A family of 6 transformed a 60-square-foot van into a tiny home with bunk beds, a pop-up shower, and a 'movie theater'

Debanjali BoseMar 13, 2021, 02:59 IST

Mika and Ryen converted a Ford Transit van into a home for them and their four young children.Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

Tamika Rascon, who goes by Mika, and her family turned a van into a tiny home to travel.
Mika and her husband, Ryen, have four kids ages 5 and under.
The 60-square-foot van has bunk beds, a pop-up shower, and a projection screen for movie nights.

The biggest draw to van life for Tamika Rascon, her husband Ryen, and their four kids is the freedom the 60-square-foot van offers.

The converted Ford Transit van. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

Living in a van hasn't been a huge adjustment, Mika says, because the family has always followed a minimalist lifestyle.

Inside the van. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

Mika and Ryen bought the used Ford transit van in March 2020 for $24,000 and spent an additional $15,000 transforming the interior to make it livable.

The van before renovations. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

Mika was pregnant with Tallulah when she and Ryen were working on converting the van into a tiny home.

Ryen working on the van. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

Mika told Insider that during the conversion process, ensuring the safety of their four young children was her top priority.

The kids in their car seats. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

The steel bench where their kids sit when the van is on the move also transforms into a king-sized bed or a small dining area when they're parked.

The kids at the dinner table. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

The top bunk, above the versatile bench/bed, is queen-sized and electronic so they can adjust the position of it using buttons to find an arrangement that works for them. There are guards on either side to make it safe.

The bunk beds. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

The top bunk, above the versatile bench/bed, is queen-sized and electronic so they can adjust the position of it using buttons to find an arrangement that works for them. There are guards on either side to make it safe.

Mika adds that even if six-month-old Tallulah is "screaming and crying" in the middle of the night, the other kids don't wake up.

The dining area transformed into a bed. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

The tiny home's kitchen has a plug-in oven and induction burner, both of which are stored in cabinets when not in use.

The mini-fridge. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

The family's "pop-up" bathroom can also be stashed away when not in use.

The pop-up shower. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

The area behind the versatile steel bench serves as storage.

The very back of the van. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

The home also has a projection screen for the kids towards the front of the van, plus a solar-power setup and a roof rack on top of the van.

The kids watching a movie on the projection screen. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

While working on the layout and the interior design of the van, Mika wanted to go for "a little cottage feel."

The driving area. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

Mika is particularly proud of the kitchen countertops that she sanded down from slabs of wood herself.

The countertop. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

Mika told Insider that the family's goal with the van was to maximize the space as best they could.

The kids in the van, pre-conversion. Courtesy of Tamika Rascon

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A family of 6 transformed a 60-square-foot van into a tiny home with bunk beds, a pop-up shower, and a 'movie theater'

The biggest draw to van life for Tamika Rascon, her husband Ryen, and their four kids is the freedom the 60-square-foot van offers.

Living in a van hasn't been a huge adjustment, Mika says, because the family has always followed a minimalist lifestyle.

Mika and Ryen bought the used Ford transit van in March 2020 for $24,000 and spent an additional $15,000 transforming the interior to make it livable.

Mika was pregnant with Tallulah when she and Ryen were working on converting the van into a tiny home.

Mika told Insider that during the conversion process, ensuring the safety of their four young children was her top priority.

The steel bench where their kids sit when the van is on the move also transforms into a king-sized bed or a small dining area when they're parked.

The top bunk, above the versatile bench/bed, is queen-sized and electronic so they can adjust the position of it using buttons to find an arrangement that works for them. There are guards on either side to make it safe.

Mika adds that even if six-month-old Tallulah is "screaming and crying" in the middle of the night, the other kids don't wake up.

The tiny home's kitchen has a plug-in oven and induction burner, both of which are stored in cabinets when not in use.

The family's "pop-up" bathroom can also be stashed away when not in use.

The area behind the versatile steel bench serves as storage.

The home also has a projection screen for the kids towards the front of the van, plus a solar-power setup and a roof rack on top of the van.

While working on the layout and the interior design of the van, Mika wanted to go for "a little cottage feel."

Mika is particularly proud of the kitchen countertops that she sanded down from slabs of wood herself.

Mika told Insider that the family's goal with the van was to maximize the space as best they could.