How to Calculate the Storage Space You Need
Trying to figure out how much storage space you need can feel like a guessing game. You don’t want to pay for space you will never fill, but you also don’t want to end up cramming everything into a unit that is too small to move around in.
Whether you are moving house, clearing space for a renovation, storing business stock or just trying to get ahead of the clutter, working out how much room you need is easier than you might think. With a few simple steps and a bit of planning, you can get a good idea of the right size unit without wasting time or money.
Here is how to calculate the storage space that actually works for you.
Start with what you are storing
Before you do anything else, make a quick list of the main things you need to store. Think in terms of furniture, boxes, and odd-shaped items. You do not need to write down every fork or football, but knowing the big pieces will help you estimate more accurately.
If you are storing the contents of a flat, walk through each room and jot down the key items. For example, in the bedroom you might have a bed frame, a mattress, a couple of suitcases and a wardrobe. In the living room, maybe a sofa, coffee table and a TV. Add in a rough number of boxes for things like clothes, books, and kitchen gear.
You do not have to be exact, but the more you know, the easier the next step will be.
Think in terms of cubic feet or square feet
Most storage units are measured in square feet, but it is useful to think in terms of volume too. A small 25 square foot unit, for example, is about the size of a walk-in wardrobe and could hold the contents of a small studio or a few bits of furniture and boxes. A 50 square foot unit is about the size of a garden shed and often fits the contents of a one-bedroom flat.
If you are packing boxes into a van or stacking them in your garage, imagine how high you can safely go. Most units are about eight feet high, so stacking boxes neatly will help you use all the available space without going overboard on floor size.
Use the house-size rule of thumb
One of the easiest ways to estimate storage needs is to go by the size of your home. A rough guide looks like this:
If you are storing the contents of a one-bedroom flat, you will probably need around 50 to 75 square feet. A two-bedroom place usually needs 75 to 100. For a three-bedroom home, think 100 to 150, depending on how much furniture and clutter you have. If you are just storing boxes or a few large items, you can get away with something much smaller.
Of course, these are just averages. If you are a minimalist with no furniture, you will need less. If you are a collector with a garage full of tools, you might need more.
Box counts can help too
Another method is to estimate based on how many boxes you have. Ten medium boxes will usually take up around five to ten square feet, depending on how you stack them. If you know you have thirty to forty boxes and a few pieces of furniture, you are likely in the 50 to 75 square foot range.
If you are not sure how many boxes you will have, think about how long you have lived in your current home. The longer you have been there, the more likely it is that things have built up. A student who has just finished uni will have less than a family who has lived in the same house for ten years.
Factor in access and layout
One thing people forget when choosing a storage unit is access. You might be able to physically fit everything into a tiny space, but if you need to get to something at the back, you will regret packing it wall to wall.
If you think you will need regular access to your things, go up a size and leave a small walkway down the middle. It makes everything easier to find and saves you from pulling everything out just to reach one box.
Think about how your items fit together too. Flat furniture pieces can be stored upright to save space. Sofas can often stand on their side if they are well balanced. Soft furnishings can be vacuum-packed to take up less room. If you pack smart, you can often get more into a space than you think.
Still not sure? Ask the storage company
The best way to get an accurate answer is to ask the storage company directly. Most will have a guide or calculator on their website, and many offer phone support to help you figure it out.
If you can, visit the site before booking. Seeing the space in person can give you a much better sense of what will fit. Some facilities even offer 3D previews or let you walk through an empty unit to plan your layout.
You can also ask about flexibility. If you are unsure between two sizes, it is worth checking if you can upgrade or downsize later if your needs change.
Better to have a little extra than not enough
When in doubt, it is usually better to go slightly bigger. A little extra room makes packing easier, protects your things from being squashed, and allows you to grab what you need without climbing over your boxes.
Storage should make your life simpler, not more stressful. A bit of breathing space inside your unit goes a long way, especially if you are planning to keep things there for more than a few weeks.
Once you know what you are storing and how much space it takes up, you will be in a much better position to book the right unit, pack it efficiently and make the most of every inch.
