What Size Storage Unit Do I Need? A Simple Size Guide
Choosing a storage unit usually comes down to one question: how much space do you actually need? Too small, and you’re stuck making a second trip. Too big, and you’re paying for empty floor space every month.
Here’s a straightforward breakdown of common storage unit sizes, in metric, along with what actually fits in each one — so you can get it right the first time.
Storage Unit Sizes at a Glance
| Size | Room Equivalent | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| ≈2.25m² | Small closet | Boxes, seasonal items, a student’s holiday essentials |
| ≈4.5m² | Large walk-in closet | A studio flat or single furnished room |
| ≈9m² | Small bedroom | A one-bedroom apartment, fully packed |
| ≈13.5m² | Large bedroom | A two-bedroom home or small family’s furniture |
| ≈18m² | Single garage | A three-bedroom house, or a vehicle plus household items |
| ≈27m² | Double garage | A full house move, business stock, or large vehicle storage |
| > 27m² | Business Storage | Businesses need that additional space as a mini-warehouse of fulfilment center |
Every facility’s exact unit dimensions differ slightly, and ours are no exception — think of this table as a general guide to the scale of space you’re after, not an exact booking size. We’ll always confirm the precise fit before you commit to anything.
Small Storage: Boxes, Crates and the Occasional Extra
If you’re storing paperwork, seasonal decorations, sports equipment, or just decluttering a room without moving house, a small unit in the 2–4.5m² range is usually plenty. This is also the size range most of our student customers use when heading home for the December holidays — enough room for a mattress, a few boxes, and whatever won’t fit in the car.
See our Student Storage and Security Crate Storage options.
Medium Storage: A Full Apartment or Small Home
Once you’re storing the entire contents of a one- or two-bedroom home — beds, couches, a dining table, kitchen appliances, and the inevitable stack of boxes — you’re looking at somewhere between 9m² and 13.5m². This is the size range most people underestimate; furniture takes up more floor space than it looks like it will once it’s out of the room and stacked in a unit.
See our Household Storage options.
Large Storage: Full Homes, Vehicles and Business Stock
For a full three-bedroom (or larger) household move, business inventory, or if you need to store a vehicle alongside your belongings, you’ll want to be looking at 18m² and up. This is also where our vehicle storage and business storage clients typically land — enough room for stock, equipment, or a car, without paying garage-sized rates for a garage-sized space you don’t need.
See our Vehicle Storage and Business Storage options.
A Quick Tip Before You Book
Measure your largest items first — bed frames, couches, appliances — rather than trying to estimate room-by-room. It’s the bulky, awkward-shaped items that catch people out, not the boxes.
And if you’re still not sure, don’t guess. One of our clients recently switched from a unit that was too big to exactly the right size, and told us:
“Veronica suggested a smaller unit; gave me the exact square meters that I needed, really knows her stuff.”
That’s the KeyStorage approach — we’d rather match you to the right size than sell you more space than you need.
Not Sure Which Size Is Right for You?
Our team knows our facility inside out, and we’re happy to talk through exactly what you’re storing to find your ideal fit — no guesswork required.
Get a Free Quote or Contact Our Team and we’ll help you get it right the first time.
KeyStorage offers secure, 24/7-accessible self storage in Stellenbosch for households, students, businesses and vehicles. Explore our storage options →
Storage Quote Enquiry Form
Tell us what you need to store and for how long, and we’ll give you an obligation free quote.
