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One of a Kind School Bus Tiny House Conversion Built with Salvaged Materials


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This is a 1969 International short school bus that was converted into the Old School B&B in British Columbia, Canada. It’s built with materials that were salvaged locally and it’s decorated with fun thrifted vintage items to bring us back to the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.

The bus has a roof built above it to protect it from the weather and to cover the outdoor bathroom/outhouse as well as the porch area. 

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This School Bus Tiny House Has a Roof Built Over It!

The interior space is 19′ feet long from front to back, 7.5′ wide, and 5’10” high in the middle. 

It’s heated with a small Dickinson marine propane fireplace which is perfectly placed in the center of the bus to maximize heat distribution and to add a cozy ambiance.  The bus walls and ceiling are insulated with rigid foam and the owner plans to add spray foam on the underside of the bus because the floors do get chilly in the colder months.

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 closed so that no water leaks out.

The kitschy kitchenette is on the driver’s side of the bus.  It has a long kitchen counter with a sink, a painted bar fridge, a 2-burner propane stove (with a hood fan!), and lots of storage space under the counter for dishes.  Most of the visible windows are operable which allows for lots of natural air flow!

The passenger side of the bus has a copper penny desk and stool for working and crafting, and there’s also a dresser beneath it for linen and clothing storage.

The wheel wells were turned into two storage benches for lounging, eating meals, or playing board games and the rectangle cutout under the bed is actually a hidden folding table that can be set up between the benches.

A raised queen-size bed at the back creates loads of storage space beneath it, and it also saves floor space because it’s oriented side-to-side rather than front-to-back.

They built a bathroom/outhouse next to the bus with an Envirolet composting toilet and running water.

There’s a covered porch on one side of the bus and a firepit area on the other, which provides lots of outdoor living space as well.

The owner is a landscaper and she created beautiful whimsical gardens all around the bus with driftwood, planters, and lots of fun secondhand objects hidden throughout.  Check out the Exploring Alternatives video below for a full tour!

VIDEO: One of a Kind School Bus Tiny House Conversion Built with Salvaged Materials

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Our big thanks to Danielle at Exploring Alternatives for sharing!🙏

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Danielle is a digital nomad who is passionate about tiny spaces, living with less, reducing waste and eating plant-based food. Danielle is half of the Exploring Alternatives blog & video project. You can find more of her at www.ExploringAlternatives.ca and her Exploring Alternatives YouTube Channel.
{ 14 comments… add one }
  • William Strine
    November 30, 2021, 3:08 pm

    Sexy,you got style,you go Girl

  • Francine
    November 30, 2021, 8:27 pm

    I love this! Cozy and gorgeous.

    • Marsha Cowan
      December 2, 2021, 6:23 pm

      It’s really pretty and I really like it! Looks like home. Beautiful colors and decorating.

  • Patrick
    December 1, 2021, 5:33 am

    Two green thumbs up. Creative, cute, clever, cozy, warm and inviting. Well done. Also enjoy landscaping around exterior and overall resourcefulness.

  • Tanya Greeve
    December 1, 2021, 9:51 am

    I would love to visit if I knew where this was located

    • Alex
      December 1, 2021, 12:40 pm

      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!

  • NITA Hiltner
    December 1, 2021, 11:16 am

    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.

    • Peggy McCauley
      December 1, 2021, 4:54 pm

      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.

  • Cindy Doyle
    December 1, 2021, 12:55 pm

    ABSOLUTELY SMITTEN !!! and inspired 🌻❤️🌻

  • Fran Marie
    December 8, 2021, 4:35 pm

    I love this peripheral placement of each section. It feels spacious and that bathroom is stunning!

  • Husabergchamp
    August 27, 2022, 4:39 pm

    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.

  • Liz
    August 27, 2022, 10:57 pm

    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!!

  • Karen Brown
    October 6, 2022, 2:53 pm

    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!

  • annon
    October 16, 2022, 4:31 pm

    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.

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