School bus conversion: A masterclass in tiny living with the Mayes family
Meet the Mayes

Life on the road

Gabriel and Debbie Mayes started their Skoolie journey in February 2017 with their four children, Gracen, 10; Darby, 7; Deacon, 6; and Jovey, 2. "Gabriel was a little skeptical, but we both knew we wanted to head to California and thought it would be the perfect way to reconnect as a family," explains Debbie.
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Finding inspiration

A rusty start

Making a bus a home

Mapping it out

Broken-plan living

An unusual floorplan

The layout that the Mayes opted for is different to many Skoolies. Most have a center aisle floorplan so that you can see straight through the bus to the master bedroom at the end. Debbie created an individual plan that zig-zags through the bus to create separate, defined spaces.
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Scandinavian style

Going off-grid

The grand entrance

Hidden storage

Home comforts

Extra sleeping space

Overall, the Skoolie can sleep a total of eight people, which is a rare feat in the world of tiny living, as the sofas double up as a bed. Debbie and Gabriel also installed a TV which entertains the children in wet weather.
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A modern, family kitchen

Extra details

Dining space conundrum

Multitasking bathroom

Sleeping quarters

Chic master bedroom

Unexpected problems

Advice for other tiny living enthusiasts

Reconnecting as a family

It may have cost them $38,000 (£29,000) but it was well worth it. "I love how connected our family has become. We used to find ourselves all spending time in different rooms of the house, but now the kids read to each other in their bunks, go on biking adventures and we all curl up on the couches together and watch movies. Being in such a tiny space can be stressful but we have so many more opportunities," says Debbie.
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