What Size Storage Unit Do You Actually Need?

Renting a storage unit that's too big wastes money every month. Renting one that's too small means a second trip and a second unit. Here's a plain guide to figuring out the right size before you show up.

The Common Sizes (and What Actually Fits in Them)

5x5 (25 sq ft) — Think a large closet. Fits a few boxes, a twin mattress, a dresser, a bike. Good for college students, seasonal decorations, or clearing out a garage corner. If everything you own fits in the bed of a pickup, this is probably enough.

5x10 (50 sq ft) — A walk-in closet. Fits the contents of a studio or small one-bedroom: a queen mattress set, a couch (on end), a couple of dressers, and 10-15 boxes. This is the most popular size for a reason — it covers a lot of "between apartments" situations.

10x10 (100 sq ft) — Half a one-car garage. Holds the contents of a full one-bedroom apartment: living room furniture, bedroom set, dining table and chairs, appliances, and 20+ boxes. This is the sweet spot for most households downsizing or staging a home to sell.

10x15 (150 sq ft) — A one-car garage. Fits a two-bedroom apartment: both bedrooms' furniture, living room, dining room, plus boxes and odd-shaped stuff like grills, lawnmowers, and patio furniture.

10x20 (200 sq ft) — A full one-car garage. Contents of a two- to three-bedroom house. If you're between houses or renovating, this is usually where people land.

10x30 (300 sq ft) — Big enough for a whole house, including large items. Most people overestimate and end up here when a 10x20 would have done it.

How to Measure Before You Rent

Don't guess. Stack the biggest pieces — mattress, couch, dresser — and eyeball the footprint. A standard couch is about 7 feet long; a queen mattress is 5x6.5 feet. Draw the rectangle on your driveway with chalk or tape. That's your unit size, plus a little walking room.

Stack vertically. Storage units are usually 8 to 10 feet tall. Boxes and totes stack fine, furniture doesn't. If you can stack your boxes three high, a 10x10 can hold what most people think needs a 10x15.

Leave an aisle. You will need something out of the back eventually. A two-foot walkway down the middle saves you from unloading half the unit to reach one box. Put stuff you'll need soon near the door.

Texas-Specific Things to Think About

Heat. Most enclosed storage units here aren't climate-controlled. Cardboard, photos, candles, electronics, and leather don't love a Texas summer inside a metal box. If you're storing heat-sensitive items, ask about climate-controlled options or at least visit on a hot afternoon to feel what it's like.

Pests. Mice and roaches get into units through the door gaps. Pack in sealed plastic totes, not open cardboard, and don't store food — not even canned goods. Snap traps near the door beat poison every time.

Flooding. It doesn't happen often in Aledo, but spring storms dump fast. Keep everything on pallets or boards, not directly on the concrete floor. Three inches of lift is cheap insurance.

Indoor Units vs. Outdoor Spaces

Not everything needs walls. At Big Tom's, we've got three kinds of storage because most of our customers aren't storing furniture — they're storing rigs:

• Self storage units — enclosed, lockable, drive-up access. For household goods, tools, boxes, the works.
• Covered RV and boat parking — roof over the rig, open sides. Keeps hail and sun off without the cost of a full garage. Spaces for rigs up to 50 feet.
• Enclosed RV and boat garages — private four-wall storage with a roof. The best protection against hail season, theft, and weather.

A lot of folks combine them — the boat goes under cover, the house boxes go in a 10x15. One stop, one bill.

The Short Version

Draw the rectangle, stack high, leave an aisle, and don't pay for space you don't need. When in doubt, the smaller size usually wins — you can always upgrade, and most people wish they'd rented less.

Not sure what size fits your stuff? Call us at (817) 775-5402 and we'll help you figure it out before you make the trip.