Woman transforms old bus into magical ‘forest getaway’ tiny home for affordable living

An artist passionate about sustainable and creative living has transformed an old bus into a tiny home.

Chelsea calls it a “Forest getaway bus home,” a project she embarked on to live affordably while pursuing her artistic endeavors.

Nestled in a forest, the old Mercedes bus, now a cozy, nature-inspired tiny home, is painted in a shade of green that seamlessly blends with its surroundings.

“I wanted it to fit into the forest area as much as possible I wanted it to have as minimal impact on my surroundings,” she said.

She has been living on this bus for a couple of years, following her time on a smaller bus. Transitioning to bus life has allowed her to slow down and fully embrace her artistic practice.

The total cost of turning an old bus into a tiny home was between $10,000 and $13,000, showing her patience and resourcefulness in finding the perfect pieces for her space.

The Mercedes Numbucca bus is an 11-meter-long vehicle Chelsea found after extensive searching on Marketplace. She was thrilled with its dual doors and panoramic windows, which add to its unique charm.

Chelsea had lived in a smaller Toyota Coaster for a few years, which she had also built herself.

Transforming the old bus into a tiny home was a DIY project, with Chelsea learning along the way. Friends and family assisted her with more complex tasks like carpentry and plumbing.

Chelsea made it a point to retain some of the bus’s original features, such as the dashboard and hand-painted lights, to honor its history.

Chelsea’s artistic influence is evident throughout the bus and its surroundings. Her work includes ceramics, illustrations, and the release of stickers and journals focused on mindfulness and habit tracking.

The outdoor area serves as a “breakout space,” where she can entertain guests or work on social media marketing while enjoying the natural environment.

Gardening is another of Chelsea’s passions. She has spent years trading plants with the local community and propagating them to fill her outdoor space with lush greenery.

Chelsea’s bus is connected to mains power and water, though she plans to explore off-grid options.

Fitting out the bus was challenging but rewarding, with the pandemic providing her the time to complete the project. She meticulously planned the layout, ensuring every piece of furniture and decor served a purpose without overwhelming the space.

Inside, Chelsea has created an eclectic and inspiring space decorated with vintage and handmade items she has collected over time.

The interior is strategically placed with plants to bring nature inside, creating a sense of continuity between the indoors and the forest outside.

She also chose subtle LED seeds and fairy lights to enhance the space’s magical ambiance.

Her furniture, sourced from Marketplace and thrift shops, adds warmth and character to the home.

Chelsea’s studio desk, where she creates illustrations and works on her mindfulness journals, is the space’s centerpiece.

The bus features a cozy lounge area, a queen-sized bed, and a stunning timber slab countertop bathroom.

Chelsea’s approach to storage is both practical and creative, with drawers under the bed and a wardrobe with a roller door to maximize space.

Living in a space she has crafted entirely to her taste has brought Chelsea peace and satisfaction.

Every detail, from the arrangement of items in the kitchen to the height of the benches, is designed to fit her lifestyle.

The bus has allowed her to live affordably and focus on her art without the burden of high living costs.

Chelsea’s tiny home is more than just a place to live; it reflects her creativity, resourcefulness, and love for nature.

Every corner of the bus, inside and out, is infused with her artistic spirit, making it a truly unique and inspiring living space.

“The tiny house movement was everything I needed,” she said. “It offered affordability, allowed for many DIY projects so I could tailor the space to my needs, and gave me the flexibility to place it anywhere.

See the magic of turning an old bus into tiny home through the video below:

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You can also follow Chelsea on her Instagram to know more about her art.