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Need self-storage but confused on what size to pick for your personal belongings or business needs? 

If you’re looking to store the contents of an entire three-bedroom home or just your seasonal items, there’s a storage unit that’s just right for you.

Take Inventory

Take a quick inventory of items including furniture and appliances and estimate the number of boxes and/or totes. You can use a tape measure for the larger items. Consider whether you have irregular-shaped items that can’t be boxed or stacked like lamps or bikes.

To Cram or Not to Cram

Are you stuffing it full or do you need a slightly larger unit to walk around and move items?

“For people who are going to store everything and just shut the door and come back in six months when they get their new place, they don’t need as big of space,” Ronning said. “But if they need to access the space, they need an aisle or else they have to take everything out and spread it down the hall to find what they’re looking for.”

Use Interactive Size Guides

They can help you gauge the right size unit and offer ideas for packing your unit.

“You can find tons of diagrams online depicting what can be stored in various unit sizes,” Bellomy said.

“Everyone, including me, is surprised at how much a unit can hold. Prospects come in thinking they need a 10’x20’ or even two units, and once they understand the charts are happy to realize that something small and more economical can do the trick.”

Gauge Space Using a Moving Truck

If you’re using a moving truck, the truck’s dimensions can help you estimate how much total storage space you’ll need. The truck size is typically one size larger than the unit size you’ll need, Goodin said.

If you have a 25-foot moving truck, you can fit your items into a 10’x20’. If you have a 20-foot truck, you need a 10’x15.’ If you have a 15-foot truck, you need a 10’x10.’

When in Doubt, Go Big

Goodin finds many new customers underestimate their needs and choose a unit that’s too small. He recommends inquiring about the price of the next larger size.

“Sometimes it’s only a few bucks more,” he said. “If you want to get to your stuff easily, go with a unit one size larger and leave a path. I’ve seen people need something in the back, and it takes them three hours to find it, get it out and repack.”

See For Yourself

Fish said before making that final decision, visit the facility to tour a unit that’s the same size as the one you’re planning to rent. Seeing it might be easier than trying to picture it in your head.

Fish’s facility in Auburndale, FL, offers a 10’x20’ demo unit with the standard sizes broken down with lines on the floor to show customers the differences between the sizes.

“That really helps them visualize the space,” Fish said. “It’s really like Tetris; you try and fit as much as you can in the space.”

Understand Dimensions

Typically, units are sized by length times width, giving you an estimated floor space square footage. You can calculate your needs by square footage or the number of rooms you’ll be storing.

But remember units typically have a ceiling height of 8 feet; so a little space goes a long way.

“I remind tenants that that’s tall!” Bellomy said. “They can stack safely a number of boxes and tubs, and turn couches and beds sideways to easily accommodate furniture. One normally thinks [furniture] has to rest in a unit in the same position it rests at home. Sometimes that realization is an ‘ah-ha’ moment.”

Unit Size Breakdown

5’x5’ unit

Size: 25 square feet, equivalent to a large closet

What fits: A dresser, small mattress set and several boxes. Other uses include seasonal decorations, personal items, gardening equipment, camping gear, children’s toys or off-season clothing.

Marc Goodin, president of Fort Lauderdale, FL-based Storage Authority Franchising, tells new customers that if they stand in the 5’x5’ with their arms stretched out, they can touch both walls so it’s relatively small.

“I’ve seen somebody cram in a sofa, love seat and ottoman on end in a 5’x5’, but they were pushing it,” Ronning said. “Usually, it’s for totes and boxes and Christmas decorations.”

5’x10’ unit

Size: 50 square feet, equivalent to a walk-in closet.

What fits: Furniture from a one-bedroom apartment or dorm room including a queen-sized mattress set, dresser, TV, bike and several storage boxes.

10’x10’ unit

Size: 100 square feet, equivalent to half of a standard one-car garage. Think of it as an extra bedroom since most are about 10’x12’.

What fits: Items from two bedrooms (mattresses sets, dressers, nightstands) or an entire family room (sofa, chairs, coffee table, book shelves).

10’x15’ unit

Size: 150 square feet, slightly smaller than the size of a standard one-car garage.

What fits: Items from three bedrooms or other large items like big-screen TVs, couches, pianos, tables or appliances.

10’x20’ unit

Size: 200 square feet, the size of a standard one-car garage.

What fits: Items from a three- or four-bedroom house or apartment, including couches, mattress sets, a dining room set, workout equipment, a refrigerator and washer and dryer.

“I say a small house packed poorly is a 10’x20’. If you’re not good at packing, go a size bigger,” Goodin suggested.

This size is also ideal for your classic car over the winter.

10’x30’ unit

Size: 300 square feet, or the size of a one-and-a-half-car garage so you can store pretty much anything you need including vehicles or boats. It’s the largest unit at most facilities.

What fits: Items from a fully furnished five-bedroom house including mattress sets, dressers, couches, dining room set, entertainment center, major appliances, seasonal items, outdoor equipment and bikes.

When you are ready to rent, come check out Upstate Palmetto Mini Storage so we can help you store your belongings.