Self Storage Unit Size Guide
Self-Storage is a great way to store extra items without having them get in the way in your home or garage. Storage facilities have many individual storage units that can vary in size. They rent a storage unit on a monthly or lease basis. The key or code is given so the renter can access the usually gated community. Then the renter can use the unit, available in many different sizes, to store anything they want. There are almost 60,000 storage facilities in the United States and almost 10% of American families use self-storage units.
What are storage lockers?
Storage lockers are not meant for furniture or large items, as they average three by three feet with a ceiling height of five feet or less. Think of them as a school locker—best for luggage, backpacks and other small items.
What is the height of a storage unit?
Storage units typically have a ceiling height of about eight feet. Units for vehicle storage will have higher ceilings to accommodate RVs and boats. Check out our section on vehicle storage for more help on choosing the best unit size for your car, boat, motorcycle or RV!
How wide are the doors of a storage unit?
Roll-up doors are 8 to 10 feet wide and typically 7 feet high. Note that there are typically six inches on each side between the unit door and the edge of the wall. Swing doors are the size or a standard room door.
What unit size do I need to store a few boxes?
Depending on the number of boxes, a storage locker or a 5x5 storage unit should be sufficient. Remember to pack them heavy boxes at the bottom and ligher ones at top, this way the boxes won't be crashed. Also, label them so it will be easy to retrieve what you need when you need it.
Do I need a special lock when I rent a storage unit?
Some storage facilities will require you to buy a special lock which they will buy back from you when you move out. Most facilities will allow you to bring your own lock, and cylinder locks are one of the safest locks around.
Do I need insurance when renting a storage unit?
Yes, you need to have insurance when you rent a storage unit from most self storage facilities. Most storage operators will offer you a low cost alternative to getting one on your own. If you are trying to use your homeowners or renters insurance, contact them to make sure they will cover you.
List of cities with self storage
- Albuquerque, NM
- Alexandria, VA
- Arlington, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Aurora, CO
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Beaverton, OR
- Bellevue, WA
- Berkeley, CA
- Birmingham, AL
- Bloomingdales, IL
- Boca Raton, FL
- Boston, MA
- Boynton Beach, FL
- Bronx, NY
- Brooklyn, NY
- Carrollton, TX
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cicero, IL
- Cleveland, OH
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Columbus, OH
- Concord, CA
- Cordova, TN
- Crystal Lake, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Decatur, GA
- Delray Beach, FL
- Denver, CO
- Des Plaines, IL
- Detroit, MI
- Elizabeth, NJ
- Elmhurst, IL
- El Paso, TX
- Everett, WA
- Fairfield, OH
- Fontana, CA
- Forest Park, GA
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Fort Myers, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- Fresno, CA
- Frisco, TX
- Garland, TX
- Gilbert, AZ
- Glendale, AZ
- Greensboro, NC
- Greenville, SC
- Hialeah, FL
- Hollywood, FL
- Houston, TX
- Huntington Beach, CA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Irvine, CA
- Irving, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Jersey City, NJ
- Kansas City, MO
- Kent, WA
- Knoxville, TN
- Lakewood, CO
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lawrenceville, NJ
- Lincolnwood, IL
- Littleton, CO
- Lombard, IL
- Long Beach, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Lyons, IL
- Manhattan, NY
- Marietta, GA
- Memphis, TN
- Mesa, AZ
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Mobile, AL
- Nashville, TN
- Newark, NJ
- New Orleans, LA
- Newport News, VA
- New York, NY
- Norcross, GA
- North Hollywood, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Omaha, NE
- Orlando, FL
- Park Ridge, IL
- Pasadena, TX
- Paterson, NJ
- Pearland, TX
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Plano, TX
- Pompano Beach, FL
- Portland, OR
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Richmond, CA
- Rockford, IL
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Bernardino, CA
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Clara, CA
- Schaumburg, IL
- Seattle, WA
- Skokie, IL
- South San Francisco, CA
- St. Louis, MO
- St. Petersburg, FL
- Tacoma, WA
- Tallahassee, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Tempe, AZ
- Tucson, AZ
- Tulsa, OK
- Villa Park, IL
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Wichita, KS