A WOMAN has revealed that she and her husband bought two shipping containers and have since created their dream home.
Lexi Newkirk and her husband Diego now have a 624 square foot space and while they’re obsessed with it, not everyone has been so complimentary.
The 26-year-old took to social media to show off her jaw-dropping home and while some would “live there in a heartbeat,” others said the limited space would make them feel “claustrophobic.”
In a short, now-viral clip, Lexi said: “My husband and I purchased two shipping containers for $5,500 each [£4,080] and built our dream home.”
Thanks to their shipping container pad, which cost £8,160 in total, now Lexi and Diego have super low monthly costs.
Lexi estimated their monthly spend at just $300 [£223] to $600 [£455], depending on the season.
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Showing off her Texas Hill Country home to her 321,100 followers, Lexi confirmed: “Nine months of blood, sweat and tears.”
She then asked: “Would you live here?”
Lexi’s unique space features a spacious kitchen and 1.5 bathrooms including a master with a sunset-facing shower and heated towel rack.
There’s a spiral staircase leading up to the top level of the home and a rooftop deck with epic sunrise and sunset views.
The bedroom is upstairs and it boasts jaw-dropping views.
Clearly overjoyed with her pad, Lexi encouraged others: “Chase your wildest dreams.”
Lexi has since opened up in further detail about her shipping container, as she explained: “We didn’t want a cookie-cutter home or a traditional path.
“It [the container house] was a big leap of faith but one we felt deeply called to take.”
But Lexi admitted that it caused concern with some who couldn’t comprehend their decision.
She added: “Some people were immediately excited and thought it was the coolest idea ever.
“Others raised eyebrows and were like, ‘A…shipping container? Are you sure?’
It’s smaller than a typical home but it’s far more functional, efficient and peaceful
Lexi Newkirk
A “huge portion” of the work was done by the duo themselves – including framing, insulation, layout, trim, design and painting – while specialists handled plumbing and electrics.
She explained: “Doing it ourselves saved us a ton but materials and custom work add up fast.
“It’s smaller than a typical home but it’s far more functional, efficient and peaceful.
“[But] to be totally honest, it wasn’t as cost-effective as we originally thought and that’s mainly because everything is so custom.”
Why I could never live in a tiny home
Tiny homes are getting increasingly popular in the UK, especially in the cost of living crisis when first-time buyers are struggling to get on the property ladder or current homeowners are having to pay ridiculous interest rates on mortgages.
But Rebecca Miller, Fabulous’ Associate Editor, has shared why living in a tiny home would be her idea of a nightmare.
“I’m currently in the process of selling my flat and buying a house, and as I pack up all my belongings, I’m worried where it is all going to go – there is so much stuff!
Fortunately, I’m very privileged to be buying a house with more square feet than my current flat.
But it got me wondering, could I ever live in a small space? And the answer is no.
- Less personal space
Living with another person immediately cuts down on personal space, but remove several rooms, and I’d be left with only the bathroom as my sanctuary.I’m not sure I’d be able to cope!
- Less storage space
I’m like a magpie, I like collecting pretty things, and I like my belongings to be organised. With limited storage space, I’d find it really hard to keep everything neat and tidy.
- Can’t play host
One of the joys of being an independent adult is being able to host – friends, family, overnight stays, and dinner parties. Where would I gather everyone for a Sunday lunch if my table only sat two?Not to mention, how would I cook a Sunday lunch?
- No room to grow
Both as an individual, as part of a couple and also my hobbies, can be restricted by physical space. When I first moved into my flat, I was overjoyed at having my own balcony, and it has been a space where my love for gardening has grown. Five years on, my balcony is now overflowing with plants, and I’ve had to set up a mini propagator in the living room!
Big divide
Lexi’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @lexiiiinewkirk, clearly left many open-mouthed, as it had quickly gone viral and racked up a whopping 60.1million views.
But social media users were divided by the unique home – while some were impressed, others weren’t so keen on the idea of living in a shipping container.
One user gasped: “Just WOW!! I’d live there in a heartbeat.”
A second beamed: “Onggggg woooowww. Love it!!!!! And that bathroom view.”
Nobody’s ‘dream house’ is a shipping container
TikTok user
While someone else explained: “I would 110 percent live there without a doubt.”
However, at the same time, one person said: “I would be scared to live here in case of a storm or something, idk doesn’t seem safe.”
Another added: “I’d get claustrophobic with the limited space.”
Meanwhile, one user claimed: “Nobody’s ‘dream house‘ is a shipping container.”
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