If you’re planning to store some of your furniture but have no idea how much space you will need, consider this: a 10’x10′ self storage unit is the most popular size because it can accommodate a variety of needs. About the size of a small bedroom or a shed, a 10’x10′ storage unit could be the perfect fit — whether you’re storing furniture during a move or a home renovation or if your needs are more long-term.

Considered medium-size by industry standards, a 10’x10′ storage unit will give you 100 square feet of floor space and 800 cubic feet of overall storage space if it has an eight-foot-high ceiling. Storage experts say it’s enough space to store furniture from a large family room, a small apartment or two small bedrooms. And you will have enough room for boxes and some odds and ends as well.

Furniture items that a 10’x10’ storage unit can accommodate

Once you have decided on what furniture is going into storage, check with your moving professionals or the storage facility to get a better idea of your space requirements. Often larger furniture pieces pose the biggest uncertainty, and you want them well protected and undamaged for when you are ready to use them again. These items may fit nicely into a 10’x10′ storage unit:

• Dining room table and chairs
• Sofa (most are less than 10 feet long, but avoid storing them on their side)
• Entertainment center
• China cabinet
• Piano
• Mattress of any size (should be stored flat)
• Bookcase
• Desk
• Outdoor patio furniture
• Major appliances such as a refrigerator or washer and dryer

Calculate and make a plan for your 10’x10′ storage space

Like most people, you probably have a combination of large furniture and smaller pieces like chairs, coffee tables and lamps. Measure your larger items, see what can be disassembled or stacked, and sketch out a plan, if needed. You could also mock up a quick floor plan to visualize how furniture and boxes will fit while leaving clear walkways and access to items you’ll need first.

Some common combinations of furniture that will fit in a 10’x10′ storage space include:

• Sofa, loveseat, recliner, coffee and end tables, entertainment center
• Two queen mattresses plus bed frames and headboards, two dressers, two chests of drawers and two nightstands
• Sofa and loveseat, small kitchen table and chairs, refrigerator, full-size mattress, headboard and bed frame, chest of drawers and nightstand
• Office desk and chair, bookcase and filing cabinet, plus furniture from a small bedroom

Remember to calculate for some boxes and odds and ends, since you may have household goods or home décor items such as curtains, rugs and art work to include in your storage unit. Keep in mind that you have the entire floor-to-ceiling space to work with, so stacking will be a smart move to maximize your space. For example, you could place some lightweight items such as pillows or blankets on your sofa or stack end tables on top of each other as long as they are covered and protected. Be sure to take advantage of furniture that has built-in storage areas such as drawers or shelves. Some furniture has ‘dead space’ you can work with, by placing items under a swivel chair or coffee table, for example.

Young Couple Unpacking Large Couch

If you are wondering how much to budget for a non-climate-controlled 10’x10′ storage unit, prices vary considerably nationwide. The rent on a San Diego storage unit of this size starts at about $39 per month, while in Texas, rents for San Antonio storage units and Dallas storage units start at around $46 and $63, respectively. In Florida, the street rate for a Miami storage unit can be as low as $75 while a Tampa storage unit could cost you $99. Since prices can go higher than this, it is best to shop around for a good deal. Once you’ve found a convenient storage facility to keep your furniture secure and in good condition, make sure you’ve got a large enough vehicle — such as a van or moving truck — to get it all there.