Are you in the market for a new home, office, or another addition? You might be put off initially, as spaces like these typically cost a fortune.
However, all you have to do is think outside the box — or rather, the converted shipping container.
Here, we'll explore seven affordable converted shipping container ideas that you'll want to integrate into your life.
1. A New Home
When it comes to discussing converted shipping ideas, we're going to start big. Did you know you can make an entire home out of a shipping container (also known as a Conex box)?
Granted, the home will be small — we don't deny that. But it's a great option for:
- A college student who's looking for cheap housing
- An overzealous traveler who can't sit still
- A bachelor or bachelorette who's trying to downsize
Shipping container homes are portable, which is great for those who like to move around a lot. You can load your shipping container home onto a rented flatbed truck and set up your home anywhere you'd like. Many shipping container homeowners appreciate the chance to change their scenery whenever they get bored of their current area.
Another perk of a shipping container home is the simplicity it offers. Because it doesn't provide much space, homeowners are forced to part with non-essential items and live a more clutter-free lifestyle.
Building a home out of a shipping container is an attractive endeavor for many reasons, but financial ones often prevail. Constructing a traditional home costs nearly $292,000 on average in the U.S. Contrarily, you can get a used shipping container for around $10,000 or much less, depending on its size and current condition.
2. A Home Studio
Do you have a hobby but don't currently have somewhere to pursue it? A shipping container may be the perfect solution.
You can set up a shipping container in your backyard and convert it into a home studio. Set up your drum kit and sound equipment to create your dream practice room. Or, you can load up your Conex box with gym equipment so that you can work on your fitness goals.
Whatever interest you'd like to chase, you can do so with the help of a backyard shipping container. This giant box will grant you the space to hold bulky items that you don't have room for in your primary home.
If you don't have a home studio idea in mind, you can also use shipping boxes to create makeshift sheds as home storage options. Feel free to add some home storage shelves to better organize your belongings.
3. A Garden
Do you have a green thumb that you never got to properly exercise? Consider turning a shipping container into a garden. While you can make some holes in the container to allow sunlight in, you can also try your hand at growing plants in artificial lighting.
Build shelves to make multiple growing rows and set up fluorescent tubes to provide carefully lit conditions for your plants. It'd also be a good idea to set up a temperature control system and automatic watering functions to ensure your plants get all the resources they need.
4. A Backyard Patio
Need a place to sit back and relax after a long day of work? Lucky for you, you can sip a glass of ice-cold lemonade on your shipping container patio.
Yes, you read that correctly. You can construct a patio from a shipping container.
We recommend removing the roof and a couple of walls to create an L-shaped open space. This way, you can enjoy some protection from the wind while still receiving a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
5. A Swimming Pool
Do you need something to keep the kids busy during the warmer months? Hiring contractors to install an inground pool can set you back nearly $35,000, and the yearly maintenance costs are also quite high.
Instead, you can turn a shipping container into a swimming pool. You won't need to perform any heavy construction work. All you'll have to do is set the container in your backyard and set up a circulation and filtration system to keep the water sanitary.
Manufacturers build shipping containers to stand the test of time. They're meant to support giant loads and stand up to the conditions of overseas travel. So, one can surely support you, your family, and the water you fill it up with for years to come.
6. A Pop-Up Retail Shop
Do you have something to sell to the public? T-shirts with awesome graphics? The best lattes in town? If so, you should consider turning your shipping container into a pop-up retail shop. You can transport your little shop to events like concerts and fundraisers and make some serious sales.
If you can cook, consider setting up a catering business and using your shipping container as your main prep area. You can haul your shipping container with you to weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other big events where people need to be fed.
Your quaint shipping container shop will make you memorable, and you can serve many clients within a short period, thanks to your store's mobility.
7. An Office
Do you need some peace and quiet to complete a day's worth of work? You can try placing a shipping container in your backyard and filling it with your office supplies and computer equipment. Once you're here, feel free to type away without the distractions of pets, children, or other day-to-day distractions.
Innovate Frugally With a Converted Shipping Container
Shipping containers have versatile uses as home storage units, office spaces, and more. They're practical, durable, and help you embrace your inner frugality. Plus, they introduce unique additions that many run-of-the-mills lack.
Consider one of these seven converted shipping container ideas to introduce some innovation to your property!
Are you interested in other cost-effective ways to revamp your property? Check out more of our DIY and home improvement articles!
