Discarded shipping containers can be found abandoned on docks across the world, but these durable units could make the ultimate eco-friendly homes. Sustainable and quick to build, this versatile building material offers a world of design potential at prices that won't break the bank, plus you might just be surprised by how stylish these metal masterpieces can be. Click or scroll on and get ready to think outside the box...

This next shipping container boasts a Swiss cabin feel, made from slow-grown Nordic spruce and all from sustainably managed forests. So if you’re on the lookout for a particularly environmentally-friendly container, the Cabin Nordic by Summerhouse 24 could be the one for you.

On sale for $35,900, the Cabin Nordic stretches out across a cozy 144 square feet of living space (approximately) and comes ready-made from the factory within 6-16 weeks, and models can even be equipped with a toilet and shower room if needed. So you can put your construction hat away and start planning your interiors…

Summerhouse 24 are an international company that are recognizable by its contemporary aesthetic. According to the website, their containers are packed securely in waterproof packaging should it start raining before you’re ready to assemble your home. Typical, just as you're waiting to roll into bed and peer out at the trees.

The cabins are tested to withstand harsh winters, with high-quality materials to make sure they’re durable and robust. Each container comes with double-glazed windows, doors with PVC frame, waterproof plywood walls and dimmable LED lights to set the mood. Bliss!

Chic, light-filled and ultra-modern, this unique container home, known as the Hamptons 40 Coastal Luxe, was inspired by the stunning beach houses typically found in the lavish Hamptons on Long Island, and it packs plenty into its 40-foot structure.

The contemporary residence was designed by the team at Nook Tiny Homes, a company dedicated to offering affordable, eco-friendly, flexible and durable properties. Helpfully, the converted home can be set up for off-grid living and can be built in just a matter of weeks. As standard, each model comes fully insulated and benefits from LED lighting, power points, air-conditioning and heating.

Designed to maximize light and space, the property has an airy lounge, a galley kitchen, a dining nook and a double bedroom. What’s more, every detail has been considered, from the large windows that draw plenty of sunshine inside to the home's high ceilings and simple color palette. The design even comes with soft-close kitchen drawers!

The model has a full-sized bathroom that wouldn't look out of place in a large family home, plus hardwood floors, a walk-in shower, marble countertops and storage space are included. Prices for this gorgeous tiny home start at just AUD$85,000, that's a mere $58k (£50,079). You can also customize each component of your new home, so that it perfectly suits your style and needs. 

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind tiny home on a shoestring budget, then this custom container retreat should pique your interest. Located in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, the property is up for grabs for a mere $68,000 and it's fully mobile, so you can simply hitch it onto a trailer and relocate it to your chosen plot. 

The property was designed and built by the current owner and would make an ideal full-time home or Airbnb rental. In fact, according to the listing, it was previously rented out almost seven nights a week for $200 a night, so it could prove to be a lucrative moneymaker.

Inside, you'll find just 125 square feet of space, and every inch of it has been put to good use. There's a roomy kitchen, a fold-away table that can be used for working or dining, a bathroom and lounge area. With contemporary Scandi-style décor, large windows and a light color palette, the interior feels inviting and cozy.

Full of space-saving ideas for tiny living, the lounge also doubles up as a bedroom. At night, a bed that stows away in the ceiling can easily be lowered down. How's that for clever? If you're keen to get your hands on the place, the container can be left intact and shipped anywhere in the world, with the correct permits and paperwork in place.

Perfect for those looking to downsize, The Empty Nester by Custom Container Living offers space and style at an affordable price. Yours for as little as $96,800, this petite pad could well be within your reach. Let's take a tour...

The 40-foot shipping container home offers just 320 square feet of inside space and yet it feels airy, bright and comfortable. Featuring a centralized living space with two bedrooms at either end, including one in the loft, the new tiny home was designed to be sited on a range of terrains. Those without the need for an additional bedroom can also opt to remove the loft and save themselves some money.

The property comes kitted out with a living and dining area, a beautiful galley kitchen and a bathroom, complete with a tub. From a farmhouse sink to quality handmade cabinets, every aspect of the home is finished to the highest standards, and every element can be altered to suit your style. Even the exterior can be finished with a combination of steel, siding or faux stone panels—the choice is yours.

Custom Container Living also offers financing options, so you can repay them for your new property over a set amount of years. What's more, the company allows you to select a floor plan, upgrades and customizations to suit your individual needs, plus they'll deliver your fully-furnished home on the back of a lorry, straight to your chosen plot. What could be easier?

Designed by the team at CargoHome, this bespoke shipping container home might be small, but it's perfectly formed. Known as The Anchor model, the tiny home measures just 160 square feet but it is kitted out with everything you could need for a comfortable and cozy lifestyle.

The refurbished shipping container boasts a chic and light-filled interior, thanks to its crisp color palette and glass front doors made from the original container openings. This modern reinterpretation swings 270 degrees, allowing for an easy indoor-outdoor flow. 

Inside, you'll find a custom Murphy bed that acts as a sofa in the day and a queen-sized bed at night. There's also a chic kitchen, that can be finished with either quartz or epoxy barn wood countertops. At the far end of the home there's a modern bathroom equipped with everything you could need for a comfortable stay.

Head upstairs and you'll find a dreamy rooftop terrace, where sunset scenery and morning coffees can be savored—no matter where you choose to place your new abode. Amazingly, this beautiful tiny home can be yours for a mere $59,000 and fully customized to meet your individual needs. A version of The Anchor is available to rent via Airbnb, so you can try before you buy!

Amazingly, the HO3 shipping container home by Honomobo costs just shy of $260,000. Featuring a large master bedroom with an ensuite, a second bedroom and also a main bathroom, the two-story home comes with a fixed floor plan and two choices of window arrangements.

At 960 square feet, the lower floor of the converted shipping container features a spacious open-plan kitchen and living area that would be a joy to live in. Suitable for the cold Canadian winters, the HO3 can also be fitted with a wood- or gas-burning fireplace. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows can be added to either both or just one side of the design, plus the sustainable home comes with an air source heat pump and all the fixtures you need to hook the property up to solar panels.

The master bedroom upstairs features a gloss white wardrobe, as well as a small desk that makes the ideal home-working space. The nifty design also comes in a matt black finish for those who prefer darker interiors. 

This stunning shipping container home combines two units to create a multi-level home with a stunning roof terrace. Perfect for those seeking a little more room, the home is located in Waco, Texas, close to Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Market and is the ultimate example of how beautiful reclaimed materials can really be. 

Designed by the team at CargoHome, the property boasts a small bedroom, a bathroom, kitchen, dining area and living room, as well as a larger bedroom with a full-size bathroom that sits on the upper level. Showing just how much can be achieved in a small space, the master suite comes complete with glass doors that open out onto the rooftop deck. 

Spread over 480 square feet, the stylish container home features everything you'd need and more for everyday living. The kitchen features timber countertops, a stove, refrigerator and sink, while the dining space can squeeze in four guests. Decked out in a neutral color scheme, the carefully positioned windows allow for light-filled living spaces.

With prices starting from $140,000, this model can be fully customized to suit each individual buyer. There's even the option of an original painted corrugated metal façade or Shou Sugi Ban siding for a rustic finish, so there's something for everyone. If you have a slightly smaller budget, CargoHome offers models for as little as $51,000, meaning there's an option for everyone. Currently available to rent on Airbnb, you can try out container living before taking the plunge.

Currently on the market for a snip under $80,000, this modern tiny home comes in at just 240 square feet, but it doesn't scrimp on style. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the charcoal grey unit features plenty of extra outdoor living space on a raised terrace that's been decked out with bright seating and patterned flooring.

Inside, the one-bedroom home has been fully customized with shiplap walls, vinyl floors and stylish light fixtures. The main living space is open-plan and squeezes in a dining table, a small kitchen with granite countertops and a comfortable corner sofa.

The double bedroom, which sits at the end of the container, is cut off from the rest of the home by a closet that acts as a stylish room divider, maximizing the petite property's storage space.

The sleek all-white bathroom features a fully-tiled shower, a compact sink and a toilet. Separated from the rest of the container home by a sliding barn-style door, it's the perfect spa-like space for relaxing. Ideal for a first-time buyer, this small but perfectly formed property could be a great starter home.

Designed by Athens-based company Cocoon Modules, this upcycled shipping container features reclaimed timber cladding, as well as an innovative green roof for planting flowers and herbs. With prices starting from as little as $25,000, these charming yet cheap shipping container homes won't break the bank either.

Timber cabinets in the contemporary kitchen echo the home's wooden exterior, while a fridge, oven and hob ensure residents don't go without the culinary essentials. Every inch of space is put to work with a handy built-in table between the kitchen and living area that can be used as a desk or dining area.

The home is decorated in a clean neutral palette, with open shelving offering stylish additional storage, perfect for container living. Sliding glass doors provide sweeping views of the surrounding landscape from the living space and allow a cool breeze to flow through the pocket-sized property in the warmer months.

Located at the rear end of the home, the bedroom offers a comfortable place to kick back and relax. The dividing wall that separates the space from the living zone contains clever built-in closet to maximize storage space.

Designed by Honomobo, the HO4 shipping container home offers a stylish living space in a snug, affordable shell. The black corrugated façade is offset with sleek wood cladding and atmospheric spotlights. Pair with a spacious deck and patio set and you have the perfect indoor-outdoor home!

With prices starting from $338,000, this plush pad can be delivered anywhere in America or Canada and offers two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, and a full kitchen. The property comprises four shipping containers and has a floor area of 704 square feet. An air-source heat pump for heating and cooling is included as standard, too.

The 29-foot floor-to-ceiling windows allow light to stream into the kitchen's interior. Available with a myriad of styling options, this home is decked out in a modern, Scandi aesthetic, with sleek cabinetry and rustic wood accents.

The HO4 packs plenty in a small space. While the bedrooms are cozy, they don't go without the essentials, with luxurious double beds and a wall of built-in wardrobes for storage. It also comes prepped and ready for solar panel installation so you can wave goodbye to those household bills. Honomobo offers other models, too, some of which cost as little as $22,000.

Named Rustic Retreat, this home designed by Backcountry Containers is made from one 20-foot shipping container. With a small roof terrace and decking area, the design typically starts at a reasonable $40,000. Larger, 40-foot models are slightly more, priced at $60,000.

Inside, the tiny home has a charming, rustic-inspired design. The small kitchen embraces country-style décor and features a farmhouse sink and wooden countertops, while a repurposed corrugated metal panel provides storage space for spices and utensils. 

For an added cost, the company can incorporate multiple bedrooms, offices, large entertaining areas and storage spaces. In this design, sliding patio doors draw in plenty of natural light and lead outside onto a spacious wooden deck. 

The bedroom is a cozy and characterful space, encompassing a double bed, stylish shiplap walls and enough room for a TV and a side table. With each container home built to unique specifications, the design possibilities are endless.

This rustic home, made from two shipping containers, is known as the Happy Twogether model, designed and built by Missouri-based company Custom Container Living. With prices starting at a reasonable $94,900, the cozy container home features a kitchen, living area, bedroom and bathroom.

In the kitchen, blue and green birchwood cabinets line the walls. Each Happy Twogether kitchen comes with a built-in stainless steel microwave above the stove, a standard 24-inch electric range in stainless steel and a fridge-freezer, so you'll have no problem hosting intimate dinner parties.

Clad in wood, the interior oozes country charm, while vinyl wood-effect flooring is available as standard throughout the Happy Twogether home. For a more luxurious feel, you can upgrade to a range of different finishes including oak flooring and pine walls.

An archway connects one shipping container, which houses the bedroom and living room, to the other, which accommodates the main entryway, kitchen, and bathroom. Handy built-in storage in the entrance area will prevent the compact home from feeling cluttered.

This striking two-story property was designed by the team at CargoHome, and was made by stacking two 40-foot shipping containers on top of one another. Providing enough space and style for a couple or small family, this one-of-a-kind residence will make even the most dubious buyers think twice about container living. 

Inside, you'll find spacious living spaces that feel open and airy. There’s a wood-clad living room, a breakfast bar, a kitchen, two bathrooms and two bathrooms, making it ideal for either full-time living or a luxurious holiday home. Prices for The Flagship begin at just under $180,000  and you can customize your model to suit your preferences, changing everything from the kitchen cabinets to the countertops. 

The compact home doesn't go without luxury touches either. The downstairs bathroom features a roomy walk-in shower, finished with high-end subway tiles and frameless glass doors, while the ground-floor bedroom with its sliding barn door, easily fits a queen-sized bed and a Shaker-style closet. Upstairs on the second floor you'll find an additional bedroom and bathroom.

The Flagship has a generous exterior deck accessed through French doors, so you can enjoy your morning coffee alfresco in the sunshine. With its light, modern color palette, high-end furnishings and custom built-in storage, this brilliant tiny home is hard to beat.

Should you fancy unplugging from the hustle and bustle of city life and want to go off-grid, this Outpost Smart Home by Apoca will help you do just that. The perfect pad for outdoorsy types who want to embrace the camping lifestyle, or perhaps looking for the full prepper way of life.

Based in Elwood, Utah, these off-grid smart homes are built to sustain themselves with solar power alone. Your solar energy, water tanks and security system are then all monitored via the smart tablet included with the home. Rather snazzy for off-grid living!

Alongside the smart tablet, each standard model comes with two bedrooms, a 4,000-watt solar kit, 50 gallon fresh water tank and the ability to pump water and filter from nearby rivers and lakes. However, Apoca do not install any gas hookups to make it easier to maintain your home without having to refuel other resources.

The 40-foot container homes start at $90,000 and stretch out across an interior living space of 320 square feet, ready to stay safe and protected in the sun-dappled woods or snow-capped surrounds of Utah and beyond.

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