Using shipping containers for storage space is becoming more and more popular. But, if you load up your container without a plan, you may be disappointed when it comes time to locate the items you’ve stored. Whether it’s 20 or 40 feet long, a shipping container can feel like a disorganized abyss if you set it up without a plan.
As people get more creative with the way they manage their storage needs, the popularity of shipping containers as a storage solution or container home continues to rise. From household goods to personal belongings, there are many things you can store in a shipping container.
One of the most important things to consider when using a shipping container for storage is how to maximize the space. You want to make sure you’re utilizing all of the available space so that you can fit everything you need to store inside. If you’re considering using shipping container storage, check out these seven ideas to get the most out of your space and put some order to the chaos.
7 Shipping Container Storage Ideas
Not sure how to organize a shipping container? Feel like you’re wasting valuable floor space?
These seven shipping container ideas for storage should help you start making the most of your portable storage facility and getting the most out of every square foot and benefit of your container shed.
1. Keep Frequently Accessed Items Toward the Front
Storage tip number one! When vetting shipping container ideas for storage, consider which stored items you will want to access frequently. It’s best to keep these regularly-needed items toward the front of the storage container. Also, consider things that you use on a seasonal basis, like holiday storage that you will undoubtedly need again next year.
Take the time to identify things that you may need regular access to, including the following:
- Camping supplies: If you’re an avid camper, a steel container is a perfect solution to keeping your gear stored between trips.
- Furniture: If you’re using a storage container as an overflow for your home, keep the furniture that you use most often closer to the door. This way, if you ever need to access it, it will be easier to retrieve.
- Hobby supplies: Is your miscellaneous drawer overstuffed with crafting supplies? If so, consider using a portion of your shipping container storage for keeping your hobby area better organized.
- Holiday decor: Make your container a designated holiday storage space to help keep all of your seasonal decorations in one easy-to-find place.
- Recreational equipment: Closets are often small space areas that get messy quickly. Consider using a storage container as an overflow closet to house outdoor recreational gear like bikes, skis, and exercise gear.
- Seasonal clothing: If you have extra space, try consolidating seasonal clothes into container units for easy storage. Depending on your space, you may be able to use multiple containers for this purpose.
- Tools: If you’re a handy person or deal with construction often, you might consider keeping a small set of tools in your storage trailer. If you have a truck, you may even be able to hook up your shed and use it as a portable storage container.
Once you have taken note of frequently needed items, you can start to consider how much space you need to reserve near the front of your container. Then, these items will be easily accessed when you need them. Now the container storage ideas can start flowing.
2. Use Vertical Space
Shipping containers are over eight feet tall. And while you should remember to keep heavier items closer to the ground, you still have lots of vertical space at your disposal. When considering the shipping container storage solutions that will be best for your circumstances, take advantage of this vertical space by stacking or using shelving inside your container.
If you are storing smaller items that you plan on stacking, shelving is a good idea if you plan on ever finding it and easily reaccessing it. Shipping container shelving ideas range from heavy-duty storage racks made for shipping container shelving to DIY shelving ideas.
If you have larger boxes mixed with small ones, consider stacking the larger boxes and using the smaller ones to fill in any gaps. This will help you make use of every square inch of your storage container while still allowing you to organize it in a way that makes sense for you.
Note: With floor space at a premium, furniture should be disassembled and stored upright, taking up as little floor space as possible.
3. Get Uniform Boxes
A sea of haphazardly stacked boxes can quickly become more orderly if you decide on a specific size of boxes or storage tubs. This storage idea can have a big impact on your container’s usability and extra space. If everything has a specific place, it will be easier to put away and find later.
Using clear storage tubs is a great option and can help you quickly see what is in each bin without opening it up and digging. But, if all new storage bins aren’t in the budget, consider looking for uniform or common-sized boxes. Pick your favorite Amazon size and store boxes when they arrive.
It’s easy to find uniform sizes of boxes. You can purchase them online, at hardware stores, or from moving and storage supply stores.
4. Mark Out Sections on the Floor
It’s essential to put thought into the layout of your shipping container storage solution. Consider the items that you will be storing and their size. Will you need shelving, or will you just be storing large equipment? Will you need pallets?
Once you have a general idea of the layout, consider:
- Breaking up the inside of a shipping container into quadrants or smaller sections. Mark them on the shipping container’s floor using tape. Make sure to mark down and leave clear a walkway to avoid having inaccessible space.
- Once you have marked down quadrants, you can organize your items by category or use them to track boxes by section. That way, you can keep your things organized. You will also know exactly where to go to find a category.
For people with lots of small household items or various tools to keep track of, this self storage idea can help a lot!
5. Label Everything
One of the most overlooked container storage ideas is labels. A reliable labeling system helps you to identify items without opening each box. It also makes your storage look much more uniform. Labeling is an especially good idea for those with food storage containers where it can help you keep track of expiration dates.
At the least, labeling just takes a permanent marker (or three, for when they dry out). At the most, this may mean purchasing a label maker or printing labels from your computer. The former does the job fine, but the latter has the cleanest look.
Label all:
- Lids
- Boxes
- Storage bins
- Anything you’re using for storage.
This process may take some time, but it will be worth it in the end. Once everything is labeled and organized, you can rest easy knowing exactly where to go when you need something. And if your memory is failing you (or your friends are looking for important stuff), all they have to do is check the labels.
6. Make a Storage Map and Inventory List
Shipping containers aren’t your ordinary storage units. The average storage unit is approximately 100 square feet, while a 20-foot container has 147.5 square feet of floor space. Avoid chaos in your shipping container storage unit by keeping a map and list of contents.
Another way to keep track of what’s in your portable storage unit is by taking photos of items as you put them into storage. Then, save all of these to a folder or album that you can easily access. That way, you can quickly flip through the photos to see what you have outside in your shipping container.
This is especially helpful when you’re dealing with moving services and want to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Simply search your storage map and photos for missing items or take the opportunity to do a quick inventory before you go looking. Make packing up and loading your container a breeze!
7. Keep a Step Stool at the Ready
If you plan on frequently accessing items from your shipping container storage, being able to physically and safely reach them is vital. Consider leaving a step ladder or stool inside your container for times when you need to reach boxes on the top shelf.
Whether you are looking to store items for your office space or home, there are plenty of ways to make use of a shipping container. Likewise, if you’re looking for a modified shipping container, there are plenty of those too.
Before Getting a Shipping Container Consider…
But, before you go and buy or rent a storage container, be sure to put some thought into how you will use it. Consider your living space or work area and what type of shipping container will best suit your needs. Will you need shipping container modification? Will you be using it on your own property, or do you need to rent a space? Do you need a permit?
Some questions to consider before making a decision:
- How much floor space will you need?
- What items do you plan to store, and how many boxes of each item?
- Do you need access to your shipping container storage unit daily, weekly, or monthly?
- Do you want a custom container?
- Will you need a shelving bracket or other accessories for your container?
- Do you plan to move your container often or leave it stationary? If moving it, do you have the right equipment to do so (i.e. loading straps, a trailer)?
When looking for a shipping container, consider the following sizes:
- 20-foot container – about 1,165 cubic feet of storage space. Can hold the contents of a three-bedroom home.
- 40-foot container – about 2,325 cubic feet of storage space. Can hold the contents of a four- to five-bedroom home.
If you’re unsure, consider looking at shipping container specifications. Here, you can find the dimensions, payload, and capacity for each size of the container. This will give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of space and weight restrictions.
Once you have considered all these factors, you can begin your search for the perfect shipping container and use the tips above as a guide to get started on the right foot!
Looking for Shipping Container Storage in OKC?
We hope that these shipping container storage ideas help you plan out your shipping container project or shipping container business ideas!
Are you looking for a shipping container for on-site storage in Oklahoma, nearby service areas or the surrounding states? Twisted S Containers can help. We hand-pick all of our cargo worthy 20- and 40-foot storage containers. Not sure which size cargo containers will work best for your site? Contact us for all of your shipping container questions.
Read the Guide: How to Buy a Shipping Container: 5-Step Beginner’s Guide