On-site storage containers for your home and yard

Storage containers give homeowners a lockable, weatherproof steel box right on their own lot — for a kitchen remodel that needs the cabinets out of the way, a garage you are finally clearing, or seasonal gear that has nowhere to live. Instead of renting an off-site unit and driving back and forth, you load and unload at home, on your schedule.

The problem with home storage

Most home storage runs out of room at the worst time. A renovation means furniture and appliances have to go somewhere for weeks. A decluttering push stalls because the garage, attic, and spare closet are already full. Seasonal gear — patio furniture, holiday decorations, a motorcycle — eats space you would rather use. Off-site self-storage adds a monthly bill and a drive every time you need something, and a backyard shed is small, not very secure, and rarely watertight.

How a storage container solves it

A shipping container is a precision-built steel box, made to cross oceans, which makes it well suited to sit in a driveway or side yard for months. It is wind and watertight (WWT) — meaning it keeps rain and weather out — and it locks. A 20ft unit (about 20ft long by 8ft wide) holds the contents of a two-to-three-bedroom home; a 40ft high cube — high cube meaning a foot taller than a standard container, for extra vertical room — holds more, including tall or bulky items. Because it stays on your property, everything you store is a few steps away, not across town.

Siting a container on a residential lot

Two things decide whether a container fits your lot: the drop spot and the path to it. We deliver on a tilt-bed truck (also called a roll-off) — the bed tilts and the container slides off at ground level, so no crane or forklift is needed. That method needs clearance: the straight, obstacle-free run the truck needs to position and unload, roughly the length of the container plus the truck. Low branches, gates, soft lawns, and overhead lines are the usual obstacles to flag when you request a quote.

The container sets on level, compacted ground — no foundation required — though a sloped or soft lot benefits from leveling and timber pads under the four corners to keep the doors square. There is no slab to pour first.

One non-construction note: some neighborhoods restrict how long a container can sit in view, and a few municipalities ask for a placement permit. Rules vary by city and HOA, so check your local code and any HOA covenant before delivery day. This is general guidance, not legal advice — your local rules are the final word.

Recommended containers for home use

For a clean box you would not mind parking beside the house, the 20ft one-trip container is the pick — a one-trip unit (shipped once from the factory overseas, then sold, the closest thing to new) in standard dry (the general-purpose steel box for dry cargo), with minimal wear. When you need to hold a whole household or long items, the 40ft high cube container gives the most volume and an extra foot of interior height. If you are comparing budget-friendly used options, the full standard dry containers range covers the common sizes and grades. Not sure which size fits what you own? Our shipping container sizes guide lays the dimensions out side by side.

FAQ

How big a container do I need for home storage?

A 20ft container holds roughly the contents of a two-to-three-bedroom home and fits most driveways. A 40ft high cube doubles the floor space and adds height for tall items, but needs a longer flat spot and more clearance for the truck.

Will it fit and look okay in my driveway?

A 20ft unit fits most standard driveways with room for the truck to position. It is a plain steel box, so most homeowners place it to the side of the house; a one-trip unit has the cleanest paint if appearance matters.

Do I need a permit or HOA approval?

It depends on where you live. Some cities and HOAs limit how long a container can stay or require a placement permit. Check your local code and HOA rules before delivery — this is general guidance, not legal advice.

How is the container delivered to my home?

On a tilt-bed truck that slides the container off at ground level, set directly on the ground with no crane or forklift. A 20ft one-trip is typically delivered in 5–7 business days once your address and site access are confirmed.

Get a free quote

Tell us your address, the size you are after, and a note on driveway access, and we will price the container plus delivery — no hidden fees, what we quote is what you pay. Every unit is inspected and graded before delivery, and we reply within 1 business day. Our container delivery team handles the tilt-bed drop, and our storage-solutions consulting helps you size the right unit for what you own. Get a free quote to get started.