Estimate the storage unit size you need based on the items you plan to store.
None / Mostly Boxes
Sofa / Couch
Bed (Twin/Full)
Bed (Queen/King)
Dining Table
Desk
Recommended Storage Unit Size:
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Understanding Storage Unit Sizes and How to Calculate Your Needs
Choosing the right storage unit size is crucial to avoid paying for more space than you need or struggling to fit all your belongings. Storage unit sizes are typically measured in cubic feet, but are often marketed by their linear dimensions (e.g., 5'x10′, 10'x10′, 10'x20′). This calculator helps you estimate the space required based on common storage scenarios.
How the Calculator Works:
This calculator uses a simplified estimation model based on typical item volumes and common storage unit dimensions.
Medium Boxes: A standard medium box (around 18″x16″x12″) occupies approximately 1.77 cubic feet. We'll use this as a baseline.
Large Items: Larger furniture items are assigned a rough volume estimate, acknowledging that their shapes are irregular and may require more strategic packing.
Furniture Dominance: The type of dominant furniture can influence the overall space needed, as items like sofas and beds can be bulky and affect how efficiently other items can be packed around them.
The calculation combines the estimated volume of your boxes and large items, then considers the impact of dominant furniture to recommend a standard storage unit size. It's important to remember that this is an estimate, and actual needs can vary based on how efficiently you pack and whether you are storing items like large appliances or vehicles.
Common Storage Unit Sizes and What They Fit:
5'x5′ (25 sq ft): Similar to a walk-in closet. Good for small furniture items, boxes, seasonal clothes, or sports equipment.
5'x10′ (50 sq ft): About the size of a small bedroom or large walk-in closet. Fits a couch, chair, mattress set, boxes, and small items.
10'x10′ (100 sq ft): The size of a small room. Suitable for a one-bedroom apartment's contents, including furniture, appliances, and numerous boxes.
10'x15′ (150 sq ft): Roughly the size of a large bedroom or a one-car garage. Accommodates the contents of a two-bedroom apartment, including larger furniture and appliances.
10'x20′ (200 sq ft): Similar to a standard one-car garage. Ideal for the contents of a three-bedroom house, including large furniture, appliances, and many boxes.
10'x30′ (300 sq ft): About the size of a large one-car garage or a small one-bedroom house. Suitable for larger homes, vehicles, or significant business inventory.
Tips for Estimating Your Storage Needs:
Inventory Your Items: Make a list of the major furniture pieces and estimate the number of boxes you'll be packing.
Consider Box Size: Are you using standard moving boxes or smaller/larger containers?
Think Vertically: Storage units have height. You can stack items, especially if they are in sturdy boxes.
Measure Bulky Items: If you have particularly large or oddly shaped items, try to estimate their volume or at least their footprint.
Consult the Facility: Don't hesitate to ask the storage facility staff for their recommendations. They often have a good sense of what fits into different unit sizes.
By using this calculator and considering these tips, you can make a more informed decision about the storage unit size that best meets your needs, saving you time and money.
function calculateStorageSize() {
var boxCount = parseFloat(document.getElementById("boxCount").value);
var largeItemCount = parseFloat(document.getElementById("largeItemCount").value);
var furnitureType = document.getElementById("furnitureType").value;
var resultDisplay = document.getElementById("result-value");
var resultDescription = document.getElementById("result-description");
// Clear previous results
resultDisplay.innerHTML = "–";
resultDescription.innerHTML = "";
// — Input Validation —
if (isNaN(boxCount) || boxCount < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for medium boxes.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(largeItemCount) || largeItemCount < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for large items.");
return;
}
// — Volume Estimation (in cubic feet) —
// Approximate volume of a medium box (18"x16"x12") = 1.77 cu ft
var mediumBoxVolume = 1.77;
var totalBoxVolume = boxCount * mediumBoxVolume;
// Approximate volume for large items (these are rough estimates)
var largeItemVolumeEstimates = {
sofa: 40, // e.g., 7'x3'x3' = 63 cu ft, but packing efficiency reduces actual space taken
mattress: 30, // For a queen mattress, approx. 65"x80"x10" = 38 cu ft
desk: 25, // Varies greatly, assume a standard desk
diningTable: 35 // Assume a table for 6-8
};
var totalLargeItemVolume = 0;
// Simplified: Assume each "large item" corresponds to one of the types,
// or just assign a general large item volume if not specified in detail.
// For this calculator, we'll assume the 'largeItemCount' itself implies general bulky items,
// and the 'furnitureType' will add a multiplier or adjustment.
var generalLargeItemFootprint = 20; // A general rough estimate per "large item" if not specific furniture type.
totalLargeItemVolume = largeItemCount * generalLargeItemFootprint;
// Adjustments for dominant furniture type
var furnitureAdjustment = 1.0; // Multiplier for space
if (furnitureType === "sofa") {
totalLargeItemVolume += 40; // Add estimated sofa volume if it's the dominant item
furnitureAdjustment = 1.2; // Sofas take up more packing space around them
} else if (furnitureType === "bed") {
totalLargeItemVolume += 30; // Add estimated twin/full bed volume
furnitureAdjustment = 1.15;
} else if (furnitureType === "bedQueen") {
totalLargeItemVolume += 38; // Add estimated queen/king bed volume
furnitureAdjustment = 1.18;
} else if (furnitureType === "diningTable") {
totalLargeItemVolume += 35; // Add estimated dining table volume
furnitureAdjustment = 1.1;
} else if (furnitureType === "desk") {
totalLargeItemVolume += 25; // Add estimated desk volume
furnitureAdjustment = 1.05;
}
// Total estimated volume in cubic feet
var totalEstimatedVolume = (totalBoxVolume + totalLargeItemVolume) * furnitureAdjustment;
// — Recommend Unit Size —
var recommendedSize = "5'x5' (25 sq ft)";
var recommendedDescription = "Similar to a walk-in closet. Best for seasonal items, boxes, or small furniture.";
if (totalEstimatedVolume <= 50) {
recommendedSize = "5'x5' (25 sq ft)";
recommendedDescription = "Similar to a walk-in closet. Best for seasonal items, boxes, or small furniture.";
} else if (totalEstimatedVolume <= 80) {
recommendedSize = "5'x10' (50 sq ft)";
recommendedDescription = "About the size of a small bedroom. Fits a couch, chair, mattress, boxes.";
} else if (totalEstimatedVolume <= 125) {
recommendedSize = "10'x10' (100 sq ft)";
recommendedDescription = "The size of a small room. Good for a one-bedroom apartment's contents.";
} else if (totalEstimatedVolume <= 175) {
recommendedSize = "10'x15' (150 sq ft)";
recommendedDescription = "About the size of a large bedroom. Fits a two-bedroom apartment's contents.";
} else if (totalEstimatedVolume <= 225) {
recommendedSize = "10'x20' (200 sq ft)";
recommendedDescription = "Similar to a one-car garage. Ideal for a three-bedroom house's contents.";
} else {
recommendedSize = "10'x30' (300 sq ft) or larger";
recommendedDescription = "A large garage size. For larger homes, multiple vehicles, or extensive business storage.";
}
// Display the result
resultDisplay.innerHTML = recommendedSize;
resultDescription.innerHTML = recommendedDescription + " (Estimated Volume: " + totalEstimatedVolume.toFixed(1) + " cu ft)";
}