An important factor when searching for a storage unit is finding the exact unit size you need. There’s a wide variety of storage unit sizes at most facilities, ranging from the size of a closet all the way to the size of an extended garage. It’s important to get the right unit size because it means you’re not wasting money on space you don’t actually need.
Before you even begin to weigh your unit size options available to you, take inventory of everything you want to put into storage. Get out the measuring tape for some of your larger items to determine the smallest space they can fit into. Once you know everything that you’re going to store, you can use the size guide to figure out what unit size you need.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the standard unit sizes you can find at most facilities and what they’re typically used for. Below are each of these unit sizes (which usually have a height of eight feet) with descriptions of items that can be contained in them and common uses.
Dresser, small mattress set, and several boxes
Queen-sized mattress set, dresser, TV, and several boxes (could fit a smaller loveseat or other small furniture)
Entire family room (sofa, coffee table, chairs, bookshelves, etc.) and two full bedrooms (mattress sets, night stands, dressers, etc.)
Three full bedrooms, plus larger furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, appliances, etc.)
Entire multiple-bedroom house, including large furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, appliances, etc.) and several boxes
Entire multiple-bedroom house, including large furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, appliances, etc.) and several boxes
Always be sure to consider the limitations of your entire storage space, and make sure you take advantage of all three dimensions when thinking about your items (i.e., length, width, and height). Here are some other things to think about:
Once you’ve figured out the size you’re looking for, you can narrow down your facility results and only view the sizes you’re interested in. Finding a storage unit has never been this easy!
While storage unit heights at each facility will vary, the standard height of a storage unit tends to be around 8 feet tall. 10 feet and higher are available at select facilities.
This isn't all that uncommon. It can be hard to visualize how much space you need. If you have secured a storage unit that is inaccurately matched with what you plan to store, the facility manager can help find you the right storage unit size. Not only will they help you make the necessary changes in your rental agreement, but they will also assist you in determining the proper unit size suitable for your belongings.
The price you can expect to pay for each square foot of storage space is different at every facility, and is determined by your location, choice of unit features, and a number of other factors.
Smaller storage units can be interior or exterior. Smaller storage units are typically interior with options for climate control, while larger units are almost always exterior with drive-up access (climate control isn’t very common with exterior storage units). Otherwise, security features are typically the same for units across the board at a given facility.