As the world continues to evolve, new housing trends emerge and make their way across borders.
Kenyans are no exception to this phenomenon, as they become increasingly open to new housing ideas flooding the market.
Kenyans are increasingly willing to embrace new and exciting housing trends, from iron sheet houses to bus houses to wooden mansions.
In Kenya, where the cost of living is high, many young people, including new couples and singles, seek ways to climb onto the latest housing trends without emptying their wallets.
Michael Ndung’u is the marketing manager of Frontier Containers Fabricators East Africa Limited. In an interview, he states that the demand for container bedsitters, a unique housing concept, has skyrocketed.
The company fabricates and sells container houses at its workshop in Syokimau, along Mombasa Road. Its most popular products are container bedsitters.
“We sell the units at around Sh. 680,000, but those we sell to often rent them out or put them on Airbnb,” he said.
Container bedsitters can go for as low as Ksh7,500 per month and are popular among young couples and singles.
“They love them for their features, including the kitchenette fitted with drawers and a sink, a bathroom, and a toilet,” Ndung’u stated.
In addition, the bedsitters come equipped with wardrobes, and walls made of gypsum, while the flooring is made of tiles.
READ: Photos: My tiny but cozy Sh. 2 million three bedroom container house
The cost of fabricating a container bedsitter is approximately Sh. 300,000. Occasionally, this varies depending on the client’s needs since the company provides customized services.
Michael Ndung’u endorsed that the business is gaining traction in the market. He also confessed to facing challenges, particularly with the Kenyan culture that is conditioned to traditional brick-and-mortar houses.
“Our biggest challenge is that Kenyans often compare container bedsitters to traditional brick houses, which is a new concept that most of them have yet to embrace,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, the company has made significant strides since its inception three years ago. It supplies several units across Nairobi and Western Kenya, where most of its clientele is located.
Container homes have become popular in many parts of the world due to their affordability and eco-friendliness.
Shipping containers previously used for transporting goods are now being repurposed into housing units, reducing the need for new construction materials and helping preserve the environment.
Not only are container homes environmentally friendly, but they are also sturdy and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them an ideal choice for regions that experience extreme weather patterns.
Additionally, container homes can be customized to suit individual preferences and are incredibly versatile, ranging from single-story apartments to multi-level family homes.
While traditional housing options like brick-and-mortar houses remain popular, the trend towards alternative and affordable housing options like container homes is growing.
The affordability of container bedsitters, in particular, has made them an attractive choice for many Kenyans looking to own their first homes or to have rental properties.
Additionally, the unique design of container homes adds an element of novelty and excitement to the Kenyan housing market.
The emergence of new housing trends, such as container bedsitters in Kenya, is a welcome development, providing affordable, environmentally friendly, and versatile housing options.
While these new concepts may face initial resistance, their popularity will only continue to grow as more people realize their benefits.