Tiny homes have changed the way homeowners think about their lifestyles. This compact way of living has taken the real estate market by storm in recent years, with an array of television shows and magazine articles dedicated to tiny home living.
When it comes to building and designing a tiny home, there are many ways to begin the process. In several cases, homeowners are looking at unique ways to create their own space, using items like shipping container as the foundation for their new home. While inspirational pictures can help you envision the final product, it’s important to know the features that make a tiny home feel like exactly that — home.
In this guide, you’ll take a closer look at the essential components necessary to make your shipping container home feel like your own.
Open Floor Plan
When it comes to building a shipping container home, it’s all about maximizing space and creating a welcoming flow. The last thing you want is to feel like the minimal space is closed off. The most effective way to achieve this is to create an open floor plan. That means clear sightlines from end to end.
Lots of Natural Light
Using a shipping container as the base for your tiny home means there are necessary renovations to ensure it is livable and comfortable for you and whomever you’re living with. These features include plumbing, electricity, heating, air conditioning and, of course, natural light.
Adding windows to your shipping container is a necessity for a variety of reasons. Not only does it allow for natural light to create that warm, homey feel, but it also helps bring in more fresh air and adds ventilation — this is key in smaller spaces. Without proper ventilation, smaller spaces can get overwhelmed with dust, humidity and strong odors.
Storage Solutions
In a tiny home, storage is non-negotiable for most homeowners. Even if you’ve downsized and gotten rid of excess belongings, you still need places to put your kitchen and living essentials. The trick is to find storage anywhere you can — creating cupboards under your stairs, adding drawers under your couch and bed, and leaving open shelving to showcase your decor and personal items.
Capable Contractors
In order for your new or used shipping container to feel like a home, you need capable contractors to bring your vision to life. This type of renovation is unique since it’s not a home that’s being designed from the ground up. You want to ensure your chosen contractor has experience working with shipping containers and transforming them into livable spaces.
Interior Design Tips
Once the foundation and key features are installed in your tiny home, it’s time to follow your design inspiration on social media and grab your mood boards. Even though your home is designed with minimal square footage, there are ways to inject your own personality into the space — think of a tiled backsplash in your quaint kitchen, a brightly-colored front door, or small rugs in exciting textures and patterns.
Your tiny home is small in size, not personality. With these tips and insights, you’ll be well on your way to making your shipping container home feel like your new favorite space from top to bottom.
