Quick answer: The three layouts that work best in Kenya are the 20ft studio (about 14 square metres), the 40ft one-bedroom (about 28 square metres), and the two-container two-bedroom (about 50 to 56 square metres). Below are dimensioned concept layouts, the usable area once the walls are lined, how the furniture fits, and the honest trade-offs of each.
A container is a starting shape, not a finished plan. The steel gives you fixed outside dimensions, and good design is about how you zone the space inside them. Remember one thing throughout: once you insulate and line the walls, you lose roughly 5 to 8 cm on each side, so the usable width is always a little less than the steel.
1. The 20ft studio (about 14 m²)
External: 6.06 m long, 2.44 m wide. Usable after lining: roughly 5.9 m by 2.25 m, about 13 square metres.
| Zone | Rough size | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping and living | 3.6 m x 2.25 m | Double bed, or a bed plus a two-seat sofa |
| Kitchenette | 1.2 m run | Sink, counter, two-ring hob, under-counter fridge |
| Wet room | 1.2 m x 2.25 m | Shower, WC and basin |
Furniture placement: everything is single-banked along the length, with the wet room at one end and the kitchenette opposite. Trade-offs: compact and efficient, ideal as a DSQ, a rental studio or a single person's home, but there is no separate bedroom. Choose a high-cube for the extra headroom.
2. The 40ft one-bedroom (about 28 m²)
External: 12.19 m long, 2.44 m wide. Usable after lining: roughly 12 m by 2.25 m, about 27 square metres.
| Zone | Rough size | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 3.5 m x 2.25 m | Queen bed and a wardrobe |
| Bathroom | 2.0 m x 2.25 m | Shower, WC, basin, storage |
| Kitchen and living | 6.0 m x 2.25 m | Kitchen run, dining for two to four, a sofa |
Furniture placement: the private rooms sit at one end and the open kitchen-living runs the rest of the length. Because the internal width is only about 2.25 m, furniture is single-banked, a sofa on one wall, the kitchen on the other. Trade-offs: a genuine one-bedroom home, but a long, narrow shape. Windows on opposing walls keep it bright and cross-ventilated.
3. The two-container two-bedroom (about 50 to 56 m²)
Two 40ft containers placed side by side with the shared wall removed and the opening reinforced give a wide, open space, roughly 5 m across instead of 2.25 m. That extra width is what makes rooms feel like rooms.
| Zone | Rough size | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| Living and kitchen | 5.0 m x 5.0 m | Full lounge, dining, and a proper kitchen |
| Bedroom one | 3.5 m x 3.0 m | Double bed, wardrobe, side tables |
| Bedroom two | 3.0 m x 3.0 m | Double or twin, wardrobe |
| Two bathrooms | 2.0 m x 1.8 m each | Shower, WC, basin |
Furniture placement: with a 5 m width you can finally double-bank, a sofa facing a wall unit, a dining table with chairs on both sides. Trade-offs: the most home-like layout, but it needs two containers, a wider foundation and a larger crane, so cost and site requirements go up. A popular variation is the spaced or "linked" design, two containers set apart with the gap between them roofed to form a wide central living room.
A note on comfort in the Kenyan climate
Whatever the plan, three things decide how it lives: high-cube containers for headroom after lining, insulation in the walls and ceiling, and windows placed on opposing walls for cross-ventilation. A little roof overhang shades the walls and sheds the rains.
FAQ
How much space do I really lose to lining?
Roughly 5 to 8 cm on each surface. It is why the high-cube's extra height matters and why a 20ft feels cosy rather than roomy.
How many containers for a three-bedroom?
Usually two or three 40ft containers, often in a spaced or courtyard arrangement for a larger central living area.
Can I get a custom plan for my plot?
Yes. We design the layout to your plot, family size and budget before fabrication begins.
These are concept layouts to plan around, dimensioned drawings for your build are prepared once we have your plot and brief. See container homes in Kenya, or read what size container you need.