In quest of affordable and sustainable construction options, shipping containers are becoming an ideal housing choice with plenty of interesting modifications. Even as containerization continues — for storage and transportation, more of these steel boxes are now being converted into modular houses.

Custom shipping containers are often used to create microhomes but with every single aspect of a normal house including kitchen, living room, bathroom, master bedroom and even lounge areas.
If you’re looking to use a modified shipping container as you home, here are few design tips that can help make most of your living spaces.

1. Depending on Your Needs Create as Many Rooms as Possible

The 20 foot and 40-foot standard shipping containers are the two most widely used containers in the transport and freight industry.

These two containers have plenty of room, however, depending on your needs you can either use a 20-foot or 40-foot container to create a perfect modular home layout. The number and size of rooms you need will determine the size of the custom shipping container to use, as well as the layout of the house.

Start by determining how many bedrooms you need then go ahead and plan for other rooms like living rooms, kitchen, bathrooms and closets. Additionally, modified shipping containers allows you to construct home additions in case you need more space.

2. Choose Neutral Colors for Wall Painting

Like a traditional concrete or prefabricated home, a custom shipping container home will also require painting to create a nice interior and exterior look. Start painting the walls and it’s recommended to go with neutral colors that offer a bright contrast to your container while making your living spaces look larger.

Choose an inspirational piece of art to decorate your living or bedroom walls, and pick the right colors for the children’s bedroom.
You can always change the paint color when you need to try out something different.

3. Furniture Arrangement Solutions for Small Spaces

To make better use of your small living spaces in your container, consider choosing small apartment furniture designed for small spaces. Most of them are also designed to double up for other furniture functions and can be used for numerous household needs.

Using small furniture you’re able to create flow-through living spaces. For instance, for your dining room arrangement, you might want to go with a nice bar or breakfast table stool which doesn’t eat up much of the spaces. Such stools can also be used in the living room or kitchen.

For your children’s bedroom, opt for hideaway beds which offer ample playing spaces for your young ones when they are retracted back.

4. Reduce Your Energy Bills with Efficient Installations

Modular living is associated with significant cost benefits including reducing construction costs and low utility bills. It’s estimated that a custom shipping container potentially saves up to 40% of the construction costs compared to traditional construction methods.

This cost, however, can be significantly reduced if you consider energy-efficient installations such as windows, doors and roofing.
High-efficiency rate doors and windows will help maintain proper airflow and keep the temperate inside at optimum throughout the seasons. There will be significant energy bills with these installations.

5. Plant Enough Greens, Flowers and Bushes

Since modular housing units are often permanently installed, it would be a good idea if you can improve the garden around the container. Tender a garden and plant some flower and transform dull-looking spaces into vibrant and pleasing sight while making the unit feel more like home.

Add some planter boxes on the windowsill, patio or balcony rail
for an improved display height and depth

With over 17 million shipping containers in the world, and only 6 million in actual use, there is an increased need to converting them into an alternative housing option, especially for the low and middle-class population. Durable, steel shipping containers average a 25-year lifespan and require minimal maintenance. Customized shipping containers modular homes, therefore last longer. You can make space feels more homely buy painting, installing small apartment furniture and proper gardening.