Bold Colors, Reclaimed Wood:
A Transformation
A self‑initiated, design‑led van conversion that turns an empty Opel Movano into a bold, reclaimed‑wood tiny home on wheels.
Project Brief
- project type
self-initiated solo project - my role
concept, design, build - main goal
smart tiny home
100% scrap wood
unique color concept
Van Base & Scope
- make
Opel Movano (L1H2) - initial condition
delivery van
no interior
road-worthy - scope
march 2021
4 weeks
Design Approach
For this build, I treated the empty van as a tiny, flexible room rather than a vehicle. With the commitment to using 100% reclaimed solid wood, the design focused on creating a warm, tactile interior that still feels calm and uncluttered. A clear, bold color concept runs through the space, cutting through the natural wood tones and giving the van a strong visual identity. The result is a compact living space that balances craft, durability and a confident use of color for life on the road.
- ensure the interior feels warm, bright and calm despite the strong accents
- keep the layout intuitive:
fixed bed + flexible extension
The bold color concept was defined early and applied consistently, so even with many individual components the interior reads as one coherent, characterful space instead of visual noise.
Interior Build Process
Follow my design-led van interior build, where every detail is intentional, from layout and proportion to how each surface meets the next. I pushed a bold colour concept, testing how much colour the space can hold while still feeling cozy and engaging, using contrast and material transitions to guide the eye and shape how the space feels and functions.
- insulation & electricity
install insulation and run safe 12V wiring for lights, outlets and appliances - wall paneling
cover the insulated shell to create a clean interior finish - multifunctional furniture elements
build compact pieces that combine seating, storage and sleeping - full-length wall cabinet
add a ceiling-height cabinet for organized storage
Furniture Construction Details
The most important tool for this built-in furniture was the biscuit joiner, which held all the disposed solid-wood elements together. I tested countless color combinations before finally committing to the palette you see here.
cabinet doors
These cabinet doors are doweled and glued together from 3 different scrap boards, colors carefully curated to create a lively yet harmonic atmosphere.
full-length wall cabinet
Fitting a full-length wall cabinet into the van perfectly was one of the bigger challenges.
The cabinet itself is a puzzle of many scrap wood pieces doweled and glued together.
Final Result
Warm reclaimed wood, a bold color concept and compact but well‑planned furniture create a calm, comfortable tiny home on wheels that’s both durable and low‑waste.
Key Outcomes
- converted an empty van into a tiny home in four weeks
- used 100% reclaimed solid wood throughout
- fixed bed layout with flexible extension
- generous hidden and overhead storage
- modular furniture for easy repair and reconfiguration
- durable, travel‑ready interior with a warm feel
- sold profitably after few months (profit ~10.000€)
Technical Summary
- layout
fixed bed + convertible extension, convertible seating area, compact kitchen block - storage
wall cabinets + under‑seat and under‑bed compartments - power
12V system with leisure battery, solar input, LED lighting
wastewoooodworx 