5x10 vs 10x10 storage unit
The 5x10 and the 10x10 are the two most commonly rented storage unit sizes, and choosing between them is one of the easiest ways to save money or waste it. The 10x10 has exactly twice the floor area. It is rarely twice the price, but the difference adds up over a long rental.
The numbers
| 5x10 | 10x10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor area | 50 sq ft | 100 sq ft |
| Volume at 8 ft ceiling | about 400 cu ft | about 800 cu ft |
| Comparable to | a walk in closet | a small bedroom |
| Typical contents | studio apartment, dorm room | one bedroom apartment |
What fits in a 5x10
A 5x10 is long and narrow: 5 feet wide and 10 feet deep. A typical load is:
- A twin or full mattress stood on edge
- A dresser or chest of drawers
- A loveseat or small sofa, placed lengthwise
- A desk and chair
- 15 to 20 medium boxes
- Small items such as lamps, a television and a bicycle
The 5 foot width is the constraint that catches people out. Many sofas are 7 feet long. In a 5x10, a 7 foot sofa must run along one of the long walls, which uses 7 of the 10 feet of depth and about 3 feet of the 5 foot width. That leaves a 2 foot gap beside it, enough for boxes but not for another large piece.
What fits in a 10x10
A 10x10 adds a full second “lane” of floor. That lets you put large pieces side by side instead of end to end. A typical load is:
- A queen bed and frame
- A full size sofa and an armchair
- A dresser and nightstands
- A dining table and chairs
- A washer and dryer or a refrigerator
- 20 to 30 medium boxes
See what fits in a 10x10 for a full layout.
Choose the 5x10 if
- You are storing a studio, a dorm room, or the contents of a single room
- Your largest item is a full mattress or a loveseat
- Most of your things are in boxes that stack neatly
- You will rarely need to get to the items at the back
Choose the 10x10 if
- You have a queen or king bed, a full size sofa, or a large appliance
- You have more than one piece longer than 6 feet
- You need an aisle to reach things during the rental
- You are not sure, your stuff is mostly furniture, and you cannot plan it out first
Common mistakes
Judging by volume alone
Two units can hold the same volume and still differ in what fits. A 5x10 holds about 400 cubic feet, which sounds like a lot, but a king mattress (76 by 80 inches) is wider than the unit. It can only go in standing on edge. If your stuff includes wide or long pieces, the narrow unit may fail even when the volume math says it should work.
Forgetting the door
The roll up door is usually narrower and lower than the unit. A tall wardrobe or refrigerator must pass through it upright or tilted. Ask the facility for the door dimensions, not just the unit size.
Not leaving room to stack safely
Boxes stacked to the ceiling on top of a sofa cushion will slump and topple. Plan heavy, stable pieces on the bottom and lighter boxes above, and leave anything soft or fragile on top. Our guide to stacking furniture safely covers the rules.
Renting big “just in case”
Upsizing out of uncertainty is the most common way people overpay. If you can lay out your items first, you will know whether the 5x10 works.
A quick test
- Measure your three largest items.
- Check that each one fits along a wall of the 5x10 in at least one orientation, including standing on edge.
- Add up the volume of everything you plan to store. If it is under about 240 cubic feet (60 percent of a 5x10), the smaller unit is realistic. Between about 240 and 340 cubic feet, it will be tight. Above that, go for the 10x10.
- Lay it out to be sure.
The last step is the one that settles it. The planner lets you switch the same set of items between a 5x10 and a 10x10 with one click and see which one fits, with warnings for anything that crosses a wall or goes through the ceiling. See pricing to try it with your own furniture.