After spending more time on the road than at home and living a lifestyle that can only be described as hectic, the Aviles family decided to make a change. Carlos, Aubrey, their two children Jade and Ian, and a cat named Seal waved goodbye to their 2,700 square-foot home and began their adventure on the road in just 314 square feet.
Carlos, a computer coder, and Aubrey, a real estate broker, found their house on wheels, a 1996 Winnebago on Craigslist when they were on a road trip to California. They knew then and there that life on the road was in their future.
They started the journey by downsizing their possessions repeatedly until they were left with the basics they could take with them. Carlos and Aubrey then made sure they asked plenty of questions from RV experts so that they could be 100 percent sure of their adventures ahead.
After two years on the road, the Aviles family couldn’t be happier. Excluding food, their expenses are a mere $550 a month. That includes monthly rent of a lot with power, water, gas, and septic service, as well as cell phones.
The family has traveled from the West Coast to the East Coast, covering over 20 states, and has made plenty of memories along the way. Aubrey says they no longer have to worry about bills and, instead spend more time doing things they enjoy.
After traveling 6,000 miles in 2019 and 8,000 in 2020, the Aviles had plenty of time to decide what they did and didn’t like about their Winnebago. They redid the kitchen, upgraded parts of the bathroom, and replaced the carpet with LifeProof flooring from HD. They also took out built-in furniture to create more space and converted cabinets to open shelving and desk space.
Aubrey’s favorite part of their house on wheels is the kitchen. She calls it the ‘perfect tiny farmhouse kitchen’ where she can cook and create in an environment that feels like home. It boasts a beautiful wooden benchtop, whitewashed walls, and a large farmhouse sink for convenience.
While an oven is a staple in most homes, Aubrey knew that counter space was more important to her. They opted to remove the stove and use a store-away skillet and single burner stove. They then have plenty of bench space to prepare the family meal, not to mention an abundance of drawers and cupboards.
The boho-chic theme is evident throughout the tiny home on wheels, with beautiful white walls and natural wood flooring. Colour and vibrancy come from the accessories that fill every nook and cranny.
The family has learned a lot about being minimalists. Rather than purchasing items purely for decorations, they buy things that are practical or mean something to them.
Aubrey is a real estate broker, and Carlos is a computer coder. Therefore, they removed built-in furniture and cabinets to create a small work nook for the pair to use.
The living space is beautiful and comfortable, thanks to the eclectic mix of rustic and boho elements. A gorgeous wood beam adds an element of separation between the living and dining area.
The comfortable living room has space for both kids and adults, which means the four can relax together and enjoy each other’s company.
Slightly raised and separated from the living area is the children’s play and homeschool corner. Here, the kids can get creative and work hard, slightly separated from the rest of the family. It also receives plenty of natural light through the windows.
The bathroom is located between the master bedroom and the living area. Here, you’ll also find the gorgeous entrance with vibrant décor to welcome you inside.
There’s nothing boring about the bathroom, with stunning nature-themed wallpaper complemented by a natural wood countertop and the addition of live plants.
The beautiful wood grain works in harmony with the black tap, cabinetry, and mirror situated in the bathroom.
The Aviles thought of everything when transforming their bathroom. They made sure there was plenty of space for towels and other bathroom items.
The toilet is tucked away in a corner adjacent to the shower, with a flush pedal for convenience.
The master bedroom looks as beautiful as those you’d see in any home builds. It boasts a light and bright color scheme, which has been offset by natural green window frames and a rattan-style headboard. You can follow the Aviles family’s adventures on Instagram, where you also can find more photos of their amazing mobile home.
