This DIY tiny home on wheels uses 70% recycled wood and skateboards and even has a spacious bathroom

Caleb and Sydney have been living in their DIY tiny house on wheels for three years, creating a home full of personality, recycled materials, and clever design in Colorado’s Front Range.

What started as a daydream during COVID grew into a fully functional 360-square-foot tiny house, blending luxury, creativity, and sustainability in every corner.

The couple behind the diy tiny house on wheels

Caleb grew up moving around the country, with a dad who was a master chainsaw carver and a mom in the airline industry.

Early on, he developed a love for skateboarding, which later evolved into woodworking.

“I kind of found a niche for it and really enjoyed it. I get old skateboards—woodworking with used skateboards—and basically just save them from the trash,” he explained.

Caleb would laminate the boards and use them to create furniture, staircases, and more, bringing color and life into their home.

Sydney, originally from San Diego, followed her passion for hair and bold colors.

She ran a successful solo salon suite and grew up loving horses and outdoor adventures.

Moving to Colorado allowed her to continue her hair business while also guiding horseback tours in the Garden of the Gods.

During COVID, the couple lived in a camper and started dreaming bigger.

“It’s time to leave, and we didn’t want to go back to an apartment, Sydney said. “

We watched every Tiny House Nation episode and looked up everything people had made,” Caleb added.

Their vision was clear: a tiny home that felt luxurious, fun, and fully customized to their lifestyle.

Building a 360 sq. ft. diy tiny house on wheels

The house measures 32 by 10 feet, totaling 360 square feet, and took roughly 18 months to build.

Caleb estimates that about 60–70% of the materials are recycled, including the subfloor, countertops, windows, and roughly 200 skateboards.

The couple spent around $47,000 on the entire project, combining a family loan, savings, and secondhand finds from Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.

“All the countertops were literally just three church pews from the side of an alleyway. The plywood came from machinery crates that were being thrown away. God just kept putting material in front of me over and over,” Caleb quipped.

Even the exterior reflects their creativity, with lime green trim on vulcan stones and a climbing wall on the back slant for both fun and practicality.

The slanted wall also houses an outdoor shower connected to the indoor water line—a perfect solution after a day outside.

Rooms designed for function and comfort

Living Room

The living room is simple yet full of personality.

Caleb incorporated a backdrop wall from Sydney’s old salon, while a wall area was designed specifically for the cats.

“Being in a tiny house, you don’t really have much wall space, but I really wanted it to be comfortable for the animals,” he said.

The couple also added a hanging chair and a small hidden wall safe, maximizing both comfort and practicality.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and was designed for full functionality in a compact space.

Caleb used old skateboards to create geometric cube stairs that double as drawers for storage, including shoes and clothing.

He sourced countertops from discarded church tables and combined them with laminated skateboards and walnut trim. The kitchen features:

• Full-size farm sink for meal prep and washing produce.
• An electric stovetop was purchased secondhand for just $80.
• A smart oven that allows precise cooking with temperature probes.
• Custom ventilation integrated into a microwave to manage steam from the cooktop

Caleb emphasized the design’s practicality: “I’ve always wanted a farm sink and never had one. That was actually a really big upgrade in my life.”

Every nook and cranny is functional, from hidden compartments to a small wet bar under the stairs.

Bathroom

The bathroom was Sydney’s personal project. Coming from camper life, where she showered at the gym, she wanted luxury. It includes:

• Freestanding tub with a custom tray for reading or watching a movie.
• Freestanding shower with three showerheads for simultaneous use.
• Teak wood bench and floor made from recycled materials.
• Composting toilet for an eco-friendly upgrade.
• A Dyson fan for proper air circulation.
• Closet space is larger than most apartments, designed to fit all of Sydney’s clothing.

Sydney also added color and ambiance with underglow lighting and rainbow tiles. “I wanted the bathroom to feel very happy. I wanted to start my day with a positive vibe,” she said.

Bedroom Loft

The bedroom loft holds a Cali King bed. It features personal touches like skateboards, a mirror from Sydney’s salon, and a fun round window.

Rainbow stickers cast colorful patterns when sunlight hits, creating a joyful atmosphere. An additional loft serves as storage or a guest space, offering flexibility.

“We designed it to where you can walk all the way around the house to get to the extra loft. We intended on having it as a guest bed space… but we turned it into a spare closet over time,” Sydney explained.

Living tiny legally

Finding a legal place to live with their DIY tiny house on wheels proved challenging. California’s codes made parking difficult, and most counties said no.

Eventually, the couple moved to Colorado, where regulations are more welcoming, and they arranged a temporary parking setup at a friend’s property, paying a small fee.

“We tried everything. ‘Can I come to your city council meetings? Can I fight? Whatever it takes.’ A lot of nos, a lot of stress,” Sydney recalled.

Moving to Colorado allowed them both legal freedom and the lifestyle they wanted.

Living fully in a diy tiny house on wheels

For Caleb and Sydney, building a tiny home was about more than just space—it was about creating a life that reflects who they are.

From skateboard staircases to a luxurious bathroom and custom kitchen, every detail is intentional.

Living tiny has also strengthened their relationship, creativity, and connection to sustainability.

“The whole build we were just kind of like giddy little kids just like, ‘Oh, did you see that?’ It’s like the fruits of your labor,” Caleb said.

He added, “Everything after the initial build was us trying to really penny pick in our pockets and find everything we possibly could to get this thing complete but how we wanted it done at the same time.”

Their story shows that with imagination, resourcefulness, and determination, a DIY tiny house on wheels can be a home that’s functional, beautiful, and uniquely personal.

Watch Caleb and Sydney walk through their DIY tiny house on wheels, sharing the heart, creativity, and recycled details that make it truly feel like home.

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