Having children is life-changing. Most people describe babies as bundles of joy. As for teenagers, well, that’s another story. Parenting teenagers is challenging; their growth, rebellion, and being always on their phones could be too much.

To give you and your teenager a break from bashing heads, why not make them a hangout area? This article doesn’t suggest buying a whole restaurant, but why not convert a shipping container into a teen hangout? The world has over 17 million shipping containers, of which only 6 million are in use, meaning there are about 11 million shipping containers up for grabs, so why not get one and convert it into the ultimate hangout spot for your teen?

Getting your teenager a space of their own is one way of recycling used containers. It’s also a great way of saying you love them, even in their rebellious phase. The space could be where they unwind after a long day, hang out with friends, enjoy their hobbies, or just be alone. Additionally, shipping containers have been through rain and sunshine.

They’re resistant to many things like water, fire, and pests and would be more likely to have less damage than a traditional home. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) said in a report that the United States suffers approximately $5 billion from property damage from wildlife infestations, including rodents and birds. luckily, you won’t have to worry about this! Once you have purchased the container, you’re only tasked with making it the ultimate teen hangout. Here are three tips for doing that.

1. Design Your Dream Spot

The first step to building your teen’s dream hangout is to put it on paper. Design how the place will look, and when you do, it’s important to ask yourself these questions: where will the windows be? How big of a door should you get? Where will the toilet go, at the entrance or the back? How many rooms do you want in the container? Is it just a hall, or will you divide up the container and add a bedroom so your teenager can also have sleepovers there?

Designing this place is probably the most fun you’ll have working on this project. So, don’t limit your imagination. If any part of the container needs improving, consider hiring a professional. The last thing you want is to injure yourself or create a place that’s not safe for anyone. Over 418,659 welders are working in the United States, according to Zippa, so finding one that ticks all your boxes might not be daunting.

2. Add Stylish Furniture and Decor

After the design is decided, the next step is deciding what kind of furniture will go into the room. Select furniture that’s appropriate for your teens and their friends. This could be a bean bag chair, couch, or hammock; you could add a table. However, this depends on the amount of space available.

3. Add Games

Add some games to the room, and get a few recommendations from your child; you don’t want them calling the games you pick old. The games could range from card games and board games to puzzles. You could create a part in the container that’s mainly for games. If your teen is more into online gaming, factor this into your design, and create a place specifically for gaming or where they could watch TV with friends. If you’re worried your child might spend all of their time either watching TV or playing video games, include restrictions.

4. Don’t Forget the Snacks

What’s a teen hangout space without snacks? Teenagers are known for snacking, so add snacks to the place; you could balance healthy and unhealthy snacks.

Ultimately, when creating a hangout space for your teen, it has to be a place your teenager can be in their element, where they are not embarrassed to bring friends over. Make it fun, comfortable, and stylish.