AD It Yourself

Everything We Learned From Watching School Bus Renovations on TikTok

Find out if a skoolie is the tiny home for you
It doesn't take much to get schooled in bus renovations as long as you're willing to go for it.
It doesn't take much to get schooled in bus renovations as long as you're willing to go for it.Illustration: Getty Images/Usplusabus/livesimplybuses

“One year ago today, we said enough with the stable jobs and affordable mortgage, we’re going to buy an old bus and hopefully turn it into something that doesn’t resemble a dumpster,” said Florida-based Beth W. of @usplusabus in a recent TikTok video.

The oft-wry mom of two was celebrating the anniversary of her and her husband Eddie’s decision to join the skoolie movement, the latest trend in tiny home living that entails transforming an old school bus into a cozy, and in some cases, very stylish home on wheels. The two-minute video—which gives a recap of them ripping up “crusty” seats, insulating walls, building custom furniture, and more—is clear proof that the couple has come a long way. And nearly 380,000 TikTok users have followed along with them.

Search trends demonstrate that interest in skoolies has steadily risen in the past five years. The reasons are many: wanderlust; a desire for a minimalist, more sustainable lifestyle; and the ability to fully customize your rig. The National Skoolie Association, which has amassed over 57,000 followers on Instagram, offers glimpses of some of the coolest skoolie inspiration, from roof raises and sleek decks to luxurious baths and enviably cozy kitchens. The design possibilities are endless.

Though skoolies are practical in essence, serving a dual purpose of home and transportation, for some owners, the renovation is integral to their story. As the saying goes, it’s about the journey, not the destination.

Here, advice from some of TikTok’s favorite DIYers to turn a school bus into a tiny home.

What do you need to know before buying a school bus?

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Lisa and Megan Donahue, the mom-daughter team behind @livesimplybuses, began their Graham, North Carolina–based business, fixing up and flipping old school buses, as a tribute to their late son-brother, Michael. Shortly before his passing, Michael had tweeted, “It’s the simple things in life that make it worth living.”

“We knew we had to create a legacy that would carry on his life motto,” Megan Donahue says. They wanted to help people reconnect with the simple things—but initially, weren’t sure how.

About five years ago, “while on a drive in the country we passed the Wheeley Mart junkyard. Four rows back from the entrance sat a short white bus that looked like it could have been a prop on a scary movie set.” That shoddy bus inspired the skoolie business that’s still going strong today.

They’ve built and sold 12 skoolies so far. The favorite? A 1995 retired prison bus that they named Spartacus. With all of the trapping of a former prison bus, including metal bars on the windows, Spartacus needed a major facelift. Lisa and Megan began the project with the total demolition of the interior, including the window bars, and then moved on to painting, laying new floors, installing electricity and plumbing, and finally, decorating.

“By the time we finished renovating Spartacus he was a 40-foot mobile log cabin on wheels. Inside the walls were constructed of recycled pallet wood, a sliding barn door for the bathroom, and a custom countertop formed by two cedar trees.” The Live Simply Buses team sold Spartacus to a couple, “who are selling their house and quitting their jobs to travel the country to carry out the ‘live simply’ motto.”

When AD asked Lisa and Megan for a tip for aspiring skoolie owners, their response was to just go for it—if you’re worried you’re not experienced or handy enough, there are plenty of resources available online.

For example, Facebook groups have been pivotal in their journey. “There are dozens of different groups online, like Skoolie Nation and Skoolie Planet, where people specifically talk about bus stuff. Any time we have a question about something we just type it in one of those groups and we have about 15 answers in ten minutes from people who are thrilled to help however they can.”

Their advice to “go for it” extends beyond just school bus renovations. Whether you’re considering quitting your job or repainting your home: “Life is far far too short to not live the life you want.”

How do you find a school bus to renovate?

@usplusabus owner walks you through a school bus that will soon be a tiny home.

Beth and Eddie W. of @usplusabus began their journey as a way to spend more time together as a family. “First we planned on camping more and built out a camping setup in our minivan,” Beth says. That led them to begin researching more permanent options, like RVs, van conversions, and box truck conversions. When they discovered skoolies—and that families weren’t just camping but full-time living in them—they were hooked.

They purchased a retired school bus and got started with the demolition, which turned out to be highly satisfying. “It felt like huge progress,” Beth says. “We were so excited to get started on our build.”

Their advice for aspiring skoolie owners? “Do plenty of research before you purchase a bus. Having a solid bus to start with is key.”

They recommend using government auction websites like GovDeals (Government Surplus Auctions), and buying from a school district. “Look for one that was recently used on a route, as they’re generally up to date on inspections and repairs.”

And finally, don’t be afraid to ask the seller a lot of questions. “Take your time and be patient until you find the perfect bus for you.”

How to optimize space in a school bus?

Daniel Young walks you through an A+ virtual tour of his skoolie.

Travel photographer Daniel Young was no stranger to minimalist living. On his YouTube channel, he broke down how he traveled the world on a budget of $300 per month, taking on freelance photo gigs and traversing entire countries by motorbike. After returning to the U.S., Young spent some time road tripping and “stealth camping” in a converted Honda Element. The frugal traveler said he was inspired to buy an old school bus because he wanted something roomier. He’s been sharing his school bus renovation journey with his 2.4 million TikTok followers ever since.

Gags aside—like that time he fooled 30 million people into thinking he used ramen noodles to patch up a hole in his bus—Young has clever tips for using DIY to convert a skoolie. One takeaway: Every inch counts, so look for crafty ways to save space. For example, when designing a spice rack, Young chose a pullout pantry style that would provide easy access and plenty of storage.

To get started, Young created a 3D model. “I specifically designed the width to fit two Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasonings side by side, and 10 Everything But the Bagel seasonings lengthwise,” Young says.

The narrow design allowed him to stash wine, olive oil, and spices— enough space for 80 seasonings, by his measure—without devouring a lot of space. Because tiny home living shouldn’t cramp your cooking style.