#vanlife is a hot buzzword on social media – who wouldn't want to head out on the open road in a personalized motorhome or customized campervan? But, why stick to convention? With determination and the right skills, almost any vehicle can be converted into a beautiful home on wheels.
We've searched the world to find the tiny house enthusiasts who have created incredible bespoke living spaces out of all sorts of vehicles. As well as plenty of space-saving ingenuity, these delightful dwellings don't scrimp on style. Click or scroll through and let's take a look inside...
Shane Monks O'Byrne and his partner Charlotte enjoy life living on the road full-time, mainly in France, in their beloved converted transit van named Beans, a Ford Transit long wheelbase that cost £5,900 ($7.6k).
The project started as a teaching side hustle with the online tutorial site thevanconversion.com for motorhome enthusiasts and now extends to a full-time job and published book.
Shane used to work in a standard nine-to-five corporate job as an engineer in Ireland. After watching an inspiring documentary called Free Solo, Shane was determined to break free himself.
In 2019 Shane quit his job and poured his "heart and soul" into converting the transit van into a practical DIY campervan and hasn't looked back.
Swapping gray city views for water-kissed sunrises seems like a wise decision. Beans' back double doors open out to offer incredible views to enjoy while the couple are still in bed in their pine-cladded DIY campervan, which Shane designed to look like an Alpine chalet.
Ever-changing views from this spot include Spain, Svalbard, France, and Norway.
Having spent four very cold winters in the van 'cozy' is key. Being an engineer-turned-campervan conversion expert means Shane has thought outside the box when it came to kitting out Beans. As well as usual home comforts such as fairy lights and candles, a wow-factor projector on the ceiling with a pull-down screen makes movie night memorable.
Another unique addition to Beans is a built-in fish tank. But as life on the road wouldn't suit aquatic creatures, this tank has been transformed into a terrarium to grow and display (almost self-sufficient) succulents.
Spending months at a time traveling in Beans requires well-thought-out work spaces to mix business and pleasure. The dining table often doubles as a hot-desk for Shane while Charlotte heads to the cozy and private cab at the front to make work calls.
Cooking is one of Shane and Charlotte's favorite parts of van life. Inside it's warm and cozy surrounded by fairy lights and a fold-up picnic camping table. making alfresco dining under the stars their way of life.
Meet Juniper, a former horse box now a luxury lodge retreat, nestled in the pine forests of Perthshire in Scotland. Could this be a contender for one of the world's most romantic hideaways in disguise?
Renovated by Jon and Jo Lewis, owners of Alexander House, the cool cabin on wheels overlooks the Gleneagles on their estate.
Before becoming a luxury lodge, now complete with an outdoor hot tub, Juniper was an ordinary tired old horse box.
She was delivered to her new resting place on the back of a truck but she could be driven short distances if needed.
Now transformed, the horse box is unrecognizable. The walls and ceiling are cladded with natural timber while doors and frames are gently lifted and painted in a shade of soft teal blue.
A clawfoot roll-top blue bath offers a touch of luxury and makes an endearing feature. A colorful tartan rug adds a nod to the horse box's countryside setting.
As for sleeping arrangements, Juniper has plenty of room for up to four guests. A big double bed fills one end of the new retreat. An additional and quirky cubby bed with room for two children is set within the roof above the driver's cab.
Electrics and plumbing have been installed to offer all the mod cons, including heating and charging sockets. The bath has a shower attachment and there is also a flushing toilet at the rear of the vehicle.
The quaint rustic corner kitchen sings cottagecore cuteness and is equipped with an induction hob, refrigerator, and kitchen sink.
Dresser-style storage set next to the stable-style doorway gives the tiny space country cottage charm that's ideal for such a quaint and cozy tiny home set in a forest. To book a stay at Jupiter visit alexanderhousescotland.com
Olive the bus is a gorgeous green double-decker bus nestled in a horse paddock in Hampshire, England. This green goddess is affectionately named Olive after the hit 60s British TV show character Olive Rudge from On The Buses.
Bought from eBay for just £5,000 ($6.4k), owner Bob Johnson then spent approximately £30,000 ($38k) to make her fully livable.
Before retiring, Olive was a Dublin-based double-decker bus. She then transferred to Dartford in Kent in England and spent her last days in service as a dedicated school bus.
When she arrived in Hampshire, Olive was bright red, but Bob decided to return her exterior to her original green that blends in perfectly with her new surroundings. It then took about three years to renovate.
The lower deck boasts a kitchen in what was once the stroller park, a double dining area, and shower room. A wood-burner with a log store keeps the narrow tiny house warm through winter.
The driver's cab, which still houses the steering wheel, gear lever, and dials, has been cleverly and hilariously turned into the bus toilet.
Bob could, if necessary, disconnect Olive and within a day she would be roadworthy again if ever needed. However, driving from a toilet seat may be interesting.
Original features such as convexed circular mirrors, stop bells, and seats ensure this bus stays true to its roots.
Take the original stairs up to the top deck and you'll be greeted by one long room with a view.
With room for five, a seating area at the front can be converted into two single beds, with a further single bed midway along, while a standard double bed at the back of the bus is divided by a privacy curtain. To head off on a 'busman's holiday' and stay on Olive, visit olivebus.co.uk
Castaway is made up of two former railway carriages owned and renovated by Bryony Passmore Gittins. The idyllic lodging is burrowed into the glorious hills of Monmouthshire, Wales, offering breath-taking views for miles around.
Much of the renovation design was led by Bryony's mother Cordelia, who honed in on themed attention to detail and touches that add to the railway charm.
Castaway was originally a steam locomotive freight wagon, scrapped back in the 1960s when Britain's railways were being modernied.
Made from good quality timber, the van bodies made ideal storage units for feed or animals and so were sold off to farms all over the country. Before the renovation, this vehicle was used as a storage unit on Llanthony Court in Wales, where it still resides today, but is so much more useful...
The authentic curved ceiling and walls are cladded with rustic natural wood panels and held in place with rich red steel frames.
The main carriage houses a snug living area complete with a log burner, plus two quirky leather loungers to sit back and enjoy the view from the large double-glazed doors that lead outside to decking and a viewing platform.
The carriage side door has been converted into an extended window and floods the tiny bedroom area with natural light during the day. A king-size bed with under-bed storage slots perfectly into the beautifully converted tiny home.
The kitchenette has a working hob, oven, and running water, while the vintage-style tile backsplash injects a touch of pattern and character.
The smaller carriage has been converted into a walk-in shower room tiled in warm brown, oak-effect wall tiles to keep the vintage look and feel of the conversion coherent and consistent.
The two railway carriages connect by a timber entryway to store outerwear ready for trekking the breathtaking Brecon Beacons nearby. To book a stay in this renovated train carriage visit llanthonycastaway.co.uk.
Sammy Seles takes her family of three children, often solo, on adventures all around the US in a detachable Palomino HS-2901 camper set on a Ford Super Duty F-350 four-wheel drive.
Traveling alone with three children while her husband works away meant that Sammy needed a truck with a smaller footprint, so they switched from a fifth-wheel RV to the camper truck and are nailing it.
Purchased at the beginning of 2023, the rig's original spray job was a standard black and white that suits perhaps more usual 'motorhomers'. Sammy had plans to personalise her smaller yet solid truck camper and soon had it booked in to be re-wrapped a much more suitable army green.
The rig was spruced up with a few other practical additions such as hardwearing wheels and tires suitable for off-grid driving. Other extras include solar panels, lithium batteries, a rack and porch, and enhanced headlights.
Remember we mentioned the rig could be removed? Electric jacks make the transition super safe and easy.
Inside, there is a full family kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, and small freezer, and the bathroom has a shower and sink.
Inside, the camper decor has a homely simplicity with touches of outback mountain charm.
Home-schooling children on the road means the interior has plenty of storage for stationery and memorabilia from the places the family have traveled to, and there have been many!
Traveling with three children means practicality takes over grand esthetics. Warm neutrals and soothing green tones ensure the space feels homely and comfortable as well as bright and airy.
The living space transforms into a bed for the children. Up a few steps into the roof, there is a queen-size bed for Sammy and her husband Dustin that is surrounded by built-in storage and a TV. You can follow the family adventures @bigheartstinyspaces.
Stephanie from @stephs_lifelance lives in Germany and proudly owns a beautiful and beige camper that she describes as her "little bohemian cottage on 4 wheels."
Costing €13,700 ($14.9k), it took three months to stamp her modern bohemian style on the 1997 Fiat Ducato. Step inside and prepare to de-stress...
When first purchased in January 2021, the camper interior was old and dated with orange-toned woodwork and faded gray upholstery.
Stephanie worked super hard to renovate the tiny home in just three months while also working full-time. The makeover was ready by March to start her adventures.
What a transformation! The once dowdy camper is now a cabin of calm and serenity on wheels. Simply looking at the pictures of all the incredible neutral decorating ideas is relaxing.
Wood surfaces were sanded and repainted a soothing chalky white tone with glass handles to match. All the upholstery was recovered in linen fabrics. Stephanie says: "I love waking up to this dream of beige so much. Whether the sun shines or not, the bright colors evoke pure joy in me and automatically put me in a good mood."
As well as freshly painted cabinets, the tiny kitchen has been revamped with a new Scandi-style wooden worktop and white, budget-friendly, stick-on tiles.
Voile curtains, macrame wall hangings, and plenty of fringed cushions complete Stephanie's bohemian sanctuary. Even the seats and steering wheel have been covered in cream-colored crochet wraps.
Upgrading the bathroom was the hardest part of the bohemian camper renovation as it had to be completely gutted. Stephanie's advice is to take your time when renovating. Three months was a very quick turnaround but very tiring!
Now complete, Stephanie enjoys taking vacations and weekend breaks in her beautifully coordinated camper. So far her favorite destination has been Tuscany in Italy. Bliss!
Heather Young and her husband bought a standard 2014 VW T5 Transporter van in 2017. The couple had dreamed of owning their own campervan for years, but didn't think it would happen – dreams can come true!
Heather posted on her blog Growing Spaces: "The van has been named – Algie (short for Algernon) named after the 'LG' at the start of his number plate, and we are already besotted."
Windows were fitted, electrics wired in, and plumbing installed. The van was then insulated, sound deadened and plywood flooring was laid. Customization such as adding rock and roll seating, which is when passenger seats click back to become a bed, and a pop-up roof means the van can sleep the family of four plus the family dog.
Heather's husband Ben focused on technical issues, while Heather, an interiors editor, was in charge of Algie's decor. Already having a Pinterest board full of ideas meant Heather had plenty of inspiration to work with.
Transformed, Algie has a cozy and warm feel and it's ideal for when the family head off on their travels around the UK and Europe. Heather says: "Our vision for the interior was to create something that didn't feel like your standard caravan or camper. We wanted to fit out the van in a style that's more us – so we channeled a rustic modern vibe with quirky modern details."
Every inch has been utilized, the lid of the bench seat lifts to access a chest fridge and a ledge in front creates a front-facing bookshelf. The kitchenette has plenty of storage hooks and rattan baskets to keep cookware safe and contained while on the move.
Algie is packed with personality throughout. The blue kitchen has a gas hob fitted under a liftable worktop which used to live in a science lab of Eton College. The little sink is a vintage jelly mold with an added waste pipe and the blackboard-painted backsplash echoes the school college vibe with tongue-in-cheek humour.
The funky flooring is vinyl, and to keep the high-traffic area clean Heather has added a budget-friendly IKEA doormat which does the trick and looks the part.
Well aware of the campervan's tiny footprint Heather is obsessed with creating practical or secret storage spaces for their small home.
Handy additions include an under-seat drawer, while a stylish removable shelf creates an easy alfresco breakfast bar or an evening drinks table for sipping under the stars. To follow Algie on family adventures visit @youngvanadventures
Ashley and Brandon Trebitowski, together with their children, once lived and traveled on a 99 Blue Bird school bus. Talk about living the dream.
Originally from Phoenix and Albuquerque, the family chose a lifestyle where they could up and leave whenever they wanted in the comfort of their own converted tiny home on wheels. Their first adventures took them through the Pacific Northwest.
The couple bought the bus for $4,200 from a church in Texas. They then spent approximately $35,000 on renovating to make it self-sufficient.
Brandon owns a software company while Ashley runs their family brand digital marketing, and fortunately both jobs could be worked remotely while home-schooling their children on the bus.
The bus has three cabin beds built into a walk-through bunk room that leads to the master bedroom with a king-size bed at the back of the bus.
When it came to fitting out their tiny home, Lowe's and Home Depot were the go-to stores for the wood for flooring and walls, while the kitchen fixtures were bought from Amazon.
The single-unit kitchen has everything the family could need, including a three-burning hob and a large electric toaster oven. Most of the power comes from solar batteries, although there is also a hook-up for when staying at RV parks.
White-painted clad walls and plenty of windows maximize the sense of space in the compact 288-square-foot home.
The front of the bus offers a living area with two warm-toned brown benches and a TV is set just above the driver's cab.
After traveling for a while the family turned the Blue Bird into a homestead while a new conventional home was built. And although the family no longer live on the bus, Ashley recently said on her Instagram feed: "The bus has been the best life so far." You can see more of their skoolie conversion at @trebventure
Young couple Em and Kyle have the world at their feet thanks to their beloved traveling transit van named Travis or @transit_travis.
The Ford Transit LWB cost £7,000 ($8.9k) to buy and the pair then spent £3,000 ($3.8k) customizing and renovating. The couple describes their camper interior as "homemade and green."
The couple have proved you don't need a huge budget if you have a dream. Em and Kyle soon set to work, cleaning, preparing and creating windows. This they explain was the hardest and most tiring part of the project. Next came insulating, adding floors and walls. Other jobs included wiring and having the exterior wrapped in green.
Em and Kyle learned a lot online and from the #vanlife community. Other practical additions to Travis include an extractor fan, making the front seats reversible, installing a diesel heater and adding a water tank that once filled lasts for a week.
Travis is now a fully functioning motorhome that Em and Kyle comfortably use to explore Europe. Their favorite place so far has been North Macedonia.
Inside, gorgeous green decorating ideas continue. Natural toned cladding ties into the coherent nature theme of the cozy organic space. There is secret storage everywhere and housework, as you can imagine, doesn't take long.
The kitchen frame is made from wood batons all pocket holed in place. The cupboards are made from ply less than an inch thick and painted a striking shade of forest green. The single-wall kitchenette has everything they need. "It's not perfect but we are so happy with it. Fridge, hob, sink and plenty of chopping space. Love that." So says Em on their Instagram page.
Kyle designed and installed a cute recess spice rack to inspire cooking on the two-hob burner. Task lighting is hidden behind the upper cabinetry to streamline the look.
The pullout bed is a major space saver. Kyle explains: "The best part was designing the sliding bed. As we were trying to be efficient with the space, it was very satisfying when it was done."
When the bed slides away, another layer pulls out from beneath and becomes the dining and games table. What a cool way to squeeze in an eating space.
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