How to Determine the Size of the Storage Unit You Need

A storage unit is one of the most useful tools you can have during a move. It buys you breathing room when closing dates do not line up, when a renovation runs long, or when your new place is simply smaller than the old one. It also works as a long-term home for things you want to keep but do not need every day.

The catch is choosing the right size. Most people guess, and the guess is usually wrong in one direction or the other. This guide walks through the standard sizes so you can match a unit to what you actually own. If you would rather skip the guesswork, our storage services team can look at your inventory and recommend a size before move day.

What Are the Different Sizes of Storage Units?

Exact dimensions vary a little from facility to facility, but the industry has settled on a handful of standard footprints. All of the sizes below are listed in feet (width by depth). Keep in mind that ceiling height matters too: a unit with 8 to 10 feet of clearance can hold far more than its floor area suggests if you pack and stack well.

1. 5x5 Storage Units

Think of a 5x5 as a hall closet or a deep pantry. It suits a single piece of furniture such as an armchair, a pair of file cabinets, or tall, narrow items like a floor lamp or a rolled rug.

Measured in boxes, a 5x5 typically takes around eight standard moving cartons with a few loose items tucked around them. It is a good fit for seasonal gear, holiday decorations, or a dorm room's worth of belongings.

2. 5x10 Storage Units

A 5x10 is roughly the size of a walk-in closet. You can fit a mattress set, a dresser, and a stack of boxes, but it will not swallow a full living room.

Many renters use this size for things they care about but cannot keep at home right now: collectibles, a keyboard or guitar collection, framed art, or family keepsakes. Pair it with climate control if any of those items are sensitive to heat and humidity.

3. 5x15 Storage Units

A 5x15 handles the contents of a small studio, around 500 square feet, as long as you are not storing large appliances. Because the unit is long and narrow, load it from the back toward the door and leave a slim walkway down one side so you can reach the items at the far end without unpacking everything.

4. 10x10 Storage Units

For most New York City apartments, a 10x10 is the largest unit you will need. It comfortably holds the furniture from a one-bedroom of about 750 square feet, and there is usually room for more than one bed.

To make the most of it, pack loose items into uniform boxes and take apart bulky pieces like bed frames and dining tables. Our furniture movers handle disassembly and reassembly as part of the job, which saves a surprising amount of space.

5. 10x15 Storage Units

A 10x15 fits a large one-bedroom or a compact two-bedroom, roughly up to 1,000 square feet. It can take most standard appliances if you have them, along with a full set of furniture and boxes.

The real advantage of this size is flexibility. You get enough extra floor space that you do not have to solve a puzzle every time you add something, which is handy if you expect to visit the unit often.

6. 10x20 Storage Units

A 10x20 is about the size of a one-car garage. It holds the furniture, boxes, and appliances from a two-bedroom apartment or a home of up to roughly 1,500 square feet. Depending on the model, it may even fit a compact car instead.

This size works well for a staged move. If you are leaving a house in Long Island or anywhere around the city, you can clear the property, store everything here, and get the place ready for a sale or an end-of-lease walkthrough without living in a sea of boxes.

7. 10x30 Storage Units

A 10x30 is the big one. It can hold the contents of a large multi-bedroom home with room left over, and it is long enough for most full-size vehicles, a small boat, or a trailer.

Choose this size if you are storing a whole household during a long-distance move, downsizing a family house, or keeping business inventory and office furniture between locations.

Still Not Sure Which Size You Need?

Make a quick list of your large furniture, count your boxes (or estimate them by room), and note anything oversized like a piano or a sectional. Send that to us with your quote request and we will tell you which unit makes sense, then pack, move, and load it for you so nothing is wasted.