Add Multi-Purpose Functions to Tiny Homes With a Shipping Container

Multi-Purpose Function Shipping Container | Overview 1:26

Once you have title to a property it's time to add multi-purpose functions to tiny homes with a shipping container. Like every thing, a shipping container has a life cycle. It is designed for transport first. After the first delivery anything goes. Designers and home builders worldwide tend to imagine steel containers as living space. They fit in with the trendy tiny house movement that advocates living simpler and in smaller homes.When a shipping container is selected for use as a tiny home, a little bit of common sense and a good measure of creativity really helps to sort out issues along the way. Consider starting with a 20 foot shipping container.

Instead of using it as just a tiny home, think about how it may give you some cost, time, and space advantages with options to avoid legal entanglements.

Many prospective buyers look at a container and dream about how to, cut it up for windows, doors, utilities, insulation, and still have a living space left over. HA! The process not only compromises the container's structural integrity, the retrofit also gets very expensive to just meet building codes.

Every time I look at containers I still see a steel vault designed to protect and transport valuables with one exception. When it's empty I see 126 sq.ft. of floor space. If I cut a 4’x8’ sheet of plywood and fasten it to one wall it becomes a 2’ surface like a work bench or counter top. The length spans 16 of the 18 feet available.

Although the gain from building a workspace first would be about 30 sq. ft. of functional space, the remaining floor space shrinks to 6 feet wide. Adding anything of similar width to the opposite wall would shrink the walkway to 4 feet wide.

Big Use of Small Space

Think secure storage shed. Do not modify the original shipping container. Instead use it for storage especially things you don't want stolen when you're away. Locate the container as close to the tiny home as regulation allows to avoid legal issues.
Think secure work space. I use Home Depot for lumber supply because I can get big materials cut any way I want like 4x8 sheets of plywood to build the work bench described above. Tools and gadgets can be stored in your steel, waterproof shipping container in a very secure way.
Think entertainment and/or utilities space. Build a deck or a pull out like you see on RVs. Store your gear, pull it out and lock up when it's not in use. The space between your licensed tiny home and the shipping container becomes a very useful extension to "living space" in fair weather.

A shipping container by definition and purpose is a temporary and transportable structure. It can be stored on your property with little or no extra cost. It can be painted, modified, and used for any legal purpose you want. It is a multi-purpose steel, reinforced, durable, weatherproof container that can be used or reused in any way you see fit. The location and contents are only limited by your imagination.

Key Takeaways:

Think secure storage shed. Do not modify the original shipping container. Instead use it for storage especially things you don't want stolen when you're away.
Think secure work space. Tools and gadgets can be stored in your steel, waterproof shipping container in a very secure way.
Think entertainment and/or utilities space. Build a deck or a pull out like you see on RVs. Store your gear, pull it out and lock up when it's not in use.