Have you ever wondered what your 60s might be like? Still working at a job you love or lying on a sunny beach to chill out?
For 60-year-old Ellinor from Oslo, her answer comes with an appetite for new adventures. Two years ago, Ellinor realized it was time to embrace a life without limits. She sold all her possessions and moved into a 2005 Fiat Eura Sport she renovated to her likings and named it “HAPPY.” Now, living in the van, she holds the steering wheel of life in her own hands.
“The freedom of having a house on four wheels became a dream I realized,” said Ellinor.
“Just unplugging and going – never needing to check into a hotel, just hopping into your own bed – that freedom is priceless.”
Driving her personalized camper van, Ellinor completed her first solo journey—a 15,000-kilometer adventure in Spain – during last winter.
She detailed the joys and challenges of her road trip on her YouTube channel, sharing endless possibilities that await behind the wheels.
Minimalism is the key
The top tip Ellinor offers to fellow van dwellers is minimalism. “When living in a camper van, you need to think about weight,” she said.
To start with her renovation, Ellinor removed four seats and overhead cabinets to create more space and installed a workstation with drawers instead. In the back, a sofa and table form a cozy lounge area.
She found a washing machine from direct-from-factory marketplace Temu that is perfect for camper vans: lightweight, water-efficient, and ideal for handling daily essentials like underwear and thin clothes.
To make the most of her space, she also placed a fruit basket – her very first Temu purchase – on top of the workstation.
Additionally, Ellinor repurposed a macrame shelf from Temu as a storage rack in the bathroom. It neatly organizes toiletries and hygiene products, combining aesthetics with practicality.
Temu has been a game changer, according to Ellinor, who spends an estimate of 5,000 SEK over the past year from cookware to daily essentials. “Temu’s prices are incomparable to regular stores – much cheaper, of course, but more importantly, there’s a greater selection,” she said. “I’ve always been satisfied with my purchases, not only because the prices are reasonable but also because the items look exactly as they do in the pictures.”
“Temu has always been my go-to platform for finding the right items,” said Ellinor. “I’ve discovered many smart solutions for living in my camper.”
Choosing your own style
International e-commerce platforms like Temu offer a greater addition to unique designs that can add personality to mobile home, according to Ellinor.
For the 60-year-old musician, she goes by a cozy Bohemian style. In her YouTube videos, Ellinor showcased a Bohemian-style rug she purchased from Temu, with its blend of earthy tones and vibrant patterns serving as the inspiration for the van’s overall interior theme.
The elegant touch of Bohemian aesthetics is also infused with lace decorations, bold textile small potted plants and vintage lamps. Ellinor even has a kettle that matches her boho décor, which runs on gas as there’s no stable supply of electricity on van.
With her impressive DIY skills and Temu products, she transformed the van into a space that is both welcoming and female driver-friendly.
“It’s fun to add some personality to your home,” she said.
