Bonus Blog: 10 Tips For Tiny Living in an RV
🚐 Tiny Space, Big Life: Tips for Thriving in a Small Home on Wheels
Hey again, friends of the road (and tiny house dreamers)! It’s Amanda & Chris here from Outland Adventures, and today we’re talking about something we get asked a lot:
“How do you two live in such a small space and not drive each other crazy?”
Short answer? We do drive each other a little crazy — but we’ve learned how to do it with love, coffee, and very clear drawer boundaries. 💀
Living full-time in Wildebeest, our converted 1990 E350 shuttle bus, means cozy quarters, creative storage, and figuring out how to make a home out of less than 100 square feet. It’s not always easy, but it is worth it.
So here it is — our best, road-tested advice for living in a small space and actually thriving.
🧺 1. Everything Needs a Home (and a Backup Plan)
In a tiny space, clutter multiplies fast. Every item should have a designated spot — not a vague “somewhere in that bin.” When something new comes in, something old usually has to go.
Amanda’s rule of thumb: If it doesn’t fit in my bin, it doesn’t get to stay. Yes, especially glitter.
🧠 2. Routines > Space
When you live in close quarters, having a rhythm matters more than square footage. We each have morning routines that give us space to breathe (even if we’re two feet apart). Chris brews the coffee and scrolls news; Amanda checks in with our social followers and reads before the workday starts.
You don’t need more space — you just need good boundaries and respectful flow.
🧼 3. Clean as You Go (No, Really)
Mess piles up fast when there’s no hallway to hide it in. A “we’ll clean it later” attitude turns into stepping on a fork or tripping over a craft bin.
So we wipe counters after every meal. Dishes don’t sit. Clothes go straight to their spot. It’s a habit now — and it makes the whole space feel bigger.
🧊 4. Be a Storage Ninja
We use every inch of Wildebeest. Vertical space? Packed. Seats that double as storage? Absolutely. Hooks, baskets, magnetic spice racks — you name it.
If it folds, collapses, nests, or does double-duty, we love it.
Pro tip: Clearly labeled bins help you see what you’re working with — and stop the “where’s the can opener?” panic.
🎮 5. Personal Space Still Matters
Even in a small space, we make room for individuality. Chris has his gaming and dev setup tucked neatly into a workspace nook. Amanda has her crafting zone, complete with labeled bins and just enough sparkle.
We also take breaks from each other, even if it just means sitting outside or going for a walk while the other decompresses. It’s not about space — it’s about respect.
🍳 6. Keep Meals Simple (But Not Boring)
Our propane stove setup gets a lot of action, and we’ve learned how to make satisfying meals without a lot of mess or space. One-pot recipes, make-ahead snacks, and flexible meal plans save us time and keep our fridge from turning into a weird science experiment.
Chris is the main cook, but Amanda’s in charge of snacks — and yes, snack stations count as storage strategy.
💬 7. Communicate Everything (Even the Dumb Stuff)
Tiny living means you can’t hide tension. So we talk — about how we’re feeling, what we need, and whose turn it is to sweep up the random sand pile that keeps reappearing by the door.
Passive-aggressive doesn’t work in a 22-foot bus. Just be direct, be kind, and keep it honest.
🌻 8. Make It Yours
Small doesn’t mean sterile. Decorate. Add cozy touches. Hang up that weird thrift store painting of a raccoon if it makes you smile (we may or may not have one... okay we don't). Your space should reflect you.
Amanda’s favorite trick? Fairy lights, soft textures, and personal photos — instant cozy.
🛠️ 9. Have Tools & Skills Ready
When your house breaks… you're the landlord. So we keep a small toolkit, spare parts, extra fuses, and a working understanding of “how to fix a thing without making it worse.”
Chris is the repair guy, tech guru, and emergency YouTube Googler. Wildebeest has taught us more than we ever expected.
💖 10. Remember Why You’re Doing It
It’s not always easy. But living small gives us freedom, mobility, and a front-row seat to some of the most beautiful, bizarre, and unforgettable corners of the country.
When it gets tough (and it does), we remind ourselves: We chose this. And we’re grateful for every wild, tiny-footprint mile of it.
Got your own small-space survival tips? Drop us a comment or message on socials — we love hearing how others make it work in tiny homes, RVs, buses, and beyond.
📍Currently thriving: In 98 square feet with just enough room for dreams, duct tape, and one very opinionated coffee press.
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