What Can Fit in a Storage Unit? - 10x10 Edition
Our exploration into learning about what can fit in a storage unit is continuing to grow! First we started with a 5×5 storage unit then grew into a 5×10 storage unit, but now we’re ready for the most versatile storage unit in the lineup: the 10×10! A 10×10 storage unit is the crown jewel of storage unit sizes because of its versatile application, capable of serving multiple storing scenarios. Unlike other storage unit sizes, the 10×10 is often the middle ground between too little and too much storage space. Let’s find out what can fit in a 10×10 storage unit and if it’s the right size for you!
Key Takeaways
- The “Half-Garage” or “Spare Bedroom” Equivalent: 100 square feet of floor space and roughly 800 cubic feet of total volume.
- Ideal for 2-Bedroom Apartments: Comfortably holds the contents of up to two fully furnished bedrooms or a standard 1-to-2 bedroom apartment.
- Large Furniture Friendly: Fits bulky items like sectional sofas, King-sized beds, entertainment centers, and major appliances simultaneously.
- Square Foot Flexibility: Unlike the long-and-narrow 5×10, the even 10×10 square shape makes it much easier to organize, stack, and navigate.
How Big is a 10x10 Storage Unit, Really?
As the name insists, the 10×10 storage unit is 10 feet deep and 10 square feet wide offering a total of 100 square feet of storage space on the ground. But, don’t forget the storage unit will have about 8-feet of vertical space too, giving the 10×10 storage unit a whopping 800 cubic feet of total storage space!
To help paint the picture more clearly, you can imagine this same amount of space as a spare bedroom in a home. A spare bedroom in a home is most often the same size as a 10×10 storage unit in both height, width, and depth. Additionally, you can imagine this size of storage unit as the same as a standard one-car garage that already has a midsize SUV parked inside.
Why Choose a 10x10?
- The “Two-Bedroom Move” / “Apartment Transition”: Ideal for small families, roommates splitting a space, or couples moving out of a fully loaded 1- or 2-bedroom apartment.
- The “Whole-House Remodel”: When a home remodel impacts multiple main living spaces (like the living room and kitchen combined). It gives contractors the completely empty house they need to work more efficiently.
- The Big Downsize or Life Transition: Great for storing furniture during estate management, sudden relocations, downsizing for retirement, or combining two households into one.
- Commercial Inventory & Equipment: Perfect for local contractors needing to store larger tools, ladders, and building materials, or e-commerce businesses that have outgrown a 5×5 and need somewhere to manage inventory. Additionally, business startups trying to keep overhead low, storing sensitive business records, or storing additional equipment taking up too much space in the office.
What Actually Fits?
With so much available storage space, there’s almost endless options for what can fit in a 10×10 storage unit. However, here are some of the more common configurations!
Configuration A: The "2-Bedroom Apartment / Small Home"
This is the most common configuration for the 10×10 storage unit. Many homeowners or apartment renters find themselves needing a temporary place to store their items while moving. The 10×10 is perfect for this since it has more than enough room to store all of the common items found inside your average 2-bedroom apartment or home.
- One King-sized bed set and one Queen-sized bed set.
- Two dressers, nightstands, and a desk.
- A living room sofa or love seat.
- A dining room table with chairs (disassembled).
- 20–30 medium to large moving boxes (including all of your seasonal storage boxes!)
Configuration B: The "Major Appliance & Living Room Swap"
A 10×10 is perfect for those who are downsizing or even want to take advantage of a great furniture sale, but don’t have the space available yet.
- Full-size sectional sofa and a coffee table.
- Large entertainment center and flat-screen TV.
- Major appliances: Refrigerator, washer, and dryer.
- Multiple large area rugs (rolled up).
- 15–20 plastic storage bins.
Configuration C: The "Ultimate Garage & Toy Box"
The garage is a constantly contended space for many homeowners. Not only does the garage act as a space to store common garage items like tools and ‘toys’, but it’s also where the home’s excess storage goes as well.
- A motorcycle storage, vehicle storage, riding lawnmower, or multiple bicycles.
- Jet ski (on a small trailer) or multiple kayaks/paddleboards.
- Entire patio furniture set (including umbrella and tables).
- Multiple sets of golf clubs, camping gear, and heavy-duty tools.
- 15+ large plastic totes stacked.
Pro-Tips for the 10x10 Master
- The “T-Shape” or “L-Shape” Aisle: Because a 10×10 is a deep square, leaving a path down the middle (or an L-shaped aisle) is vital. Don’t block yourself out of the back corners!
- Build a Solid Perimeter: Place your heaviest, tallest items (like mattresses, wardrobes, and large appliances) flat along the back and side walls first to create a solid framework.
- Utilize Vertical Pallets / Shelving: Remind them of the 8-foot ceilings. Mention that freestanding heavy-duty wire shelving units fit beautifully in a 10×10 to keep boxes from getting crushed.
- The Appliance Rule (Expanded): Since a 10×10 often holds appliances, remind them to clean and thoroughly dry refrigerators and washing machines beforehand, leaving doors ajar to prevent mold.
Is the 10x10 Right for You?
A 10×10 is the perfect size of storage unit that sits at the intersection of being the perfect solution for those going through major life transitions, running a growing small business, or just needing more storage space. The 10×10 offers enough room for almost any storage scenario which is why it’s one of our most sought after storage unit sizes. Instead of trying to cram everything into a 5×10 storage unit or overpay for a 10×20, a 10×10 offers just the right amount of space for most people needing storage. If you’re still unsure about which storage unit size is right for you, check out our storage unit size guide or find one of the self-storage facilities near you and give one of our storage experts a call!
