So you need a storage unit, huh? Yeah, I get it. Maybe you’re moving and need somewhere to stash your stuff temporarily. Or your garage is so packed you can’t even find your car keys anymore. Whatever brought you here, you’re probably scratching your head wondering what size unit you actually need.

I’ve seen way too many people rent a unit that’s either way too small (and then they’re cursing themselves while trying to squeeze in one more box) or way too big (basically paying for empty space every month). Neither feels great, trust me.

Stop Guessing and Start Measuring

First things first – put down that coffee and grab a measuring tape. Seriously. I know it sounds boring, but this one step will save you so much headache later.

Walk through your place and actually look at what you want to store. Not that quick “oh yeah, just some boxes” look. Really look.

Here’s what I do when I’m helping folks figure this out:

• Start in one room and work your way through the house.
• Write down the big stuff first – your couch, bed, that dining table you never use.
• Don’t forget about all those random things stuffed in closets.
• Think about seasonal stuff too (Christmas decorations, anyone?)

Last month, this lady came in thinking she needed a tiny 5×5 unit for “just a few things.” Turns out her “few things” included a whole bedroom set, three bikes, and about 30 boxes of books. We ended up getting her into a 10×10, and she was much happier.

What These Size Numbers Actually Mean?

When we say a unit is “5×10,” we’re talking about 5 feet wide by 10 feet deep. Sounds simple enough, right? But here’s the thing – most people have no clue what that actually looks like in real life.

The 5×5 Unit This is tiny. Like, really tiny. About the size of that coat closet in your hallway. It’s good for:

• Maybe 5-10 boxes of stuff.
• Some clothes hanging up.
• Holiday decorations.
• Important papers and documents.

That’s about it. Don’t try to cram furniture in here unless it’s like a single chair or small side table.

The 5×10 Unit Now we’re talking. This is more like a walk-in closet. You can actually fit:

• Everything from a small bedroom.
• Around 15 boxes, maybe more if you stack smart.
• A mattress (standing up against the wall).
• Small dresser or desk.

The 10×10 Unit This is where things get interesting. Picture about half your garage. You’re looking at:

• All the stuff from a one-bedroom apartment.
• Your washer and dryer.
• Several pieces of furniture.
• 25-30 boxes if you’re organized about it.

The 10×15 Unit Getting bigger now. This handles:

• Two-bedroom apartment worth of stuff.
• All your major appliances.
• That sectional couch that seemed like a good idea when you bought it.
• Plus room to actually walk around.

The 10×20 Unit This is serious storage territory. Think your whole garage:

• Three-bedroom house contents.
• Multiple large appliances.
• Maybe even a small car if you really need to.
• Business stuff if you’re storing inventory.

Here’s How I Really Figure Out What You Need

Forget those online calculators for a minute. They’re okay, but they don’t know your actual stuff.

Instead, try this: pick one room and really think about how much space all that stuff takes up. Your living room probably has a couch, couple chairs, coffee table, TV stand, maybe a bookshelf. If you pushed it all together, how much floor space would it cover?

Your bedroom’s got the bed (which is huge when you think about it), dresser, maybe a desk, nightstands. Plus all your clothes in boxes.

Add it all up, and you start getting a real picture of what you need.

The Stuff They Don’t Tell You

Here’s what I’ve learned after helping hundreds of people with their storage:

You need walking space. Don’t pack that unit from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, unless you never plan on getting anything out. Leave yourself a little pathway so you can actually reach your stuff.

Appliances are space hogs. Your refrigerator isn’t just big – it’s awkward. Same with washers and dryers. They don’t stack nicely with other stuff, so they end up taking more room than you’d think.

Weird-shaped stuff is the worst. Mattresses have to lean against something. Mirrors and pictures need special spots. That weird-shaped lamp your aunt gave you? Yeah, that’s going to take up way more space than it should.

You’ll probably get more stuff. I know, I know, you’re just storing what you have now. But life happens. You might inherit some furniture, or decide to clean out another closet while your unit’s half empty.

The Garage Test

Want to know if you’re picking the right size? Here’s my favorite trick:

Clear out a space in your garage or basement that matches the dimensions you’re considering. Actually move your stuff into that space and see how it fits.

If you’re looking at a 10×10 unit, mark out a 10×10 area and start stacking. You’ll know pretty quick if you’re on the right track or if you need to go bigger.

Bigger Usually Makes Sense

I hate when people waste money, but here’s the thing – going one size up is usually worth it.

The difference between a 10×10 and a 10×15 might be like 25 bucks a month. But the difference in how much stress you’ll have loading and unloading? Huge.

Plus, if you guess wrong and need a bigger unit later, you’re looking at moving everything out, switching units, and moving it all back in. Nobody has time for that.

When Seasons Matter

If you’re storing stuff you’ll need to get to regularly – like swapping out winter and summer clothes, or grabbing Christmas decorations – you definitely want extra space.

Nothing’s worse than having to move 20 boxes just to get to your Halloween costumes.

What About Height?

Most units have 8-foot ceilings, some go up to 10 feet. That’s way more storage than you think if you’re smart about stacking.

Get some sturdy shelving units and stack boxes up high. Just put the heavy stuff on the bottom and things you might need on top where you can reach them.

My Honest Recommendation

If you’re stuck between two sizes, go with the bigger one. I’ve never had someone complain that their unit was too big. I’ve had plenty complain it was too small.

We work with folks every day here at our storage facility, and we’ve gotten pretty good at helping people figure out what they actually need. Sometimes it helps to just talk through it with someone who’s seen it all before.

The bottom line? Take your time, measure your stuff, and don’t try to cram everything into the smallest possible space. Your future self will thank you when you’re not playing Jenga every time you need something from storage.

Get the size that makes sense for your stuff and your sanity. Storage is supposed to make your life easier, not give you a headache every time you visit.