Moving, decluttering, or renovating your space comes with an inevitable question: “What do we do with all our stuff?” For many homeowners, business owners, and individuals in transition, a secure storage unit is the perfect answer. It offers a safe, accessible, and flexible solution to temporarily house your belongings.
But once you’ve decided to use a storage unit, a second, equally important question arises: “What size storage unit do I actually need?”
Choosing the wrong size can lead to unnecessary stress and expense. A unit that’s too small will leave you in a logistical nightmare, trying to cram everything in, while a unit that’s too large means you’re paying for space you don’t use.
At Shiftraa, we’re not just experts in moving; we’re specialists in providing seamless storage solutions. We understand that finding the perfect fit is key to a hassle-free experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to confidently select the right storage unit size for your unique needs.
Why Getting the Size Right is Crucial
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s understand why this decision matters so much.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The primary factor is your budget. Storage units are priced based on their size. Selecting a unit that’s “just right” ensures you aren’t wasting money every month on empty, unused square footage.
- Convenience and Accessibility: An overstuffed, cramped unit is difficult to navigate. If you need to retrieve an item from the back, you’ll have to unpack everything to get to it. The right-sized unit allows for a small aisle, making it easy to access all your belongings.
- Protection of Your Belongings: Jamming items into a space that’s too small increases the risk of damage. Furniture can get scratched, boxes can be crushed, and fragile items can break. Proper spacing is essential for keeping your valuables in pristine condition.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Assessing Your Needs
The secret to choosing the right size is preparation. Don’t guess—calculate. Follow these simple steps to get a clear picture of your storage requirements.
Step 1: Take a Detailed Inventory
This is the most critical step. You need to know exactly what you plan to store. Don’t just estimate in your head. Create a physical or digital list.
- The Spreadsheet Method: Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for Item, Quantity, and Dimensions (approximate Length x Width x Height). This is great for an organized, detailed overview.
- The Photo Method: Walk through your home or office and take pictures of everything you intend to store. This visual aid can be incredibly helpful when discussing your needs with a storage expert.
- The Room-by-Room List: Go through each room and list all the large items (furniture, appliances) and estimate the number of boxes you’ll need for smaller items. For example:
- Living Room: 1 three-seater sofa, 1 coffee table, 2 armchairs, 1 TV console, 1 bookshelf, approx. 10 medium boxes.
- Bedroom: 1 king-size bed (mattress, box spring, frame), 2 nightstands, 1 dresser, approx. 15 medium/large boxes.
Step 2: Categorize Your Items
Once you have your inventory, group items into categories. This helps in visualizing how they will fit together.
- Furniture & Large Appliances: Sofas, beds, refrigerators, washing machines. These will form the base of your storage layout.
- Boxes: Group them by size (small, medium, large). Uniformly sized boxes are much easier to stack.
- Irregularly Shaped Items: Lamps, bicycles, exercise equipment, artwork. These items will need special placement and might not be stackable.
- Fragile Items: Electronics, glassware, mirrors. These need to be packed carefully and placed where they won’t be crushed.
Step 3: Visualize the Space (The Game of Tetris)
Think of loading a storage unit like a game of Tetris. The goal is to fit everything together efficiently. You’ll want to place large, heavy items at the back and along the sides, and then stack boxes and lighter items on top and in the gaps. Remember to leave a small walkway down the center for access.
Many storage facility websites, including Shiftraa’s, offer online size calculators. These tools allow you to input your items and get an instant recommendation.
A Detailed Breakdown of Common Storage Unit Sizes
Now, let’s translate your inventory into a specific unit size. Storage units are typically measured in feet, with the dimensions representing Width x Depth. Here’s a detailed look at the most common sizes and what they can typically hold.
The Compact Choice: 5′ x 5′ Unit (25 sq. ft.)
- What it Looks Like: Roughly the size of a large walk-in closet.
- What it Holds: Perfect for a few small pieces of furniture, personal documents, seasonal decorations (like holiday gear or winter clothes), and about 10-15 small to medium-sized boxes. It can also hold a dorm room’s contents, including a desk, chair, and twin mattress.
- Ideal For:
- Students needing summer storage.
- Storing seasonal items to declutter your home.
- Extra inventory for a small business.
- Archiving business files and documents.
The Versatile Option: 5′ x 10′ Unit (50 sq. ft.)
- What it Looks Like: Similar to a large walk-in pantry or a small walk-in closet.
- What it Holds: Can typically fit the contents of a studio or small one-bedroom apartment. This includes a queen-size bed, a dresser, a TV, a small sofa, and several boxes. It’s also a great size for storing a motorcycle or other recreational gear like skis and bicycles.
- Ideal For:
- Storing the contents of a studio apartment.
- Couples moving into their first home.
- Extra space during a small home renovation project.
The Popular Standard: 10′ x 10′ Unit (100 sq. ft.)
- What it Looks Like: About the size of a small bedroom or half of a standard one-car garage. This is one of the most popular sizes due to its versatility.
- What it Holds: Comfortably holds the contents of a one or two-bedroom apartment. You can fit furniture from an entire living room, two full bedrooms, plus appliances like a washer and dryer. It’s perfect for major appliances, large furniture sets, and dozens of boxes.
- Ideal For:
- Families moving from a two-bedroom apartment.
- Storing business inventory or equipment.
- Holding items during a significant home remodeling project.
The Family-Sized Solution: 10′ x 15′ Unit (150 sq. ft.)
- What it Looks Like: Slightly smaller than a standard one-car garage.
- What it Holds: This unit can store the furnishings of a two or three-bedroom house, including large items like sectional sofas, dining room sets, refrigerators, and multiple bedroom sets. If you have bulky items or a lot of boxes, this size offers more breathing room than a 10’x10′.
- Ideal For:
- Families moving between homes.
- Storing the contents of a small house with a garage and patio furniture.
- Commercial clients needing space for excess inventory or construction materials.
The Major Mover: 10′ x 20′ Unit (200 sq. ft.)
- What it Looks Like: The size of a standard one-car garage.
- What it Holds: This is a substantial space capable of holding the contents of a three or four-bedroom house. It can accommodate large appliances, multiple furniture sets, a large volume of boxes, and even a standard car or small truck (check facility rules first).
- Ideal For:
- Relocating a large family home.
- Whole-house renovations.
- Vehicle storage alongside household goods.
- Substantial commercial storage needs.
The Ultimate Space: 10′ x 30′ Unit (300 sq. ft.)
- What it Looks Like: Like a long, one-and-a-half-car garage.
- What it Holds: This is one of the largest standard sizes available. It’s designed for the contents of a fully furnished five-bedroom house, including oversized furniture, major appliances, a vehicle, patio sets, and extensive box collections. It’s also the go-to choice for large-scale commercial storage or for storing the contents of an entire office.
- Ideal For:
- Large-scale international or domestic relocations.
- Storing a car, small boat, or trailer plus household goods.
- Large businesses needing to store inventory, equipment, or archives.
Pro Tips from the Shiftraa Experts for Maximizing Your Storage Unit
Choosing the right size is half the battle; packing it efficiently is the other half. As moving and storage experts, here are our top tips:
- Disassemble Everything Possible: Take apart bed frames, tables, and shelving units. This saves an incredible amount of space. Keep all screws and hardware in a labeled bag taped securely to the corresponding item.
- Use Uniform Boxes: While it’s tempting to use free boxes of all shapes and sizes, investing in standard small, medium, and large moving boxes pays off. They are sturdy and stack perfectly, creating stable, space-saving columns.
- Go Vertical: Don’t forget about the height of your unit! Most units are at least 8 feet tall. Stack boxes high, with the heaviest on the bottom and lightest on top. Place sofas and long items on their end (if safe to do so) to maximize vertical space.
- Label Everything Clearly: Label every box on at least two sides with its contents and the room it belongs to. A “master list” kept near the front door of the unit can be a lifesaver.
- Create an Aisle: Even in a small unit, try to leave a narrow path down the center. This gives you access to items at the back without having to move everything in front of them.
- Use Furniture as Storage: Fill drawers, wardrobes, and empty appliances like refrigerators with smaller, non-fragile items like clothes or linens to utilize every inch of space.
Beyond Square Footage: Other Critical Factors to Consider
The size isn’t the only thing that matters. To make the best choice, consider these additional factors:
- Climate Control: For sensitive items, a climate-controlled unit is non-negotiable. It maintains a stable temperature and humidity level, protecting your belongings from extreme heat, cold, and moisture.
- Items that need climate control: Wooden furniture, leather goods, electronics, artwork, photographs, musical instruments, and important documents.
- Security: Your peace of mind is paramount. Look for facilities with robust security features like 24/7 CCTV surveillance, gated access, good lighting, and on-site staff.
