The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Storage Unit Size

Choosing the right storage unit size can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. At City Storage Group in London, Ontario, we make storage simple with flexible options, drive-up access, and affordable rates. This guide builds on the advice in our previous article about storage unit sizes and highlights additional tips to help you pick the best fit. 

1. Start with an Inventory

Before looking at unit sizes, make a clear list of what you need to store. Think in categories: furniture, boxes, sports gear, or seasonal décor. Consider:

  • Frequency of use: Will you need frequent access to tools or equipment, or are you storing long-term seasonal items?

  • Type of storage: Drive-up units are convenient for quick drop-ins, while climate-controlled units add protection for sensitive items.

2. Understand Size Options

While our main article explains common unit sizes in detail, here’s a quick refresher:

  • 5×5 (25 sq ft) – similar to a small closet; perfect for small furniture, boxes and seasonal items .

     

  • 5×10 (50 sq ft) – comparable to a large walk-in closet; great for small couches, mattresses, and stacked bins.

     

  • 10×10 (100 sq ft) – about the size of a large bedroom; ideal storage for the contents of most small apartments.

     

  • 10×20 (200 sq ft) – roughly a one-car garage; accommodates large furniture sets, appliances, or equipment.

     

3. Match Unit Size to Your Situation

Instead of thinking only in square footage, consider how you’ll actually load your belongings:

  • Bulky items first (sofas, lawnmowers, patio sets)

  • Boxes stacked to use vertical space

  • Fragile items separated for protection

  • Frequently used items placed near the front

For maximum efficiency, sketch a rough layout before you rent.

4. Drive‑Up Storage for Easy Access

If convenience is your top priority, drive-up storage is hard to beat. Pull your car or truck right to the door, making loading and unloading fast and frustration-free. These units are especially useful for storing:

  • Contractor tools or equipment

  • Sports gear and bikes

  • Seasonal lawn and garden equipment

5. Look Beyond Size: Consider Security & Added Value

With City Storage Group, your rental includes much more than just space:

  • 24/7 surveillance & unit alarms

  • Flexible payment plans (weekly or monthly)

  • No mandatory insurance fees

  • Moving supplies and package acceptance available for convenience

6. Use the Interactive Size Guide Tool

Still unsure which size is right? Try our interactive size guide tool, which allows you to click the items or number of boxes you plan to store and provides an estimate of the best size for your needs.

Quick Reference Examples

Scenario

Store extra boxes or seasonal items

Store 1‑2‑bedroom apartment contents

Store multiple-bedroom sets or large gear

Frequent access or heavy equipment

Recommended Unit Size

5×5 or 5×10

10×10

10×20

Drive‑up unit

Benefit

Compact and affordable

Fits large furniture, appliances & boxes

Spacious, garage-sized

Load/unload directly from our vehicle

graphic representation of 10x10 self storage unit
graphic representation of 15x15 self storage unit
10x20 deep garage storage unit model
5x10 walk in closet storage unit model

Final Thoughts

The key to picking the right storage unit size is balancing what you’re storing, how often you’ll access it, and your budget. With City Storage Group, you’ll find flexible, secure, and affordable solutions that fit your life.

Explore our full guide to storage unit sizes for even more details—or jump right into our interactive size guide tool to find and reserve your perfect unit today.

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LONDON NORTH
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LONDON CENTRAL
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LONDON EAST
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BIG BOX MOBILE

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