Netherlands couple digital nomad Nicole and filmmaker Jonathan were no strangers to the van life. Before they purchased their used truck to turn it into a stunning house on wheels, they had already converted two vans.
However, they were up for a new challenge, and that came in the form of a used 2012 DAF LF55. With their past experience, Nicole and Jonathan knew what they did and didn’t like. The truck was the perfect project for them to flex their creative muscles.
But, first, phone calls. Nicole and Jonathan wanted their new truck to be exactly what they were looking for. So, they enlisted the architectural design services of Jonathan’s brother-in-law. With his expertise as a tiny house architect, they successfully completed their third tiny house on wheels. And, oh, what a beauty it is.
Nicole and Jonathan from the Netherlands had already successfully converted two vans into houses on wheels. Now, they were ready to get stuck into an even bigger project. They purchased a used 2012 DAF LF55 with over 600,000 kilometers on the clock for €18,000 or approximately $20,210. Fuel consumption for this beast is around 20L/100km.
After making their initial purchase and converting it into a beautiful house on wheels, the DAF owes them approximately €65,000 or $73,000.
The square box on this truck is what attracted Nicole and Jonathan to it in the first place. As most van builders know, dealing with the curves of a traditional van can be frustrating. This time around, they wanted a square box for complete simplicity. While they toyed with the idea of box vans, their small size would limit their creativity.
Nicole and Jonathan struck it lucky with this truck. While many boxes on these trucks featured flimsy materials and weren’t designed to last the distance, this one is different. It boasted solid wood and polyester walls with XPS foam insulation. It was an excellent foundation for them to work from. They didn’t know much about vehicles but knew how they wanted their house on wheels to look. This truck ticked all the right boxes.
Open-Plan Living
The box on the back of Nicole and Jonathan’s DAF truck is 7.5 meters long, 2.5 meters wide, and 2.5 meters tall. It boasts an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, with a dining table that doubles as a workstation. It also has a bedroom, a bathroom with an incinerator toilet, and an innovative floating washing machine. Essentially, it has everything the average homeowner needs without permanent roots in one location.
Nicole and Jonathan know that van conversions are hard work. However, converting a truck into a tiny house on wheels was on a whole different level. They described it as a ’monster’ project and did nothing but work, build, and sleep for an entire year. Knowing how much hard work they put into it allowed them to enjoy the final product even more.
The innovative layout of Nicole and Jonathan’s tiny house is all thanks to Jonathan’s brother-in-law. He told the couple they already have a small space, so they don’t want to make it smaller by boxing themselves in with cabinetry. They opted for a spacious open layout with a long line of sight. Now, the box house on wheels looks even larger than it is.
While some van builders make their own couches, Jonathan and Nicole decided to buy one for this project. Jonathan had tried to make a couch for an earlier van he worked on, named Charlie, but found it challenging. He said there was more to couch-building than putting pillows perpendicular.
While the couple purchased the couch for their truck, they still ensured they could maximize their storage space, placing rolling drawers underneath the sofa.
Large Windows
While the black and okoume wood interior colors are sleek, stylish, and modern, Nicole and Jonathan didn’t base their design choices on these ideas alone. Instead, they felt like the darker, moodier tones would draw attention to the world outside their truck. According to Jonathan, what they do isn’t about the interior. Instead, it’s about the nature around them.
These darker colors and materials also pair beautifully with the large windows. They allow them to experience all the incredible seasonal changes happening around them.
The dining table is exceptionally multi-functional. It can be a practical workbench by day and a dining table by night, depending on what Nicole and Jonathan are doing. They can also choose to fully extend it to cater to up to six people or use one leaf to seat three people.
While Jonathan and Nicole undoubtedly have more space in this box than they did in past vans, they still use as many space-saving tricks as possible. One such trick was placing the kitchen on a platform to create underfloor storage. The different levels also add separation between the different parts of the home.
Sliding Trays
Cabinets can close in a space and make it feel smaller than it is. Knowing this, they opted for sliding tray storage underneath the kitchen floor. This opened up the kitchen and dining area and gave them more space for their table. Jonathan and Nicole love being able to cook together in a far larger area. They also love the flexibility of one being able to continue working while the other prepares the evening meal. This was not possible in their smaller, less practical vans.
Nicole found it challenging to purchase a brand new IKEA kitchen over a more sustainable secondhand one. However, they encountered challenges in finding a used kitchen that suited their needs. They had a specific space to work with, and any used kitchens they found were too large for their tiny home.
In the end, they relied on their SketchUp plan and an IKEA kitchen planner to find the perfect kitchen solution. The result was a gorgeous sleek, black kitchen with a contrasting wood bench that perfectly suits their home’s theme.
While their kitchen has all the essentials like a gas oven and 12-volt fridge, they also opted for an appliance you won’t find in most tiny homes: a dishwasher. The couple found themselves doing dishes multiple times per day. After researching the water efficiency of dishwashers, they discovered that they could save water. They purchased a used Siemens domestic dishwasher that primarily runs on solar power. They have used it without issue for nine months of the year. With less solar energy in winter, they continue washing dishes by hand.
Nicole and Jonathan listened to Jonathan’s brother-in-law’s advice and chose not to install anything on the walls above hip height. They only installed small shelves for a few kitchen ingredients.
A tile backsplash is something the couple really wanted, but they were worried about how they would attach the tiles and keep the risk of breakage low. After choosing gorgeous green tiles, they purchased Montage Kit super-strength adhesive to put them in place. They filled the gaps in between with a silicone bathroom kit. After one year of full-time living and traveling in their truck, the tiles are still in excellent condition with no chips or cracks.
The Bedroom
The green tiled backsplash in the kitchen is continued to the bedroom. The tiled low wall creates separation between the two areas.
Bedrooms in their past vans, Charlie and Casper, were less than ideal for the couple. They had to fold down the couch and make their bed every night in Charlie. Jonathan also had to sleep diagonally in Casper because the bed was too small. This time, they were determined to get it right. Now, they have a full-sized, regular bed that allows them both to enjoy peaceful nights’ rest.
The shower has been a real novelty for Jonathan and Nicole. Their first van, Charlie, had an outdoor shower, while Casper had no shower at all. They were determined to incorporate a shower into their newest house on wheels.
It’s easily one of the most striking areas of the build. While it’s a small area, the sleek, dark tiles make it feel elegant and intimate. It’s also kitted out with a Nebia shower. This shower system sprays millions of water particles, making it feel like you’re enjoying a regular shower with standard water pressure. However, it only uses around 2.8L/minute.
A regular shower uses around 10L/minute, while an eco-shower isn’t much better at approximately 8L/minute. According to the couple, the Nebia shower provides full coverage without water wastage.
A toilet was a significant consideration when Nicole and Jonathan planned their truck build. While they liked the general idea of a compost toilet, they weren’t overly keen on how ‘up close and personal’ you have to get with your waste. So, they decided to purchase a Cinderella incineration toilet. It burns your waste, only leaving behind ash.
While it’s more expensive than other toilets, they couldn’t be happier with its practicality. It runs on gas, requires minimal maintenance, leaves no aroma, and only requires cleaning around once a week.
Most van lifers save up their clothing to wash at a laundromat. Nicole and Jonathan decided they didn’t want to do that anymore. When they saw the Daewoo Mini, they were sold. It’s a floating washing machine that takes up no space and cleans their clothes. What more do you need? While it was around €800, the couple says it will pay for itself before long based on the money they save by not using laundromats.
The Daewood Mini is easily one of the most convenient appliances in Nicole and Jonathan’s tiny home. They wash their clothing during the day to use as much solar energy as possible and dry it outside. They also save space and mess by using Brauzz laundry sheets and vinegar as a laundry softener.
While the interior of their tiny home is more than spacious for their needs, Nicole liked the idea of a sun terrace. Nicole uses this area at the rear of their truck as a Yoga platform.
Follow Nicole and Jonathan’s adventures on Instagram and Youtube. You can also listen to their podcasts on Spotify.