9 Shipping Container Home Floor Plans That Maximize Space
Think outside the rectangle with these space-efficient shipping container designs.
The beauty of a shipping container is that it’s a blank slate for the imagination. With careful consideration for storage, partitions, appliances, and furnishings, empty steel shells can become highly practical homes equipped for off-grid and sustainable living. And, they can look good doing it. Read on for some inspiration on making the most of your shipping container’s floor plan.
The Bachelor(ette) by Custom Container Living
The Bachelor(ette) is one of Custom Container Living’s smaller units, coming in at 160 square feet within a single 20-foot-long container. It includes a small galley kitchen, separate bathroom, and space for a twin bed.
Courtesy of Custom Container Living
Envisioned as an Airbnb rental, in-law suite, off-grid getaway, or backyard bedroom or office, the design provides space for a 42-inch shower in the bathroom, an armchair, and a twin bed.
Courtesy of Custom Container Living
Within 960 square feet, the H03 by Honomobo offers a generous primary bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, a second bedroom and bathroom, and an open kitchen/dining/living space.
Courtesy of Honomobo
Multiple options and upgrades for the H03 are available, including a gas- or wood-burning fireplace and up to two walls of glass.
Courtesy of Honomobo
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Modern Container Architecture
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ShopStack, Cut, Assemble ISO 668: How to Use Shipping Containers in Architecture
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ShopLuckdrops’s base model, the Studio+, is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom shipping container home with 287 square feet of living space. Starting at $45,000, the home features light, bright, and modern interiors.
Courtesy of Luckdrops
Studio+ includes a full kitchen, full bathroom, and a separate bedroom. The living room fits a two-seat sofa, flat screen TV, and a coffee table. It’s wired for TV, internet, and enough outlets to plug in all of your devices.
Courtesy of Luckdrops
Designed for an artist and entrepreneur client, this guest house features lots of light, access to the outdoors, and an industrial vibe.
Photo: Chris Cooper
The shipping container guest house has three distinct spaces: a living area with glass doors that open to a front porch, a bathroom with a composting toilet, and an air-conditioned garden shed with a separate entrance.
Courtesy of Poteet Architects
SG Blocks is based in Texas and is committed to sourcing used shipping containers for all their designs, whether residential, commercial, military, or otherwise. Their shipping container homes start at $90,000.
Courtesy of SG Blocks
SG Blocks' Bluebell Cottage model has two bedrooms, a common bathroom, and an open concept kitchen and living room in its 40-foot long shipping container.
Courtesy of SG Blocks
The HomeCube is a one-bedroom, 320-square-foot shipping container home from Rhino Cubed. The design features a foldaway queen bed and lots of cabinet and closet space.
Courtesy of Rhino Cubed
The eco-friendly design is made out of a single 40-foot-long container, and it can be outfitted with a washer, dryer, and dishwasher if desired. The main entrance is through a double sliding glass door at one of the short ends of the home.
Courtesy of Rhino Cubed
CW Dwellings designs affordable shipping container homes that start at $36,500. Their Sparrow 208 model is a studio-style home with a generous covered deck.
Courtesy of CW Dwellings
The Sparrow 208 has a bump-out on one side that measures 16 feet by 3 feet. The extra square footage goes a long way, allowing for additional storage, a seating area, a washer/dryer, and an air conditioning unit.
Courtesy of CW Dwellings
Based in California, Kubed Living provides full-service design and project coordination for shipping container structures that promote sustainable living. They offer both custom and pre-designed layouts.
Courtesy of Kubed Living
Courtesy of Kubed Living
This custom build by Backcountry Containers comprises two 40-foot-long containers connected by a more traditional stick-built great room.
Courtesy of Backcountry Containers
Private areas (including bedrooms and bathrooms) are located in the "wings" of the home. The large, open great room features a kitchen with a living/dining area.
Courtesy of Backcountry Containers
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