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.
Small 5 x 5 Storage Unit
25 square feet - This unit is the size of a small closet. Here you can store small furniture like chairs, night stands, coffee tables, and small bookcases, as well as small mattress set. You can also store a couple of small appliances like a washer/dryer combo, microwaves, and dishwashers. This unit is perfect for small items stored in labeled boxes and seasonal items.
What are storage lockers?
A 5x5 unit is not considered a storage locker. 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.
Small 5x10 Storage Unit
50 square feet - This unit is the size of a large walk-in closet. Here you can store the items of a small 1 bedroom apartment, studio, or small office. A small bedroom set, a dresser, chairs, file cabinets, or a small couch. You'll also be able to fit in small items like lamps, coffee tables, kitchen ware, a bicycle, picture frames, items in labeled boxes, or yard equipment.
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!
Medium 5x15 Storage Unit
75 square feet - This unit is long and narrow. Here you can store items from a 1 bedroom apartment or office. Narrow items like mattress sets, dressers, bookcases, and file cabinets are perfect for this size of space. Garage items like ladders, bicycles, yard equipment and/or labeled boxes also fit well. Try to keep a small space clear on one side of the unit for easy access to items in the back.
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.
Medium 10x10 Storage Unit
100 square feet - This unit is the size of a small bedroom. Here you can store the items of a 1-2 bedroom apartment, such as 2 bedroom sets, a couple of large appliances, a dining room table and chairs staked up. A small couch and coffee table will also fit, As well as few labeled boxes with small items. Office items like desks, file cabinets, bookcases, computer boxes, fax machines, and office supplies are perfect for this size of space.
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.
Large 10x15 Storage Unit
150 square feet - This unit is the size of a regular sized bedroom. Here you can store the items of a 2 bedroom house or large office like bedroom sets, large appliances, living room and dining room furniture, computer desks, unused electronics, yard equipment, tools and work equipment, and labeled boxes with smaller items. You can also use this space to store small vehicles like small cars, golf carts, motorcycles, ATVs, small boats, etc.
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.
Large 10x20 Storage Unit
200 square feet - This unit is the size of a standard one car garage. Here you can store the items of a 2-3 bedroom house as well as a items from a large office. Bedroom sets, living room and dining room furniture, large kitchen and laundry appliances, labeled boxes. You can also use this space to store large items like a mid size collectable car, large tool boxes,
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.
Large 10x25 Storage Unit
250 square feet - This unit is the size of a large one car garage. Here you can store the items of a 3 bedroom house like bedroom sets, large furniture, large appliances, patio furniture, carefully packed home decor, labeled boxes of smaller items, lawn care equipment, seasonal items, etc. A large collectable vehicle fits well with plenty of space to store smaller items behind it or in front.
Can I store a car in a 10x25 storage unit?
Yes, a 10x25 storage unit is big enough to house a vehicle including full size SUVs and Pick Up Trucks. This is of course if the unit is a drive-up with outside access. Make sure you speak with the facility manager to make sure the storage of a vehicle is allowed and to find out more details.
Large 10x30 Storage Unit
300 square feet - A 10 x 30 self storage unit is the size of a two car garage. Here you can store up to seven rooms or the items of a 4 bedroom house, large office space of multiple rooms, 2 mid-size vehicles, large machinery, plus all the items mentioned previously for smaller unit sizes. When you are storing in this large storage unit, make sure to leave a clear path in the middle or side for easy access to items in the back of the unit.
What is the right size storage unit for a 3-bedroom house?
A 10x20 or 10x25 storage unit should be enough for a 3-bedroom house. These units are great if you are moving, relocating or even just renovating your home.
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