How Do You Choose the Right Storage Unit Size?
Sep 4, 2026 / Alyssa Duranty
Choose a storage unit size by listing the items you plan to store, measuring large furniture, and deciding whether you need room for an aisle. Small units can fit boxes and compact furniture, while larger units can fit furniture and household belongings from multiple rooms.
Use the Public Storage size guide to compare common unit sizes before reserving. Actual unit dimensions, layouts, and availability vary by location.
Storage Unit Size Essentials:
- Make an inventory of the items you plan to store.
- Measure mattresses, sofas, tables, dressers, desks, and shelving.
- Count boxes and group them by room or category.
- Use painter’s tape to outline a unit’s approximate footprint at home.
- Choose a unit with room for an aisle when you expect to access items.
- Place large furniture and heavy boxes on the floor or lower level.
- Keep frequently used boxes near the unit entrance.
- Label boxes on the top and at least two sides.
- Use the Public Storage size guide to compare available unit sizes.
Storage Unit Sizes at a Glance:
What Is the Best Way to Choose a Storage Unit Size?
The best way to choose a storage unit size is to start with an inventory of the items you plan to put away. Include furniture, mattresses, boxes, seasonal clothing, kitchen items, and other household belongings.
Avoid choosing a unit based only on the number of rooms in your home. A lightly furnished apartment may need less space than a studio filled with furniture, boxes, and hobby supplies.
Use this process:
- List the items you plan to store.
- Group boxes, furniture, and seasonal belongings by category.
- Measure the largest furniture pieces.
- Count the number of boxes or bins.
- Decide whether you need access to items during storage.
- Compare your inventory with available unit sizes.
How Should You Measure Items Before Renting a Storage Unit?
Measure the items that take up the most floor space, including mattresses, sofas, dressers, dining tables, desks, bookcases, and shelving. Record the length, width, and height of each larger item.
Also note:
- Whether the item can be disassembled
- Whether it can stand upright during transport
- Whether it needs to remain accessible
- Whether it includes removable components or hardware
- Whether it will be stored with boxes or other furniture
Use painter’s tape to outline the approximate width and length of a storage unit on a garage, driveway, or room floor. Place larger furniture within the outline first, then estimate where boxes and an aisle would fit.
What Can Fit in a 5 x 5 Storage Unit?
A 5 x 5 storage unit can fit a limited number of boxes, seasonal items, compact furniture, and belongings from a closet or small room. It is similar in footprint to a large standard closet.
A 5 x 5 unit may fit:
- Up to 10 large moving boxes
- Seasonal décor
- Clothing and bedding
- Luggage and travel bags
- Sports equipment
- A small desk or chair
- Small household bins
- Items from a room update
Measure your largest items before reserving. A sofa, mattress, dining table, or larger shelving unit may need more space.
What Can Fit in a 5 x 10 Storage Unit?
A 5 x 10 storage unit can fit boxes, smaller furniture, and belongings from a studio apartment or compact one-bedroom move. It may work well for a mattress, desk, chair, small furniture pieces, and labeled household bins.
A 5 x 10 unit may fit:
- Studio apartment contents
- Boxes and bins
- Small bedroom furniture
- A mattress and bed-frame components
- Compact living-room furniture
- Seasonal clothing and décor
- Kitchen items and small appliances
A 5 x 10 unit may require a tighter packing plan if you have larger furniture or need regular access to boxes.
What Can Fit in a 10 x 10 Storage Unit?
A 10 x 10 storage unit can fit furniture, boxes, and household belongings from two small bedrooms or a living area. It can work for moves, renovations, home staging, and household storage projects.
A 10 x 10 unit may fit:
- Bedroom furniture
- Mattresses and bed frames
- Sofa and living-room furniture
- Boxes and bins
- Kitchen items
- Clothing and seasonal décor
- Small appliances
- Household belongings from multiple rooms
Keep frequently used boxes near the entrance and organize furniture along the walls or toward the back.
What Can Fit in a 10 x 15 Storage Unit?
A 10 x 15 storage unit provides more floor space for furniture, boxes, appliances, and belongings from a two-bedroom home. It can also make it easier to leave a central aisle for access.
A 10 x 15 unit may fit:
- Two-bedroom apartment or home contents
- Larger bedroom furniture
- Dining-room furniture
- Living-room furniture
- Mattresses and bed frames
- Appliances
- Bikes and outdoor equipment
- Several moving boxes
- Seasonal household items
Choose a 10 x 15 unit when your move includes larger furniture, more boxes, or belongings you expect to retrieve during storage.
When Should You Choose a Medium or Large Storage Unit?
Choose a medium or large storage unit when you are storing furniture and boxes from multiple rooms, moving between homes, or clearing several rooms for a renovation. Larger units can also work better when you need room for shelving, an aisle, or frequent access.
Consider a larger unit when your inventory includes:
- Bedroom furniture and mattresses
- Sofas, sectionals, and living-room furniture
- Dining tables and chairs
- Appliances
- Large moving boxes
- Patio furniture
- Sports or recreation equipment
- Furniture from several rooms
A slightly larger unit can make it easier to organize your belongings without blocking access to items in the back.
How Should You Plan a Storage Unit Layout?
Plan a storage unit layout by placing large furniture and sturdy boxes first, then filling open areas with smaller labeled containers. Keep items you may need soon near the entrance.
Use similarly sized boxes when practical. Matching box sizes can make stacking more stable and easier to organize.
How Can Drive-Up Access Affect Your Storage Choice?
Drive-up storage can be useful when you are moving furniture, mattresses, appliances, large boxes, and other bulky household items from a vehicle. Vehicle access near the unit can shorten the distance between your car, van, or moving truck and the storage space.
More than 45% of Public Storage properties offer drive-up access units.
Choose drive-up storage when you plan to:
- Load furniture directly from a vehicle
- Move mattresses, bed frames, sofas, and tables
- Store large boxes and appliances
- Make several trips during a move or renovation
- Retrieve bulky household items regularly
How Can Climate-Controlled Storage Affect Your Storage Choice?
Climate-controlled storage can be useful for household belongings affected by high heat or changing humidity. This can include wood furniture, clothing, books, electronics, fabric items, and household items with leather, plastic, metal, or adhesive components.
More than 90% of Public Storage properties offer climate-controlled units. These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than non-climate-controlled storage.
Clean and dry items before storage, place containers on shelving or another raised surface, and leave a clear walkway for access.
Can You See a Storage Unit Before Reserving?
Yes. Visit a nearby Public Storage location during office hours to ask about available unit sizes, storage features, access options, and current pricing. Seeing a unit in person can help you compare its layout with the furniture and boxes in your inventory.
You can also use the Public Storage size guide to compare common dimensions and reserve a unit online. Public Storage rentals are month to month, and customers can complete a rental online in minutes with no credit card required.
Choose a Storage Unit That Fits Your Plan.
Choosing a storage unit starts with knowing what you plan to put away and how often you expect to access it. Make an inventory, measure large pieces, outline a potential layout, and compare your needs with available unit dimensions.
Find a Public Storage location near you to compare drive-up storage, climate-controlled storage, and unit sizes for boxes, furniture, seasonal belongings, and household items.
A well-planned unit can make moving, decluttering, and seasonal rotation easier to organize.
Storage Unit Size FAQs
What size storage unit can fit a mattress?
A mattress can fit in several unit sizes depending on its dimensions and the other items you plan to store. Measure the mattress and compare it with available unit dimensions before reserving.
Can you use a 5 x 5 storage unit for boxes?
Yes. A 5 x 5 unit can fit up to 10 large moving boxes along with select smaller household items, depending on box size and packing method.
How can you avoid choosing a storage unit that is too small?
Make an item list, measure large furniture, outline the unit footprint with painter’s tape, and plan for an aisle if you expect to visit the unit.
Should you choose a larger storage unit for an aisle?
Yes. Choose a larger unit when you need room to access boxes, furniture, or seasonal items during the rental period.
Can you reserve a storage unit online?
Yes. Public Storage offers online reservations, and all rentals are month to month.
