Have you ever wondered what you can build with a shipping container? Specifically, how you could convert a shipping container at home to enhance your property? Don’t be fooled by the name — a shipping container is so much more than ocean transport. Because they are large, waterproof and built to last, they are incredibly versatile and can be customised in so many ways. Best of all, they’re cost-effective and easy to get hold of thanks to sites like shipping-containers.com.au.
If you’ve ever thought about using a shipping container to solve your space or storage problems, keep on reading. These are our top 5 creative uses for shipping containers at home.
Related article: Ideas for a stylish garden upgrade: Design features to elevate your backyard
Related article: Make a splash with our round up of the best pool designs
1. Tiny homes
A standard 40ft shipping container has 2.4m ceilings and offers almost 30m² of floorspace. It’s an ideal basis for a tiny home, especially when you consider adding a deck.
From granny flats to off-grid shacks, shipping containers are a simple and cost-effective way to create livable space. You can also join a few together to create a home that isn’t tiny at all.
While power and plumbing should be left to the pros, if you consider yourself handy you can do a lot of the conversion yourself. For example, adding doors, windows, flooring, insulation, fixtures and fittings.
2. Container pools
Want to add a pool to your property? A shipping container is a simple, cost-effective and rather unique way to do it.
Container pools bring an edgy, industrial aesthetic to your backyard, and can be cheaper and easier to transport and install than purpose-built pools, particularly when placed above ground.
The conversion process involves cutting the top off the container, insulating and waterproofing the inside, and installing the necessary plumbing and filtration systems. Just take a look at the impressive shipping container pool below!
3. Private storage
Shipping containers are an ideal form of storage, as they are designed to protect goods. Spacious, secure, weatherproof and built to last, they’re an excellent way to keep your valuables safe.
Compact and perfectly portable, you can place your container pretty much anywhere you want: backyard, front lawn, driveway or paddock.
Converting it into storage couldn’t be simpler. A lockable, cargo-worthy container might not need any work at all, although additions like shelving and lighting can make the space more functional.
4. Garages
With an internal width of 2.35m, standard shipping containers neatly fit most passenger vehicles, and are often converted into garages.
They’re ideal for long-term vehicle storage, offering protection from weather, moisture, UV, theft and vandalism.
Choose a side opener for easier access, and you can convert your container into a fully fledged garage. Comfort and functionality can be added through doors, windows, shelving, lighting, power and more.
5. Workspaces
Garden shed, workshop, art studio, home office, hobby room; a shipping container is a simple way to add space that you can use to work, no matter what that work might be.
Workspace container conversions can range from the simple, like adding shelves and hooks to make a garden shed, to the comprehensive, like creating a powered and fully insulated home office.
Strong, versatile and fully customisable, shipping containers are metal boxes overflowing with potential. Whether it’s an off-grid retreat, lap pool or recording studio, we hope we’ve inspired you to see how these simple structures into something extraordinary!
More design inspo
