This Skoolie Mobile Home Houses a Family of Four and Two Dogs, Still Feels Spacious

But as is the case with any project, some are more interesting than others. Oftentimes, only one or two people live inside such rigs, meaning there's little pressure to optimize every square inch. However, this former 2001 Bluebird All-American 40-foot (12.2-meters) skoolie is home to a family of four and their two dogs, making the build more intriguing to check out.

Everything starts on the outside with the fresh dark green coat of automotive paint. But this is just some eye candy, as there are quite a few more fascinating and handy features. Chief among them is the camera setup that can be operated from a 24-inch screen in the driver's gauge cluster, providing a 360-degree surround view of the bus.

Then there are the lights placed at every corner that can turn night into day over a large area around the bus and a retractable awning that makes spending time outside a fantastic option. Last but not least, there's the absolutely massive solar array on top, capable of producing up to 2,400W, with plans for upgrading it to a 3,000W system.

But as absurd as that might sound, a fully equipped home for a family of four draws a lot of power. And if you want to be able to off-grid camp in a national park, you definitely need to consider a large solar array. And that will become apparent as soon as you step inside this carefully curated mobile home.

Access is gained through a door mounted in the middle section of the bus, as the one up front has been decommissioned. This entrance leads to the open space kitchen-living room area, which is the standard design approach, relegating the sleeping quarters to the rear of the bus.

The kitchen inside this mobile home is astounding, as well-equipped as you would find in any conventional house. There's a full-size propane-powered stove and oven combo, a vent hood, a microwave, a washer-dryer combo, a residential fridge and freezer combo, and a large sink.

Space here is also abundant, albeit slightly narrow. There are plenty of cabinets covered with countertops providing ample space for both cooking and storing utensils or food. On top of that, it's also very well designed, with the fridge situated just behind the sink, on the opposite wall, and a nice countertop prep area between the sink and stove.

Up front, in between the kitchen and the driver's seat, there's the living room, which, although sparsely decorated, still looks terrific thanks to the careful use of wood. Against one of the walls is a bench seat that can extend into a queen-size bed for hosting guests or movie nights. Opposite the couch, there's a large stand for the pop-up TV, albeit one that offers no storage. However, to compensate for that, it provides a folding table, making this area serve as a dinette as well.

Other features of note here include the mini split AC unit, which is part of a pair, with the other one situated at the very back, which is a must-have, especially when traveling with dogs. Then there are the huge windows that allow plenty of natural light to permeate the bus, amplifying the feeling of space already created by the white furniture and light-colored wood featured throughout the bus.

But it's time to move to the most fascinating aspect of this build, the two bedrooms that are part of this mobile home. First up is the kids' room, which shows a lot of passion and love from the parents. The design here is fascinating, comprising two bunks, one on each wall. Each bunk consists of a bed up top with a desk space beneath it.

Here the kids have everything they need, from the wardrobe and extra storage under the couches to a TV and console setup for both gaming and productivity, such as learning or doing homework. There are also windows on either side, again making this somewhat confined space seem roomier and more welcoming.

Up next is the parent's bedroom, but in between the two sleeping areas sits the bathroom. It's a fully equipped unit, albeit slightly cramped. Even so, it does have every utility needed, from a composting toilet to a water-saving shower and a bathroom vanity. Granted, a composting toilet sounds like an odd choice for such a large build. But it has one key advantage, as no blackwater tank is needed, meaning it's better for off-grid camping.

The parent's bedroom is not as lovely as the one built for the kids, but it is decently sized, featuring a queen-size bed, lots of storage, and a few decorations. But that's all that's needed, as a bedroom is supposed to feel secluded from the rest of the areas, allowing you to disconnect, relax, and enjoy a good night's sleep. The only drawback in the bedroom design is that no doors are mentioned, which would have been nice to see as they create a bit more privacy and help separate the spaces.

One notable feature here is the fact that a whopping 200-gallon (757-liter) freshwater tank is hidden beneath the bed. Combine that with the mammoth solar array and all the utilities present throughout the build, and this mobile home can quickly go off-grid for up to two weeks in complete comfort.

Overall, this build is unique and fascinating in its design, somehow managing to make every area feel distinct, meaningful, and spacious. It's awe-inspiring to see how cleanly every room flows into the next, creating the feeling of a real family home. And this is something that's difficult to achieve, making this school bus a fantastic blueprint for every family looking to get into the nomadic lifestyle.