Size Up Your Storage Needs
You can use these guidelines to estimate how big of a storage unit you'll need. If after you've looked this over you're still not sure, bring us a list of your belongings. We'll recommend a space that's just the right size for your needs.
| Unit Size | How to Visualize | How Much Will Fit |
| 5 x 5 25 sq. ft. |
Small half bathroom | Small furniture: a chest of drawers, several boxes and small items |
| 5 x 10 50 sq. ft. |
Walk-in closet | A couch, chair, chest of drawers, mattress, boxes and small items |
| 5 x 15 75 sq. ft. |
Large walk-in closet | Standard furnishings from a 1-bedroom apartment without appliances, plus boxes and small items |
| 10 x 10 100 sq. ft. |
Average size bedroom | Standard furnishings from a 1-bedroom apartment with a refrigerator or washer and dryer, plus boxes and small items |
| 10 x 15 150 sq. ft. |
Large bedroom | Furnishings from a 2-bedroom apartment or small house without appliances, plus cartons and small items |
| 10 x 20 200 sq. ft. |
Small one-car garage | Furnishings from a small house or 2-bedroom apartment with appliances or car or truck |
| 10 x 25 250 sq. ft. |
Standard one-car garage | Furnishings from a 2-bedroom home with appliances or a car, truck or boat |
| 10 x 30 300 sq. ft. |
Extra long one-car garage | Furnishings from a 3-bedroom home with appliances or a car, truck or boat, will hold contents of a 40-foot moving van |
Tips to Storing That Save You Time & Money
- Store couches on end to save room.
- Use furniture covers to protect your items.
- Clear a path down the center of your unit to easily reach items.
- Cushion fragile items and keep them toward the top, so they don't break.
- Store valuable items toward the back to avoid tempting someone to steal.
- Fill boxes to capacity, so they don't tip or collapse.
- Store items you will need to access frequently toward the front of your unit.
- Pack boxes evenly and fully.
- Label boxes and keep a list of items in each box, so you know where everything is placed.
- Measure the length, width and height of the largest item you need to store. This will show you the smallest unit size you could take.
- If you're storing the entire contents of your house, let the storage provider know how many bedrooms you have, as this is a good indicator of space needed.
- If you're storing everything in boxes, tell the self-storage facility the size of box and how many you have. They can make an estimate based on this.
- If you have room in, for example, a garage or a spare room, put all of your boxes and storage items in it as if you were storing it, so you can see how much space it takes up.
