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Kitchen Containers

Create a fully-functional, high-quality new kitchen in line with your personal or business needs. We design and build affordable, long-lasting shipping container kitchens that are ready to use and built to last. Equipped with your choice of appliances and accessories, our container kitchens are practical, spacious and convenient.

Kitchen Containers

Custom container kitchens for home or professional use

Our container kitchens are designed to support everyday use across a wide range of settings, from construction sites and temporary work locations to homes and professional environments. Each unit is built around practical layouts, durable materials, and reliable fittings that stand up to regular use.

Options include:

  • Countertops, shelving, and storage cabinets
  • Built-in refrigeration and appliances
  • Flooring, lighting, and power points
  • Insulation, ventilation and extractors
  • Sinks and wash areas
  • Security upgrades like reinforced doors and locks
  • Windows, personnel doors, and partition walls
  • Any bespoke modification you require
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Get a Quote

Our shipping container kitchen conversion process in 4 simple steps

We offer a full turnkey solution and handle each aspect of your shipping container kitchen design and build in house.

Free consultation

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Design & planning

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Full conversion

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Delivery & setup

Benefits of a shipping container kitchen

Shipping container kitchens offer a practical, flexible alternative to traditional kitchen builds. They’re becoming the go-to choice for practical, durable food preparation spaces because of:

  • Faster build times – Your kitchen container can be designed, built, and delivered in weeks, without the long lead times or disruption of a traditional construction project.
  • Lower costs – Lower upfront costs combined with long-term durability make kitchen containers a smart, high-value investment.
  • Built to last – Made from strong, weather-resistant corten steel, container kitchens are designed to withstand tough conditions and handle everyday use with ease.
  • Fully customisable – Every container kitchen is built around how you’ll use it, with the layout, equipment, and features designed to suit your space and daily requirements.
  • Portable and flexible – Easy to move and adapt, container kitchens are well suited to changing environments and long-term use.
Get a Quote
Get a Quote

Why choose Universal Containers for your kitchen container conversion

With decades of experience in shipping containers and in-house conversion expertise, we know how to turn containers into fully functioning, high-quality kitchen spaces that are tough, practical, and built to last.

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Over 40 years of container expertise

We know containers inside out! With over four decades in the container business, you’re not just working with builders, you’re working with specialists who understand how to turn them into secure, functional workspaces that perform in any environment.

Everything handled in-house

No subcontractors. No third-party delays. We take care of the entire build under one roof. From design and fabrication to fit-out and delivery, we manage the full build so you get better quality, faster turnaround, and no surprises.
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Cost-effective without cutting corners

We make the most of your budget and focus on what matters, solid construction, smart design, and functional fit-outs, all delivered at a cost that makes sense.
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Professional-grade finishes

We don’t just create a kitchen that gives you room to prep, cook and plate. We build functional, durable spaces that are finished to the highest standards for hygiene and safety.

Looking for a different type of space? Check out our other container conversion options

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does it take to build a shipping container kitchen?

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the size and complexity of your build. We’ll always give you a clear timeline based on your specific design and keep you updated throughout the process.

How much does a container kitchen conversion cost?

The cost of your shipping container kitchen depends on the size, layout and level of finish. We’ll give you a clear, upfront quote based on your design, with no hidden extras.

Can I choose the layout and equipment of my kitchen container?

Yes! This is one of the biggest advantages of creating a kitchen from a shipping container. We know that commercial kitchens require careful consideration at the design stage so the space flows and works as it should when in use. Your container kitchen is entirely bespoke and designed around your specific needs.

Do I need planning permission for a shipping container kitchen?

In many cases, you may not need planning permission, especially for temporary or mobile use. Planning requirements vary depending on your location and how the container will be used. Read our full guide on container home planning permission to get all the information you need.

How secure is a shipping container kitchen?

Very secure. Shipping containers are built from solid, weather-proof steel. For extra protection, we can upgrade your unit with lockboxes, steel personnel doors, reinforced hinges, and other security features.

Can the kitchen container be insulated and heated?

Yes. We can insulate your kitchen and add electrics for lighting, heating, and air conditioning, making it suitable for year-round use.

Are your container kitchens suitable for professional use?

Absolutely. We build container kitchens for private chefs, catering businesses, boutique bakeries, restaurants, ghost kitchens, and any other type of food business you can imagine.

Our containers in action

See some of the ways our amazing customers are using their containers.

Case Study: Garden Room Office Container Case Studies
Case Study: Garden Room Office Container

Despite restricted site access, we delivered a fully insulated, light-filled container office with carefully planned glazing, heating and electrics. The finished space provides a practical, year-round working environment suited for everyday use.

Case Study: Compact Coffee Shop Case Studies
Case Study: Compact Coffee Shop

We built a fully functional compact coffee shop from a shipping container with doors for customer access, a roller shutter for security, a serving hatch, and a small kitchen area complete with water heater and sink. 

Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop Case Studies
Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop

In the pursuit of enhancing their museum and workshop facility, the Locomotive Society sought a creative solution to provide a welcoming space for their members, while adhering to the historical aesthetic of their railway centric environment.

Case Study: Garden Center Case Studies
Case Study: Garden Center

Universal Containers embarked on an exciting project to enhance a garden centre’s retail experience by supplying and customising two shipping container cabins. The goal was to seamlessly link these cabins on-site and transform them into a vibrant and functional gift shop.

Case Study: Outdoor Catering Unit Case Studies
Case Study: Outdoor Catering Unit

A restaurant had been operating successfully for several years. However, due to increasing demand and limited space within the restaurant premises, the owners decided to expand their operations by introducing an outdoor catering unit.

Case Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office Case Studies
Case Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office

The local rugby club had been using a small, outdated ticket booth that no longer met their needs. The club’s management sought a more efficient and visually appealing solution that could accommodate their growing fan base.

Case Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion Case Studies
Case Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion

The client, an Industrial Chemical Storage Company specialising in chemical production and storage, faced the challenge of storing hazardous chemicals on their premises while adhering to stringent health and safety regulations.

Dropside Shipping Container Conversion Shipping
Dropside Shipping Container Conversion

Universal Containers take pride in continually pushing the boundaries in product development within the shipping container industry.

32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins
32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins

These 2 large 32x10ft cabins were built for a British transport company. They requested a large space to act as a welfare facility for drivers and staff in the peak district. Due to the customer’s specific requirements, one unit was not large enough so we suggested 2 units, however floor space was an issue on-siteContinue reading “32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins”

32×10 Green Office Offices
32×10 Green Office

This particular office unit was completed for a North-West-based container hire company.

20×10 Gas Bottle Store
20×10 Gas Bottle Store

Custom Built Atex Coshh store for storing gas bottles. This unit was custom built with corrugated steel panels 20ft long x 10ft wide. It had a fully ventilated floor from galvanised steel mesh, as well as 4 aluminium louver vents in the walls. We also fitted galvanised box section racks with chains on to holdContinue reading “20×10 Gas Bottle Store”

Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room
Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room

Corrugated steel cabin 32ft x 10ft with adjustable jacklegs anti vandal steel personnel door and anti-vandal aluminium sliding windows in steel shutters. Painted externally in non-corrosive container paint in a vibrant red. Internally with walls where lined in a cost-effective melamine faced chipboard and fully insulated throughout in Rockwool. The floor had hard wearing vinylContinue reading “Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room”

20ft Multi-Bay Unit
20ft Multi-Bay Unit

Standard shipping container transformed into a bespoke storage unit. With multiple purposes across many industries. For example, self-storage companies or engineering companies for members of staff to lock tools away when not in use. The unit was split evenly into 8 small rooms approximately 5ftx4ft each by steel partition walls for security. Each room withContinue reading “20ft Multi-Bay Unit”

10ft Generator Housing Container
10ft Generator Housing Container

10ft container conversion for an off-grid company custom built to house a very large generator. The customer wanted a unit with multiple apertures and louver vents to allow for ventilation, they wanted all openings to have cover hoods to help stop water coming in. The Universal CAD team had a meeting with the client toContinue reading “10ft Generator Housing Container”

40ft × 12ft Truck Stop Shower Unit Site Accommodation
40ft × 12ft Truck Stop Shower Unit

This 40ft x 12ft custom built flat panel cabin was a container conversion project completed for Eddie Stobart’s site.

Are Shipping Containers the Solution to Homelessness? Site Accommodation
Are Shipping Containers the Solution to Homelessness?

Within today’s economic climate, many of us face struggles surrounding our finances.

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