In recent years,container homes have become an ideal choice for many families and projects due to their unique structure and environmentally friendly characteristics.Especially when people start considering building a four-bedroom house,a very common question is:How many shipping containers are actually needed to complete this project?
The answer is not simple,as the number of containers required depends on your total area requirements and the size of each container.Different container sizes offer significantly different amounts of space,so you need to estimate the number of containers needed based on your specific needs.
This article will help you understand how to calculate the number of containers needed based on different area requirements.We will analyze the number of containers needed for different areas using the dimensions of 20ft,30ft,and 40ft containers.

First,let's understand the area ofeach type of container:
20ft container:approximately 12–14㎡(average 13㎡)
30ft container:approximately 20–24㎡(average 22㎡)
40ft container:approximately 30–35㎡(average 32㎡)
With this data,we can use the following calculation formula to estimate the number of containers needed:
Number of containers needed=Total area÷Area of each container
Next,we will calculate how many containers you need based on different total area requirements.
The number of containers needed to build a four-bedroom house using container homes mainly depends on your needs.If you want a more compact design,you will need fewer containers.However,if you want a comfortable space,you will need more containers.
The following table shows the number of containers needed based on different total area requirements.You can easily view the number of containers of each size to help you make your choice.
| Total Area Required | Number of 20ft Containers (13㎡/each) | Number of 30ft Containers (22㎡/each) | Number of 40ft Containers (32㎡/each) |
| 80㎡ | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| 90㎡ | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| 100㎡ | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| 120㎡ | 9 | 6 | 4 |
| 150㎡ | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 180㎡ | 14 | 8 | 6 |
Small Houses(80㎡–100㎡):Choosing 20ft containers allows for a more compact and efficient space layout.
Medium-sized Houses(120㎡–150㎡):Choosing 30ft containers provides a more comfortable living experience while maintaining efficient space utilization.
Large Houses(150㎡–180㎡):Choosing 40ft containers provides more spacious living areas,suitable for families seeking a higher quality of life and larger private spaces.
Choosing the right container size is not just about calculating the area,but also about your needs for living comfort and space layout.Based on your budget,space requirements,and lifestyle,choosing the appropriate container size can help you create your ideal four-bedroom home.

Required number of containers:Approximately 7 x 20ft containers or 4 x 30ft containers or 3 x 40ft containers.
Layout Suggestions:
Bedrooms:Each bedroom is approximately 10㎡to 12㎡,suitable for single bedrooms or compact double bedrooms.Efficient use of space,suitable for those with limited budgets or smaller families.
Living Room and Dining Room:Due to the compact space,the living room and dining room need to share the same space.An open-plan design is recommended to minimize partitions and enhance the sense of spaciousness.
Kitchen:Can be designed as a compact kitchen,suitable for daily cooking.Utilize wall space for storage to save space.Bathroom:It is recommended to have one main bathroom and one secondary bathroom,separated from the bedroom area,to improve convenience.
Number of containers required:Approximately 7 to 8 20ft containers,or 5 30ft containers,or 3 to 4 40ft containers.
Layout suggestions:
Bedrooms:Each bedroom has an area of12㎡to 15㎡,suitable for double occupancy,providing comfortable but not luxurious space.
Living room and dining room:These can be separated into independent areas,but an open-plan layout is also possible.The living room can accommodate a large sofa and entertainment equipment,and the dining room can accommodate a four-person dining table.
Kitchen:The kitchen can be designed as a semi-open plan,connected to the dining room,providing more interactive space.Storage and kitchen equipment can be designed to be more compact to improve space utilization.
Bathroom:Two bathrooms are ideal,one main bathroom and one small secondary bathroom,ensuring privacy and convenience for family members.
Number of containers required:Approximately 9 to 12 20ft containers,or 6 to 7 30ft containers,or 4 to 5 40ft containers.
Layout suggestions:
Bedrooms:Each bedroom has an area ofapproximately 15㎡to 20㎡,suitable for double occupancy,providing comfortable private space.Adjustments can be made according to the needs of family members,such as adding a study area to a child's room if needed.
Living room and dining room:The living room and dining room areas can be designed independently.The living room can accommodate large sofas,a TV,and other entertainment facilities,and the dining room can accommodate 6-8 people,suitable for family gatherings.
Kitchen:The kitchen can feature a central island or an open-plan design,suitable for families who enjoy cooking,providing more ample workspace.
Bathroom:Two main bathrooms or one main bathroom plus a guest bathroom can be provided,especially suitable for larger families,increasing convenience.
Number of containers required:Approximately 12 to 14 20ft containers,or 7 to 8 30ft containers,or 5 to 6 40ft containers.
Layout Suggestions:
Bedrooms:Each bedroom can be 20㎡to 25㎡,designed as a suite,accommodating a bed,wardrobe,desk,and other furniture,providing a more comfortable private space.
Living Room and Dining Room:The living room and dining room can be designed to be very spacious,suitable for family gatherings or entertaining guests.The dining area can accommodate a large dining table for more people.
Kitchen:The kitchen area can be further expanded,with multiple countertops,suitable for family members to participate in cooking.Consider including a separate storage room or dishwashing area.
Bathrooms:With this area,you can have 3 or more bathrooms,ensuring sufficient privacy for each family member.Consider separate shower and toilet areas.

Based on different area requirements,you can choose the appropriate number of containers and spatial layout to create your ideal four-bedroom home.Whether you have a limited budget for a smaller home or need more comfortable space for a larger home,container homes can be flexibly designed according to your actual needs.By rationally configuring 20ft,30ft,and 40ft containers,you can not only provide ample living space but also meet diverse daily needs.
80㎡–100㎡:Compact design,suitable for families with limited budgets.
120㎡–150㎡:Moderately spacious,suitable for families with higher comfort needs.
150㎡–180㎡:Luxurious and comfortable,suitable for families seeking larger private spaces and a high quality of life.
Based on your required area and number of containers,rationally plan the container combination and spatial layout to ultimately achieve your ideal four-bedroom home.
This revised content aligns with the article title and combines the number of containers and spatial layout for different area requirements,helping readers better understand how to choose the right containers and design the space.
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