How to Know What Size Storage Unit to Use?

Storage Unit Size Guidelines

If this is the first time you’ve ever needed to use a self-storage unit, it might be intimidating to figure out what size unit you need. The answer to that, obviously, depends on what you’re storing and how you’re doing so.

For example, storing business documents means you can get a lot more inventory into a unit because most of it will be uniform-size filing cabinets and storage boxes, especially when compared to the contents of, say, a three-bedroom house. The latter would be couches, fridges, beds, lamps, tables, and more—items with unusual shapes that make it harder to pack things in tight.

At Easy Store, we offer four different sizes of common storage unit sizes. Let’s take a look at them to see what you could fit in each.

1. Shipping Container

2.35 (w) x 2.44 (h) x 6.00 (l)

This is our largest storage container, and it can be used to fit just about all of your valuables, seasonal items and whatever you want to store. It can hold around 2.4 tons of weight. In an imaginary world, you could fit any of the following pieces of furniture in this storage unit size:

• 25 three-seater couches
• 46 armchairs
• 116 microwaves
• 46 bookcases
• 12 double beds including the mattresses

But in reality, you could likely fit the following items from your household into the unit:

• Three-seater couch
• Dining room table and chairs
• Coffee table
• Bookcase
• Single bed and two double beds with mattresses
• Dressing table
• Washing machine
• Fridge
• Desk and chair
• Microwave
• Dishwasher
• Two televisions
• Four bicycles
• Two wardrobes
• And a few more smaller items

As you can see, our shipping container offers a lot of storage space, and so is more suited to larger items from bigger houses, rather than, say, a two-bedroom apartment. Because of its size, this container stays on our premises, as it’s too large for us to drop off and pick up at your place.

2. Full Storage Container

2.00 (w) x 2.00 (h) x 1.5 (l)

This is one of our most popular sizes, and it can fit some of the contents of a larger one-bedroom apartment or smaller two-bedroom apartment in it—or an office. This would include:

• One double bed with mattress
• Fridge
• Microwave
• Television

Or

• A desk and three chairs
• Armchair
• Three-lengths filing cabinet

This storage container is delivered and collected to and from your door. We can even pack it and unpack it for you. If you need packing materials, we can supply those, too. This unit could be ideal for college students who need to store personal items, but it won’t suite a four-bedroom house’s needs unless you are only storing a few miscellaneous items.

3. Quarter Storage Container

1.0 (w) x 1.00 (h) x 1.5 (l)

This is our smallest storage space and fits smaller items, for example:

• Two suitcases

Or

• Boxes for a small office

Or

• Small personal and business items

This can be delivered and collected to and from your door, and we will pack and unpack this one for you, too—right at your premises. It won’t be suitable for storing major appliances such as fridges or items such as patio furniture, but it is ideal for those looking for smaller storage space at a more affordable rate.

4. Pods

1.30 (w) x 2.40 (h) x 2.30 (l)

Our pods are slightly larger than our quarter storage units, and can store the contents of a two-bedroom flat, packed up:

• Packing boxes
• Small desk
• A few pieces of furniture, like a chair or couch

Still need help deciding on the size of your storage unit? Consider the following factors when calculating your needs:

Make an Inventory List

Before you can determine what size unit you’re going to choose from your local storage facility, you should consider making a list of all the contents you’d like to store. Once you’ve made this list, you can then check the sizes of the units available and see what you can fit. Remember, you don’t really want to pay for more than you need, so try to be as precise as possible when making this list so you get a unit that is the perfect size.

Balance Your Budget

It’s all good and well to figure out that you need, for example, a shipping container, but what if you can’t afford this? To determine what you can afford, take a look at the inventory list you just created and see if there’s anything on there that you can keep with you, rather than storing—if, of course, you’re finding that your budget and your storage needs don’t quite align.

Pack and Stack

If you’re worried about fitting all your belongings into a storage unit, we recommend you keep in mind the packing and stacking method. This means putting as many items as you can into uniform size boxes and stacking goods where possible, so you can make the most of the extra space the height of the unit offers.

Having the same size box means you can pack more into a unit because there are fewer awkwardly shaped items that take up more space.

Try Easy Store

At Easy Store, our range of storage solutions means you can either fit larger furniture items or just a few small personal belongings, depending on your needs. And you won’t have to pay for unused space, a common problem for one-car garage-sized storage units.

We run our business on a month-to-month basis, which means you can use our units for temporary storage or for long-term storage—whatever suits your needs. Are you ready for the most convenient storage experience of your life? Get in touch with us today.