What Size Storage Unit Do I Need? A Room-by-Room Guide


All Aboard Storage Team
July 2nd, 2026


Woman unpacking a box inside a storage unit while choosing the right unit size
Quick Answer: Most 1–2 bedroom apartments fit a 10x10 storage unit; a furnished 2-bedroom house needs a 10x15; a 3–4 bedroom house or a vehicle needs a 10x20. Rent the smaller size if you're unsure — with month-to-month terms you can move up later, and packing vertically adds up to 50% more real capacity.
Choosing a storage unit size is the single decision that determines what you'll pay every month — and it's the one most people get wrong. Rent too small and you're playing furniture Tetris on move-in day; rent too big and you're paying for empty air, month after month. After 40+ years of helping Central Florida families move into the right unit, here's the guide we wish everyone read first.

Storage Unit Sizes at a Glance

  • 5x5 (25 sq ft) — like a hall closet. Boxes, holiday décor, golf clubs, a dresser, small desk
  • 5x10 (50 sq ft) — like a walk-in closet. A studio apartment: mattress set, sofa, boxes, small appliances
  • 10x10 (100 sq ft) — half a one-car garage. A 1–2 bedroom apartment: appliances, living room and two bedroom sets
  • 10x15 (150 sq ft) — a large bedroom. A 2-bedroom house, including washer/dryer and patio furniture
  • 10x20 (200 sq ft) — a one-car garage. A 3–4 bedroom house, or a car/small boat plus boxes
  • 10x30 (300 sq ft) — an extra-long garage. A 4–5 bedroom house or business inventory with shelving
Not sure between two sizes? Our online Size Calculator lets you add your actual furniture list and does the math for you.

Match Your Home to a Unit, Room by Room

Storing one room or less → 5x5 or 5x10

A 5x5 handles the overflow: seasonal decorations, luggage, boxes of keepsakes, a bike. Step up to a 5x10 the moment furniture is involved — a full bedroom set (mattress, frame, dresser, nightstands) fits a 5x10 with room for a dozen boxes.

Storing an apartment → 5x10 or 10x10

A studio fits a 5x10 if you pack tight and stand the mattress on edge. For a true one-bedroom or a small two-bedroom apartment, a 10x10 is the workhorse — it swallows a sofa, dining set, two bedrooms' worth of furniture, and 20–30 boxes.

Storing a house → 10x15, 10x20, or 10x30

A furnished 2-bedroom home generally needs a 10x15. Add a garage's worth of tools, patio furniture, and a riding mower, and you're in 10x20 territory. Whole-house moves from 4+ bedrooms — or anything involving “we'll also store the boat” — call for a 10x20 to 10x30. When in doubt between two sizes for a whole-house move, measure your largest pieces first; sectionals and king bedroom sets are what push people up a size.

Storing a vehicle

Cars fit enclosed 10x20 units; motorcycles fit a 5x10 with clearance to walk around. For boats and RVs, dedicated parking spaces (uncovered or covered, with gated access) are usually more practical and more affordable than an enclosed unit — see our RV storage and boat storage pages for details.

Four Sizing Mistakes That Cost Real Money

  1. Forgetting the walkway. If you'll visit the unit regularly, leave an 18-inch aisle down the middle — and size up if that pushes you over capacity. An unreachable box is a useless box.
  2. Measuring floor space, not cubic space. Units are typically 8 feet tall. Sturdy stacking and shelving can effectively add half a unit of capacity without adding a dollar of rent.
  3. Ignoring climate control in the size decision. Florida humidity is brutal on wood, fabric, electronics, and paper. It's better to rent a climate-controlled 10x10 for the vulnerable items and keep tools in the garage than to put everything in a bigger standard unit.
  4. Paying the “just in case” premium. If you genuinely can't decide, take the smaller unit — at month-to-month terms you can move up a size later. The reverse (downsizing a packed unit) almost never happens.

Quick Answers by Situation

  • Between houses for 2 months: 10x15 for a 2-BR home; add a 10x20 if the garage is coming too.
  • College student home for summer: 5x5 or 5x10 — dorm rooms compress surprisingly well.
  • Decluttering to sell a house: 5x10 handles the “third of your stuff” stagers tell you to remove.
  • Snowbird heading north: 10x10 for household items, plus a vehicle or RV space.
  • Small business inventory: 10x15 with shelving beats most commercial leases on price per square foot.

Still Between Two Sizes?

Use the free Size Calculator, or just call your nearest depot — our managers do this every day and will tell you honestly if the smaller unit will work. Then reserve online in about three minutes, with your rate locked for up to 12 months (unit depending) through our Rate Lock Guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size storage unit do I need for a 2-bedroom house?

A 10x15 fits most fully furnished 2-bedroom homes. If you're also storing garage contents or patio furniture, choose a 10x20.

What fits in a 5x10 storage unit?

A studio apartment: mattress set, sofa, dresser, TV, and 10–15 boxes. Pack vertically and stand the mattress on its side.

Can I change unit sizes after I move in?

Yes — with month-to-month rentals you can transfer to a larger or smaller unit at your depot as availability allows. Ask the site manager.

How tall are storage units?

Most units offer roughly 8 feet of ceiling height, so stacking and shelving significantly increase real capacity.