I live in a 120-square-foot converted shuttle bus. Here are 5 ways I make the most of my small space.

• In the fall of 2019, I bought a shuttle bus to live in and started downsizing my belongings.
• I specifically designed the layout of my tiny home to fit my needs and preferences.

I bought my shuttle bus in the fall of 2019. I'd been yearning to go tiny for over five years, so I had plenty of time to learn about the lifestyle and set realistic, practical expectations.

It was clear the largest sacrifice was going to be space, but the simplistic, minimalist lifestyle is part of what appealed to me most. The idea of having so few possessions that I could bring them anywhere, at any time, elated me.

Committing to your daydream is generally more easily said than done, but I've found ways to make it work for me.

A lot of time and thought went into my tiny home, and I couldn't be happier with how my small space turned out.

Downsizing was the first step, and it was not easy

I parted with my belongings in waves over the course of a year, even revisiting some items several times before finally deciding to sell or donate them.

After a lot of dedication and a few tears, I downsized to only things that sentimentally or functionally mattered to me.

Two years later, I neither regret nor remember most of the stuff I got rid of.

I created a detailed, intentional vision for my bus' layout before beginning my build

At some point during downsizing, I questioned whether my perception of 8 feet by 20 feet was accurate. So I pushed the furniture aside in my bedroom and got to work with a roll of painter's tape.

I mapped out how much room each element would take up, and the space quickly filled up.

It was clear that to make the most of my space, I'd need to be intentional about my overall design. After many late nights of tweaking, reworking, and researching, I made the most efficient, yet enjoyable layout I could.

Since I was building the space for myself, I could design it entirely around my individual needs and preferences.

I went with the smallest possible wet bathroom but made my clothes closet a bit bigger so I could keep some of my less worn, yet special pieces. The closet also has two different-sized doors — one that's wide enough to block the hallway for added privacy and the other to hold a tall mirror.

I designed a second, smaller closet for my tankless water heater that could also perfectly fit my airtight pet-food containers. Plus my queen bed frame had to fit a standard dog crate under it while also having enough space for a large water tank and headboard with storage.

The wall built behind the driver's seat serves as the base of an L-shaped kitchen — which provides extra counter space — while also separating the living area and adding storage.

Optimizing my storage options was crucial, yet tricky

Equally, if not more important than the thoughtful design was actually following through on the intended storage uses.

In an apartment or house, there's room for some clutter and haphazardness, but a little mess could make a small bus feel chaotic and stressful. I quickly developed systems for where things went and stuck to them as well as I could.

Each pair of shoes has a home, with boots in a bin under the bed. My headboard houses books, art and office supplies, and candles. The cabinet right above the sink is mainly for skincare, but I use the leftover space for kitchen supplies.

Some items — like my longboard, umbrella, and masks — don't come inside past the driver's area.

I find ways to keep improving my setup

It took a little while to get into the groove of tiny living, and once I did, I was so happy with my decision.

But I realized there was still room for improvement, so I got back to work and came up with creative ways to solve a few problems.

I built two wall-mounted, fold-out tables — one in my sleeping area as a large surface and window cover and the other in the kitchen as a dining and work station. I also got a tiny gaming couch as a place to kick back that doubles as a second sleeping spot.

Once winter hit, I added a curtain up front to keep the heat in while offering more privacy at night.

I can't imagine I'll ever stop coming up with upgrades, but I'm happy with where the bus is at, for now.

Despite all of this, the best way I make use of my small space is by not being in it

When your home moves, anywhere can be your backyard.

Taking a long walk with coffee and my dog far surpasses watching a rerun of "Friends" inside. Plus cooking outdoors will never get old to me.

I often sit around a campfire late into the night, rush back outside as soon as the sun rises, and lie in my hammock reading a good book the entire next day.