Turn a Shipping Container Into Your Lawn Care Storage Space

Until recently, lawn care storage sheds were typically made from wood. Then came along vinyl sheds, giving wood a run for its money. And now, a new lifestyle trend is picking up, mainly in places where the laws are favorable, like Texas and Washington; people are going for shipping containers!

Those big metal boxes on cargo ships are turning into customized lawn sheds. According to Square Space, about 11 million shipping containers are sitting idle in the United States. These could easily get converted into practical spaces people can use, so we’re glad the trend is catching on.

Why a Shipping Container?

There are some excellent reasons why people are adopting this trend so fast. Shipping containers are weather resistant, sturdy, portable, and secure and come in various sizes. They also add a touch of industrial chic to your backyard, primarily if you paint them a nice neutral color or just black and accessorize the inside properly.

Choose the Right Container

The first place to start if you’ve decided on a shipping container shed is to research the different kinds and sizes. Select one that suits your storage needs once you have the correct information. Most people buy a standard 20-foot or 40-foot container.

Before signing any purchase documents, inspect the container thoroughly. According to Discover Containers, the purchaser must do container inspections alongside an expert or two to avoid experiencing future problems like leaks or severe rust.

Ensure the container will fit your current equipment and accommodate future purchases. Ensure that no matter what, there won’t be any dangerous or imposing equipment around your compound because the shed is full. This will interfere with the safety of your yard for your family. Keep in mind that, according to a poll done by Forbes, 80% of experts agreed that homeowners mainly use outdoor living areas to relax with family and loved ones.

Clean and Prepare the Container

Don’t jump into making modifications. Remove dirt, debris, or residue inside and on the exterior. When you clean out a container, you often see its actual condition. If you realize the container has some minor issues you can repair, this is the right time to do that.

Insulate and Ventilate

Depending on your climate, you may insulate the container as part of your modification plan to protect it from extreme temperatures. A non-negotiable, though, is proper ventilation. Without appropriate ventilation, things can get pretty stuffy in there.

Not only does lousy ventilation make the inside feel like a sauna, but it also becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew. According to ContainerOne, there are two types of shipping container ventilation options: passive and active.

Passive ventilation lets the airflow in and out through cleverly placed openings like vent covers, louvers, and mesh screens. On the other hand, active ventilation involves mechanical fans and blowers that circulate the air within the container.

Customize Your Shed

It’s time to add the modifications that make the container a real lawn care storage space. Install sturdy shelves, drawers, hanging rails, hooks, and racks inside the container to maximize storage space and organize your tools and equipment. Add some workstations as well so the area is even more functional.

Connect the container to electricity and place charging ports and sockets on each side if needed. You can customize different spaces within the shade to fit specific equipment. Ensure all corners are accessible, even after you’ve arranged everything inside.

Reaching every nook and cranny will help your cleaning efforts later on and deter pests like rats from hiding there. Finally, use color-coded labels to organize boxes or storage bins you have in there. You don’t want to rummage through everything whenever you want to find something.

81% of American homes have lawns, according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The potential for shipping containers as sheds is entirely plausible and could become a permanent lifestyle feature once those with them begin to sing their praises on social media platforms. It’s just a matter of time!