You’ll never realize how overcrowded the planet is until you run out of space in your home. It can be quite frustrating when it happens. What should you do with an extra chair? Where can you keep some of your ever-growing book collection? How can you park your car when you don’t have enough space to set up a garage?
The answer to your ongoing concerns lies in the magic of a storage unit.
What is a Storage Unit and Why Should You Rent One?
Simply put, a storage unit is an area usually enclosed in a facility used for stashing stuff. It lacks the basic amenities to support day-to-day living. You can’t cook, sleep, or live in a storage unit.
See, you can’t obviously expand your home if you live in an apartment. Meanwhile, if you’re a homeowner, adding more rooms for extra space can be time-consuming, full of hassle, and expensive. So while you’re working on saving up for a large house project, it’s a good idea to leave some of your possessions in a storage unit.
But the most perplexing question for most people is:
How Much Storage Do I Need?
Having an idea of the proportions helps you pick the ideal storage for your needs. Here’s a simple table that breaks down popular unit sizes:
Unit Size |
Total Space (sq. ft.) |
What Fits |
Average Monthly Cost (Standard) |
Average Monthly Cost (Climate-controlled) |
| 5×5 ft. | 25 | small walk-in closet | $50 | $65 |
| 5×10 ft. | 50 | walk-in closet | $65 | $80 |
| 5×15 ft. | 75 | small bedroom | $80 | $105 |
| 10×10 ft. | 100 | 1-room apartment | $110 | $130 |
| 10×15 ft. | 150 | 2- to 3-bed home | $150 | $185 |
| 10×20 ft. | 200 | 3- to 4-bed home | $200 | $250 |
| 10×30 ft. | 300 | 5- to 7-bed home | $500 | $1000 |
Keep in mind that the figures above are based on national average prices. The final cost will depend on your location, unit availability, and, most importantly, unit size.
Another thing, you don’t want to pay for far too much space or cram your stuff in a congested one. So here’s a general rule of thumb when choosing your unit size. If you’re opting for the smaller ones (5×15 ft. below), go for the next dimension. Why? You can have more space to allocate for future items that you’ll need to stow away for a slight price increase.
What Things Can You Fit Inside a Unit?
Although the table above tells you what room size a unit compares to, it doesn’t specify what items you can place inside. Here’s a more detailed break down of each:
5×5 (25 sq. ft.)
The size of a small walk-in closet, this unit is great for storing personal items such as:
- Clothes
- Piles of books
- Some boxes
- Skis and toys
- Small appliances
- Outdoor recreation gear
- Seasonal decorations
- Important records
5×10 (50 sq. ft.)
Upgraded to hold an entire walk-in closet, you can store more furniture in this unit:
- Dresser
- TV
- Queen-sized mattress
- A small sofa
- A loveseat and a chair
- Business supplies and records
- Up to 12 stacks of boxes
5×15 (75 sq. ft.)
Anything you see in your bedroom would probably fit inside this unit as long as you organize them properly:
- Major appliances
- Office desk
- 20 stacks of boxes
- A king-sized bed
- Portable ladder
- Some garden tools
- Lampshades
10×10 (100 sq. ft.)
Aside from a single room apartment, this unit is also comparable to a one-car garage. You can hoard more sizeable possessions, such as:
- Two-bedroom sets
- Bedframes
- Dressers
- Kitchen appliances
- Guitars
- Large cabinets
10×15 (150 sq. ft.)
If you utilize this space properly, you can fit an average home’s worth of belongings inside:
- A couch
- Piano
- Grandfather clock
- 30 boxes
- Washing machine
10×20 (200 sq. ft.)
This unit is the standard size if you need a garage to park a regular car. You can also stash in a couple of other things without having to do a lot of Tetris. It can hold:
- Inventory racks
- Most of your business supplies
- Entire home furniture
- A compact car
- Big-screen TVs
- Sound systems
- Entire living rooms
- A motorcycle
10×30 (300 sq. ft.)
As the king of unit sizes, this space is comparable to a 2-3 bedroom home, a boat, or a commercial trailer. Practically speaking, if you use this one for hoarding residential equipment, you might as well live there yourself. You won’t need to avail of this one unless you own a car collection or run a large business that requires storing a mountain of supplies.
Wrapping It Up
Storage units are truly a blessing in this overcrowded world. But more than the price tag and convenience, you must also take into account the security, sanitation, and maintenance protocols when selecting a storage facility. Take time to do your research, and don’t be shy to ask your potential company relevant questions.