Storage units offer secure solutions when navigating transitional periods such as long-distance moves. With options available in small, medium and large sizes, your storage unit choice should depend on your specific storage requirements.
To select the appropriate storage unit size, assess the items you plan to store. Small storage units are perfect for accommodating the contents of a spacious closet or a single room, while medium units can comfortably house belongings from two to three rooms. Large units are designed to house the contents of four rooms or more.
Should you “have valuable or sensitive items that require more controlled storage conditions, investing in an air-conditioned unit may provide greater peace of mind and protection against potential damage,” explained Jaden Nielson, co-owner of Red Rock Moving Company in St. George, Utah.
Are small storage units right for me?
Small storage units are ideal for housing items from a home closet up to the contents of a single room or studio apartment. They can typically fit up to 20 large boxes. They provide the flexibility to free up space in a closet or an entire room, whether you need additional space for guests or to set up a home office.
Typically, self-storage unit companies offer small units in three sizes: lockers, 5 feet by 4 feet, 5 feet by 5 feet, and 5 feet by 10 feet. Let’s delve into these options and their storage capacities.
Storage lockers are suitable for small boxes or clothing you could fit into a home closet. While these units range in size, a common blueprint is 5 feet by 4 feet. Unlike other storage units, which typically feature 8- or 10-foot ceilings, locker heights vary.
Like lockers, 5-by-4-foot small storage units can hold items such as chairs, a small desk, lamps, suitcases, a small bookcase, seasonal items or even sporting equipment.
A 5-by-5-foot storage unit, measuring 25 square feet, offers a similar amount of space as a large closet. These typically accommodate clothing, small bookshelves, lamps and suitcases.
For example, you could fit a twin or full-size mattress in a 5-by-5-foot storage unit, but it might be a challenge to accommodate a queen mattress. Queen mattresses generally measure 60 inches by 80 inches (5 feet by 6.7 feet).
You can generally fit the contents of a studio or one room in a 5-by-10-foot storage unit, according to Nielson. “This size can accommodate basic furniture like a mattress and bed frame, a few boxes, small appliances and some additional items like chairs or a small table,” he added.
A 5-by-10-foot storage unit is ideal for queen and king mattresses, or it can store up to 20 large boxes with room to squeeze in a few pieces of small furniture if properly stacked. Large boxes generally measure 18 inches by 18 inches by 24 inches and can fit items such as comforters, large dishes and board games.
These unit sizes are comparable to a walk-in closet, which generally measures about 5 feet by 7 feet.
Are medium storage units right for me?
Medium storage units typically have the capacity to accommodate the contents of a one- or two-bedroom apartment. They are usually offered as 5-by-15-foot units or 10-by-10-foot units, many with 8-foot ceilings.
Medium-sized storage units measuring 5 feet by 15 feet (75 square feet) can typically hold what you might find in a one- or two-bedroom apartment, possibly with room to spare for smaller items. Those with small apartments generally opt for this size.
The average size of a studio apartment ranges from 300 to 600 square feet, and a one-bedroom apartment generally ranges from 500 to 1,000 square feet.
Examples of the types of items you can fit in a 5-by-15-foot storage unit include the following:
- Bedroom furniture
- King mattress, plus the box spring
- Large appliances such as refrigerators, washers and dryers
- Luggage
- Sofa
- TV
A 10-by-10-foot storage unit can typically hold the contents from up to three rooms, or an entire two-bedroom apartment. In other words, it can hold about 144 medium-size boxes that measure 20 inches by 20 inches, according to Public Storage.
For reference, a 10-by-10-foot storage unit is comparable to a small bedroom, or one-car garage. Examples of some of the items you can typically fit into this size unit include the following:
- Bookcases
- Couches
- Jet skis
- Mid-size or large boxes
- Motorcycles
- One king mattress
- Patio furniture
- Refrigerators
- Tables
- Two queen mattresses
Are large storage units right for me?
Large storage units are tailored to hold the contents of at least four to six rooms, akin to a two-bedroom home or larger. You’ll typically find them available in 10-by-15-foot, 10-by-20-foot, and 10-by-25-foot size options with 8-foot ceilings. These spacious units offer flexible storage solutions when relocating to a new residence or taking an extended trip.
A 10-by-15-foot unit can hold the contents of a two-bedroom house including “multiple beds, dressers, sofas, tables, and more boxes and personal items,” Nielson confirmed. Some of the larger items you can fit into a 10-by-15-foot unit include the following:
- Dining room table
- Dishwasher
- Jet ski
- King-size mattress
- Motorcycle
At 200 square feet, these storage units are slightly smaller than a standard 240-square-foot one-car garage. A 10-by-20-foot storage unit can typically hold the contents of five rooms. Some of the larger items it can hold include the following:
- Canoes
- Car or truck
- Dining room table and chairs
- Refrigerator
- Small tractors
- Washer and dryer
Although a 10-by-20-foot storage unit is equipped to hold a car or truck, self-storage companies such as Public Storage recommend renting a space of equal size specifically designed to store vehicles.
A 10-by-25-foot storage unit is the best option for storing belongings from six or more rooms. These units are larger than a standard one-car garage and accommodate the contents of a typical 1,600-square-foot home — or approximately 300 medium-sized boxes measuring 20 inches by 20 inches.
Vehicle storage units
Self-storage providers such as ExtraSpace Storage and Public Storage offer a range of options for storing vehicles, including covered, uncovered and enclosed units. Covered spaces provide a sheltered area to park your vehicle, shielding it from elements like rain and sun while being outdoors.
Uncovered storage units are akin to parking spaces, and are typically the preferred choice for larger vehicles that cannot fit into covered or enclosed spaces. Enclosed units offer a garage-like environment, protecting your vehicle from outdoor elements.
Note
In most cases, your vehicle needs to be in working condition to be stored at a self-storage facility. However, you may be able to store a nonfunctioning vehicle if it is kept on a trailer. Contact the facility of your choosing before assuming your vehicle can be stored.
Here’s an idea of what unit size you’ll need depending on your vehicle type.
A 5-by-10-foot storage unit can usually fit an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), motorcycle or moped.
A 20-foot vehicle storage unit can hold most midsize cars and small trucks with five-person cab seating, up to a 6-foot bed and a 1,800-pound payload capacity. You may also have room left over for an ATV or a motorcycle with engine displacement up to about 1,000 cubic centimeters.
A 35-foot vehicle storage unit is capable of holding most RVs and boats including the following:
- Camper vans, or Class B motorhomes, up to 33 feet long
- Class A and Class 1 boats up to 26 feet
- Class A motorhomes up to 33 feet long
- Towable campers such as pop-up campers, small fifth-wheel trailers and teardrop campers
- Truck campers from up to 21 feet long
Most oversize vehicles can easily be stored in a 50-foot vehicle storage unit. This includes Class 2 boats, certain commercial vans and trucks, motorhomes, RVs, campers and trailers. Contact a self-storage facility to confirm the unit size you need to store your vehicle.
What’s next?
Space isn’t the only consideration when selecting a storage unit. You should also decide whether you want amenities such as climate-controlled storage. A temperature-controlled storage unit typically keeps interior temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees.
“Leather, electronics and wood finish furniture should also be stored in a climate-controlled unit,” advised Joe Kohm, owner of Frye’s Moving Company in Oaklyn, New Jersey. Items such as musical instruments, wine, artwork and important documents are more sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations, explained Nielson, and therefore should also be kept in units with climate control.
Many self-storage companies, such as Extra Space Storage and Public Storage, typically require customers to purchase insurance for their rented units. While some offer insurance plans during rental, if you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy, it may cover your storage unit. It’s advisable to consult your insurer before renting a unit.
To ensure you select the right storage unit size for you, visit a local self-storage facility for a walk-through of the various units.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Go Back to Top
International Van Lines (IVL) is our top choice for most interstate moving needs. IVL offers domestic service to all 50 states and demonstrates transparent pricing practices. Additionally, the company provides one month of free storage for qualifying moves. Allied Van Lines is the next best choice for interstate moves due to its extensive in-house vehicle…
Moving to a new home can be exciting and overwhelming. Amid the chaos of packing boxes, switching schools and finding professional movers, you also have to pack your car. Your personal vehicle can be a valuable asset in transporting items movers won’t move, such as important documents and family heirlooms, while keeping you comfortable on…
Hiring a full-service moving company saves you time and energy but is notoriously expensive. Luckily, there are ways to save on your upcoming local or long-distance relocation, even with a pro mover. Moving APT and International Van Lines are the cheapest moving companies for full-service moves of the seven companies from which we requested quotes.…
Effective packing is key to a successful move, and you can achieve this through proper planning and organization. Some of the best packing tips for moving include getting started early, using your items as packing materials and keeping itemized lists of your boxes to track what you packed and where it goes. This guide explores…