A young couple have shared how they converted two shipping containers into their ‘dream home’ to save paying thousands for a mortgage.
Lexi Newkirk, 25, from Texas, revealed how she and her husband, Diego, built their dream home out of two 40ft shipping containers costing $5,500 (£4,170) each, as a way to escape city life and embrace a more affordable lifestyle.
In 2023, the couple purchased 12.5 acres of land for $180,000 (£140,580), and soon after invested in two shipping containers, which they have since renovated into a two-storey, 640 sq ft home.
The newly converted properly is now complete with a fully kitted-out kitchen, bathroom, king-size bed and even a spiral staircase.
They bought the containers for $5,500 (£4,170) each and spent a year converting them into a fully-functional house – where they now plan to live for the next three years.
Having grown up in Austin, Texas, the couple wanted to embrace a simpler way of life. They left their city jobs and purchased a piece of raw land in Texas Hill Country, which they named Livingstone Ranch.
In the future, they hope to develop the property into a ‘homestead’, where they will grow their own food and raise animals.
The majority of the building work on the property has been completed by Diego – who is also 25 – to save on cost.
A couple have revealed they are converting two shipping containers into their ‘dream home’ to save paying thousands for a mortgage (pictured)
Lexi, who runs her own digital business, said the pair are ‘very DIY based’ and wanted to build something of their own from scratch
They spent a year converting the containers, all the while living in an RV they bought on Facebook Marketplace.
Lexi and Diego have cut costs elsewhere by buying things on Facebook, including a spiral staircase for $600, a bathtub for $800, porch deck for $100 and a stunning farmhouse-style kitchen sink for just $130.
Lexi and Diego recently moved into to the renovated property and now reside there with their border collie, Bentley.
Lexi, who runs her own digital business, said the pair are ‘very DIY based’ and wanted to build something of their own from scratch.
In one video, the new home owner explained how she and her husband had decided on the unconventional accommodation.
Lexi explained: ‘My husband and I purchased two shipping containers in the thoughts us building a tiny home exotic ranch.
‘That did not happen so we are building them into our first house where we plan to live for three years,’ she said.
‘We have lots of property,’ she said, adding that they were hoping to ‘start a garden’ and chicken coup.
‘We’re so happy – welcome,’ the 25-year-old said to the camera before revealing the interior of the newly converted property.
In 2023, the pair purchased 12.5 acres of land for $180,000 (£140,580) and shortly after invested in two shipping containers – which they have now renovated into a two-storey 640 sq. ft house
Having converted the two shipping containers, Lexi and her husband now have a fully functional property with electrical outputs, toilet facilities and a kitchen decked out with all the necessary amenities
Lexi explained: ‘My husband and I purchased two shipping containers in the thoughts us building a tiny home exotic ranch
They bought the containers for just $5,500 (£4,170) each and spent a year converting them into a fully-functional house – where they now plan to live for the next three years
Now the couple are even building a basement to add to their property space on the ranch
With the help of a crane, Diego – who works in mould removal – piled one container on top of the other before going on to transform the them into a two-storey 640 sq ft house.
Lexi said the two could barely even drive into the property when they first bought it, and had to build a road near where they were planning to station their house.
Having converted the two shipping containers, Lexi and her husband now have a fully functional property with electrical outputs, toilet facilities and a kitchen decked out with all the necessary amenities.
Walking through the front entrance, Lexi revealed their glamorous kitchen, complete with a sink, dish washer, laundry facilities, coffee machine, and air conditioning.
On the lower ground of the container, the couple also have two chic leather armchairs with cup holders.
In the upper level of the shipping containers, the couple even have a porcelain bath and wet room, as well as an open plan bedroom with what appears to be a king-size bed.
Lexi said the two ‘just’ moved into the property and admitted that things are ‘still under construction’, with the two hoping to continue developing the property.
Now the couple are even building a basement to add to their property space on the ranch.
‘We absolutely love it here,’ she said in another video.
Sharing their story online, Lexi wrote in an Instagram post: ‘Through our journey, we’ve learned so much about off-grid living, container home design, and the challenges and rewards of building a home that truly reflects our lifestyle.
‘From selecting the perfect containers to customising the interior, every step has been an adventure.’
‘When we first bought our property we couldn’t even drive in. We lived in an RV,’ she said.
In another video, Lexi explained he motivations for moving outside the city, saying she and Diego ‘love the country’ and ‘spending time outdoors’.
They built their home out of ‘single use’ shipping containers, meaning they have only made one journey.
‘If they’ve been used multiple times, there’s probably going to be holes and dents and we wanted a blemish free shipping container,’ she explained.
Once the house is finished, the two plan to live there for three years before building a bigger ranch and renting the house as an Airbnb.