Two long rows of storage unit roller doors facing each other across a wide concrete aisle

Guide

What size storage unit do I need?

Most people guess too small, then squeeze, stack too high and can't reach anything. This guide helps you get it right the first time.

Start with the big items

Boxes stack. Furniture mostly doesn't. So the big pieces decide your floor area. Walk through the house and list everything bigger than a carton: beds, couches, tables, drawers, whiteware, bikes, the lawnmower.

Rough floor space for common items
Item	Floor space
Queen bed, base and mattress on edge	About 1 m²
Three-seater couch	About 2 m²
Dining table with chairs stacked on top	About 1.5 m²
Fridge or washing machine	About 0.5 m² each
Chest of drawers	About 0.5 m²
20 moving cartons stacked three high	About 2 m²
Average car	About 9 m², plus room to open a door
5 m boat on its trailer	About 12 m², plus room to walk around

Room by room

Typical unit size by home size
What you're storing	Typical floor area
A room or two, or a student flat	About 6 to 9 m²
A one-bedroom flat	About 9 m²
A two to three-bedroom house	About 15 m²
A three to four-bedroom house	About 18 to 20 m²
A four-bedroom house with a full garage	30 m² or more

These are averages. A house full of antiques needs more floor than one with flat-pack furniture you can take apart.

Do the height check

Boxes can go up to about head height safely. Above that, they topple when you pull one out from below. If your list includes tall items like wardrobes, fridges or a boat with a windscreen, check the door height as well as the ceiling.

Leave an aisle if you'll visit

If you'll need things while they're stored, add about 20 percent for a walkway down the middle. If it's a lock-and-leave for a year, pack it tight and skip the aisle.

Vehicles, boats and trailers

Overall length, from the hitch or front bumper to the furthest point at the back
Overall width, including mirrors, mudguards or the beam
Overall height, including racks, windscreens and frames
Turning room to back it in

See car storage, boat storage and trailer storage for more.

Still not sure?

Send us your list through the quote form. We'll suggest a size and show you what's free. Or see Storage Units and Sizes.

Get a quote

Every unit is $469 per month including GST, with a 6-month minimum stay. Tell us what you're storing and when, and we'll tell you what's free.