What Size Storage Unit Do I Need? A Guide to What Fits in Common Storage Unit Sizes

Choosing a storage unit can be tricky when you’re looking at dimensions on a screen. What does a 5' x 10' storage unit actually feel like? Is a 10' x 10' big enough for an apartment? And how much space do you really gain when you move up to a larger unit?

Whether you’re moving, decluttering, renovating, storing furniture between homes, or looking for extra space for your business, the right storage unit size depends on both how much you need to store and what you’re storing.

Below, we break down some of the most common storage unit sizes, what each one is comparable to, and the kinds of storage needs they work best for.

What Can You Fit in a 5' x 5' Storage Unit?

A 5' x 5' storage unit is roughly comparable to a small walk-in closet. It’s a compact option for people who need some breathing room at home but aren’t trying to store the contents of an entire room.

This size works especially well for boxes, seasonal decorations, luggage, sports equipment, smaller furniture, and other belongings that tend to take over closets, garages, or spare rooms. It can also be useful when you have something you simply need out of the house temporarily.

For example, a smaller storage unit can come in handy around the holidays when you need somewhere away from home to stash gifts or oversized surprises. We share a few creative ways to do that in our guide to using self-storage to keep holiday surprises hidden.

A 5' x 5' unit is generally best when your goal is to create extra space at home rather than store the contents of a move.

What Can You Fit in a 5' x 10' Storage Unit?

A 5' x 10' storage unit is similar in size to a large walk-in closet or a small bedroom.

That added depth gives you much more flexibility for furniture. Instead of thinking primarily about boxes and smaller belongings, you can begin storing larger household pieces such as a mattress, dresser, chairs, small tables, or other furniture alongside packed boxes.

This size can work well when clearing out a bedroom, making space during a renovation, downsizing, or storing belongings from a smaller apartment. It’s also a useful middle ground when a 5' x 5' feels too limiting but you don’t need the footprint of a full 10' x 10' unit.

What Can You Fit in a 10' x 10' Storage Unit?

A 10' x 10' storage unit has about the footprint of an average bedroom.

With approximately 100 square feet of floor space, it gives you enough room to think beyond individual pieces of furniture and start storing the contents of multiple rooms. Depending on the size of your belongings, that could include living room furniture, bedroom pieces, dining furniture, appliances, and a considerable number of boxes.

A 10' x 10' is a popular type of size to consider for apartment moves, downsizing, home renovations, or situations where several rooms need to be cleared at once.

And remember that the usable space in your storage unit isn’t limited to the floor. Using vertical space strategically can make a major difference. Sturdy, stackable boxes and thoughtful furniture placement can help you take advantage of the unit’s full height rather than spreading everything across the floor. Our guide to mastering the art of self-storage has additional tips for packing, stacking, and organizing your unit efficiently.

What Can You Fit in a 10' x 15' Storage Unit?

A 10' x 15' storage unit is comparable to a large bedroom or a compact one-car garage.

The extra room becomes particularly valuable when you’re storing bulky belongings that aren’t easy to stack. Large couches, bedroom sets, dining room furniture, appliances, and awkwardly shaped pieces can consume floor space quickly, even if the total number of items doesn’t seem especially large.

This size is well suited to larger apartment moves, smaller household moves, renovations, or situations where several rooms’ worth of furniture and belongings need to be stored at the same time.

It also gives you more flexibility if you want to organize your unit rather than pack it as tightly as possible. Leaving some open space or a small aisle can make a big difference if you’ll need to retrieve belongings while they’re in storage.

What Can You Fit in a 10' x 20' Storage Unit?

A 10' x 20' storage unit is approximately the size of a standard one-car garage.

At this size, you can begin thinking in terms of storing much of a household rather than individual rooms. It can provide space for larger furniture collections, appliances, bedroom sets, living and dining room furniture, boxes, and other household belongings.

A 10' x 20' can be particularly useful during a whole-home renovation, a move between houses, or another transition where you need a significant portion of your belongings out of the way at once.

The larger footprint can also make organization easier. Instead of stacking everything tightly from front to back, you may have enough room to group belongings by room or category and keep items you’ll need sooner closer to the entrance.

What Can You Fit in a 10' x 30' Storage Unit?

A 10' x 30' storage unit is similar in size to an oversized one-car garage or a smaller two-car garage.

This is a substantial amount of storage space and can be useful when storing the belongings from a larger home, combining items from several rooms, or managing a major move or renovation.

At this size, the benefit isn’t only how much you can fit. You also have more freedom to create an organized layout. Furniture, appliances, boxes, and other belongings can potentially be separated into sections, making it easier to find what you need without unpacking half the unit.

For people dealing with a large household transition or needing storage for an extended period, that added flexibility can be just as valuable as the extra square footage.

What Size Storage Unit Is Best for Business Storage?

Self-storage isn’t only for household belongings. It can also give small businesses additional room for inventory, equipment, supplies, displays, files, or other materials without taking up valuable space in an office, storefront, or home.

The right unit size depends heavily on the type of business.

A smaller business that needs room for documents, marketing materials, tools, or a limited amount of product inventory may find a 5' x 10' or 10' x 10' unit sufficient. Businesses storing larger quantities of inventory, event supplies, equipment, shelving, or seasonal materials may benefit from a 10' x 15', 10' x 20', or larger unit.

Retailers, contractors, real estate professionals, event planners, photographers, designers, and e-commerce businesses are just a few examples of businesses that may benefit from additional off-site space.

If inventory is part of what you’re storing, organization matters just as much as square footage. Keeping products categorized and easy to access can make off-site storage significantly more useful. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers additional inventory management tips for small businesses, including strategies for categorizing and organizing stock.

How Do I Know What Size Storage Unit I Need?

Square footage gives you a starting point, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you consider. The shape and size of your belongings can matter just as much as the quantity.

Two people moving from similarly sized homes may need completely different storage units. One person might have primarily boxes and furniture that disassembles easily, while another has oversized couches, large appliances, or unusually shaped pieces that consume much more usable space.

Before choosing your storage unit, think about how many rooms you’re storing, how much large furniture you have, whether pieces can be taken apart, how much can be safely stacked, and whether you’ll need to access your belongings while they’re stored.

If you’ll need to visit your unit regularly, leaving some open space can be especially helpful. A unit that technically holds everything isn’t necessarily the best size if reaching something in the back requires unloading everything in front of it.

Find the Right Storage Unit at Greenbox Self Storage

Dimensions are helpful, but choosing the right storage unit becomes much easier when you can picture what that space actually looks like.

From closet-sized units for seasonal belongings and extra household storage to garage-sized units for moves, renovations, and business needs, Greenbox Self Storage offers a range of options to help you find the right amount of space.



Explore our Size Guide to compare available storage unit sizes and find the space that works for you.