Ben and Tate bought a 40-foot 1992 Thomas school bus while still in high school and spent about $20,000 converting it into “Ola” — a cottage-boho style home on wheels that they moved into after getting married. They now park on a ranch in Southern California, close to the beach and family, but hit the road whenever they want to.
Images via @olathebus
Cottage-Boho Kitchen with Open Shelving
Images via @olathebus
Dedicated Coffee Station
Images via @olathebus
Original Bus Windows Flood Interior with Light
Images via @olathebus
Growing Their Family in 320 Square Feet
Images via @olathebus
Entry Area with Built-In Drawer Storage
Images via @olathebus
Breakfast Bar with Scenic Views
Images via @olathebus
Cozy Rear Bedroom
Images via @olathebus
Ben and Tate with Ola
Images via @olathebus
Fresh White Exterior Paint
Images via @olathebus
Before: The Original Yellow School Bus
Images via @olathebus
Building Their Home Together
Images via @olathebus
Video Tour: Ola the Skoolie
Design Details
- Vehicle: 1992 Thomas school bus (40 feet)
- Name: Ola
- Size: Approximately 320 sq ft
- Bus Cost: $5,000
- Renovation Cost: $15,000-$20,000
- Total Investment: ~$20,000-$25,000
- Build Type: DIY with family and friends
- Build Time: Approximately 6 months
- Style: Cottage/boho aesthetic
- Kitchen: Open shelving, dedicated coffee station
- Dining: Breakfast bar facing windows
- Bedroom: Rear of bus
- Windows: Original bus windows retained for natural light
- Storage: Built-in drawer storage at entry
- Exterior: White paint
- Location: Ranch in Southern California (can travel freely)
Lessons from This Build
- Tiny Living Enables Young Homeownership: Ben and Tate avoided rent and bought a home they own outright by choosing bus life—a practical path for young couples starting out
- Keep the Windows: Retaining the original school bus windows floods the interior with natural light, making even a narrow space feel open and airy
- Family Help Stretches Budgets: Their DIY conversion was possible because of Tate’s handy father and help from family and friends—don’t be afraid to ask for help
- Ranch Parking Offers Best of Both: A home base on a ranch provides stability and community while maintaining the freedom to travel when desired
- Cottage-Boho Style Works in Buses: Light colors, open shelving, and cozy touches create a warm, inviting aesthetic that doesn’t feel like a vehicle
Learn More
Related Stories
- Guy Meets Girl Gets a Skoolie!
- Empty Nester’s Little Homie Skoolie Conversion
- Bussy McBusFace: Couple’s Skoolie w/ DIY Mosaic Shower & Dutch Door
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Alex
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** I would defiantly love to have a home like that , since I don’t have a home yet **
I love your bus house. I would live an in-depth tour. My father turned a bus into a camper it was amazing.I loved it. I had pjs parties and sleep overs my girlfriends all love it.
From what see — a very comfy and well organised space. Like the pull-out storage and good size appliances —– good idea to store pots and pans in the oven of the 4-burner stove!! A smaller, compact counter stove would probably be all they need — !!
Hi!I louie your tiny home. It blew mine when I read how it all started. This is cool, i need more info of how i can get one of this to buy. I live In ky. Please send me news letter. Hope to hear from soon . Thanks in anticipations
Sincerely,
Bernie..
That’s the way to go. Now if I only was 50 years younger.
What a lovely bus! I love the way the kitchen turns to define space, and it’s good to see the original bus roof metal and windows being utilized instead of replaced. Those windows are designed to withstand quite a bit of trauma without breaking and are tinted to help keep our sun. There is already about 2 1/2″ of insulation in the bus walls and ceiling, so it does a good job of insulating already, and you gotta’ love that they’re magnetic! I got magnetic frames and hung pics all over my bus. This is a great home. Well done!
Lovely home. The kitchen sink is in an odd place and it looks like it would be uncomfortable to use. I can say this since I once had kitchen sink located in a bad place.