As people continue exploring alternative housing means, tapping into various shipping container house plans can help you find the alternative-styled home you want.
Thanks to how flexible shipping containers are as alternative building blocks, we can build nearly all building kinds we want with a proper workaround.
So, what container house plan examples can we follow to make our ideal home?
Why Resort to Shipping Container Homes?
There’s no doubt that shipping container homes are more than just a passing trend. Several key factors make shipping container house plans attractive for homeowners looking for something different and more affordable.
Cost-Effectiveness
Traditional homes can be extremely expensive due to the rising costs of materials, labor, and land.
In contrast, shipping containers are relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to building a conventional home. By utilizing a pre-existing container, people can significantly reduce their spending on constructing the home.
Eco-Friendliness
One of the most attractive features of shipping container homes is their sustainability. With a lesser carbon footprint thanks to the much less use of cement, expect these homes to be as eco-friendly as possible.
Additionally, many shipping container homes can use eco-friendly features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and composting toilets.
Durability and Strength
Shipping containers can handle the rigors of ocean transport, including exposure to saltwater, heavy stacking, and extreme weather conditions.
The steel construction provides excellent protection from natural elements, pests, and the risk of fire or flooding, making shipping containers a resilient housing option.
Flexibility in Design
Another major advantage of shipping container homes is their versatility. Shipping containers are modular by nature, meaning you can stack and arrange them to your liking.
With the help of architects and designers, you can create a layout that suits a compact home, a tiny house, or a spacious luxury residence.
Speedy Construction
Building a traditional home can take months or even years, but container home construction can happen much more quickly.
Because shipping containers come pre-built, much of the work has already been done, making it ideal for those who want to move into their new homes sooner.
Mobility
For those who enjoy traveling or relocating frequently, container homes offer the added benefit of mobility.
Since containers can transported by truck, train, or ship, your home can move with you if you want to move to other locations.
Also Read: 10 Best Tips to Maintain Shipping Container Garden
Examples for Container Houses Using 20-feet Containers
Check out the following shipping container house plans that use 20-foot containers as their foundation.
The Solo Pod
The Solo Pod is the perfect solution for someone seeking minimalist living. Inside, a 20-foot container can change into a cozy one-room studio that features all the essentials: a sleeping area, a small kitchenette, a fold-out dining table, and even a compact bathroom.
High-efficiency appliances and space-saving furniture make the most of the available area, while large windows or glass doors can bring in natural light and create a sense of openness.
For an added touch of comfort, a fold-out deck can extend the living space outdoors, allowing residents to enjoy nature from the privacy of their container home.
Tiny Retreat Cabin
For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, a 20-foot shipping container can be turned into the perfect off-grid retreat.
Imagine a tiny cabin in a serene forest or a tranquil lake, providing a simple yet functional living space. The design typically includes a small but fully equipped kitchen, a fold-out bed or lofted sleeping area, and a tiny bathroom with a composting toilet or shower.
With natural construction materials such as wood paneling or bamboo flooring, you can create a rustic and warm ambiance that enhances the retreat’s peaceful atmosphere.
Home Office Haven
With more people working from home, the need for private, distraction-free workspaces is inevitable.
A 20-foot container can serve as an ideal solution for this. Designed to be an efficient home office, the space inside the container is optimized for productivity.
You can fit a large desk, a comfortable ergonomic chair, plenty of shelves for books or files, and storage solutions for office supplies. Adding windows or skylights can brighten the interior, while a ventilation system will ensure good airflow.
Pop-Up Café or Shop
Entrepreneurs are increasingly repurposing shipping containers for mobile businesses, such as cafés, food trucks, or boutique shops.
Here, you can change a 20-foot container into a small but functional pop-up café, perfect for urban areas or event spaces. The interior can house a counter for serving coffee, baked goods, or snacks and a small kitchen area for preparation.
On the exterior, a serving window or door provides easy access for customers. The design can include built-in shelves for products, a point-of-sale (POS) system, and even a small refrigerator or freezer.
Expanded Examples for Container Houses Using 40-feet Containers
For those who need more space or prefer more expansive shipping container house plans, 40-foot containers offer significantly more room to work with.
With this container type, you can make more spacious house plans that their 20-foot containers can’t accommodate.
Spacious Family Home
Combining two 40-foot containers is an excellent way to create a spacious and practical family home.
With the increased square footage, you can easily create separate living areas. You can dedicate one container for the living room, kitchen, and dining room, while the second is for private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms.
We can add large windows, sliding doors, and even a skylight to brighten the interior, making the home feel airy and connected to the outdoors.
Container Loft
The 40-foot container offers enough space to build a sophisticated loft-style home.
With the ability to create a split-level layout, you can design the ground floor to feature the main living areas – kitchen, lounge, and dining space – while the upper level can house bedrooms or a study area.
The open-plan layout creates a sense of flow between spaces, and the high ceilings of the container can be utilized to their full advantage by adding a mezzanine or balcony.
Expansive glass doors or windows can bring in natural light and make the most of any view.
Luxury Pool House
A 40-foot container is perfect for creating a stylish pool house or entertainment space.
You can adjust the container to be open and airy, with sliding glass doors leading directly to the pool area, allowing for easy access to outdoor spaces.
Inside, you can incorporate a small kitchenette or bar area for serving drinks and snacks, a bathroom, and changing rooms.
The container’s durable steel construction can withstand the humidity of the poolside environment, and insulation will ensure the space remains comfortable year-round.
Creative Art Studio
At last, you can make a spacious art studio from containers of this size, offering ample room for creating, displaying, and storing artwork.
The open floor plan can accommodate large tables for painting, sculpting, or other creative pursuits. High ceilings and large windows can let in plenty of natural light, which is crucial for artists who need proper lighting conditions.
In addition to the main working area, you can design a section for storage, keeping supplies like paints, brushes, and canvases organized.
Conclusion
Shipping container house plans show how much we can experiment when using containers as the building blocks for building a home you’ll need for your family and preferences. If you need to source some containers for your home plans, look no further than Tradecorp! With so many convertible containers in its catalog, you can choose which 20 or 40-foot container you need to build your home. Order today via our quote form and we’ll reply ASAP!