Tours
Family of 7 who outgrew 40-ft school bus build beautiful ‘tiny home’ on top of bus
This is such a creative way to add more space.
Patricia Lynn
08.30.23

Imagine a life where the open road is your backyard and every day promises a new adventure.

Jeff, Anna, and their five children don’t have to imagine it — they live it.

In a 40-foot school bus transformed into a double-decker tiny house, this family of seven has found a unique way to combine home, travel, and education into one seamless experience.

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The bus, a marvel of DIY ingenuity, is not just a vehicle but a full-fledged home equipped with all the amenities one could wish for.

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The journey begins in the driver’s area, a cockpit redesigned for comfort and functionality.

Gone are the unnecessary switches and equipment, replaced by an iPad for navigation and a backup camera screen.

The driver’s area is a well-thought-out space that enhances the driving experience, complete with an RV-specific GPS app that takes into account the bus’s dimensions.

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As you step further into the bus, you’re greeted by an L-shaped couch that serves multiple purposes.

Not only is it a cozy spot for the family to gather, but it also houses seat belts for safe travel and a mini-split unit for climate control.

The couches even have storage compartments underneath, making every inch of the bus functional.

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Nearby, a bookshelf brimming with books reflects the family’s commitment to education and the importance of literature in their lives.

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The kitchen shows the family’s desire for a residential feel. Full-sized counters, a propane stove, and solid plywood cabinets make it a fully functional space.

A washer-dryer combo and a pull-out spice rack add to the convenience.

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Even the refrigerator and snack cabinets are designed to maximize space while ensuring that they stay closed during travel.

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What sets this bus apart is its second story, a feat of engineering and creativity.

Built on top of the original structure, the upper level is framed with metal studs and decked with resin-impregnated OSB for strength and durability.

The exterior is clad in vinyl siding, making it weatherproof. This addition cost the family an extra $15,000, bringing the total investment to around $50,000.

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The bus is equipped with 96 gallons of fresh water storage and a mini-split climate control system.

It also features an EcoFlow Delta Pro power bank with 3.6 kilowatt-hours of lithium iron phosphate batteries, capable of taking in 1600 watts of solar power.

This makes the bus not just a home, but a sustainable one at that.

Jeff’s workspace is a compact area equipped with a high-voltage breaker box and a router for Starlink internet service.

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The children have their own bunks, complete with chalkboard walls for learning and creativity.

The bathroom features a Nature’s Head composting toilet and a full ceramic tile shower, proving that small spaces can still offer luxury.

The master bedroom is a sanctuary with a king-sized bed that lifts to reveal additional storage.

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The second floor serves as the children’s domain, complete with individual rooms and a common area for watching TV.

Each space is adorned with books, trinkets, and treasures that the family has collected during their travels, adding a personal touch to their mobile home.

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For Jeff, Anna, and their children, the bus is more than a home — it’s a lifestyle.

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They’ve embraced the challenges and reaped the rewards, meeting new friends and learning invaluable lessons along the way.

As Jeff puts it, “If you have a dream, don’t let anything get in the way. Just do the dream.”

Check out the full home tour in the video below!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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