In 2012 Todd and Di Miller, from Australia, lost their home in a flood. The couple build their new home out of shipping containers, creating the 6,000 square foot mansion often called “Graceville Container House”. Yeah, it’s displayed above, and it took 31 twenty-foot containers to build. After it was featured on the Australian TV show Grand Designs, in early October of 2014, people saw how versatile a shipping container home could be, and from there the trend has continued gaining popularity, year after year.

But then, for reasons that may always remain a mystery, designers simply fail to incorporate closet space & laundry facilities into single level homes with limited space, from tiny modular designs to basic Container Homes. This holds true for small multi-level homes too; plus, interior stairways somehow worked their way outdoors in multi-level styles. Yes, space is limited but we must accept reality, a two-bedroom home is better than a 3-bedroom home if you have an appointed space to hangup your apparel, wash & dry your clothing or have the option to go upstairs when appropriate, without leaving the house.

I have added a couple revised basic floor plans for your review which reflects how this flaw could be corrected, a few paragraphs below.

You should also know, the typical container home you purchase from China, the South of France or elsewhere will not come equipped with a Range, a Dishwasher, a Refrigerator-freezer, a Washer / Dryer nor Beds, Tables, Chairs or Sofas. Expect the Hot Water Heater to be small: as a rule, 10 gallons. The interior walls are “sandwiched” with foam in the middle, so you cannot place screws into the walls. You will need to use self-adhesive hooks for hanging pictures & plaques. And yes, you can get Wi-Fi through a wired connection if available, or by utilizing a mobile hotspot or a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal if Over-the-Air cell service is better.

And finally, for U.S. Customers, as a rule the house will be sent via sea freight from an overseas factory to a US port nearest the construction site and ultimately delivered to your specified location via truck.

Please plan for the receiving location to be large enough and flat enough to accommodate offloading. Such unloading is your responsibility and is typically performed by a large crane and please, arrange for 3-4 people to assist with the home’s final placement onto the foundation.

Bottom line, the American Dream of home ownership has returned to the masses with the simplicity and low cost of the Shipping Container design!