This 160-Square-Foot House May Look Cramped on the Outside, But Its Inside Will Blow You Away!

If you are a regular TipHero reader, then you have already been clued in on all of the endless virtues of container homes. We just love these repurposed wonders because they are economical, eco-friendly, and most of all, super sleek!

And though we never tire of singing the praises of these special tiny houses, we do have to admit that we could never fully imagine ourselves living in one. While the interiors of these homes are always impressive, the outsides tend to leave quite a bit to be desired. They ARE upcycled shipping containers, so they look like, well… shipping containers.

That’s why we’ve been searching high and low for a shipping container tiny house that doesn’t make its residents look like trespassers—and we are happy to announce that we’ve finally found it! Feast your eyes on Cúbica, a game-changing tiny home designed by a Costa Rican firm by the same name.

Cúbica not only includes all of the features that you would find in an average-sized home, it also boasts some fancy amenities, like a chic wood-paneled rooftop deck, recessed LED lighting throughout, and even versatile guest quarters—all housed in a 20-foot shipping container.

The home comfortably sleeps four adults on both a full-sized murphy bed and two stacked bunks. Each sleeping space can be folded up when not in use, with part of the master bed even doubling as the dining room table.

Cúbica’s kitchenette offers pretty much anything a home chef would need to create a yummy meal. It comes complete with a small refrigerator, a two-burner stove, a microwave, a large sink, and plenty of counter space for additional appliances.

The tiny house’s bathroom comes equipped with a surprisingly large shower, toilet, a modern sink, and, believe it or not, a stackable washer and dryer!

The crafty designers even managed to find a way around the issue that plagues most tiny homes—heat! To combat this problem, Cúbica used the container’s original metal siding to wick away the sun’s harshest rays. In addition, that fun little rooftop also doubles as extra insulation. Smart!


Though we love Cúbica’s super contemporary interior, we have to say that we are most impressed by the tiny home’s use of outdoor space. On top of having a seriously cool roof deck, the home also features sliding glass doors that open out to a large patio space, where residents can barbecue or get their tan on.

The container home’s façade can even be protected for security concerns or threats of violent weather. Just pull the porch’s sunshade down, and the unit becomes instantly sealed. They really thought of everything!

Currently, the unique home is available as a vacation rental in Costa Rica’s picturesque Heredia Province. Not a bad place to take it on a test run! For a full tour of Cúbica, click here.

What do you think of this re-imagined tiny home design? What is your favorite feature of this particular house? Would you ever consider living in a re-purposed shipping container? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!