Storage unit size guide: How to pick the right storage unit
This guide provides everything you need to know about storage unit sizes.
Before renting a storage unit, the most important step is identifying which size unit is best for your specific needs. You'll want to consider an array of factors, from how long you need the space to how often you’ll visit it. With important decisions to make, and potentially a lot of money on the line, these handy tips can set you up for storage success.
Standard storage unit sizes
According to the storage unit marketplace site, SpareFoot, a 10-foot by 10-foot unit is the most common, and across the United States, the cost of such units averages out at $95 a month. In general, storage units come in four sizes: small, medium, large, and lockers.
Lockers are essentially small, secure closets with less than 25 cubic feet of space available. They can store just a few boxes and small items, perfect if you need to free up your apartment after changing your wardrobe’s seasonality or when taking down your Christmas decorations.
Small storage units are typically five-foot by five-foot or five-foot by 10-foot spaces. They can store a small furniture set, such as a dresser and twin mattress, and a few medium boxes. However, they’re probably too small to contain a queen-size or larger mattress.
Medium units range from five-foot by 15-foot to 10-foot by 15-foot spaces. This size is a great starting point for a single person looking to pack a one-bedroom apartment. At this size, you might be able to fit all of the contents inside the space, but it might not allow you enough room for a path to reach specific items. So anything stored at the back of the unit would be there until the whole space is cleared.
Large units start at around 10 by 20 feet and max out at around 10 by 30 feet of space. These units are around the size of a standard one-car garage. With 300 square feet to play with, you could begin organizing a one-bedroom storage space with pathways to reach specific items or fill up the entire unit with a fully furnished three-bedroom home.
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What size storage unit do I need?
First, it's a good idea to write a comprehensive list of items that will go into your storage unit. Walk through your home and put together an idea of the number of boxes, pieces of furniture, appliances, and oversized or awkwardly shaped items that will need to fit in your unit. You should also consider if you’ll need any specialist storage options, for photographs or antiques that would benefit from climate control, for example.
Once you have an inventory, you can physically lay it out and measure the space your stuff takes up. This is easier if you’re ready to move and have most of your items in boxes. Heavier items like bed frames or drawers can be measured and added to the calculation later. By laying out and measuring the square footage of space, you can see how much space is occupied. The average storage unit has a ceiling height of about eight feet.
Alternatively, if you have boxes, you can measure them while empty and calculate volume based on the number of cartons and furniture items you’ll be storing. As a rule of thumb, adding 10% to your final tally is a good idea so you have some extra room for moving items around.
If you plan to keep items in storage but will need regular access to individual boxes it’s smart to ensure you have enough space for walkways through the cross-section of the unit or leave those specific boxes at the front. Once packed up, anything in the back of the unit will be an ordeal to access.
Most facilities have a range of units available. Before committing to a rental agreement, take a tour to see your options. It can be challenging to imagine volume and dimensions. Having your inventory ready and seeing the space in person may help you.
Ultimately, renting too much space is the same as wasting money; you can save a lot by getting the calculations as close as possible to what you need after considering factors like length of storage time and access.
What size storage unit do I need for a car?
Depending on the facility, some storage units can hold vehicles. A 10 by 15-foot unit may be enough for compact cars, but a 10 by 20-foot unit will be necessary for most sedans, SUVs, and larger road vehicles. On the other hand, a motorcycle or bike should comfortably fit in a five by 10-foot space.
For more information on shipping vehicles, visit our car shipping price guide.
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