.

What we have here is a converted 2003 Bluebird school bus, which offers around 275 square feet (25.5 square meters) of space. The owners and builders of this rig are Johnathan and Taryn, who travel together with their three kids, aged eight, six, and four.

The driver's cabin was cleverly modified for more storage space. You'll find a shoe rack just by the entrance, a countertop on the dashboard so the couple can place stuff, and an overhead shelf holding cargo boxes.

One of the more unique areas in this bus is the lounge area. It comprises two huge benches, one on each side. Inspired by another family living in a skoolie, the couple added a really creative feature. Each bench comes with a long live-edge table that slots between the bench and the windows.

They can be pulled out and mounted normally, creating the perfect spot to enjoy a nice family dinner. When they're both mounted, there's enough space to fit 8 to 10 people. One nice personal touch is that one of the tables integrates an epoxy insert, which holds rocks and shells the kids have collected throughout time. Moreover, when the table is put back behind the benches, the area really opens up, with a bunch of space to walk around.

The passenger side bench has a huge storage space underneath. The other one houses the electrical system, which features 560 Ah batteries, a 3,000 W inverter, and two separate MPPT solar charge controllers. John devised two solar setups to be prepared in case one breaks down.

One MPPT charger is connected to the solar panels on the rear part of the roof, while the other is linked to the ones on the front part. In total, this bus holds 1,250 W solar panels. What's more, they're mounted on gas struts, so they can be tilted to provide additional power. John explained that this system allows the family to go off-grid for five to seven days, and that's in cloudy weather.

While we're on the topic of utilities, let me tell you about what other systems you can discover on this bus. One feature you don't typically see in campers is a pellet stove located right next to one of the benches. The duo opted for a Cleveland Iron Works Mini Pellet Stove, which is designed to heat up space up to 800 to 1,200 square feet (74 to 111 square meters).

What makes this pellet stove very effective compared to conventional wood stoves is that it not only radiates heat but also blows it, quickly filling up the whole bus. John said that it also uses little power (when it's started), and it can go for eight to twelve hours without needing to be refilled.

So, whenever it's cold outside, this family is covered. But how about those hot days when it becomes unbearable to stay inside? The couple installed a mini-split in the kitchen, which does use up a lot of power, but it's enough to cool the interior. Moreover, when they're plugged into shore power, they use the mini-split instead of the pellet stove to heat up the interior.

And finally, we have the plumbing system. A 100-gallon (379-liter) freshwater tank is integrated underneath the main bed, while all the water used in this camper ends up in an under-mounted gray water tank.

The next area inside this skoolie is the kitchen, which occupies the middle of the interior. It comprises an enormous sink, an eating area with two seats, large overhead cabinets, and a bunch of other cabinets and drawers that offer a ton of storage.

The most striking feature inside the kitchen is the blue oven with a three-burner stove, which the couple got on Facebook Marketplace from a 1960s camper. It's simple, offers a beautiful pop of color in the kitchen, and cost just $100. Above it, you'll notice a hood for ventilation.

It's safe to say this family won't run out of food, as they store it inside a humongous apartment-size fridge, which gulps up quite a bit of battery juice. My favorite parts of this kitchen are two large skylights, which let a bunch of light shine inside. They also enable John, who is 6'2", to sit up straight in the kitchen.

To continue this bus tour, you'll have to step through two swinging doors. The bathroom is divided into two parts – this way, both sections can be used at any time. One features a DIY composting toilet, a rack, and a mirror, while the other serves as a wet space, integrating a sink and a shower. I didn't expect to see yet another skylight, enabling you to stargaze while enjoying a hot shower.

When traveling in a mobile home, storage is critical. Add three children into the mix, and it becomes even more important. The space between the bathroom and the kids' bedroom is dedicated to storage, featuring a huge pull-out drawer and a hanging closet.

The kids' bedroom consists of three bunk beds. I believe it's important to let children have their own space, especially when traveling in a tiny home on wheels where privacy is harder to get. I love that John and Taryn also created a playroom for the kids.

The bunk bed ladder not only allows the kids to climb into bed but also lets you go up through a ceiling hatch. On the roof, you'll find a large wooden deck that holds a Starlink.

And finally, we have the bedroom, located at the very rear of the bus. As Taryn said, many people ask the parents how they're able to get some intimate time, given the compact space and the lack of privacy. Well, the couple soundproofed the bedroom walls and added a sliding door.

John and Taryn opted for a wood-filled cabin aesthetic for their bedroom. I'm fond of the slatted wall design they chose, highlighted via a soft night light. An iMac is mounted on one of the walls, allowing them to enjoy a movie or series. For storage, they use a large overhead cabinet, but there's also a lot of space available underneath the bed. Another notable element is the rear door, which can be opened for extra ventilation.

All in all, the Tycholis family has built an excellent tiny home on wheels. Even though it doesn't have the roof raise most bus dwellers go for, it still feels spacious. Moreover, I like the couple's design hacks, such as the living room table.

You're probably curious to know how much all this costs. Skoolie builds are typically budget-friendly – this family spent CAD 10,000 ($7,494) on the base vehicle and invested a further CAD 20,000 ($14,989) into its renovation, bringing the total cost to CAD 30,000 ($22,483). Trust me, this is an amazing deal, especially since this tiny home is designed to accommodate a five-person family.