We’ve all thought it at one point; we see the shipping container in someone’s driveway, the thought appears- “they need it for extra storage,” and you move on. Repurposing shipping containers as storage containers is a great idea. They’re made to travel far and take a beating while keeping cargo safe, it’s no surprise that they make great storage lockers, but what else can shipping containers be used for?
Some people see a big steel box, but let’s go down this journey of thinking outside the box of what you can do with your storage container.
Before we go too far down this rabbit hole, let’s get the two obvious uses out of the way: shipping containers make great storage lockers and moving trucks.
Storage
MSR storage containers aren’t your regular storage locker, and our containers are made with one thing in mind: keeping your belongings safe. Our shipping containers are as tough as steel – because they are steel – and their designs are made to be portable, delivered directly to your door.
- Weatherproof – our containers are inspected and maintained regularly to ensure no leaks are present.
- Fireproof – Steel on its own is non-combustible. As long as you follow our storage safety guidelines, your storage container will be safe and sound. Here’s a quick summary of something we suggest to avoid storing:
- Chemicals of any kind
- Aerosol canisters or any gas canister
- Food and other perishables
- Plants and other living objects
- Pest proof – with a pair of steel doors and a lock your container is essentially pest-proof. If you’re worried about odours or insects, try mothballs or a box of baking soda.
You can rest easy knowing your stuff has four steel walls around it!
Moving 
When we say a storage container can be used as a moving truck, you might think “what it’s going to grow wheels?” and in a way, ya it can! Shipping containers are made to be moved, and with our delivery and pick up process, you get the luxury of having your storage locker delivered and picked up. All you have to worry about is packing your stuff (unfortunately we can’t help here)
Renovations
You ever want to revamp a room in your house, give it a fresh coat of paint and get some new flooring; it sounds excellent until – where am I going to keep my furniture!
You could throw a tarp over your couches, maybe take over another room in your house for a week or have a storage container dropped off at your door.
You tell our drivers where you want it placed and boom – instant extra space to keep your belongings safely out of harm’s way until the project is done.
You can even keep your tools in there after your work is done for the day to keep it out of harm’s way (or your toe’s way), right on your property. Once you’re done, we come and grab the container.
Work Space
So you loved doing your renovations so much you decide you want to build a table, a workshop would be mighty handy right now.
With one of our smaller containers, you can set up a temporary workshop directly on your property. You can store your tools and work inside the box to keep your house clean and the mess, well, contained.
Not a carpenter, no worries here are just some ideas of how you can use this space:
- Artist space – from painting to sculpting, creating a work of art means making a few messes, let us help you keep the mess outside.
- Garden shed – keep your large items stored over the winter once spring hits grab that riding mower out of storage!
- Temporary office space – it sounds wild, but it’s quite common. If you’re working from home in a full house, a quiet space to retreat and work is a must.
- Temporary Gym – Missing leg day? No room at home for a home gym? This one might be a very niche idea but a home gym that utilizes outside…getting fancy.
Pop-up Events
This is the climax of the journey, how out of the big steel box are we thinking? Way out. Don’t knock it until you try it; pop-up venues are an excellent way for a smaller business to add a temporary location.
Let’s break it down; a store needs at least two features:
- A storefront
- A stock room
With a shipping container, you can either use the space as
And it doesn’t end at a store, here are few ideas of how you can use a Steel shipping container as a venue: the venue for your shop or use the storage container to keep your things safely stored and out of the way.
- Art gallery: pop open the doors, hang some lights and display your art – move over AGO!
20 ft by 8ft with hardwood floors, your pop up venue can be delivered to your site and picked up when you’re done!
- Wifi Hotspot – set up your storage space with a power source and a modem, and you’re set. Who would need this?
- Throw a video game tournament outside to have some fun with your community while getting to enjoy the sunshine.
- Do you go to coffee shops without wifi? Here’s your chance to give your customers all the comforts of inside…outside!
- Drive-ins are making a comeback. Why not put one on for your neighbourhood? You can even use the container as the projector room too.
- Outdoor Events – have a dream of having your wedding in a field? Use a shipping container as a venue; here are some ideas:
- The bar
- Buffet Area
- Coat Check
- A/V Closet
You’re only limited only by what you can think of, well that and the law.
TL:DR
We hope we were able to get you to think outside the box, but for those asking, “why would anyone do this instead of X?” it’s simple – we do the hard part. At the end of the day, a shipping container is a room, and a Mobile Storage shipping container is a room we will deliver to you. That means:
- No construction
- No permits
- Temporary
- Portable
- Secure
