As a building block, shipping containers are both durable and versatile—convert one into a tiny home or a backyard office, or stack and arrange them to create a bold residence like this film producer’s starburst-shaped retreat in the desert. In addition to saving on construction costs, upcycling an old container can be an eco-friendly alternative to building from the ground up. Start here to learn more about building your own shipping container home, from design inspiration to practical guides.

Guides to Building a Shipping Container Home

Before you embark on your build-out, take a look at the resources and inspiration below.

How to Buy a Shipping Container

How to Stay Cool by Living in a Shipping Container

20 Ideas on What You Can Do With Old Shipping Containers

Shipping Container Companies and Floor Plans

There are a ton of companies with impressive, out-of-the-box designs, and most are customizable to fit your needs.

5 of Our Favorite Shipping Container Companies in North America

10 Shipping Container Homes You Can Buy Right Now

16 Prefab Shipping Container Home Companies in the U.S.

10 Prefab Shipping Container Companies in Europe

11 Shipping Container Home Floor Plans That Maximize Space

Best Examples of Shipping Container Homes

Draw inspiration from a diverse assortment of customized shipping container homes.

Dwell’s Top 10 Upcycled Shipping Containers of 2017

12 Shipping Container Homes That Challenge the Meaning of Shelter

Two San Francisco art and travel addicts overhauled a loft—and customized a pair of shipping containers—to accommodate and reflect their passions. The shipping containers were stacked, joined with steel tubes, and fastened to reinforced floor joints in order to make them earthquake-safe." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Drew Kelly" photoUserId="6133431225499148288"/>

10 Beautiful Island-Style Shipping Container Homes

9 Modern Homes Made Out of Shipping Containers

Shipping Containers in Commercial or Hospitality Projects

Shipping container architecture isn’t just limited to residential—these hotels and storefronts bring the industrial aesthetic into the commercial and hospitality space.

How to Buy a Shipping Container

The Essential Guide to Shipping Container Home Design