DIY: Converting a shipping container into a unique garden office
Abbie Newton and her partner Matthew wanted a garden office for their outside space to free up an extra bedroom in their house.
The cost of an extension was off-putting so a DIY garden office felt like a comfortable solution at a more affordable cost.
Abbie, a product photographer, and Matthew who works in the film industry luckily knew someone selling a shipping container.
The couple explain: “We’ve always had a fascination with tiny homes and had already converted a van into a camper van, so we knew that smaller spaces can still pack a punch.
“Upcycling is also a big part of the renovations we do, and we knew we wanted to emulate tiny space living, but with a rustic English countryside twist, styled with a Mediterranean outdoor living feel.
“The rising costs of an extension and loft conversion made us look towards a more creative way of adding extra space.
“We have a large garden so decided to maximise the space there while we wait to save up for the next stage of our renovations.
“The container fitted in perfectly with the garden and painting it black matched the black barn of our neighbours just behind it.
“It feels like it’s blended in with the surrounding farm buildings and countryside so well.”
What were the next steps?
“The first steps were to insulate it and board it up, which we hired someone local to do.
“Then it was all about getting electricity to it, which we luckily had a friend who could help us out with that, who very kindly offered ‘mates rates’.”
“We couldn’t keep the original container doors as they were extremely heavy to open, and we wanted it to look less like a container and more like a room.
“Leader Online had the right mix of stylish black French doors, a good price point and great quality – we’d already purchased all our internal doors from them and were really happy with them.
“Natural light was really going to make or break the project for us.
“We made sure to place the office right where the sun hits, and it’s glorious when the sunset light floods in.
“It’s a beautiful place to work and great for photography if I ever want to play with natural light. Plus, the double patio doors let us take in the countryside views that made us buy this property.”
What are the best things about the shipping container garden office space?
The space is now a multi-functional space for Abbie and Matthew to work.
Abbie explains: “It houses my husbands DJ decks and over 800 vinyls, as well as our desk and working space, and a modular shoot table for my product photography and content creation work.
“The best thing about a renovation journey is being able to put your own stamp on all parts of your home and garden – using a container as a starting point has allowed us to do that while being cheaper than buying a large garden office or going ahead with a loft conversion or extension.
“The container first arrived in December 2024, which was a challenge because the ground was so muddy and the weather was miserable, but we’re now doing our finishing touches.
“Luckily, we didn’t need planning permission as it’s a garden outbuilding, so it comes under permitted development, as long as you stick to the size and height rules and it’s not being used as a separate living space.”
How much did the project cost you and how long did it take?
“In total the project cost around £6-8k, but that includes everything from the actual container to the wood and labour, and even the plants that finished off the decking area.
“It took us over a year but that’s purely because of the weather, work and looking after a toddler in the midst of it all. Plus all the other jobs that come with living in a long-term renovation project!”
What was the pinch me moment of the project?
“Seeing the DJ decks area come together was super fun, we chose a lovely tapestry fabric to cover the table part and then had curtains made to cover a storage area beneath it.
“Once the paint went on, Olive Colour from Little Greene, I could then visualise it all coming together. Ultimately it’s a working space, so it won’t always be as tidy as I’d like it to be.”
Were there any hiccups along the way?
“I’d have to say the wet weather, as we had so much of it!
“That really delayed us fitting the French doors as well as removing the original container doors via a cantilever set up my husband created.”
Discover more about the shipping container garden office, as well as Abbie’s life and renovations on her Instagram page, The Joyful Chapter.
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