20ft Container Floor Plans: Office, Workshop & Storage Layouts

A 20ft container gives you about 148 square feet of floor, roughly 19′ 4″ by 7′ 8″ inside. It's long and narrow, so a good layout makes all the difference between a cramped box and a genuinely useful space.

Here are practical 20ft floor plans for offices, workshops, studios and storage, with tips for each. Comparing 20 shipping containers for sale for a build? Our 20ft custom and office options are the place to start.

Working with the space

• Inside: about 19′ 4″ long × 7′ 8″ wide × 7′ 10″ high (8′ 10″ in a high cube)
• Insulation and walls take a few inches off each side and the ceiling
• Long and narrow: layouts work best with furniture along the walls and a path down the middle or along one side
• Cargo doors at one end; you can add personnel doors, windows and roll-up doors anywhere

Layout 1: Two-desk office

• Personnel door near one end of a long side
• Two desks facing the long wall, under windows
• Filing and storage at the far end
• Small meeting chair or bench near the door
• AC unit high on the end wall

Best for: site offices, small businesses, home offices for two.

Layout 2: Office plus storage (split unit)

• A partition wall about two-thirds along
• Office at the personnel-door end: a desk, chair and shelving
• Lockable storage at the cargo-door end, reached through the original doors

Best for: contractors who need an office and secure tool storage in one unit.

Layout 3: Workshop

• Roll-up door on a long side for wide access
• Workbench along the opposite wall
• Pegboard and shelving above the bench
• Tool storage at the ends
• Bright LED lighting and plenty of outlets

Best for: hobby workshops, repair shops, makers.

Layout 4: Studio or creative space

• Large window or glass door for natural light
• Open floor for an easel, desk or recording setup
• Storage along one wall
• Insulation and acoustic panels for comfort and sound

Best for: artists, musicians, podcasters and home studios.

Layout 5: Organized storage

• Shelving along both long walls
• A central aisle about 2–3 feet wide
• Hooks and pegboard on the end wall
• Heavy items near the doors, rarely used items at the back

Best for: homeowners, businesses and contractors who need to find things quickly.

Layout 6: Kiosk or pop-up

• Service window with a counter on a long side
• Equipment and prep space behind the counter
• Storage at the ends
• Personnel door for staff

Best for: coffee kiosks, food stalls and retail pop-ups.

Planning tips

• Sketch to scale: use graph paper or a simple online tool with the interior dimensions
• Place doors first: they decide how you move through the space
• Put windows where you sit or work
• Plan outlets and lights around desks, benches and equipment
• Leave a clear path at least 2–3 feet wide
• Consider a high cube for offices and studios, for headroom after insulation

What each layout needs

See custom and office conex for how modifications are quoted.

Mistakes to avoid when planning a layout

• Furniture across the width: it blocks the path in a narrow space
• Too few outlets, leading to extension cords everywhere
• Windows in the wrong place, such as behind a desk or where shelving should go
• Forgetting the door swing, inside and out
• No room for heating or cooling units
• Ignoring headroom, especially in a standard-height container with insulation

Combining two 20ft containers

Two 20ft units side by side can be joined into a space about 15 feet wide, with structural work to support the opening between them. That's enough for a larger office, a studio with storage or a small home. It needs engineering and permits.

FAQ

How much floor space is in a 20ft container?

About 148 square feet inside, before insulation and interior walls.

Can a 20ft container be split into two rooms?

Yes, with a partition wall and door, commonly an office at one end and storage at the other.

Is a 20ft container big enough for an office?

Yes, for one to four people, depending on the layout.

Should I use a high cube for a 20ft office?

It's recommended, for comfortable headroom after insulation and a ceiling.

Where should windows go in a container office?

Where you'll sit and work, usually along the long sides.

Can I design my own container layout?

Yes. Bring a sketch with door, window and outlet positions, and the build can be quoted from it.

Can a 20ft container have a bathroom?

Yes, with plumbing, a water supply and drainage or a holding tank, plus permits. It usually takes up one end of the container.