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Shipping Container Design – Old Lady House


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This shipping container design, the old lady house, is 40′ by 24′ which makes it a comfortable 960 square feet intended to sleep two to three people.

It has it all–a large closet space, kitchen, and laundry/utility room with storage. So room wouldn’t be an issue for three people here. Then there’s a roomy living and dining area with extra space surrounding it. This area has glass sliding doors to offer a nice view and allow some light in.

On the other side there are two small bedrooms and a bathroom in between. One unique feature of the design worth pointing out is the deck and extra sliding doors on the sides.

Okay so check out these photos (thanks to architecture and hygiene).

Shipping Container House Design

Two Bedroom Container House Shipping Container House Shipping Container House Shipping container house floor plan

Photo credits: architecture and hygiene

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 21 comments… add one }
  • Brad Carlisle
    October 28, 2010, 4:06 am

    Inteesting,My only question is why? You could have built amuch more energy efficent frame house of similair size for less money and a more flexible floor plan .

  • creeksitter
    October 28, 2010, 8:09 pm

    The bedrooms are much too small. We old ladies need to be able to walk around our beds to make them.

    Narrow the living/dining room a little, Make two 10′ bedrooms on one side with a 2′ clost area separating them. On the other side, half is a larger kitchen and half is a bathroom with washer/dryer connections. Fit a pantry/ storage area in the kitchen if possible.

    Whats with all the glass? did you buy out a sliding door factory?

    Sorry to be so critical – In some ways you’ve got a great design for a shipping container – but when it comes to glass – sometimes less is more.

  • Alex
    November 6, 2010, 12:06 am

    I guess we’re all different! I like all the glass… I love looking outside.

  • nico
    January 2, 2011, 2:53 pm

    I like the home.

  • Ted
    January 11, 2011, 11:07 am

    Now to find the land and try to get the permits!

  • paddy
    March 5, 2011, 8:09 pm

    I have an acre in Homosassa Florida for sale it would fit great there

  • Kat
    December 22, 2011, 11:31 am

    I have to agree with creeksitter about the changes ~ I like a larger kitchen with all that I do there ~ but this is a neat design. Love the idea of working with containers! Walls and floor already in place, just waiting for such designs! These are great! Keep up the good work. Could you try a design like she was talking about? That would be wonderful!

    • December 22, 2011, 11:47 am

      Thanks Kat, me too, I love containers. They’re super safe… and recycled. I’d go with a smaller version (one or two containers) unless I had a family.

      • Kat
        June 26, 2012, 8:53 am

        maybe 2 containers, offset a bit for interest? I think I might play with that just for fun! Wondering though, where would be the best place to find containers for sale to do this? It would be a fast way to build since basic box is already there, there would be little worry about weather while ‘building’ it. Another question is ~ can they go underground, even a little? Or would they not be structurally sound enough for that? I’m thinking 2-3 sides under the earth for added insulation = less utility payments or easier solar/wind usage. Always the questions to things like this…… worth looking into for sure.

        • June 27, 2012, 12:00 am

          Great idea, I’ll have to look into it as I’m not sure although I think it’d be fine just depends on what part of the world you’re building, elevations, flood possibilities, etc.

        • Joshua Murphy
          January 15, 2018, 9:20 pm

          great idea with the 2/3’s buried.

  • sami
    January 7, 2012, 9:31 am

    what’s the cost of the house.

    • January 7, 2012, 10:00 am

      Sorry- not sure, Sami

  • Angela Dunavant
    March 16, 2012, 8:23 am

    I too like this design and would like to see the changes suggested. However, I do like all the windows my cats would have lots of space to sleep in front of the windows and see all around the house. Right now they have only 2 windows in the bedroom to see what’s going on. I am also interested in the cost.

  • jparkes
    May 12, 2012, 7:19 pm

    Old lady house? Bah!
    I’d love it!!

  • dana pallessen
    May 12, 2012, 8:19 pm

    why is this called the old lady house. sounds so depressing. why not-the old wise woman house, the wise old crone house (barbara walker book “crone”), why not the elder’s house. all those are resprectful and complimentary. i am a wise old crone and actually like this house.

  • Linda
    June 18, 2012, 12:26 pm

    I like the concept but this plan has too many sliding doors (so much glass would mean less safety). Also, I’d like one bedroom larger than these. It looks like the deep foundation could be either a basement or storage area which would be nice. How many containers are in this plan? Looks like maybe four.

  • Kathryn
    January 5, 2015, 12:50 pm

    I was looking for a stair case to the basement. Look as I may it’s just not there 🙂 However with the utility room, finding room shouldn’t be a prob. My husband are seriously looking at this. Are the plans available?

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