No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you … homes around the world are shrinking.

More people are sacrificing square footage as they search for compact living spaces. Homeowners have increased their need for flexible spaces that are both cost and energy efficient.

So, move over over-sized mansions … it’s time for something small and sustainable.

With shipping container home design, it’s possible to have all this and more. It is modern style meets minimalistic living. It is function, convenience, and customized design all wrapped up in a steel container.

Read on for five reasons to consider a shipping container as your next home.

1. A Sustainable Living Option

Compact home designs use less energy, water, and utilities. Living in a container home can help reduce emissions and lower your carbon footprint.

There are over 33 million shipping containers in the world. Yet, many of these end up sitting unused, taking up space.

Shipping containers accumulate in areas with large shipping ports, such as Los Angeles. Recycling a used shipping container into a home makes a great impact on the environment.

Shipping container home designs also need fewer materials to build. They can take energy efficiency a step further by using recycled materials, such as flooring and interior paneling.

Most container homes also use foam or fiberglass for insulation. Installing solar panels or extra insulation can further reduce energy bills.

It is important to note that container homes get crafted of steel. It attracts heat, which can help keep the home warm during winter.

A double-ventilated roof will help reduce cooling bills in warmer months. Or you can go green by adding large leafy trees to your landscaping plan.

2. A Compact Design with Flexibility in Mind

A container house design has no limits in customization. It can be as luxurious or minimalistic as the homeowner wishes. Both the interior and exterior design can get made over to create a one-of-a-kind living space.

You can get creative with your container design and think outside the steel box. Install a front porch, balcony, or large deck for an outdoor extension of living space. Add character with skylights or a vaulted ceiling.

Container homes make it easy to capture the view of your property. Use a big picture window or glass wall to enhance the view and let in natural sunlight. Here are a few design features for building a shipping container home.

One Size Does Not Fit All

You don’t have to sacrifice on size when living in a shipping container.

Past builders have used 14 containers to create over 3,700 feet of living space. Others built a 10,000 square foot shipping container castle, complete with towers.

A New Way of Living

A compact living space also promotes an uncluttered lifestyle. The homeowner adopts a “less is more” approach to furniture and decor.

Shipping container homes also allow you to break free from cultural norms. You can forgo suburbia to live among nature.

An Extension of Your Existing Home

Already have your dream home built?

Shipping containers can still offer ways to expand and upgrade your existing property. They can serve as a custom-designed guest house, office, or studio space.

Upgrades for More Living Space

Containers can get stacked on top of one another to create height. Or install them side by side to add more dimension. It’s easy to connect another container to increase the size of your living space.

A container home design is flexible and easy to make home upgrades down the road. Be sure to follow building codes and read up on more info for what to expect before the build.

3. A Quick and Cost-Efficient Build

A shipping container home is perfect for those looking to move in right away. It’s quick to construct and select your own finishes, appliances, and design elements.

Smaller sized homes can take only a few days to construct. While larger homes will need a few months to complete.

Some manufacturers also offer already completed homes for sale. So, all you would need to find is your lot.

Compared to traditional home build expenses, a shipping container home cost is less. You can own your own shipping container for a couple thousand dollars. Depending on size and upgrades, custom container homes can start around $15,000.

4. Living Spaces That Guarantee Safety and Security

A home of steel provides a sturdy and safe structure. Shipping containers get built to carry an average of 30 tons of weight. These containers handle this while also stacking on top each other during transit.

A steel shipping container can also withstand the elements. They protect you and your possessions from dangerous weather conditions, like hurricanes. These containers are watertight, and won’t let the wind and rain get in.

A well-crafted container home design will also result in fewer repairs. It’s a low maintenance alternative to building with wood. Over time, wood can rot, mold, and get infected with pests.

It’s important to note that a brand new shipping container has never gotten exposed to any toxins. Recycled containers may have a history of transporting chemicals. If going this route, be sure to check the history of how the container got used.

5. A Home That Makes It Easy to Go Mobile

Owning a home that is portable saves you time, energy, and money when it’s time to move. Shipping containers get built to make it as simple as possible to pick up and move. It’s easy to rent a large truck or trailer to haul your home cross country when needed.

Mobility and ease of construction are top reasons containers get used as homes in areas with limited living space. European cities that experience housing shortages even use them to provide student housing.

Yet these homes are also finding themselves in deserts, forests, and suburban neighborhoods. As long as you follow building and permitting codes, you can plant your home in any location you desire. It also doesn’t hurt to find a contractor that specializes in container homes.

How Shipping Container Home Design Can Change Your Lifestyle

Container home design does not always mean living off the grid. These homes pop up everywhere from Los Angeles to New York City.

Yet, this way of living does bring about a change in lifestyle. You’re making a choice to move to more sustainable and functional living. The home designs are more about conserving space and energy than sacrificing style.

Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at these trending types of home styles that can get incorporated into a shipping container home.