What Size Storage Unit Do I Need?
Updated April 2026
The most common mistake when renting storage is going too big — paying for space you never use. The second most common mistake is going too small and needing to transfer everything mid-rental.
This guide walks through every standard unit size, what fits in each, and a quick room-by-room estimator so you can be confident before committing.
Unit Sizes at a Glance
5×5 ft (25 sq ft)
~2.3 m²
What fits
A few boxes, files, seasonal clothing, small sports equipment, bikes.
What doesn't
Any furniture, large appliances.
Best for
Decluttering a room, document storage, student holiday storage.
5×10 ft (50 sq ft)
~4.6 m²
What fits
Studio apartment or a single bedroom — bed frame, mattress, dresser, 15–20 boxes.
What doesn't
Sofas, dining sets, full kitchen contents.
Best for
Moving between flats, storing contents of one room.
10×10 ft (100 sq ft)
~9.3 m²
What fits
1–2 bedroom flat — sofa, chairs, beds, dining table, fridge, 30–40 boxes.
What doesn't
Very large furniture sets, multiple vehicles.
Best for
Most common size. Home moves, extended travel, renovations.
10×15 ft (150 sq ft)
~13.9 m²
What fits
2–3 bedroom home — everything in the medium unit plus a full lounge set and more boxes.
What doesn't
Large vehicles, commercial equipment.
Best for
Family home moves, staging a house for sale.
10×20 ft (200 sq ft)
~18.6 m²
What fits
3–4 bedroom house contents plus a small car or van.
What doesn't
Large commercial inventory.
Best for
Full house moves, vehicle storage, business stock.
10×30 ft (300 sq ft)
~27.9 m²
What fits
Contents of a 4–5 bedroom house, full office clearance, large vehicles, boats.
What doesn't
Nothing — this is the largest standard size.
Best for
Business storage, large house moves, long-term asset storage.
Room-by-Room Estimator
Count up the rooms you're storing and use this as your starting estimate. Pack efficiently (mattresses upright, sofas on end, boxes stacked to the ceiling) and you'll typically need 10–15% less than this suggests.
| What you're storing | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| A few boxes and personal items | 5×5 ft |
| One bedroom (no furniture) | 5×5 ft |
| One bedroom (with furniture) | 5×10 ft |
| Studio apartment (full contents) | 5×10 ft |
| 1-bedroom flat (full contents) | 10×10 ft |
| 2-bedroom flat (full contents) | 10×10 ft |
| 3-bedroom house (full contents) | 10×15 ft |
| 4-bedroom house (full contents) | 10×20 ft |
| 5+ bedroom house / business stock | 10×30 ft |
| Car or motorbike | 10×10 ft (drive-up) |
| Van or small boat | 10×20 ft (drive-up) |
Tips to Avoid Renting the Wrong Size
Go one size up if in doubt
The price difference between a 10×10 and 10×15 is usually 20–30% per month. Running out of space mid-move and needing to transfer is far more disruptive and expensive than slightly overpaying for headroom.
Pack before you estimate
Walking around your house imagining what fits is notoriously inaccurate. Box everything first, stack the boxes, and get a physical sense of volume before choosing a unit.
Pack to the ceiling
Storage units are usually 8–10 ft tall. Most people stack to 5 ft and waste the top third. Use the full height with sturdy shelving or by stacking robust items on top.
Disassemble furniture
A bed frame broken down takes a fraction of the space of an assembled frame. Sofa legs off, table legs off — this alone can drop you one unit size.
Tell operators your list, not just a size
When posting your request on GetStorageSpace, describe what you're storing rather than just picking a size. Operators will advise the most appropriate unit and factor that into their quote.
Not sure? Let operators advise you.
Post what you're storing and local operators will recommend the right unit size as part of their quote — at no cost and no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular storage unit size?
The 10×10 ft unit is by far the most common rental. It fits a 1–2 bedroom flat comfortably and is available at virtually every facility.
Can I change unit size after I move in?
Most facilities will let you transfer to a different unit size, subject to availability. Moving within the same facility is disruptive but straightforward. Changing facilities mid-rental is more involved.
What size do I need for a sofa?
A standard 3-seater sofa standing on its end occupies roughly 3×6 ft of floor space. Include a sofa and you need at minimum a 5×10 ft unit; with other furniture, step up to 10×10 ft.
Is a 10×10 really the same as a single garage?
A single UK garage is typically 10×20 ft; a US single-car garage is 10×20–12×22 ft. A 10×10 storage unit is roughly half a single garage in floor area — it fits the contents of a garage comfortably but not the car as well.