Storage Unit Size Calculator
How much storage space do you need?
How to organize your storage unit
Organizing your storage unit will help you to get the most out of the unit space there and to easily find the stored items. Here are some tips to help you do that:
Inventory
Take inventory of everything you’re storing – you could even create a “map” of the storage unit. Also, keep track of the items you then put in and take out of your unit. This way, you’ll know what’s in your storage space at all times. You could also take pictures of what you’re putting into your unit.
Label everything
Organize your belongings by categories and remember to label the containers, whether they’re cardboard boxes, plastic containers or some other form of packaging. Let the labeled side face the entrance to the storage unit so you can see more easily where everything is as soon as you walk there.
Use vertical space
Use vertical space to maximize the capacity of your unit. You can install metal shelves and place boxes and other containers on them. If you can’t fit them all on the shelving unit, you can stack boxes vertically too. Just remember to store heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on top to avoid damaging them.
Commonly stored items and the storage unit sizes you need for them
Self storage is a popular service, with furniture, clothing and home appliances being among the most frequently stored items. People also store hobby gear, vehicles, RVs and boats. With the dimensions of stored items varying so much, you’ll need to know which unit size is right for them. For instance, a 5'x5' storage unit is ideal for compact outdoor gear and smaller furniture such as office chairs plus or a few boxes.
If you need to store slightly larger belongings such as a twin mattress, nightstands, a TV, a fridge and some small or mid-sized boxes, you could use a 5'x10' unit. This unit can be ideal for college students needing to store personal items over summer break.
A 10'x10' unit, often considered the standard size is great to fit the contents of a small bedroom. Families can use it to keep extra furniture such as a king-sized mattress, nightstands, kitchen appliances tools and a couple of boxes. Bulky clothing, outdoor furniture and seasonal outdoor gear are also commonly stored in a 10'x10' unit.
If you need a place to keep the contents of a two-bedroom apartment – think dressers, mattresses, couch, tables, TVs, seasonal décor and so on – a 10'x15' unit may be ideal. You can also keep your motorcycle, skis, tennis or fishing gear in this type of unit.
A 10'x20' unit is perfect whether you need to store your standard-sized car or belongings from a two-bedroom home such as mattress sets, dressers, nightstands, a couch, a TV stand, dining room furniture, and a washer and dryer.
Furniture and other belongings from a three- or four-bedroom home can fit inside a 10'x30' storage unit. This includes bedroom furniture, living room furniture (for example a four- to six-person dining room set), a washer and dryer combo, refrigerators, clothing and much more. A 10'x30' unit can also be suitable for boat storage (smaller watercraft only) or for a pickup truck.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self Storage Prices
How do you calculate storage size?
You can use our storage unit size calculator to gauge what unit size you will need for your belongings by selecting the items you want to store. You may also want to check out this useful storage unit size guide, which provides additional details about the most popular unit sizes what they are most suitable for.
What are the most common storage unit sizes?
Storage units are measured in square feet. There are various unit sizes, with 10’x10’ being the most popular. The 5’x5’ and 5’x10’ sizes are the most common small units while the 10’x10’ and 10’x15’ are considered medium units. As for the large units, the 10’x20’ is the most common, but the 10’x30’ size is also among the standard unit size. Larger units are also available, with the 20’x30’ and the 20’x50’ among them – particularly used boats and RVs.
How tall is a standard storage unit?
Storage units are typically 8 feet in height, though some may have 10-foot or 12-foot ceilings. Smaller storage lockers might offer less height. For specific dimensions, it's best to check directly with the storage facility, as they can provide precise details about their unit sizes.