Van Life and Tiny Homes

New Work Standards New Tech, and New Products Make This Dream a Reality

For decades office workers of America have convinced themselves that fighting traffic five days a week to sit in a cubicle farm was somehow a fulfilling and rewarding existence.

But a global pandemic necessitating a remote work revolution combined with innovations in off-grid power and mobile connectivity have enlightened us. We’ve snapped out of our stupor to recognize a basic trait of humanity, that we humans were born to move, to run, to explore. Many of us are also over the false dream of a big house and the big chores and stresses that come with it.

Enter the van lifers and the tiny home dwellers who value the simplicity of smaller living and the freedom of mobility. Once the territory of eccentric nomads and outcasts, this lifestyle has suddenly become the envy of many who now seek to downsize their footprint and maybe even put it on wheels. With cottage industries catering to mobility and efficiency, making this transition has never been more attainable. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Van life doesn’t have to involve a van. It could also be a towed camper, a converted school bus (called a “schoolie”), or even, as a friend of mine has done, a pimped-out bread delivery truck. Whatever your chosen home on wheels looks like the key is efficiency. Break it down into essential systems: First comes power and communication, then cooking and eating, then hygiene and comfort. Here are some cool product ideas for each system to get you going.

Solar power has come a long way, and a portable solar panel connected to your battery is the way to go. There are many options depending on your power needs, but for a small rig, start your search with this 100 watt upgradable solar starter kit from Renogy.

Starlink RV

As far as connectivity goes, this is highly dependent on your needs. If you need high speed and reliability for multiple devices simultaneously consider springing for Starlink RV starting at $150 per month. If you just need a single device at a time and enough bandwidth for basic internet needs like email and browsing, the personal hotspot off of your smartphone may be all you need. Many van lifers recommend Visible by Verizon, starting at $25 per month for unlimited usage on their 5G network nationwide.

Omnia stove-top oven

Any respectable van lifer loves the challenge of efficient cooking and eating, and there is a galaxy of innovative products out there to choose from. One of the coolest is the Swedish made Omnia stove-top oven. A real oven is usually the territory of larger RVs, but many smaller homes on wheels do have a small stovetop. With the Omnia the dream of roadside baking is reality.

NEMO Helio Pressure Shower

Often the biggest hang-up to taking the plunge into van life revolves around comfort and particularly hygiene. A weekend of camping is one 

thing, but a life on the road is another and most of us aren’t too keen on developing the odors and looks of cave people. Fear not, a solar heated portable shower can be a rejuvenating life safer. A good mid-range option is the NEMO Helio Pressure Shower.

For those looking for a fixed place to call home in a small footprint, tiny homes are all about efficient use of space. It’s not just about minimizing the amount of stuff in your tiny home, it’s also

about finding ways to combine uses and spaces. Maybe it’s a fold-down wall bed or adding outdoor living comforts to expand your livable space. Whatever it is, there are few things in life more satisfying than a truly cozy nook that feels just right for you. Here are some ideas to get started.

Two of the bulkiest items in a home are the refrigerator and the coffee table. Why not combine them? Consider as smart coffee table with refrigerator drawers and built-in USB charging. Another bulky appliance that is often the first casualty of tiny spaces is the clothes washing machine. But there is a compromise solution. It’s called the countertop washer—a portable common-sense approach to washing small loads of laundry in a small space. The Drop! Compact Countertop Washing Machine and Spinner is affordable, simple, and doesn’t require its own room.

If you’ve been noodling a life on the road or finding your little hobbit abode somewhere beautiful there’s never been a better time to make the change as mobile communication, off-grid power, and cottage industry products make the open road or a tiny home a reality.