Choosing the Right Storage Unit Size: A Handy Guide

One of the most common challenges when booking a self-storage unit is figuring out the right size. Picking a unit that’s too small can lead to frustration, while overestimating your needs can mean unnecessary expenses. To help you make the best choice, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide with concrete examples and a handy table to simplify the decision process.

How to Determine the Right Storage Unit Size

1. Assess Your Inventory

Start by listing all the items you plan to store. Group them into categories such as furniture, boxes, appliances, and miscellaneous items. This will give you a clearer picture of the volume you need to accommodate.

2. Use a Size Guide

Most storage facilities provide a size guide, which offers a general idea of how much each unit size can hold. However, it’s always helpful to visualize the space in relation to common household items.

Our Storage Unit Size Guide with Concrete Examples

Below is a table outlining common storage unit sizes along with typical uses and examples of items they can hold:

Unit Size (m²)	Typical Use	Examples of Items Stored
1-2	Small personal items, seasonal decorations	Small boxes of clothes, holiday decorations, small appliances, children’s toys or simply your surf board.
3-4	Studio apartment or dorm room contents	Twin mattress set, dresser, TV, several boxes, small couch, bike
5-7	One-bedroom apartment	Queen mattress set, living room furniture, dining table, chairs, several boxes, appliances (fridge, washer, dryer)
8-10	Two-bedroom apartment	King mattress set, larger furniture, large appliances, many boxes, entertainment center
11-14	Small house, including outdoor items	Contents of a small house, car or small boat, patio furniture, boxes, tools, exercise equipment
15-20	Larger home or business inventory	Contents of a large home, business inventory, multiple large appliances, furniture sets, vehicle
21-100	Large-scale storage needs, extensive business inventory	Full house moves, large business stock, extensive furniture and appliances, vehicles, boats

Examples Explained

1-2 m² Unit

• Ideal for: Storing small items or seasonal decorations.

• Example: Jane, a university student, used this size to store her dorm room belongings over the summer, including her twin mattress, a small desk chair, and several boxes of clothes and books.

3-4 m² Unit

• Ideal for: Studio apartments or small one-bedroom apartments.

• Example: Tom and Sarah, a couple moving to a new city, stored their queen mattress, a small couch, a TV, and a few kitchen appliances in this size unit.

5-7 m² Unit

• Ideal for: One-bedroom apartments.

• Example: Mike, who was renovating his apartment, used this unit to store his queen bed, dresser, living room furniture, and several boxes of personal items.

8-10 m² Unit

• Ideal for: Two-bedroom apartments.

• Example: Lisa and her roommate stored their king mattress, a large couch, dining table, chairs, and many boxes during their move.

11-14 m² Unit

• Ideal for: Small houses, including outdoor items.

• Example: The Rodriguez family used this unit to store the contents of their small house, including their lawnmower, patio furniture, and children's toys while transitioning between homes.

15-20 m² Unit

• Ideal for: Larger homes or business inventory.

• Example: A local boutique used this size to store their entire inventory during a store renovation, including clothing racks, boxes of merchandise, and display units.

21-100 m² Unit

• Ideal for: Large-scale storage needs, extensive business inventory.

• Example: A company relocating its office stored all furniture, electronics, documents, and inventory in this size unit.

Tips for Maximizing Your Storage Space

1. Disassemble Furniture: Break down large items like beds and tables to save space.

2. Use Uniform Boxes: Stackable, uniform-sized boxes make better use of vertical space.

3. Label Everything: Clearly mark boxes for easy retrieval of specific items.

4. Utilize Shelving: Portable shelving can help organize smaller items within the unit. Reach out to our customer service to discuss potential shelving in your unit.

Choosing the right storage unit size doesn’t have to be daunting. By assessing your inventory and using our size guide, you can find the perfect fit for your needs. If you’re still unsure, simply provide some pictures of your items when requesting your quote and we'll find the right size for you. Happy storing!