Standard sizes for storage units range from 5 by 10 feet (1.5 by 3 m) to 20 by 20 feet (6 by 6 m). Nearly all units have an 8 foot (2.4 m) high ceiling, except those designed to store a recreational vehicle. Some are climate controlled, which is especially important for leather furniture or other items that can be damaged by excessive heat.
A 5 by 10 foot (1.5 by 3 m) storage unit is comparable in size to a walk-in closet. This unit is 50 square feet (4.6 sq.m) and will store a sofa, chair, dresser, and mattress set in addition to miscellaneous boxes and small items. The next size, 10 by 10 foot (3 by 3 m), compares to a large walk-in closet, or one half of a one-car garage. It will generally hold the furnishings of a one-bedroom apartment: approximately three rooms of furniture, boxes of smaller items, and possibly appliances.
A 10 by 15 foot (3 by 4.5 m) unit provides about 150 square feet (14 sq.m) of space, and it will house the furnishings of a two-bedroom apartment or small house. This unit will generally hold all furnishings and personal effects, with or without major appliances. A 10 by 20 foot (3 by 6 m) space is comparable to a smaller one-car garage. This 200 square feet (18.5 sq.m) of space will allow storage for a small house, apartment or townhouse, including appliances. Without appliances or furnishings, it will house a car or truck.
The next sized storage unit, at 10 by 25 feet (3 by 7.6 m), is the approximate size of a standard one-car garage and will store all furnishings, including appliances from a two-bedroom home, along with a single automobile. A 10 by 30 foot (3 by 9 m) unit, with 300 square feet (28 sq.m) of space, will store the contents of a 40 foot (12 m) moving van, which could include furniture from a three or four-bedroom home, along with appliances and a car, truck or boat. A 12 by 30 foot (3.7 by 9 m) space will house 360 square feet (33.4 sq.m) of commercial inventory, construction materials or landscaping equipment, or the contents of a larger home. A 20 by 20 foot (6 by 6 m) unit will hold the contents of an entire larger home.
Specialized sizes include 10 by 25 feet (3 by 7.6 m), which is ideal for the storage of a boat. A smaller unit size, 5 by 5 feet (1.5 by 1.5 m), is comparable to a regular sized closet. Another size unit, 7.5 by 10 feet (2 by 3 m), provides 75 square feet (7 sq.m) for storage of furniture, business supplies, records, and so on.
