We Should’ve Fixed This Years Ago: Our Skoolie Ceiling Overhaul After 4 Years of Bus Life
For four years, we lived with a ceiling we hated.
It wasn’t broken.
It didn’t leak.
It technically worked.
But when you live full-time in 200 square feet, “good enough” doesn’t always feel good.
Last week we finally tackled the ceiling upgrade we’ve been putting off since the early days of our bus conversion — and let’s just say… it didn’t go exactly as planned.
👇 Watch the full ceiling overhaul here:
Why We Avoided This Skoolie Renovation for So Long
When we converted our school bus into a tiny home on wheels, the ceiling was never meant to be permanent.
At the time:
We were on a tight budget.
We got interrupted mid-build to pursue a business opportunity.
We prioritized plumbing, electrical, and livability over aesthetics.
So we created a functional (but very DIY) ceiling using magnets and puck lights.
It worked.
But over time, something shifted.
Living in a tiny home means you see everything. You can’t close a door on the parts you don’t like. There is no “other room.”
And if we’re being honest, we stopped inviting people inside because we were a little embarrassed.
That’s when we knew it was time.
Choosing the Right Ceiling Panels for a Curved Bus Roof
One of the biggest challenges in a bus conversion renovation is the curved metal ceiling.
We needed something:
Lightweight
Flexible
Bright enough to open up the space
Easy to clean
Thin enough to preserve headroom
After considering wood paneling, FRP sheets, painting, and even tile, we landed on flexible PVC panels that could be glued directly to the existing metal ceiling.
Which brings us to the real stressor…
The Glue Test (And Why This Was Risky)
When you live in a skoolie full-time and drive it regularly, your home literally vibrates down the highway.
So, gluing panels to the ceiling? Slightly terrifying.
We tested multiple adhesives, including Gorilla Heavy Duty and Liquid Nails, because we needed something strong enough to survive:
Heat
Movement
Time
And our driving habits
Spoiler: things got messy.
What Went Wrong During the Install
We underestimated how difficult it would be to line up the first panel.
And in a ceiling install… the first panel determines everything.
Then came:
Alignment issues
Mis-measured cuts
Glue everywhere
Two broken caulk guns
And a late-night injury that forced us to pause the entire project
Bus life renovations hit different when your house is also your bedroom, kitchen, office, and vehicle.
The Lighting Upgrade That Changed Everything
Alongside the ceiling panels, we replaced our magnetic puck lights with dimmable strip lighting.
The difference in brightness and warmth was immediate.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned after four years of bus life?
Lighting changes everything in a tiny home.
Is It Worth Renovating a Tiny Home After Years of Living in It?
This project wasn’t about function.
It was about feeling at home.
Living small amplifies everything — clutter, stress, beauty, flaws. And over time, “cosmetic” things can affect your mood more than you expect.
Would we recommend tackling aesthetic upgrades years into bus life?
Yes.
But maybe buy the strongest caulk gun you can find.
Watch the Full Ceiling Overhaul
We documented the full three-day chaos — glue tests, mistakes, dinner breaks, injuries, and all.
If you’re:
Converting a school bus
Living full-time in a skoolie
Renovating a tiny home
Or debating whether an aesthetic upgrade is worth it
We think you’ll relate.