Home/Storage size guide

Storage unit sizes — how much space do you actually need?

Every size below, what genuinely fits inside it, and what it typically costs per month in Canada. Most people over-rent by one size — this page is here to stop that.

Use the size calculator Compare all sizes

Sizes at a glance

Drawn to relative scale. Prices are typical Canadian monthly ranges.

Size calculator

Tick what you're storing

We'll suggest a unit size based on typical volumes. Rough guide, not a guarantee — facilities can advise on the day.

Furniture

Appliances & large items

Boxes & smaller things

Suggested unit

5×10

50 sq ft · $70–130 / month typical

Nothing selected yet — 5×10 is the most common starting point. Tick a few items to narrow it down.

0 items selected

Find 5×10 units near me →

Every size, in detail

5×5 unit

25 sq ft · a large closet

$45–90

per month

The smallest standard unit. Good for a decluttering project or seasonal overflow, not for a move.

Typically holds

✓20–25 boxes

✓Seasonal decorations

✓Small furniture (one chair)

✓Bike or golf clubs

✓Sports gear

✓Filing boxes

Best for: students, seasonal storage, clearing one room

5×10 unit

50 sq ft · a walk-in closet

$70–130

per month

The most common first unit. A studio or one-bedroom fits if you pack tightly and stack to the ceiling.

Typically holds

✓Studio or 1-bed apartment

✓Mattress set, upright

✓Dresser and nightstand

✓40–50 boxes

✓Bikes and skis

✓Small appliance

Best for: studio moves, condo downsizing, long trips abroad

10×10 unit

100 sq ft · half a one-car garage

$95–210

per month

The workhorse size and the one most renters end up in. Comfortably takes the contents of a one to two bedroom home.

Typically holds

✓1–2 bedroom home

✓Sofa and armchairs

✓Queen or king bed set

✓Dining table and chairs

✓Fridge or washer

✓75+ boxes

Best for: renovations, two-bedroom moves, between-homes gaps

10×15 unit

150 sq ft · a one-car garage

$140–265

per month

Where a full house starts to fit. Room to leave a walkway down the middle so you can reach things without unpacking.

Typically holds

✓2–3 bedroom home

✓Multiple bedroom sets

✓Full living and dining room

✓Major appliances

✓Patio furniture

✓Business inventory

Best for: family moves, home staging, small business stock

10×20 unit

200 sq ft · a standard single garage

$185–340

per month

Enough for a three to four bedroom house, or a vehicle plus household goods. Usually a drive-up unit.

Typically holds

✓3–4 bedroom home

✓A car, boat or trailer

✓All major appliances

✓Workshop tools

✓Contractor equipment

✓Full garage contents

Best for: whole-home storage, vehicle storage, trades

10×30 unit

300 sq ft · a two-car garage

$280–480

per month

The largest common unit. Rare and worth booking early — usually taken by businesses or long moves.

Typically holds

✓4–5 bedroom home

✓Two vehicles

✓Commercial inventory

✓Office fit-out

✓Farm or event equipment

✓Anything oversized

Best for: commercial storage, large family relocations

Room-by-room checklist

Walk your home one room at a time. Add up the sizes and you'll land close to the right unit.

Bedroom

approx. 5×10

Bed frame and mattress

Dresser and nightstands

Wardrobe boxes ×3

Lamps and mirror

Living room

approx. 5×10

Sofa and armchair

Coffee and side tables

TV and media unit

Rug, rolled

Kitchen

approx. 5×5

Small appliances

Dishes, 4–6 boxes

Pots and pans

Pantry items (non-perishable)

Home office

approx. 5×5

Desk and chair

Filing cabinet

Monitors, boxed

Books, 3–4 boxes

Garage & outdoors

approx. 5×10

Bikes and sports gear

Lawnmower and tools

Patio set

Snow tires

Basement & storage

approx. 5×5

Seasonal decorations

Luggage

Archive boxes

Spare bedding

Five ways to rent one size smaller

Dropping a size saves roughly $300–600 a year. How you pack matters more than how much you own.

Stack to the ceiling

Units are priced by floor area but you get eight to ten feet of height. Heaviest boxes on the bottom, lightest on top, and use every inch.

Disassemble everything you can

Bed frames, table legs, shelving. Tape hardware in a bag to the underside of the piece so reassembly is not a scavenger hunt.

Fill the hollow spaces

Drawers, wardrobes, the fridge and the washer drum all hold linens, cushions and light items. Free volume you already paid for.

Use uniform boxes

Same-size boxes stack square and stable. Mixed sizes waste ten to fifteen percent of a unit in awkward gaps.

Leave one narrow aisle

If you will visit more than twice, keep a walkway to the back wall and face labels outward. Cheaper than a bigger unit you can actually reach into.

Storage size questions

What is the most popular storage unit size?

The 10×10 is the most rented size in Canada. It holds a one to two bedroom home and sits at a price point most renters find reasonable — but a 5×10 is often enough if you pack well.

How tall are storage units?

Most interior units have eight-foot ceilings; drive-up and outdoor units are often nine or ten feet. Always ask, because height is free space that changes which size you need.

Should I size up just in case?

Rarely. One size up costs roughly $300–600 more per year. Pack a trial pile in your living room first, or use the calculator above, and only size up if you plan to add items later.

Do measurements include the door?

The stated size is the interior floor footprint. Roll-up doors are usually slightly narrower than the unit, so measure your widest item — a sofa or fridge — against the door width, not the unit width.

Can I switch sizes after moving in?

Yes at most facilities, subject to availability. Since almost all Canadian units are month-to-month, transferring to a larger or smaller unit is normally just a paperwork change.

Know your size? Get matched.

Tell us the size and city — local facilities come back to you with real prices.

Start your search →