How to Design a Skoolie Floorplan

Cass here! I'm writing this post mainly because after searching online I couldn't really find an article that gave me what I wanted. As we build out our Skoolie I'll be sure to keep this post updated as we learn and tweak things along the way!

When it comes to Skoolie duties Trent and I split them up so no one person would be doing everything. So far here's our split:

• Cass: Layout, interior design, building plans and blueprints, the budget

• Trent: All things mechanical (including choosing the bus), buildout, structural changes, internet connectivity, driving, solar, electrical, plumbing. (Trent is definately carrying the load here)

Step 1: Identify what's most important to live comfortably in a school bus

First things first you need to make an outline of the things that matter most to you when it comes to living comfortably and thriving in a school bus:

• Do you want to keep all the windows or do you prefer more privacy?

• Do you need a full kitchen or can you get by on a cooler and a microwave?

• And the most frequently asked question: What about the bathroom?!

These are all things you can start planning well before you purchase a school bus. We recommend that you do! By preplanning we now know what length of bus we need, what style, and all the bells and whistles we'd like to include, as well as the ones that we'd like to try living without.

Step 2: List out your must haves

Designing a Skoolie is all about creating a space that’s functional, comfortable, and reflective of your personal style. But before you dive into all the fun design elements and aesthetics, there are a few must-have features that will make your bus not just beautiful, but livable on the road. These are the essentials that will keep you cozy, organized, and fully prepared for life on the move. From smart storage solutions to sustainable energy systems, let's break down the must-haves that every Skoolie needs to be both a home and a home on wheels.

Here's our must haves list:

Structural

• Dog-nose shape (as opposed to flat front)

• Rooftop deck

• Under bus storage

• Air conditioning

• Diesel heater

• Comfortable drivers seat

• Keep as many windows as possible

• Fully insulated

• Solar array on the roof

Kitchen

• Full service kitchen

• Freezer-on-bottom fridge

• Double Basin Sink

Bathroom

• Bathroom that feels like a real bathroom. (ie. not a wet bath)

• Compost toilet

• Shower head wand with a on/off button. (Gotta save that water)

Lifestyle

• Desk/Place to work

• Extra sleeping space

• A place for the pup to sleep.

Bedroom

• Queen size bed

• Under bed storage

• Dedicated dirty laundry space

Step 3: The Fun Part - Skoolie Interior Design

When we first started talking about building out a Skoolie we quickly learned that doodling it on paper was not the move for us. By the time I'd have the outline drawn and sketched out some walls my mind would change, or Trent would remind me that I forgot something important like a door to get into the bathroom (I wish I was kidding). We then switched to doodling it on my iPad so edits were easy but I quickly realized that was still not quite it.

I began searching "Home building software like Sims for free" where I came across a tool called HomeByMe, this is not sponsored we just really love the tool!

The first step in designing our bus using HomeByMe was a bit of research into typical school bus sizes. I combed through blueprint after blueprint, article after article, and quickly found that school bus specs are hard to come by they're also not standardized. So when you start your Skoolie pre-planning keep in mind that flexibility is key.

Our School Bus Dimensions: We have a 2002 Bluebird (Cummins + Allison)

• Interior Width: 7 feet 7 inches

• Interior Height: 6 feet 2 inches

• Window Height: 24 inches

• Window Width: 28 inches (Distance from the floor: 28.5 inches)

• School Bus Length: 35'

Draw the Bus Outline

We started our design with the biggest of the biggest (45') just to get a few things out of my system like "I want a separate bath and shower" Which is ultimately just a waste of space. I was also convinced we must have a bed in a normal bedroom orientation...another total waste of space.

Big Bertha - 45' long 7'7" wide center aisle flat nose skoolie

Fill-er-up

Here's what version 1 of our bus looked like. You'll notice I forgot a refrigerator, have so much wasted space in the bedroom and around this time I learned that National Parks have a length limit and 45 feet was way beyond that. (This was made before we purchased our bus)

Big Bertha - 45' long 7'7" wide center aisle flat nose skoolie

Step 3: Version 2

This really isn't version 2, it's really version "How many times can I move the toilet around until I'm happy with it." (Answer: 10 too many). Below is where our current plans are.

We plan to do a left aligned hallway (aka. L-Shaped Skoolie) versus the middle aisle option. To us it gives it more of a homey feel and allows us to get as much natural light in as possible.

At the end of the hallway we've added a workspace with a mounted monitor and a small chair that should tuck nicely under our desk. We both work remotely we need a place that our work items live. We often rotate around our home to work at different work stations. This are will serve as our hub.

Our bathroom is all about keeping things simple and comfy. We’ve got a little sink for hand washing, a shower, and a composting toilet that’s super efficient and odor-free.

It’s small but totally functional—designed to make life on the road feel like home. Under the bus we'll have a propane powered tankless water heater, water filtration system, and water pump.