5 Simple Shipping Container Homes You'll Love | Container Home Hub (2024)

Affordable, easy to assemble, and eco-friendly—it’s no secret that the shipping container home is a growing home alternative trend in sustainable living.

Planning your dream home but on a budget? These shipping container homes start for as little as $10,000, and while they can go up to $185,000, these prices are still significantly lower than the average cost of a regular house in the United States.

As a starting point for your inspiration journey to building one of your own, check out these five simple shipping container homes that use a variety of styles without breaking the bank.

5 Simple Shipping Container Homes

1. “A Simple Life” Container Home

5 Simple Shipping Container Homes You'll Love | Container Home Hub (1)

This “A Simple Life” container home, created and named by Container Built, illustrates the beauty and elegance of simplicity in everyday life to remind you that there is meaning in everything.

A well-constructed container home, such as this one, will have a fully framed interior and insulated walls to provide you with the same level of comfort as a traditional home. Additionally, the light colors painted on the home contribute to its airy feel, while the wooden elements add a sense of natural beauty.

This container home’s most striking features are its open layout and large wraparound porch. In homes where space is limited, having a usable outdoor area is essential, and a rooftop area is a clever way to maximize the amount of space available to you.

Despite its limited size, a creative floor plan and clever design choices allowed this home to be as beautiful as it is.

2. The Little Red Hen Cabin

5 Simple Shipping Container Homes You'll Love | Container Home Hub (2)

Who says you can’t up the rustic charm with a container home? Amidst the wide variety of container homes that provide contemporary appeal, the Little Red Hen Cabin container home is among the most charming of those available.

This tiny Texan cabin is made from the heart, adorned with red exterior paneling made from reclaimed 100-year-old wood from an old barn, giving it an old-fashioned country feel. The interior provides a similarly cozy ambiance with reclaimed wood—wood elements, in general, are the main accent.

As with a tiny cabin, the floor plan is created with functionality, such as maintaining space for a kitchen, an island counter, and a sitting area in one small space without feeling crowded while maintaining a cozy appeal.

With its striking red exterior, a second level that adds a layer of depth, and a small front porch with plant boxes and rocking chairs, this home provides an old-charm feel that will surely comfort any homeowner.

3. Blue Steel: Tiny Home in the Cedars

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The ultimate tiny home is available for you and your family to enjoy when you’re in Dallas. Blue Steel: Tiny Home in the Cedars is the ultimate space-utilizing home you’ve been looking for.

With a striking blue exterior that is bold and proud to show off its container home look, there’s much more to this house than meets the eye. This tiny home has two bedrooms, three beds, and one bathroom, which can easily fit a four-person family.

On top of that, there are rustic varnished boards throughout the entire abode, as well as sleek finishes and modern appliances. This cleverly created second room, which features a lofted bedroom and a large living room with a TV, demonstrates the home’s ability to utilize the space to its maximum potential.

It also features an understated exterior that contrasts sharply with the cozy wooden interior, presenting a unique approach to home design and making it worth checking out.

4. Delphine Marie-Laure Alise’s Sweet Container Home Studio

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In a small space, you can create a simple yet sophisticated home such as this Delphine Marie-Laure Alise’s Sweet Container Home Studio.

There is an attractive wood finish throughout the entirety of this shipping container home, which ties the exterior and interior together seamlessly. The large windows also let in a lot of natural light to provide the inside of the home with a feeling of openness.

White is the predominant color throughout the space, which gives the home a light and airy appearance. Additionally, wooden finishings provide a nice contrast to the pale interior.

A simple shipping container home proves that it does not take much space to live a good life. It is possible to transform any space, no matter how simple or small, into the home of your dreams with sophisticated home design and proper planning.

5. Devine, Texas Quaint and Cozy Shipping Container Home

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The Quaint and Cozy Shipping Container Home in Devine, Texas, by the Galvans, provides the comfort that one needs to live a simple and comfortable life away from all the commotion of the big city.

From the stylish on-trend matte black paint of the home to the string of lights and shade cover, as well as the spacious wooden deck for entertaining or enjoying a quiet meal, the Galvans truly created an outdoor living space worth basking in.

A floor plan that makes the most of the limited space in this container home ensures that the interior does not feel cluttered or crowded, thanks to light-colored walls and clean wood floors.

Creating a functional and cozy space is no easy task, but thanks to the ingenuity of these container home creators, the ideas can work for your container home as well.

Final Thoughts

With these simple container homes, hopefully, you will see that container homes are a great traditional home alternative you can customize based on your needs and preferences at a reasonable price.

Have you been thinking about building your dream container home? You might want to check out our Shipping Container Home Pros and Cons guide.

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5 Simple Shipping Container Homes You'll Love | Container Home Hub (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to build a house or a container home? ›

While the cost of building a container home can vary depending on materials used and any customization needed, most people who build their own tiny homes report spending between $10,000-$40,000 on their projects. That's significantly less than what you would pay to build a traditional house.

Can you put AC in a shipping container? ›

Installing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in a shipping container means cutting and framing an equivalent-sized hole in the steel walls.

How long do container homes last? ›

Because they were built to safely transport goods over long distances and often-harsh conditions, shipping containers are extremely durable, making them an ideal choice for homes. With proper care and maintenance, these homes can last decades - an average lifespan of 25-30 years.

How many containers do I need for a 4 bedroom house? ›

For homes with 4 bedrooms or more we recommend renting a second storage unit. An average four-bedroom home should fit in one 20' container and one 10' container.

Do container homes get hot? ›

Hot Climates

Shipping containers are typically made from steel which conducts heat very well, but in a hot climate, keeping a container cool is easy with a few smart design choices. Choose a larger-than-necessary roof to extend over the home, shading windows from direct sunlight.

How do you keep a shipping container house from sweating? ›

While it's virtually impossible to eliminate moisture build-up, these are some simple yet effective steps that can help protect your containers from condensation.
  1. Select Suitable Pallets. ...
  2. Use a Desiccant. ...
  3. Add Insulation. ...
  4. Install Ventilation. ...
  5. Open the Doors to Air Out the Unit Periodically.
Feb 3, 2020

Do shipping containers have moisture problems? ›

Shipping Container Condensation Issues:

Available air space plays a factor. Shipping containers that have a lot of extra air space also have a lot of extra moisture content from that open air. Condensation is, therefore, more likely. The moisture content in any shipped goods can play a role.

Are container homes unhealthy? ›

Shipping container homes can be equally safe as traditional homes when proper construction and safety measures are implemented. Despite concerns about toxic chemicals and harmful paint coatings, there are ways to address these issues.

Can a shipping container home last 50 years? ›

Container homes can easily last well over 50 years with no problem. If you plan to build a container home, the first thing you should do is buy your containers from a reputable source.

Are shipping container homes safe in lightning? ›

Shipping containers are essentially metal boxes. Because shipping containers are made of steel, they will become conductors if hit by lightning. However, if a container is grounded, the shell will act as a Faraday shield and the electricity will be conducted around the outside without affecting its contents.

Is a container house worth it? ›

Shipping container homes are durable but may lack the longevity that traditional houses have. A custom container home can last 25–30 years with proper maintenance, but a standard home generally lasts much longer than that, especially considering homes are passed down generations and still stand the test of time.

How many bedrooms can fit in a 40ft container? ›

A 40-foot shipping container will likely be able to hold the contents and belongings of a 3 to 4-bedroom family home. Irregularly shaped items or certain types of furniture may take up more space than equally sized boxes.

How many rooms can a 40ft container hold? ›

How to estimate the volume of your 40-foot container shipment. As a general rule, the household goods of a two- to three-bedroom apartment with a living room, dining room, den, and kitchen can fit into a 40-foot container.

Which is better, a tiny home or a container home? ›

Tiny homes are designed to be portable and can be moved from one location to another. Container homes can also be moved, but they are typically less portable than tiny homes due to their size and weight. ADUs are generally not portable, as they are built on a specific piece of property.

Is it hard to build a container home? ›

While the process of constructing a shipping container house may seem daunting, it doesn't have to be. In fact, with the right tools and a little bit of guidance, it is possible to build a shipping container house in just seven steps. Before beginning your project, it is important to do your research.

How long do shipping containers last? ›

Shipping containers have an average lifespan of 25 years thanks to a design that ensures their durability when traveling by sea. After manufacturers modify cargo containers and transform them into container-based structures, the container's longevity remains.

Are container homes worth it as an investment? ›

Worth the Investment

If sustainability, uniqueness, and cost effectiveness take the top rank in your list, the worth certainly checks out. It is essential to carefully consider your specific needs, budget, and local regulations before embarking on this unconventional housing journey.

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