Shipping Container World

Shipping Container World We cover all of the latest innovations in container houses, from designs to home building.

Living in a container is about freedom, flexibility and living life on your own terms. It's about having the ability to pick up and go whenever and wherever you want. Living in a container is possible because of containers - strong, durable steel boxes that can be stacked on top of each other to create an instant home or office building. These buildings are versatile, portable, sustainable and affordable - they're everything people need for their ideal lifestyle!

Textures So Good, You Want to Touch ThemMost people just paint their containers. This builder went the extra mile, wrapp...
01/03/2026

Textures So Good, You Want to Touch Them

Most people just paint their containers. This builder went the extra mile, wrapping a 20ft steel box in hand-split cedar shakes and contrasting it with a raw, patina-steel sliding door. It’s a masterclass in rustic-industrial balance.

Project estimates:

Base Structure: 1x 20ft High Cube Container + Timber Frame Extension.

Style: Pacific Northwest Craftsman / Rustic Tiny Home.

Total Area: ~320 sq ft (Interior) + ~200 sq ft (Covered Porch).

Key Features: Cedar shake siding, custom patina steel sliding door (reused cutout), shed roof with overhangs, pier foundation.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $55k - $85k (Cedar is pricey, but the footprint is small).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $130k - $175k (Custom craftsmanship costs premium).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

From Rusted Scrap to Forest Luxury: The Ultimate Cabin Glow-UpWitness the stunning transformation of two beat-up 40ft sh...
01/02/2026

From Rusted Scrap to Forest Luxury: The Ultimate Cabin Glow-Up

Witness the stunning transformation of two beat-up 40ft shipping containers into a high-end modern retreat. This build proves that with a "flyover" roof design and a massive deck, you can double your living space and ditch the boxy feel completely.

Project estimates:

Base Structure: 2x 40ft High Cube Shipping Containers (Joined side-by-side) + Custom Timber Skillion Roof.

Style: Modern Scandi-Industrial Cabin.

Total Area: ~640 sq ft (Interior) + ~500 sq ft (Covered Veranda).

Key Features: Clerestory windows for natural light, mono-pitch "flyover" roof (heat reduction), vertical composite cladding, frameless glass deck railings.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $95k - $125k (Heavy timber and glazing costs).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $210k - $280k (Premium finishes and decking).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

One Box, Double the Space: The Hybrid Expansion TrickThink you need to buy multiple containers to get a wide living room...
01/02/2026

One Box, Double the Space: The Hybrid Expansion Trick

Think you need to buy multiple containers to get a wide living room? Wrong. This builder used a single 40ft unit for the "core" and simply built a timber-frame extension alongside it. It cuts the steel cost in half while doubling the floor plan.

Project estimates:

Base Structure: 1x 40ft High Cube Container (Bedrooms/Bath) + Timber Frame Extension (Living/Deck).

Style: Hybrid Scandi-Industrial Cabin.

Total Area: ~320 sq ft (Container) + ~320 sq ft (Timber Extension) = ~640 sq ft Total Interior.

Key Features: Mono-pitch roof over spanning both sections, vertical composite cladding (hides the transition), large format sliding doors.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $80k - $110k (Significant savings by using only one container).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $180k - $240k.

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

The "Tuscan Trick": How to Smuggle a Villa onto Your LandIf you want a stone villa but only have a steel budget, do this...
01/02/2026

The "Tuscan Trick": How to Smuggle a Villa onto Your Land

If you want a stone villa but only have a steel budget, do this. By burying a beat-up 40ft shipping container inside tons of rock and timber, this builder created a slice of Italy that looks like it’s been there for generations.

Project estimates:

Base Structure: 1x 40ft High Cube Container + Custom Timber Roof Frame.

Style: Mediterranean / Tuscan Stone Cottage.

Total Area: ~320 sq ft (Interior Core) + ~300 sq ft (Covered Veranda).

Key Features: Full cultural stone cladding, clay tile roof, heavy timber porch posts, handcrafted wooden entry door.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $95k - $135k (Clay tiles and stone veneer are expensive materials).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $210k - $275k (Masonry labor is the biggest cost driver here).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

Stealth Mode Activated: The Ultimate Monochrome MakeoverMost cabins try to stand out; this one tries to disappear. By pa...
01/02/2026

Stealth Mode Activated: The Ultimate Monochrome Makeover

Most cabins try to stand out; this one tries to disappear. By painting the entire structure in matte charcoal and building a massive "exoskeleton" roof, this single 40ft container becomes a moody, high-end retreat that melts into the forest shadows.

Project estimates:

Base Structure: 1x 40ft High Cube Container + Timber "Pole Barn" Superstructure.

Style: Modern Pacific Northwest / "Dark Mode" Cabin.

Total Area: ~320 sq ft (Interior Core) + ~600 sq ft (Wrap-Around Porch).

Key Features: "Exoskeleton" timber framing, flyover clerestory roof, cable deck railings, matte black exterior finish.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $95k - $125k (High cost for premium decking and cable rails).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $210k - $275k (Custom "stealth" finishing is labor intensive).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

Steel in Disguise: The Ultimate Rustic CamouflageYou would never guess this "100-year-old" stone lodge is actually a shi...
01/02/2026

Steel in Disguise: The Ultimate Rustic Camouflage

You would never guess this "100-year-old" stone lodge is actually a shipping container. By wrapping a single 40ft unit in heavy masonry and rough-sawn timber, this builder created a timeless mountain retreat that completely erases its industrial past.

Project estimates:

Base Structure: 1x 40ft High Cube Container + Heavy Timber Post & Beam Porch.

Style: Rustic Stone Lodge / Mountain Cabin.

Total Area: ~320 sq ft (Interior) + ~400 sq ft (Covered Porch).

Key Features: Full stone veneer cladding, heavy timber truss system, craftsman wood windows, massive covered log porch.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $90k - $130k (Stone masonry is labor-intensive/slow).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $220k - $290k (Masonry labor and heavy timber are premium costs).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

The "Stacked & Staggered" Mansion: When Three 40s Become ArtForget simple boxes. This builder staggered three full-size ...
01/02/2026

The "Stacked & Staggered" Mansion: When Three 40s Become Art

Forget simple boxes. This builder staggered three full-size 40ft containers under a massive clerestory roof to create a sprawling estate. By mixing dark timber with rustic stone pillars, they’ve turned industrial steel into a modern architectural masterpiece.

Project estimates:

Base Structure: 3x 40ft High Cube Containers (Offset/Staggered Configuration).

Style: Modern Rustic Estate / Industrial Lodge.

Total Area: ~960 sq ft (Interior Core) + ~800 sq ft (Covered Patio & Walkways).

Key Features: Clerestory windows for natural light, stone veneer pillars, split-level roofline, massive covered outdoor entertaining zone.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $190k - $240k (Complexity of the roof and stone work drives cost up).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $420k - $550k (This is luxury residential territory).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

Title: The "Courtyard" Hack: Why a U-Shape Wins Every TimeStop building boring rectangles. This builder combined one mas...
01/02/2026

Title: The "Courtyard" Hack: Why a U-Shape Wins Every Time

Stop building boring rectangles. This builder combined one massive 40ft container with two 20ft wings to create a stunning U-shaped villa. This layout doesn't just look cool—it creates a wind-protected private courtyard that traditional cabins can't match.

Project estimates:

Base Structure: 1x 40ft High Cube Container (Central Living) + 2x 20ft High Cube Containers (Bedroom Wings).

Style: Modern Dark Scandi / Courtyard Estate.

Total Area: ~640 sq ft (Container Interior) + ~300 sq ft (Central Deck/Infill).

Key Features: U-shaped "Courtyard" footprint, multi-pitch "butterfly" roofline, dark vertical timber cladding, distinct sleeping zones.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $145k - $185k (Complex roof framing and joining 3 units drives up cost).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $310k - $390k (Premium architectural design and waterproofing).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

Here is the viral Facebook post content, calibrated for maximum engagement and "tag-a-friend" potential, while keeping t...
12/31/2025

Here is the viral Facebook post content, calibrated for maximum engagement and "tag-a-friend" potential, while keeping the technical details accurate for the enthusiasts.

Title: The "U-Shape" Hack: How to build a private resort in your own backyard!

This is the ultimate introvert's paradise. By arranging containers in a U-shape, they created a completely private central courtyard with a pool that no neighbor can see. The "after" photo is absolute perfection!

Project Estimates:

Base Structure: 2x 40ft High Cube Containers (Sides) + 2x 20ft Containers (Ends) in a U-Shape.

Style: Modern Atrium / Central Courtyard Villa.

Total Area: ~960 sq ft (Internal Living) + ~600 sq ft (Central Deck & Pool).

Key Features: Central privacy courtyard, swimming pool, cathedral-style connecting roof, seamless indoor-outdoor glass walls.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $135k - $165k (The pool and large glass glazing significantly increase costs).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $290k - $360k (Requires advanced engineering for roof spans and pool plumbing).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

They built a literal AIRCRAFT HANGAR and moved in!Is this a house or a headquarters? By spanning a massive arched roof b...
12/31/2025

They built a literal AIRCRAFT HANGAR and moved in!

Is this a house or a headquarters? By spanning a massive arched roof between stacks of containers, this builder created a "Barndominium" on steroids. The transition from the white "tent" look to the dark, moody industrial mansion is absolutely lethal.

Project Estimates:

Base Structure: 8x 20ft Containers (Side stacks) + 2x 40ft Containers (Rear/Internal).

Style: Industrial Hangar / Luxury Warehouse Conversion.

Total Area: ~3,500+ sq ft (The central volume is massive).

Key Features: Self-supporting steel arch roof system, stacked container "wings" for bedrooms, 2-story floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall, matte black industrial finish.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $220k - $280k (The shell is cheap, but the glass and finishing that huge interior volume add up fast).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $550k - $750k (Heating and cooling a space this big requires commercial-grade HVAC systems).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

Title: The "X-Wing" Holiday Mansion: Is this where Santa actually lives?Merry Christmas from the coolest build on earth!...
12/31/2025

Title: The "X-Wing" Holiday Mansion: Is this where Santa actually lives?

Merry Christmas from the coolest build on earth! By arranging four containers in an "X" shape around a soaring A-frame timber hall, this builder created the ultimate festive lodge. The cozy factor here is off the charts.

Project Estimates:

Base Structure: 4x 40ft Shipping Containers (Arranged in an X-Layout).

Style: A-Frame Chalet / Nordic Christmas Lodge.

Total Area: ~1,280 sq ft (Containers) + ~800 sq ft (Central A-Frame Atrium).

Key Features: Massive central A-frame timber roof, 4 separate private bedroom "wings," wraparound decking, floor-to-ceiling gable glass.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $150k - $190k (The complex central roof framing is the main cost/skill barrier here).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $350k - $420k (A-frames with this level of custom glazing are premium builds).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

The Ultimate "Zombie Apocalypse" Base... in a Swamp!Who needs solid ground? This crew took "off-grid" literally by build...
12/31/2025

The Ultimate "Zombie Apocalypse" Base... in a Swamp!

Who needs solid ground? This crew took "off-grid" literally by building a floating fortress in the middle of a bayou. Raised on massive stilts, this 6-container compound is the definition of a fisherman’s dream.

Project Estimates:

Base Structure: 6x 20ft Shipping Containers (Cluster Layout connected by walkways).

Style: Bayou Fishing Lodge / Swamp Cabin.

Total Area: ~960 sq ft (Internal Living Space) + ~1,200 sq ft (External Boardwalks & Docks).

Key Features: Deep-driven timber pile foundation, interconnected boardwalk system, boat slip/dock access, full rustic timber cladding.

🛠️ DIY Cost Estimate: $175k - $225k (Marine construction and pile driving are extremely difficult to DIY).

👷‍♂️ Turnkey Cost Estimate: $380k - $500k (Requires specialized marine contractors and barges for logistics).

Disclaimer: These figures are rough estimates only. Actual costs vary significantly by location, current material prices, and labor rates.

Address

530-B HARKLE Road STE 100
Santa Fe, NM
87505

Telephone

+15054906764

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shipping Container World posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Shipping Container World:

Shortcuts

Share

Category