Renting a storage unit sounds easy enough, until you have to decide what size to get.
It’s easy to miscalculate how much space you need and end up with a unit that’s either too small or way bigger than necessary. And of course, nobody wants to pay extra for space they’re not even using.
The size of your home is a good place to start, but what you’re actually planning to store matters just as much.
Common Storage Unit Sizes
Here are six of the most common storage unit sizes to give you an idea of where to start.
| Storage Unit | Approx. Space | What Usually Fits |
| 5 × 5 ft | 25 sq. ft. | Boxes, seasonal decorations, and small furniture |
| 5 × 10 ft | 50 sq. ft. | Furniture and belongings from one room or a small studio |
| 10 × 10 ft | 100 sq. ft. | Contents of a one-bedroom apartment |
| 10 × 15 ft | 150 sq. ft. | Contents of a two-bedroom apartment |
| 10 × 20 ft | 200 sq. ft. | Contents of a two- to three-bedroom home |
| 10 × 30 ft | 300 sq. ft. | Furniture and belongings from a larger home |
Keep in mind these are just estimates. Two people can live in a one-bedroom apartment, but one might have it packed with furniture while the other barely has anything.
How to Figure Out How Much Space You Need
Before renting a unit, make a list of everything you want to store. Include furniture, appliances, boxes, and anything else you might have in your garage or closets.
Now, think about how you’re going to fit everything inside. For example, if you’re storing a bed, a dresser, and 15 boxes, you might not need as much space as you think. You can take the bed frame apart, stand the mattress upright (if it’s safe for that mattress), and stack the boxes.
You can save a lot of room by taking furniture apart, especially with tables, bed frames, and other large pieces.
And if you’re still not sure, ask the storage company. Just tell them what you’re planning to store instead of only mentioning the size of your home. They’ll have a better idea of how much space you need.
How to Avoid Paying for Space You Don’t Need
You might want to go with a bigger unit just in case, but that extra space means paying more every month, even if you don’t end up using it.
Before going with a bigger size, try this:
- Use the empty space. You can put clothes, linens, books, and other small things inside dressers, wardrobes, suitcases, or appliances when it’s safe to do so.
- Stack your boxes. Try to use boxes that are about the same size, with the heavier ones at the bottom and lighter ones on top.
- Check the ceiling height. Some units are taller than others, so you might have more room than you think.
- Leave a little walking space. If you’ll need to get things out later, make sure you can reach them without moving everything around.
Need Storage? Eco Movers Can Help!
Choosing the right storage size gets a lot easier once you know exactly what you’re planning to store. And you can avoid paying for extra space you don’t need.
And since moving and storage often go together, we can help you with both!
At Eco Movers, we have four warehouses across the Pacific Northwest, with over 55,000 square feet of storage space, plus 24/7 surveillance, pest control, and protection against water damage.
Need a place to store your things? Get in touch for a free quote.
