This Camper Van Stands Out With a Charming Interior Packing Home-Like Creature Comforts

Meet Lauren and Joren, the owners and converters of the tiny home on wheels I'm discussing today, a 2020 Ford Transit. By the way, I identified the Transit as one of the most reliable vans suitable for camper conversions.

I'm aware that budget is one of the most important factors when buying or building mobile homes. This couple's rig wasn't cheap. They spent $40,000 (€36,964) on the van and $38,000 (€35,115) on the conversion.

That brings the total cost of the camper van to $78,000 (€72,066). In the world of DIY van conversions, this one is on the higher side. But considering the Transit is a newer model and all the features the two have inside, it's not a huge sum to pay.

If you want to learn more about the costs of van life, including how much it'll set you back to buy and convert a van, check out an article I wrote about this topic. In Lauren and Joren's case, their monthly expenses range from $1,000 to $1,500 (€924 to €1,386), including gas, groceries, cell phone bills, insurance, and a gym membership.

So, let's take a closer look at this tiny home, starting with its exterior. Unlike with other camper vans, you'll be able to tell someone's living inside this rig. What gives its "camper identity" away are the large windows on the sides and an Aluminess rack holding a Rover Vans Expedition box.

On top of the vehicle, Lauren and Joren fitted a WeBoost antenna and four solar panels with a total capacity of 620 W.

Slide the main door open, and a meticulously crafted interior will greet you. As I mentioned earlier, the design is minimalistic yet packs a surprising number of creature comforts.

Regarding aesthetics, Lauren and Joren opted for a black-and-white look, with black cabinetry paired with white walls. Various wood touches, including a slatted ceiling, complete the aesthetic. The most eye-catching parts of this camper van's interior are the accent walls, which have black stripes across wood panels. What's more, you'll notice an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the rest of the interior.

You'll discover the bathroom dead ahead of the entrance. It boasts a Nautilus self-cleaning sliding door, a shower with a pan measuring 36 inches (91 centimeters) in length and 24 inches (61 centimeters) in width, and an Air Head composting toilet.

Next, we have the kitchen, which is split into two parts. It features a deep sink with an extendable faucet, a decent amount of counter space, a portable single-burner induction stove, a small fridge/freezer, and a 9-in-1 appliance for baking, air frying, and more.

The couple cleverly devised storage spots in the kitchen. You can use various cabinets and drawers, two large overhead cabinets, toe-kick drawers, and a full-length pantry with a tall mirror on one side. Opposite the rear part of the kitchen, you'll find a dresser area consisting of an additional countertop and three massive drawers.

The living room/bedroom area occupies the back half of the interior. It comprises an enormous U-shaped bench with a sizeable swivel table in the middle, two windows (one on each side) with sliding screens, and six overhead cabinets. Other notable details in this space are a tiny projector, bedside cubbies, and a wall cubby designed to hold the couple's multiple laptops.

Transforming the couch into a bed is quick and easy. To connect the benches, you attach a wood panel and the tabletop between them, rearrange the cushions, and you're good to go.

Like in other camper conversions, the benches hide the utility systems. And this rig was equipped with the proper systems needed for full-time traveling. For plumbing, Lauren and Joren installed a 30-gallon (114-liter) freshwater tank and a hydronic heating system.

If you're unfamiliar with hydronic systems, here's the important part. They use a liquid-based heat transfer solution to provide hot air and hot water and can also power floor heating.

The power system is located underneath the passenger side bench. Its highlights are four 100 Ah batteries, a 3,000 W inverter/charger, and solar charge controllers connected to the 620 W solar panels on the roof.

Lauren and Joren left some room underneath the rear bench to create a garage. It's where they hold hoses, cords, tools, and more.

All in all, the duo did an amazing job with this conversion. I love that it's so uncluttered yet packs many much-needed amenities. It also has a lovely, bright living space and robust utility system that allow the couple to enjoy off-grid adventures.