How to Choose the Right Storage Size for a One-Bedroom Apartment

For most one-bedroom apartments, a medium-sized storage unit is the best fit. But not all one-bedrooms are the same. Some are compact, with furniture that breaks down easily, while others are filled with larger, bulkier pieces. Knowing the size and type of items you’re storing will help you pick the right medium unit, saving you time, effort, and money during your move.

Storage Unit Sizes for One Bedrooms: 5×10, 5×15 or 10×10

A 5×10 is great for decluttering or small renovation projects but is not likely to tackle everything. Either a 5×15 or 10×10 should do the job of storing all of your belongings during a move.

Quick Comparison

• 5×10: Best for decluttering and lighter storage needs.
• 5×15: Stores larger furnishings or a small one-bedroom apartment.
• 10×10: Fits an entire one-bedroom or small two-bedroom.

5×10 storage unit: Roughly the size of a half bath, this small storage unit works well for decluttering. It could hold a twin or full mattress, bike, small furniture, and stacked boxes. If your furniture is minimalist or easy to take apart, this size may hold more than you’d expect. Picture it this way: you could pack 20 large moving boxes into a 5×10.

5×15 Storage Unit: This medium-size storage rental is the go-to option when moving out of a small apartment. About the size of a large walk-in closet, a 5×15 with an 8-foot ceiling can provide 600 cubic feet of space. Pack up efficiently, load in with space-saving in mind, and all your belongings can fit. It can hold around 30 large moving boxes.

10×10 Storage Unit: If your one-bedroom is nice and big with a lot of bulky furnishings, a 10×10 may do the trick. While not all 10×10 storage units are perfectly square, they will provide 100 square feet of floor space. Around 40 large moving boxes will fit in this unit.

Storage Hacks to Save Space and Money

• Disassemble furniture like bed frames, tables, and shelving to save square footage.
• Stand large frames and mirrors on end.
• Pack small items inside larger ones—think inside a refrigerator or tucked into bookcases.
• Use like-sized boxes so they stack safely and take advantage of high ceilings.
• Stack by weight and size, with the heaviest items on the bottom and lighter on top to keep everything stable.
• Label everything, then sketch a quick map for locating items later.

Further Considerations

If you think you are in between sizes, go up if you want to walk around, stand, and browse your stored items. To save money or if you will rarely visit your storage rental, pack efficiently into the smaller size. When in doubt, contact Public Storage for assistance.