7 Great Storage Uses for Shipping Containers

When it comes to storage, shipping containers probably aren’t the first thing you think of. Huge metal boxes, crossing the sea on massive ships, carrying tonnes of cargo from ports crisscrossing the world. But think about it, these great big (and smaller) containers, are often the perfect solution for storing goods, after all, what are they doing throughout their journeys across the world?

Shipping containers are used to store a wide variety of products around Australia, and we are constantly getting new stories of how our second hand shipping containers have been put to good use. Here’s a small selection of our most popular uses of shipping containers for storage.

Did we miss something out?  Let us know in the comments.

Here are some of the 7 most popular uses of Shipping Containers for Storage:

1. Car Storage & Temporary Garaging

Got more cars than you can fit in the garage, or maybe you don’t have a garage at all? Shipping containers make a great portable car storage solution, or even a garage for smaller cars and motorbikes. Shipping containers are often used to transport cars around the world, so why not use one as a cheap temporary garage, or somewhere to store your car long term while you go off on that round the world holiday, just like Cassie did in the video below. Compared to the cost of building a garage or carport, or even other long term storage solutions, you won’t find a better option – whether it’s for your two door hatchback or a massive collection of classic cars. You’ll even have plenty of room to build a custom workshop and keep your tools in the back. Check out our guide to building a shipping container garage here.

Moving house? It doesn’t matter – just put your car storage on the back of a truck and it’s off to its new location in no time!

2. Moving House & Secure Storage

Are you planning a big move? Or perhaps you are downsizing, or even renovating and need somewhere to store all your household items. You could do it the old fashioned way, boxing everything up, and then taking loads of trips down to the local secure storage warehouse, wasting your time, petrol and money. Or you could do it the smart, safe, secure and portable way. Shipping containers make great temporary storage solutions when you are moving, making changes to your house, or just need some extra space, as they can be rented on a short term basis, or purchased outright depending on your needs. With sizes ranging from 10 foot square containers to 40 foot long containers, it doesn’t matter how much stuff you’ve got, you’ll be able to fit it all.

Wanting to move house? It’s easy, just lift the container onto a truck, and drive it to your new house.  Moving overseas? Fill out all the customs documentation, use a shipper and your household effects will be transported to your new home.

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3. Barns and Secure Rural Storage

Do you live on a farm and need somewhere to store your farm implements safely and securely? If you need a quick and easy barn design, consider using stacked shipping containers in a similar way to Lego style building blocks to create the exterior walls. All you’ll need to add is a roof and you’ll have the perfect place to park the tractor, while each shipping container will provide secure, lockable storage that will hold all manner of farm implements, tools, grain and animal food.

 4. Gardening and Blokes Sheds

We’ve recently written about how shipping containers make the ideal blokes shed. While not as big as a farmyard barn, a shipping container makes the ideal shed. Whether it’s a small 10 foot shed with a simple pitched roof, or a massive warehouse style shed to store all of your creations, containerised sheds provide excellent backyard storage for tools, gardening products and more. As a bonus, they are often considerably cheaper, more portable and longer lasting than commercially available “off the shelf” sheds of a similar size.

5. Cool Storage for businesses and special events

Refrigerated shipping containers or “reefers” are used for a wide variety of things, the most obvious being refrigerated transportation of perishable goods around the world. More often than not these refrigerated (and insulated) containers are used to provide on and offsite cool storage for those in the restaurant, catering and events industries. These containers are portable, and provide a scalable cold storage solution, saving you warehouse space, and removing the need to install expensive coolstore equipment. Simply set up out back and you are good to go. An ideal solution for almost anyone who works with perishable goods, just make sure you keep them clean!

Reefer Container

6. Industrial Storage

Most businesses run out of space sooner or later, while others end up with temporary storage needs. A standard shipping container solves all of these storage problems, whether it’s for short or long term. Shipping containers take up a minimal amount of space, as they are stackable up to 9 high. Available to rent or purchase outright, and easy to move from one location or another, shipping containers can be used for both onsite and offsite storage. Easy to modify, you can even add shelving units for secure document storage.

Secure document storage shelving fitted

7. Wine and Beer Cellars

Most of us enjoy a wine or beer to relax, and what better way to store your wine collection or home brew setup than a shipping container. There are plenty of choices when it comes to building your wine cellar, both above or below ground. Just imagine how many bottles of wine you could store in a 40 foot container!

By: Thomas & Dianne Jones
Image Source: Thomas & Dianne Jones

Second hand shipping containers are the perfect storage solution

It doesn’t matter what you need to put away, shipping containers are the perfect place to put it. From cars, farm equipment, furniture for the big move, or even perishable goods, shipping containers provide a cost effective, easy to transport and scalable solution. Contact the team at Gateway Container Sales and Hire now to discuss your storage needs, and they’ll match you up with the right sized and style of shipping container which you can either rent, or purchase outright. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a 10 foot box, the extra space of a high top or a 40 foot reefer, Gateway Container Sales & Hire have got you covered.

Ready to start your container journey?
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