Terry Sarten: Slip your worries into neutral, put the baby in the boot, life's a caravan

Converting a convertible car into a family home has the advantage of offering indoor-outdoor flow and the thrill of camping.

THE lack of affordable housing around the country shows no sign of ending soon.

Are you searching for the perfect vehicle for your family to live in this winter? There are a lot of cars that offer the kind of comfort you may need for your family as the nights get colder.

The Japanese imports do have some of the design features that can make the experience of living in a car a breeze, even fun for the kids.

Take advantage of every nook and cranny - removing the spare wheel from the boot can provide an ideal space for baby to sleep. However, if the spare wheel fitting is under the vehicle, an infant is perhaps not appropriate but it might suit a 5-year-old with a sense of adventure.

Some cars have seats that fold right down, giving that extra space needed for the kids to do their homework, and while two-door models are not so good for large families, solo parents might find advantage in knowing children sleeping on the back seat cannot get out without climbing over you.

Of course, some cars will have heaters that only work as long as the engine is running.

European cars have style but their designers have not thought about the wider needs of poor families in New Zealand. There is a growing unexplored niche market that good design could be addressing - perhaps mezzanine sleeping spaces under the roof or a steering wheel that folds down and converts into a lovely dining table?

However. some models are not practical.

While a convertible does have the very desirable indoor-outdoor flow plus the excitement factor of camping, these are expensive and price is an important consideration. Sports cars are not only too small for most families but lack basic necessities such as coffee holders and somewhere to hang your washing.

At the other end of the spectrum are the vans or people movers. These are designed for carrying lots of stuff or people around town but with some clever interior decorating you can make them into a cosy home. Hanging organic tea towel curtains paired with gentle pastel interior paint colours can bring a sense of peace and harmony to the entire family as they settle into their mattress on the floor for the night.

Anything after a 2004 model is going to be too expensive but the age and mechanical status of a car being adopted into a space for family living is not as important as the ability to be creative with the ambience and comfort within the vehicle.

Remember - the interior dcor reflects both your lifestyle and expresses the personalities and aspirations of those who live in it.

Practical touches can be made to accommodate the needs of infants, teenagers and even grandparents.

Soft furnishings, a few scatter cushions and mood lighting can assist by blurring the boundaries between living and sleeping areas.

Good lighting is important as it can create a cosy atmosphere without compromising reading. The standard light fitting in the roof of a car can be concealed by artfully hanging a brightly coloured scarf over it, while the children's artwork can be stuck on the side windows to provide both privacy and a cheerful reminder of better times.

Along with choosing the vehicle you and your family will be living in, there are other critical lifestyle factors.

Where will you park?

Location is everything - the worst driveway on the best street where you can access a bathroom is ideal. If this is not an option, then in front of your MP's office is a good high-profile alternative address.

-Terry Sarten (aka Tel) is a satirist, writer, musician and social worker - feedback: tgs@inspire.net.nz