Renting a unit that's too small means a second trip back to add more space. Renting one that's too large means paying for square footage you don't need. Choosing the right size upfront saves money and frustration.
This guide covers every common storage unit size, what realistically fits in each one, typical pricing, and how to match your situation to the right unit.
Quick Reference: Storage Unit Sizes at a Glance
Prices vary by location. Most units have 8-foot ceilings, giving you vertical stacking space on top of the floor area.
Small Storage Units (5×5 to 5×15)
5×5 Storage Unit — 25 sq ft
Think of a 5×5 as a large closet you can walk into. It's the smallest standard unit size and works well when you need to clear out a single area rather than store an entire apartment.
What fits: 15–20 medium boxes, a dresser, a small mattress set, holiday decorations, seasonal gear, bikes, small furniture pieces, or business document boxes.
Best for: Seasonal storage, decluttering one room, student storage for a few boxes over summer, small business overflow.
What won't fit: A queen bed with frame, a sofa, or any large appliances.
Learn more about 5×5 storage units →
5×10 Storage Unit — 50 sq ft
A 5×10 is one of the most popular sizes for solo renters and students. It holds the contents of a studio apartment or a well-furnished bedroom — including a queen mattress, a couch, and a solid stack of boxes.
What fits: Queen mattress and frame, loveseat, dresser, TV, small appliances, bike, 20–30 medium boxes.
Best for: Studio or one-bedroom apartment moves, dorm or college storage, motorcycle storage, short-term staging during a move.
What won't fit: A king bed with furniture, multiple large appliances, or contents from more than one room.
Learn more about 5×10 storage units →
5×15 Storage Unit — 75 sq ft
The 5×15 gives you the length of a small bedroom — good for longer items like sofas, bed frames, and appliances that don't fit in a 5×10 but don't require a full 10×10.
What fits: Queen mattress, sofa, dresser, dining table and chairs, washer/dryer, refrigerator, 30+ boxes.
Best for: Full one-bedroom apartment moves, apartments with a few appliances, longer items that need the extra depth.
What won't fit: Contents from two bedrooms, large furniture sets.
Learn more about 5×15 storage units →
Medium Storage Units (10×10 to 10×15)
10×10 Storage Unit — 100 sq ft
The 10×10 is the most commonly rented storage unit size for good reason. It's versatile enough for a full one-bedroom apartment and spacious enough to leave a walking aisle so you can actually access your things.
What fits: Full bedroom set, king mattress, couch, coffee table, dining set, small appliances, TV, 40–50 medium boxes.
Best for: 1–2 bedroom apartment moves, home renovations, business storage for inventory or equipment, staging furniture during a home sale.
What won't fit: Contents from a full house, large appliances from multiple rooms.
Learn more about 10×10 storage units →
10×15 Storage Unit — 150 sq ft
A 10×15 is comparable to a compact one-car garage. It's the step up when you have more than a one-bedroom apartment's worth of belongings — or when your 10×10 estimate is coming up tight.
What fits: Two full bedroom sets, multiple mattresses, large sofa, dining set, fridge, washer/dryer, TV, 50–60 boxes.
Best for: 2–3 bedroom apartment or small home, multiple rooms of furniture, home gym equipment, piano or large instruments, small vehicle storage.
Learn more about 10×15 storage units →
Large Storage Units (10×20 to 10×30+)
10×20 Storage Unit — 200 sq ft
A 10×20 is the size of a standard one-car garage. At this size, you're storing an entire home — multiple bedrooms, a full kitchen, living room, and garage contents.
What fits: Contents of a 2–3 bedroom home, all major appliances, full furniture sets from multiple rooms, 80–100 boxes.
Best for: Full home moves, long-term storage between homes, business inventory, vehicle storage (compact cars fit in a 10×20).
Learn more about 10×20 storage units →
10×25 Storage Unit — 250 sq ft
The step between a 10×20 and a 10×30. At this size, you can comfortably store the contents of a 3–4 bedroom home with room for a vehicle.
What fits: Everything in a 10×20 plus additional rooms, a regular-size car, or oversized items like a boat or small RV.
Best for: Larger family homes, long-distance moves, vehicle plus household contents combined.
10×30 Storage Unit — 300 sq ft
A 10×30 is the size of a two-car garage. It's the right choice for large homes, commercial storage, or when you need to store a full household and a vehicle simultaneously.
What fits: Contents of a 4–5 bedroom home, commercial inventory, large vehicles, RVs, boats.
Best for: Large home moves, business storage, contractors, RV and boat storage in regions where these units are available.
Learn more about 10×30 storage units →
How to Choose the Right Size
Start with what you're storing, not a number. Walk through your home and list the furniture pieces, appliance sizes, and estimated box count. That inventory is more accurate than guessing.
Account for access. A completely packed unit saves money but makes retrieval a nightmare. If you'll access items regularly, choose a size that lets you leave a center aisle.
When in doubt, go one size up. The price difference between adjacent sizes is usually $20–$40/month. That's a small cost compared to a second unit or a second move.
Think about how long you'll store. Longer storage durations mean more value in choosing correctly upfront — and more reason to consider climate control for sensitive items.
Do You Need Climate Control?
Unit size and climate control are separate decisions, but they're connected. If you're storing wood furniture, electronics, documents, artwork, or leather goods for more than a few weeks — especially through summer or winter — a climate-controlled unit is worth the upgrade regardless of size.
Climate-controlled units typically cost 25–40% more per month. See our full guide on whether climate-controlled storage is worth it →
Size by Situation: Quick Recommendations
Seasonal storage / one room: 5×5 or 5×10Studio or dorm storage: 5×101-bedroom apartment: 5×10 or 10×102-bedroom apartment: 10×10 or 10×15Small home (2–3 bedrooms): 10×15 or 10×20Full home (3–4 bedrooms): 10×20 or 10×25Large home (4–5 bedrooms): 10×25 or 10×30Business inventory / commercial: 10×20 or largerVehicle storage (car): 10×20 minimumMotorcycle: 5×10 or largerRV or boat: 10×25 or 10×30 depending on size
FAQ: Storage Unit Sizes
What is the most popular storage unit size? The 10×10 is consistently the most rented size across the industry. It's versatile enough for a one-bedroom apartment move, spacious enough to leave a walkable aisle, and available at most facilities.
What size storage unit do I need for a 1-bedroom apartment? A 5×10 works if you're packing efficiently and don't have large appliances. A 10×10 gives you more breathing room and works better if you have a full bedroom set plus living room furniture.
What size do I need for a 2-bedroom apartment? A 10×10 or 10×15 depending on how much furniture you have. If you have multiple large appliances or a lot of boxes, go with the 10×15.
Can I store a car in a storage unit? Yes — most compact cars fit in a 10×20. Larger vehicles need a 10×25 or 10×30. Always measure your vehicle's length before booking.
How tall are storage units?Most standard units have 8-foot ceilings. This means you can stack items vertically and use the full cubic footage, not just the floor space.
What if I choose the wrong size? Most facilities including Bolt Storage will work with you to transfer to a different unit. It's easiest to handle before move-in, so take the time to estimate accurately upfront.
Not sure which size fits your situation? Browse available units at your nearest Bolt Storage location → or use our interactive sizing guide → to find the right fit.
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