We Built the Home We Dreamed Of

After three weeks exploring southern Sweden in a tiny rented camper van in early autumn 2023, a wild idea took root in our minds: What if we had our own van – built just the way we want it? It seemed like one of those distant dreams you can’t stop thinking about. And so, just about four months later, we found ourselves standing in front of a massive Ford Transit – the biggest model they make – and it was all ours, ready to begin. 

Thanks to Leon’s job as a videographer at a car dealership, we had a few helpful connections to get our hands on it. But like most used vans or delivery trucks, this one came with some surprises. Problems the previous owner didn’t mention. Money spent on repairs that we’d rather have used on the actual built. Still, none of it could stop us. We had a vision: to create a cozy wooden cabin on wheels. A nest that felt like home. Comfort over functionality. Warmth over minimalism. A space that inspires us. 

We spent countless days – and even more nights – inside that empty van, sketching ideas, testing layouts, finding solutions. But we’re not natural planners: we thrive in trial and error. So, eventually, we just … started. Bit by bit. Figuring it out along the way. Our minds were constantly occupied by the van: the next challenge to solve, the parts still missing, the list of things to order. 

The whole project took place just outside our home, which meant every morning we’d step straight into it, and crawl only back inside long after midnight – probably annoying the neighbors with the late-night sound of the drill one too many times. 

I (Lea) was still studying part time alongside, while Leon worked on the van every single day. Weeks passed where there seemed to be little visible progress. But behind the scenes, we were laying the groundwork: insulation, subfloor, basic wooden framing, meters of wiring – all the invisible, but crucial layers of such a built. Neither of us are trained carpenters, electricians, or engineers. We just had this (maybe a bit crazy?) idea – and gave everything we had, to make it real. Leon has always loved working with wood, but building a whole van? That was a whole new world for both of us. It’s not just construction – it’s systems, logistics, design, electricity, plumbing, airflow, space management. And most of all…patience. 

Doing something like this together, teaches you a lot. About building, yes. But even more about yourselves – and each other. There were countless moments when we hit a wall – emotionally, physically, creatively. It often felt like we’d never finish. But we kept going. Together. 

We started with the build in March. Only by July was the wooden paneling done. That’s when it finally began to feel like a home. All the wood gave the van life. Alongside we also built the kitchen frame, installed it, and handcrafted every detail: drawer, a spice rack, the bed frame, the benches, the sliding table, the overhead cabinets. Every screw and every board was placed by our hands.  

One night, we flipped the switch and turned on the lights for the very first time. And they worked. That glow felt like magic. All those long hours, the mistakes, the frustration – suddenly they were worth it. We had done this. All on our own.

Today, sitting in the van still feels surreal sometimes. We cook fresh food, work on our laptops with power outlets, drink water from our tap, and store our groceries in a fridge that we wired up ourselves. What?! Sometimes we still ask ourselves: How did we actually pull this off? But here we are. 

Of course, Vanlife and van building have become more popular, and a lot of people are building out their own vans. And that’s beautiful to see. We do believe that our van is special – not because it’s perfect, but because it’s ours. And we truly poured our hearts into it. That’s why. It taught us more than any job or course ever could. During the built, it’s easy to loose sight of the bigger picture. You’re so deep in the chaos, that you forget to appreciate what you’re creating. But looking back, this project really changed us. It shaped us. And it gave us a home, we love with all our hearts. Forever.

We sometimes still look around and think: There’s no better home on wheels for us, than this one right here.