Self storage units come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny storage lockers to massive spaces that can fit the contents of a whole house. 10’ x 10’ storage units sit at the lower end of the size spectrum, but are some of the most widely available and popular units available in facilities near you.
A 10’ x 10’ storage unit is the perfect size for all kinds of everyday storage tasks, from saving space in your home while you give it a makeover to keeping valuables in a safe and secure place. In this article, we’ll go over some of the ins and outs of 10’ x 10’ units, what common items you can store in them, and the best ways to pack them when it’s time to move your stuff in.
How big is a 10’ x 10’ storage unit?
With 100 square feet and 800 cubic feet of space available, a 10’ x 10’ storage unit can feel a lot larger than it sounds. For comparison, it’s a little less than a quarter of the size of a standard home two-car garage, and around the same size of your average bedroom, leaving you plenty of room to move around.
You’ll quickly find that you can fit a lot of your stuff in one of these supposedly “small” units, especially if you carefully stack things properly. 10’ x 10’ units can easily fit the contents of two entire bedrooms and still give you some walking space.
What objects can fit in a 10’ x 10’ storage unit?
Whatever your needs may be, a 10’ x 10’ storage unit can help clear out some space in your home on a temporary or permanent basis. Some common items you can fit in one of these units include:
- Sofas and loveseats
- Mattresses and bed frames
- Dressers and night stands
- Book shelves
- Coffee tables
- Washer/dryers
- Workout equipment
- Refrigerators
- Ranges and ovens
- Motorcycles and small trailers
Furniture
If you arrange it properly, you can fit sofas, dressers, nightstands, bed frames, book shelves, and coffee tables in a 10’ x 10’ unit. Just be careful when storing wooden objects; you might need to invest in a climate controlled unit to make sure they aren’t damaged by the surrounding environment.
Mattresses
A mattress needs special care to prevent it from being damaged in a storage unit, but a 10’ x 10’ unit is more than enough space to keep one safely. Just make sure you keep it in a plastic bag to keep dust and pests away, and store it flat to preserve the springs.
Appliances
Washers, dryers, refrigerators, and ovens alike can all fit into a 10’ x 10’ storage unit. When doing so, protect them from moisture so their electronic parts aren’t damaged, and store any delicate pieces such as heating elements separately if possible.
Small vehicles
If you’re putting a small ride-on vehicle or a small trailer away for the winter, you can easily fit one or the other in a 10’ x 10’ unit with plenty of room for other items. Just make sure you properly winterize whatever vehicle you may be storing so it comes back out ready to ride.
How many storage boxes fit inside a 10’ x 10’ storage unit?
Plenty of standard moving boxes can snugly fit inside a storage unit at once. To calculate how many, let’s quickly go over some standard sizing.
- Small boxes: Records, books, or small kitchen gadgets.
- Medium boxes: Towels, decorative items, or clothing.
- Large boxes: Bedding, curtains, and kitchen appliances.
- Extra-large boxes: Comforters, large pillows, and sports gear.
Alongside extra possessions like furniture or bed frames, you can realistically fit about 50 or 60 medium-sized moving boxes into a storage unit. However, if you’re only storing boxes, you can fit a maximum of around 100 medium-sized ones into 800 cubic feet.
Can I fit my car into a 10’ x 10’ storage unit?
No. Even the most compact cars need a good 15 feet in one direction to properly fit into a storage unit, and most cars require a 10’ x 20’ unit size. Unless you’re working with a comically small car like a Peel P50, you’re going to need something bigger. However, small vehicles like motorcycles and ATVs are perfect for 10’ x 10’ units, with plenty of room to fit some extra equipment and necessities alongside them.
What size storage unit do I need for a two-bedroom apartment?
While you can fit the contents of two bedrooms in a 10’ x 10’ storage unit when you arrange things properly, you may need some extra space if you want to store more than that. Sizing up to a 10’ x 15’ unit won’t cut into your budget too much more, and it’ll give you an extra 50 square feet to fit the rest of your apartment’s contents in.
Can I find 10’ x 10’ storage units with climate control?
Absolutely. While not every unit has climate control and not every facility offers it, it’s become the standard for most units, especially in areas with extreme temperatures and humidities. Climate-controlled storage units have HVAC and humidity control systems to keep the environment at a predictable range of temperature and moisture.
It’s easy to find 10’ x 10’ units with and without climate control, especially using SpareFoot’s built-in storage search tool. Choosing one with climate control will allow you to protect delicate items from the elements, from antique wooden furniture to old, valuable books and vinyl records.
Climate-controlled storage units are usually a little bit more expensive than units without it, but the price difference is relatively small and the investment will be worth it to protect the things that are most precious to you.
How do I pack a 10’ x 10’ storage unit?
If you’ve decided on a unit, booked one, and are ready to move your stuff in, remember to start by taking a complete inventory of every item you’re storing so nothing gets lost in the shuffle. Then, start by putting your largest items in the unit first, making sure to leave a small gap from the wall so air can circulate.
After you’ve set your bulky items, bring in increasingly smaller items to fill in the space. Organize the unit into zones by item type, and make sure to leave some corridors for you to walk through and access everything easily. Your unit will be full, organized, and secured in no time.
A quick reminder, though: never put weighty objects or boxes on top of delicate furniture or electronics. Even a seemingly sturdy sofa can have its cushioning and fabric damaged by heavy boxes, so if you need to stack anything on top, make sure it’s lightweight.
What size moving truck should I use for a 10’ x 10’ storage unit?
Planning on moving yourself? A 15-foot truck should easily fit all your stuff if you’re using a 10’ x 10’ unit. While you can rent a truck from places like Uhaul, many storage facilities and chains offer free use of a moving truck with a storage unit rental, so be sure to look into any offers or discounts before booking.
How do I find a 10’ x 10’ storage unit near me?
By now, you should understand what a 10’ x 10’ storage unit is, what can fit in one, and how to pack one properly. If that sounds like the right choice for you, you don’t have to go anywhere; SpareFoot has a built-in storage search tool to help you find storage facilities in your area, compare prices, and filter by the sizes and features you need. You can even get discounts by booking through our site!
Andreea Draguleasa
Andreea Draguleasa showed an affinity for foreign languages and literature at an early age and started writing when she was 6. She studied journalism, advertising, and public relations at the University of Bucharest and worked as a content writer for a tourism agency and as a journalist for a magazine in the hospitality industry until 2010. After seven years as marketing manager for a Home & Deco online shop, she realized that learning something new every day brings her the most joy, so she went back to researching and writing informative articles. Through her experience traveling the world, she's picked up tips and resources she now shares on self storage solutions. When not writing about home organizing and storage, Andreea spends most of her time reading, playing video games, and spoiling her cat.
