The right storage unit size for moving depends on how much of your home you are storing, how long you plan to keep it there.Also whether you are packing just boxes or also storing furniture and appliances.For many moves, renters usually choose one of these sizes:• 5x10 for a small move or partial apartment• 10x10 for a one-bedroom apartment• 10x15 for a two-bedroom apartment• 10x20 for a three-bedroom house or larger move
Storage for moving is different from long-term overflow storage because you often need to fit an entire room, apartment, or house into the unit all at once.That means the biggest furniture pieces usually matter more than the total number of boxes.
Here are common starting points renters use when moving:• Studio or very small apartment: 5x5 or 5x10• One-bedroom apartment: 10x10• Two-bedroom apartment: 10x10 or 10x15• Three-bedroom house: 10x20• House plus garage items: 10x20 or larger
What makes people choose the wrong size
The biggest mistake during a move is underestimating how much space furniture, mattresses, and bulky boxes take up.A moving storage unit fills much faster than people expect once couches, dressers, appliances, and dining sets are involved.
If you are between sizes, the safer move is often to choose the slightly larger unit when:• You have oversized furniture• You are storing appliances• You have a lot of boxes• The move is stressful and you do not want to pack tightly• You may add more items laterPaying for a bit more space can be cheaper than needing to transfer to another unit later.
The monthly price depends on the size you need, your city, and whether the facility later raises rates.Typical price ranges often look like this:
| Size | COST |
|---|---|
| 5x10 | $60 to $120/month |
| 10x10 | $100 to $180/month |
| 10x15 | $140 to $240/month |
| 10x20 | $180 to $320/month |
The real long-term cost can be higher once insurance, fees, and price increases are added.
The easiest way to estimate the right size is to focus first on your largest items: beds, couches, dining tables, appliances, and how many total rooms are being stored.If you are not sure, use the size finder instead of guessing.
If you are not sure what storage size you need for your move, start with the size finder.
If you want to estimate the real monthly cost of your storage unit, including fees and future price increases, use the calculator.
These related guides may also help.
If you want help comparing storage facilities based on long-term pricing behavior, hidden fees, and overall risk, visit Storage Scout.