A 5x10 unit works for most one-bedroom apartments, but the right size depends on what you're storing

The most common storage unit for a one-bedroom apartment is 5 feet by 10 feet — that's 50 square feet, roughly the size of a small bedroom. It holds a full bedroom set (bed frame, dresser, nightstands), kitchen items, books, seasonal clothes, and miscellaneous boxes without being cramped. If you're storing only off-season items or a few pieces of furniture, a 5x5 unit (25 square feet) may be enough. If you're keeping most of your apartment's contents — say, because you're between places or downsizing — a 5x15 unit (75 square feet) gives you breathing room and makes packing and retrieving things easier.

The actual answer depends on three things: what you're storing, how long you're storing it, and whether you want to stack items or access them often. A unit packed floor-to-ceiling holds more than one where you need to walk between boxes. Climate control (heated and cooled storage) costs more but protects wood furniture, electronics, and documents from humidity and temperature swings — important if you're storing for more than a few months.

Key Takeaways

  • A 5x10 unit holds a full bedroom set plus kitchen items and boxes, and is the standard size for one-bedroom apartment contents.
  • A 5x5 unit works if you're storing only seasonal items or a few pieces of furniture; a 5x15 unit gives you space to move around and retrieve items easily.
  • How much you can fit depends on whether you stack items to the ceiling or leave walking space, and whether items are in boxes or loose.
  • Climate-controlled units cost 30 to 50 percent more but protect wood furniture, electronics, and documents from humidity and temperature damage over months of storage.
  • Monthly rent for a 5x10 unit ranges from $50 to $150 depending on location, facility type, and whether climate control is included.

What fits in a 5x10 unit

A 5x10 unit is 50 square feet — picture a room 5 feet wide and 10 feet long, with an 8-foot ceiling. You can fit a queen bed frame and mattress, a dresser, two nightstands, a desk, a bookshelf, several boxes of kitchen items, lamps, a small table, and 10 to 15 moving boxes of clothes and personal items. If you stack boxes to the ceiling, you can fit more; if you leave an aisle to walk through, you fit less.

The unit does not hold an entire one-bedroom apartment if that apartment is fully furnished with a sofa, dining table, and multiple bookcases. It also does not hold a car, a motorcycle, or large appliances like a refrigerator or washing machine (though some facilities have separate climate-controlled vaults for those). If you're storing a sofa plus a full bedroom set, you need a 5x15 unit instead.

When a 5x5 unit is enough

A 5x5 unit is 25 square feet — half the size of a 5x10. It holds a single bed frame and mattress, a dresser, a few boxes of off-season clothes, holiday decorations, and some kitchen items. It works well if you're storing items you won't need for months (winter coats in summer, holiday lights) or if you're keeping only a few pieces of furniture while living in a smaller space.

A 5x5 unit does not hold a queen bed, a full bedroom set, and boxes at the same time. If you're storing more than one room's worth of furniture, or if you need to store items you'll retrieve often, a 5x5 will feel cramped and make it hard to find things without moving everything around.

When you need a 5x15 unit or larger

A 5x15 unit is 75 square feet — one and a half times the size of a 5x10. You need this size if you're storing a full apartment's contents (bedroom furniture, sofa, dining table, kitchen items, and boxes), or if you're storing items you need to access regularly and want space to move around. It also works if you're storing a queen bed, a sofa, a dining table, multiple dressers, and 20 or more boxes.

Larger units (5x20, 10x10, 10x15) are rarely necessary for a one-bedroom apartment unless you're storing items for a year or more, or you're keeping things that need to be organized and straightforward to reach. The monthly cost rises with size, so a 5x15 costs roughly 50 percent more than a 5x10, and a 10x10 costs roughly double.

How to measure what you're storing

Before you rent a unit, measure the furniture and count the boxes you actually have. A queen bed frame takes up roughly 5 feet by 7 feet of floor space. A dresser is typically 3 feet wide by 1.5 feet deep. A sofa is usually 7 to 8 feet long and 3 feet deep. Stack boxes mentally: if you have 30 boxes that are each 1.5 feet on a side, and you stack them 6 high, they take up roughly 5 feet by 5 feet of floor space.

Many storage facilities offer a free walk-through or a size guide on their website. Some let you reserve a unit for a day or two before committing, so you can load it and see if everything fits. If you're unsure, rent the larger size for the first month — it costs less to downsize later than to pay for overflow or to move everything to a bigger unit mid-lease.

Climate control and protection

A standard (non-climate-controlled) unit stays at outdoor temperature and humidity. This is fine for boxes, plastic items, and metal furniture for a few months. Wood furniture, electronics, documents, photos, and leather goods can warp, corrode, or develop mold in high humidity or temperature swings, especially over months or years.

A climate-controlled unit maintains temperature between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity below 60 percent. It costs 30 to 50 percent more per month than a standard unit — a 5x10 climate-controlled unit might cost $100 to $150 per month in a mid-sized city, versus $50 to $100 for standard. If you're storing for more than three months, or if you're storing wood furniture, documents, or electronics, climate control is worth the cost.

Cost and location factors

Monthly rent for a 5x10 unit ranges from $50 to $150 depending on where you live, the facility's age and amenities, and whether climate control is included. Urban areas and coastal regions cost more; rural areas and inland regions cost less. A new facility with 24-hour access, security cameras, and climate control costs more than an older facility with limited hours and no climate control.

Many facilities offer a discount for the first month (sometimes 50 percent off) or for paying several months upfront. Some charge an administrative fee ($20 to $50) or a deposit (equal to one month's rent). Ask about these before you commit. Also ask whether the price is locked for the length of your lease, or whether it can increase — some facilities raise prices annually or when you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fit a sofa in a 5x10 unit along with a bedroom set?

A sofa (7 to 8 feet long) takes up most of the length of a 5x10 unit, leaving little room for a bed frame, dresser, and boxes. You can fit both if you stand the sofa on its end or lean it against a wall, but you'll have almost no walking space. A 5x15 unit is more practical if you're storing both.

What's the difference between a 5x10 and a 10x5 unit?

They're the same size — 50 square feet. The orientation (5 feet wide by 10 feet deep, or 10 feet wide by 5 feet deep) depends on the facility's layout. A wider unit (10x5) can fit a sofa or large furniture more easily; a longer unit (5x10) works better for stacking boxes. Ask the facility which orientation they have available.

Do I need climate control for storing clothes and books?

Clothes and books can handle standard storage for a few months. If you're storing for six months or longer, or if the unit is in a very humid climate, climate control prevents mold and mildew on fabric and paper. For short-term storage in a dry climate, standard storage is fine.

Can I store a car or motorcycle in a storage unit?

No. Standard storage units are not designed for vehicles. Some facilities have separate vehicle storage (outdoor or covered parking), but that's a different product and costs more. Ask the facility whether they offer vehicle storage if you need it.

What if I underestimate the size and run out of space?

Most facilities let you upgrade to a larger unit, though you may have to move your items and pay a higher monthly rate going forward. It's cheaper to rent a slightly larger unit from the start than to move everything mid-lease. If you're unsure, start with a 5x10 and downsize after a month if you don't need the space.