Affordable, eco-friendly and fast to build, shipping container homes offer no end of architectural possibilities. These extra-tough units can be stacked in almost any layout, not to mention customised with every luxury amenity under the sun.
From metal mansions to stylish industrial retreats, we've rounded up the best container residences that think outside the box. Click or scroll on for more... Container Box House
Nestled in the heart of Wonder Valley, in southern California's High Desert region, The Glow House is both stunning and entirely secluded. The remote desert property is enclosed by five acres of land and was designed to allow any lucky guests to unwind and disconnect under the stars.
The shipping container dates back to 1958 and was lovingly remodelled into a tranquil, contemporary home. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a weekend with friends, the pad has a fresh, open-plan living space with a lounge, dining zone and kitchen. With rustic ceiling beams, neutral furnishings and wicker accents, there's something so calming and inviting about the place.
There are also two bedrooms, each with a queen-size bed, and a large family bathroom. With simple décor and big windows that frame the scenery outside, the High Desert is the centrepiece of the home.
Plus, since the holiday rental is all about immersing yourself in nature and embracing total relaxation, it offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy slow mornings, lazy afternoons and cosy evenings.
For starters, there's an outdoor BBQ and dining area, allowing you to dine in the open desert, while the firepit is the perfect place to snuggle up together and toast marshmallows. Yet the rooftop deck has to be the home's best asset. Complete with bean bag loungers and a bathtub, you can soak up the stars while you, well, soak!
Located in the heart of Amish country in Millersburg, Ohio, this modern property proves how beautiful sustainable architecture can be. Designed as the ultimate oasis within the heart of a woodland setting, the container home is formed from six units, with one cleverly stacked on top of the others to create a gorgeous two-storey home.
The bold and beautiful home was designed and created by the experts at ShelterMode and perfectly suits its environment. Not only was the landscape itself utilised in the construction – with the sloping bank of the plot being carefully retained and underpinned with solid foundations – but the use of natural wood on the exterior also helps the property to slot right in with its surroundings.
Inside, you'll find 1,600 square feet of living space and a compact spiral staircase, installed to save precious floor space, connecting each of the home's floors. There's an industrial-style kitchen with walls and cabinets that reflect the home's exterior materials and colour palette, a living room, an observatory nook, a dining space surrounded by windows, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
There are plenty of spaces where visitors can soak up the external scenery, too, thanks to the home's many windows, some of which feature exterior steel shutters, to help keep the interior cool during the warmer months. Then there's this incredible bathroom, which boasts a window-side soaking tub. If you fancy taking a dip here, then the holiday home is available anytime you like.
The original owner of this impressive property in Googong, New South Wales, was inspired by the Australian version of the iconic British TV show Grand Designs. They aimed to create a wow-factor home formed from shipping containers, but they also wanted to showcase the uniqueness and boldness of the materials they were using.
The architectural masterpiece measures 1,578 square feet and is spread across two floors. You can spot evidence of the original containers on display both inside and out, which only adds to the home's amazing aesthetic. Other materials used throughout include reclaimed timbers, steel, pressed metals, rose gold and concrete.
But still, every single interior space is warm, bright and inviting; there's nothing harsh or ugly about this residence. To maximise views, the home's main living spaces have been placed upstairs. The ground floor, meanwhile, features a garage and movie theatre, two bedrooms and a living area, while the top floor benefits from an open-plan kitchen and lounge, two balconies and two further bedrooms.
The master suite is an absolute haven and would certainly be fit for a celebrity. With its unique open layout, the bathroom is positioned behind a large partition, which doubles as the headboard.
The property last sold in August 2022 for a cool AUD$1.1 million, or £569,000 ($719k). We can't say we're surprised – unique conversion projects like this don't come around too often.
Over in the town of Nairne in South Australia, you'll find this characterful metal home that's bursting with style. The quirky property is located in a truly picturesque location and was built using four separate shipping containers, resulting in a spacious and architecturally unique layout.
Laid out over two floors, the unique converted home benefits from three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan living area with a lounge, dining space and kitchen. Most of the rooms come equipped with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, which open up to connect the interior with the stunning garden beyond.
The original owners wanted to create a unique home made from recyclable materials, so they opted to keep the structure of the shipping containers exposed throughout the home. Complemented by plastered walls and monochrome furnishings, the property has a cool, streamlined finish.
The master suite is one of the finest spaces in the property, mainly because of its incredible view. It also comes with a large ensuite, a walk-in closet, a study nook and a private patio. What's more, the eco home benefits from reverse-cycle air conditioning and slow combustion heating, for year-round comfort.
When you think about homes in New York City, you'll likely picture micro apartments and historic brownstones, but this custom-built home proves that real estate in The Big Apple can be a whole lot more exciting. Constructed in 2017 from 21 shipping containers, this incredible property is not only unique but a real feat of engineering.
Described by Compass as “a paragon of architectural design and contemporary style,” the eye-catching residence can be found in the heart of trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and was designed by esteemed architectural practice LOT-EK. Spanning 6,000 square feet, it offers seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces, thanks to its three magnificent terraces.
The home boasts quirky interior design and architectural elements throughout, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows, wood-burning fireplaces, exposed plywood walls and a floating steel staircase. The floor plan includes a large open-plan living room, a kitchen, a dining space, five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a den and a home cinema with stadium-style seating, a suspended 90-inch television and surround sound.
The home’s top floor is dedicated to a stunning master suite, complete with a private terrace, soaking tub and projection TV, plus twin powder rooms and a 22-foot-wide walk-in closet. Head down to the luxurious basement and you’ll find another private suite, alongside a music room and a temperature-controlled cellar for storing your favourite vintages. Unsurprisingly, this stunning home sold in November 2021 for a cool £3.9 million ($5m) and we're sure it was worth every single penny.
What could be more Australian than a boomerang-shaped house? This unique metal home was constructed from three shipping containers and boasts a chic and simple interior that has been masterfully designed.
Located on a steep sloping plot in the town of Wye River, Victoria, the pad was designed to have minimal impact on the environment. The converted property offers two bedrooms, one bathroom and an open-plan living area, complete with a kitchen.
The house was built after the devastating Black Christmas bushfires in 2015, which destroyed 116 dwellings in Wye River and Separation Creek.
Designed by Melbourne architect Ben Edwards, the wilderness home meets strict bushfire building codes and was constructed to seamlessly slot into its surrounding environment. While the exterior is clad in galvanized steel, which is a non-combustible material, the interior features a pared-down, natural material palette.
The main living space opens up to a large external deck, which sits on steel stilts, anchoring it to the hillside. Exposed marine ply walls and ceilings are complemented by large panels of glass. Layers of cement sheet and insulation add to the home's sustainable credentials.
Amazingly, the fortress-like home is also said to be bulletproof, making it ideal for anyone looking to prepare for a nuclear disaster or a global apocalypse.
Constructed from four recycled shipping containers, this eye-catching property has personality, space and wow factor in abundance. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, it was built over 12 months and completed in 2018. Despite appearances, the home's interior bears little resemblance to the stark metal of its unique façade...
The impressive property spans 2,969 square feet and features three bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as light-filled living areas with an easy open-plan flow. Every room benefits from soaring ceilings, expanses of glass and a clean metallic colour palette that offers a subtle nod to the home's origins.
Positioned close to South Mountain, every single window captures the view. The master suite also leads out to a private terrace, which benefits from unobstructed landscape scenery. The ultra-modern home also boasts an independent home office with its own entrance, pre-plumbed kitchen space and bathroom.
Outside, you'll find a 7,741-square-foot garden, decorated with cacti. The house landed on the market in 2021 and despite its size and eye-catching design, sold for a surprisingly low £383,000 ($485k), proving that a one-of-a-kind home doesn't have to cost the earth.
Putting everything they had into creating their first home, Zack and Brie Smithey built this metal masterpiece from scratch, allowing them to live mortgage free.
The Missouri-based couple had previously renovated three properties, so felt it was time to design their own. With a "recycle, repurpose and reuse" mentality, the pair purchased an empty plot in St Charles in 2011, spending just £5,925 ($7.5k).
Zack and Brie took on almost all of the work themselves, from design to construction, creating a unique self-build home that is truly one-of-a-kind. For the shell of the house, they used eight shipping containers, each with nine-foot ceilings.
Built in Shanghai, the units had travelled around the world before ending up in a container yard in St Louis. The couple paid just £1,264 ($1.6k) for each of the containers, using a crane to lift them into place.
The couple salvaged 100-year-old church windows and bricks from a 120-year-old house to create a real focal point. Amazingly, the construction costs added up to just £106,600 ($135k), making this home affordable and remarkable in equal measure.
Inside, you'll find 3,100 square feet of space, spread across three floors. The main level offers a dramatic living and dining area, a kitchen and a lounge, decorated with exposed corrugated steel and upcycled furnishings.
There's a large basement with a garage, utility room and living room, while upstairs you'll find a bathroom, laundry room and three bedrooms. The master suite spans the entire length of the back of the house and comes complete with a handmade headboard, set at a 45-degree angle for easy reclining.
Outside, there's an entertaining space with a stylish Tiki bar, built from leftover wood and steel. If you're feeling inspired, you can read the couple's full story for all the details.
The idea of a shipping container home inevitably conjures up images of small, compact residences with little room to stretch out, but this incredible mansion in Colorado has nothing but space.
Built by a local firefighter, the standout property sprawls over 3,000 square feet, offering five bedrooms, four bathrooms and no end of characterful living areas.
Nine shipping containers were used in the spectacular custom design, with their distinctive corrugated siding proudly displayed across the exterior. We love the bolt of turquoise across the upper storey at the rear of the home, which overlooks the landscaped garden, complete with an upcycled barbecue station.
Inside, 25-foot-high ceilings tower over the impressive open-plan living space. Swathes of industrial metalwork frame the separate zones, while vast sliding glass doors open up the interior to the garden. Two bedrooms are located on this level, while the mezzanine walkway upstairs leads to three further bedrooms, including the plush master.
The property's vast floorplan is packed with luxury touches. The master bedroom features elegant dark wood floors, a raised platform bed and a generous private balcony. If that wasn't enough, there's also a projector screen downstairs that's ideal for family movie nights. Not bad for a shipping container, eh?
Nestled in the dense woodlands of Ohio's Hocking Hills State Park, BoHo Box Hop is a remarkable rural retreat crafted from two shipping containers. The striking façade is a fusion of corrugated metal and rustic wooden shingles that help soften the structure into its forest surroundings.
With the lower storey comprising a single container, a second unit forms the top storey, cantilevering out at a gravity-defying angle. The jaunty addition offers residents a fresh perspective of the rural vistas and the property's 18.5 acres of surrounding land. This architectural marvel is the last thing we'd expect to see below the tree canopy.
Available to rent, the home's interior layout puts every inch of the container's elongated structure to use. In the ground-floor living area, a quaint galley kitchen in forest green packs plenty into a compact space, while the floating staircase allows light to flow freely throughout the property.
Upstairs, there's a snug double bedroom with large picture windows that capture the best of the woodlands. Imagine waking up to that view! On the opposite side of the room, sliding glass doors lead out onto a spacious roof deck – the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast in the midst of nature.
From the outside, this suburban home in Brisbane looks like little more than a modern family residence, with its angular lines and stylish black exterior. However, take a stroll around the back and it suddenly becomes clear that this contemporary property isn't quite all it seems...
Two vast shipping containers have been beautifully integrated into the structure of the home, creating airy, open accommodation with plenty of character. The original openings of the steel units have been put to use, allowing the interior zones to spill out onto the garden.
Inside, the upcycled home's past life is never far from view. White corrugated metal walls add raw, architectural interest to the contemporary living area, while hairpin bar stools and exposed metal beams complement the industrial fabric of this unusual residence.
While it may be made from an unconventional material, comfort is of the highest priority in this plush two-storey family home. Offering four luxurious bedrooms, three bathrooms and a media room, it's a far cry from a dark, cramped container. Talk about a transformation!
The pad last sold in June 2023 for AUD$1.1 million, which equates to £572,400 ($725k).
Having sold via Compass in 2020 for the hefty sum of £2.6 million ($3.3m), this captivating container home in Boulder, Colorado looks a little different from your standard corrugated metal box. Clad in weathered, reclaimed wood, it's a modern mountain cabin unlike any we've seen before.
The upper level consists of two 53-foot shipping containers, with their original metal siding doors artfully incorporated into the structure. Situated at the foot of Flagstaff Mountain, the unique home is orientated to make the most of the breathtaking surrounding peaks, with large, carefully positioned windows framing the priceless picture-postcard vistas.
Sprawling across a sizeable footprint of just over 4,000 square feet, industrial concrete floors and ceilings clad in 100-year-old barn wood extend throughout the residence. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, minimalist, Scandi-inspired cabinetry, a long breakfast bar and a glass-fronted refrigerator take centre stage.
Elsewhere, there's a laundry room, four bedrooms and four bathrooms. However, our favourite feature has to be the incredible outdoor kitchen. Connected to the living room via a glass-and-steel garage door, which creates a seamless indoor-outdoor space when raised, it features everything you could need to whip up an alfresco feast.
Situated between expanses of greenery in the picturesque Bot River valley in South Africa's Western Cape, the Copia Cabin is made from two shipping container units. Perched on a hillside, the industrial-style retreat benefits from breathtaking 360-degree views of the site's rural landscapes.
Available to rent, the container's corrugated metal has been left exposed across the exterior for a rustic feel, while stacked bamboo detailing offers an organic contrast, helping the home to blend into the surrounding terrain.
Expansive glass doors that span the living spaces retract back, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors. The covered raised deck features a built-in fireplace and log store – the ideal spot to dine alfresco on a chilly evening.
Inside, the floor plan is split into three spaces; the open-plan kitchen and living room, the bedroom and the bathroom, which all overlook the rolling hills. Running completely off-grid, the residence is fuelled by solar power but that doesn't mean it scrimps on indulgent amenities – there's even a luxurious wood-fired hot tub on the deck.
One of the most sustainable homes in our round-up, Manifesto House by Spanish architecture firm James & Mau is almost entirely made from recycled materials. Its unique design utilises a system of palette shutters across the façade that open or close to filter light flow and shade the interior spaces when needed.
Located in Chile, the two-storey dwelling is made of three repurposed maritime shipping containers, which offer 1,722 square feet of living space. Architecturally daring, the top level cantilevers out over the lower storey, creating an unusual enclosed balcony that offers far-reaching views of the undulating countryside.
Bright and airy, the main living space features a spectacular floating staircase and sliding glass doors that run the entire length of the room. When retracted, the exterior terraces and rugged landscapes seemingly bleed into the interior, creating a flexible indoor-outdoor layout.
The rippling skin of the shipping containers has been utilised throughout the contemporary home, with interior walls made from repurposed metal sheeting. Divided up into smaller zones, the vast structure feels intimate and welcoming, despite the stark lines of its industrial fabric.
Perched on the edge of a rocky outcrop in the rugged wilds of Colorado, this modern masterpiece was designed by Tomecek Studio. Employing recycled materials and eco-friendly technology in its design, the innovative residence's space-efficient floor plan puts every inch of square footage to use.
The cliffhanging home comprises two shipping containers that flank a wedge-shaped structure at the centre of the property. The containers on either side are designated as sleeping or working zones, while the tall volume in the middle houses the main living zones, with a handy loft located above.
Accommodation is spread across 1,500 square feet, with the heart of the home featuring a vast open-plan living area, complete with a cosy wood-burning fireplace. Industrial metalwork has been left exposed throughout, while bursts of colour punctuate the interior walls, zoning the different functional spaces.
Solar photovoltaic panels help to power the off-grid retreat, keeping it warm and welcoming even in the bitter winter months. What's more, the majestic mountain landscapes outside are never far from sight thanks to carefully situated windows and glazing.
Situated just outside of San Jose in Costa Rica, this shipping container home, devised by architecture firm Studio Saxe, was designed for a family in search of a rural bolthole. Remarkably, the stylish structure was created on a tiny budget...
Built at a cost of just £31,500 ($40k), staggered orange containers form a contemporary home with industrial undertones. The price of the construction is lower than that of social housing in Costa Rica, making it a cost-effective way to address the demand for affordable housing.
Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the home's clever slanted roof and floor-to-ceiling windows allow cool air to circulate. Ideal for such a humid climate, this natural cross-ventilation system means there's no need for air-conditioning.
In this bright bedroom, sliding glass doors draw plenty of natural light inside while framing picturesque vistas of the breathtaking Costa Rican countryside. Thanks to recycled building materials and a little creative thinking, this frugal build has allowed its owners to live debt-free in a tranquil beauty spot.
This breathtaking 6,000-square-foot mansion on the outskirts of Brisbane, Australia is made from 31 boxes, making it one of the largest shipping container homes in the country. Designed by Ziegler Build, it features four massive bedrooms, four bathrooms, a gym and a saltwater pool.
The flood-proof structure was commissioned by Todd and Diana Miller, whose previous home was severely damaged in the Queensland floods of 2011. The entire project took six months to build – not bad for a home this size – with their journey featured on Grand Designs Australia.
Encompassing three floors, the design of this stunning Australian home includes an array of other recycled materials alongside the shipping containers, from railway sleepers and salvaged wood to old industrial equipment. One of the main reasons for utilising the containers was cost, as they offered much better value for money than conventional home-building methods.
Sold via Place Graceville back in June 2014 for AUD$1.4 million, which is £725,000 ($919k), the container mansion still possesses playful references to its industrial roots. In this corridor, exposed corrugated sheeting and metal fixtures line the walls, while a wooden floor, ceiling and staircase add warmth to this unusual family home.
Conceived by London designer James Whitaker of Whitaker Studio, work on this futuristic shipping container home is set to begin later this year. Nestled in the arid desert of California's Joshua Tree National Park, the realistic renderings of the residence are almost otherworldly, depicting a sprawling white structure comprised of carefully angled container units.
Encompassing 2,000 square feet, the interior will feature unusual geometries and jutting angles that will carve out unconventional living areas. Thoughtfully positioned picture windows will allow light to pour inside the property, drawing the desert landscape inside the minimalist spaces.
The floor plan will include three ensuite bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. Much thought has been put into the orientation of the shipping units to protect the residents' privacy and maximise the light flow throughout the contemporary home.
Adjacent to the main structure will be a garage with a canopy of solar panels to generate the home's electricity. Commissioned by film producer Chris Hanley, the unique residence was previously on the market for a breathtaking £2.8 million ($3.5m), although the listing was later removed.
Part home, part work of art, this environmentally-friendly building can be found in the city of Vancouver, Canada, and is almost too good to be true. Custom-made with every luxury in mind, the property offers space, style and drama in bucket loads.
Spanning an impressive 4,074 square feet, the four-bedroom, five-bathroom home was constructed in 2015 from 11 individual shipping containers. Blending industrial design with modern flair, the spacious property boasts a theatrical living room, with a towering ceiling, a sunken conversation pit and a dining zone. The unique abode was even featured on HGTV's Extreme Homes.
The unique eco home offers plenty of extraordinary features, too. There's a strong Japanese theme running through the property. The home's exterior corrugated walls are decorated with hand-painted Koi carp, while inside you'll find a stunning Japanese tea room, which doubles as a space for yoga and meditation.
The front yard has also been designed to resemble the grounds of a Buddhist temple and would be the perfect space to watch the world go by.
Elsewhere, you'll find a commercial-grade kitchen, two offices and a bar complete with a wooden, hand-carved Balinese counter. Outside, there's a half-acre garden, kitted out with a Koi pond, orchard, outdoor kitchen and firepit.
This metal masterpiece was designed by renowned architect Alexander Michael and can be found in the city of Kangaroo Valley in New South Wales, Australia. With an extraordinary aesthetic, a mind-blowing interior and plenty of eco-credentials, the house is seriously impressive.
Nestled on almost five acres of land, the contemporary crib was constructed in 2016 from four shipping containers, as well as additional steel, glass and polished concrete.
Inside, the home offers an open-plan ground floor with a stunning lounge and a black and chrome kitchen, separated by a steel staircase and two slow-combustion fireplaces.
Of course, every space benefits from a cool industrial look thanks to the use of structural steel and monochrome furnishings, complemented by bright bursts of colour. Double-height ceilings, walls of glass and dramatic interior design elements add to the home's impressive finish.
Upstairs, you’ll find four unique 'pod' bedrooms with their own ensuite bathrooms, sliding glass windows and views across the surrounding landscape.
As well as being built from reclaimed materials, the eco home also runs entirely off-grid and boasts solar panels, a battery bank and a rainwater harvesting system. Stylish, stunning and sustainable, this container residence is one of the most mesmerizing we've seen.
Known as the Air Castle Treehouse, this amazing woodland home is secluded within a substantial acreage in Ladonia, Texas.
Formed from four shipping containers, stacked together to create a long, thin vertical living space spread over four floors and a horizontal section that connects the building to the surrounding trees, this one-of-a-kind home almost defies gravity.
The terrific treehouse boasts a unique exterior, with the original containers still bearing the company logos and markings from their previous lives as cargo holders. Access to the interior is by a long, winding walkway, which meanders through the trees and leads to a set of exterior steps. There's also a ground-floor garage for bike storage.
Once you've climbed the stairs, you'll find yourself inside this bright and cosy home. With its rustic, farmhouse aesthetic, there's something incredibly inviting about this remote home.
There's a living room, a kitchen, a dining zone and two bedrooms, all connected via a steel staircase. Each space is kitted out with timber cladding, huge picture windows and white-washed shiplap walls.
Of course, every room also benefits from incredible views and there are five exterior balconies for guests to use – including a third-floor screened porch, complete with a hot tub.
At the top of the house, there’s the crow’s nest. Located 50 feet in the air, it’s the best place to soak up the surrounding landscape.
When this luxe container house in Waikato, New Zealand, landed on the market in early 2021, it gained global attention. It quickly sold for NZD$1.8 million, or £868,900 ($1.1m), and it certainly isn't hard to understand why. Nestled on a 1.5-acre elevated lot, the house overlooks Lake Rotomanuka and is a dazzling example of what can be achieved with a bit of imagination, grit and determination.
The former owner, David Wade, decided to build his family a home in a bid to save money. Using 12 shipping containers, he documented his progress on Facebook, showing his 5,000 followers every stage of the design and construction process.
Wade was reportedly inspired by The Adriance House in Maine, which was designed by American architect, Adam Kalkin, and the scheme was completed in 2010.
The property is defined by its black steel and glass exterior, as well as by its incredible, open-plan interior.
The pad measures 3,444 square feet and is laid out over two levels. The highlight of the interior is its huge atrium living area, which boasts a soaring ceiling and a dual-sided, symmetrical steel staircase that leads up to the property's four bedrooms. A large, retractable glass door, akin to the sort found on fire stations, can be lifted to open the entire space up to the great outdoors.
Perfect for entertaining, the main living space has a lounge, dining zone and kitchen. As for design, the interior allows the steel frame of the shipping containers to take centre stage and their corrugated walls are left exposed throughout, complemented by polished concrete floors, wood-burning stoves and bold artwork.
Outside, there's a two-bedroom cottage, a large deck, an in-ground swimming pool and gorgeous landscaping that adds to the home's allure.
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