This 1969 International short school bus was converted into the Old School B&B in British Columbia, Canada — a retro-styled tiny house built almost entirely from locally salvaged materials and decorated with thrifted vintage finds from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. A full roof structure was built above the bus to protect it from the weather and to cover the outdoor bathroom, porch, and whimsical garden areas surrounding it.
Image courtesy of Exploring Alternatives
A Cozy 19-Foot Interior
The interior space is 19 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 5 feet 10 inches high in the middle. It is heated with a small Dickinson marine propane fireplace placed in the center of the bus to maximize heat distribution and add a cozy ambiance. The walls and ceiling are insulated with rigid foam, with plans to add spray foam on the underside for the colder months when the floors can get chilly.
Image courtesy of Exploring Alternatives
A Shower Where the Driver’s Seat Used to Be
One of the cleverest design moves in this build: the driver’s seat area was converted into an indoor shower with salvaged granite tile and a window to let steam escape. The shower curtain has magnets along the side to keep it tightly sealed so no water leaks out. It is the kind of creative repurposing that makes skoolie conversions so much fun to tour.
Image courtesy of Exploring Alternatives
Kitchenette, Workspace, and Sleeping Area
The kitschy kitchenette runs along the driver’s side of the bus with a long counter, sink, painted bar fridge, 2-burner propane stove with a hood fan, and plenty of under-counter storage. Most of the windows are operable, which keeps air flowing throughout.
On the passenger side, a copper penny desk and stool provide a workspace for crafting and writing. The wheel wells were turned into two storage benches for lounging, eating, or playing board games — and a hidden folding table stows beneath the raised bed at the back. The queen-size bed is oriented side-to-side rather than front-to-back, which saves floor space and creates loads of storage underneath.
Image courtesy of Exploring Alternatives
Outdoor Bathroom and Garden
Next to the bus, a separate bathroom/outhouse was built with an Envirolet composting toilet and running water. A covered porch runs along one side and a fire pit area sits on the other, giving guests plenty of outdoor living space. The owner is a landscaper and created beautiful whimsical gardens all around the bus with driftwood, planters, and fun secondhand objects hidden throughout.
Image courtesy of Exploring Alternatives
Image courtesy of Exploring Alternatives
Video Tour
Watch the full tour from Exploring Alternatives to see every detail of this one-of-a-kind salvaged school bus conversion:
Highlights
- 1969 International short school bus converted into the Old School B&B in British Columbia
- Built almost entirely from locally salvaged materials with thrifted vintage decor
- Interior: 19 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, 5 feet 10 inches high
- Dickinson marine propane fireplace for heat, rigid foam insulation
- Indoor shower built in the former driver’s seat area with salvaged granite tile
- Kitchenette with 2-burner propane stove, hood fan, bar fridge, and counter storage
- Copper penny desk, storage benches from wheel wells, hidden folding table
- Raised queen bed oriented side-to-side with storage underneath
- Separate outdoor bathroom with Envirolet composting toilet
- Covered porch, fire pit area, and whimsical landscaped gardens
- Protective roof structure built over the entire bus
Learn More
- Watch the full tour on Exploring Alternatives
- Old School B&B on Instagram
- Book the Old School B&B on Airbnb
Explore More
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Sexy,you got style,you go Girl
I love this! Cozy and gorgeous.
It’s really pretty and I really like it! Looks like home. Beautiful colors and decorating.
Two green thumbs up. Creative, cute, clever, cozy, warm and inviting. Well done. Also enjoy landscaping around exterior and overall resourcefulness.
I would love to visit if I knew where this was located
Hey Tanya it’s located in Sooke, British Columbia, Canada and then there’s an Airbnb link at the bottom of the post too if you want to book or check availability/etc. Thanks for coming by!
Very cute. My issue is always that I would not want a hard built-in couch. Give me a real one and I could live here.
This is my pet peave also. Make it a sofa bed and get two uses. With a raisable coffee table there is room for meals or computer use.
ABSOLUTELY SMITTEN !!! and inspired ?❤️?
I love this peripheral placement of each section. It feels spacious and that bathroom is stunning!
I love it. What a great repurposing of an old school bus. Sell the motor and transmission and then build up a sturdy get away/cabin/man cave/she shed. Awesome idea and they did a great job. Good idea to insulate it beneath the bus, that will really make a big difference.
If I’m reading this correctly it looks like one would have to be 5’10” or shorter so as to not hit their head on the ceiling. I am 5’7″ and I would find that claustrophobic and pretty uncomfortable. I am wondering how you make that work. Regardless of the height this home is gorgeous it’s inside and out!!
I love this. If it is definitely never going to move, I’d probably figure out some way to empty out the engine compartment and use it for something. Maybe storage? Such a creative use of a bus, and incredibly cute!
You’d need to be short to live in that or you’d be smacking your head a lot with it 5’10” only in the middle. Hope the owner doesn’t have any tall friends.