Storage for a 1 bedroom apartment
A one-bedroom apartment typically needs a 10x10 storage unit. A 5x15 is the smallest that will physically take it, but at 5 ft wide a sofa will not turn inside one — which is why the 10x10 is the practical answer for most one-bedrooms.
- 445 cu ft
- Fits a 10×10 storage unit
- $90–$180 / month
What size storage unit for 1 bedroom apartment?
| Home size | 1 bedroom apartment (600–800 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Estimated volume | 445 cubic feet (cu ft) |
| Estimated weight | 2,685 lb |
| Minimum unit that fits | 5×15 storage unit at 87% full |
| Recommended | 10×10 storage unit at 65% full |
| Comfortable option | 10×15 storage unit at 44% full |
| Typical monthly cost | $90–$180 |
| Boxes to pack it | about 26 |
Volume is computed from a full item-by-item inventory of a typical home this size, not a rule of thumb. Your own total will differ — the calculator lets you edit the list.
The inventory behind that number
This is the size where the answer genuinely splits, which is why a room count is not enough. The difference between a minimalist one-bedroom and a well-settled one is around 200 cubic feet — one whole unit size.
| Item | Qty | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Queen bed set | 1 | 60 cu ft |
| Sofa, 3-cushion | 1 | 50 cu ft |
| Dresser, double / triple | 1 | 40 cu ft |
| Wardrobe box (11 cu ft) | 3 | 33 cu ft |
| Dining table | 1 | 30 cu ft |
| Medium box (3.0 cu ft) | 10 | 30 cu ft |
| Large box (4.5 cu ft) | 6 | 27 cu ft |
| Bookcase, 4+ shelves | 1 | 20 cu ft |
| Dining chair | 4 | 20 cu ft |
| Desk, small / writing | 1 | 20 cu ft |
| TV stand / media console | 1 | 15 cu ft |
| Nightstand | 2 | 12 cu ft |
| Coffee table | 1 | 10 cu ft |
| TV, 50" and larger | 1 | 10 cu ft |
| Area rug, rolled | 1 | 10 cu ft |
| Office chair | 1 | 10 cu ft |
| Suitcase, large | 2 | 10 cu ft |
| Small box (1.5 cu ft, "book box") | 6 | 9 cu ft |
Showing the 18 largest of 24 line items. Full volumes come from our open dataset of packed volumes.
When to size up
- Appliances are coming with you
- You have lived there more than three years
- A home office or hobby gear is part of the load
An access aisle is the most commonly overlooked one. Leaving a walkway drops a 10×10 storage unit from 680 to 578 cubic feet of usable space, which is often exactly what pushes this household to the next size.
Your three options compared
| 5×15 storage unit | 10×10 storage unit | 10×15 storage unit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Minimum that fits | Recommended | Comfortable |
| Fill rate | 87% | 65% | 44% |
| Floor area | 75 sq ft | 100 sq ft | 150 sq ft |
| Monthly cost | $75–$140 | $90–$180 | $125–$240 |
| Access | Sealed, packed to the roof | Tight but workable | Room for an aisle |
Fill rates assume moderate packing density and no access aisle.
How much it will cost
A 10×10 storage unit runs $90–$180 per month standard, or $115–$230 climate-controlled. Over a year that is $1080–$2160, before the admin fee, lock and insurance that get added at move-in.
See the full cost breakdown for this size, or the cost overview for what moves the price in your market.
Packing it
About 26 boxes for a home this size at average packing density. Uniform box sizes stack far better than mixed ones, and a well-stacked unit genuinely holds one size less than a badly stacked one — the difference between loose and tight packing here is around 134 cubic feet.
Work out your own box count with the count your boxes and supplies, then read how to pack a storage unit for the loading order that keeps the things you need reachable.
Check it against your own things
Related questions
What size storage unit do I need for 1 bedroom apartment?
A 10×10 storage unit for a typical 1 bedroom apartment of about 445 cubic feet, filling roughly 65% of the usable space. Appliances, a garage or several years in the same home push you up a size.
How many cubic feet is 1 bedroom apartment?
About 445 cu ft and 2,685 lb, based on a full inventory. Expect a spread of 401–534 cu ft depending on how much is in the closets.
How many boxes will I need?
Around 26 at average density, mostly medium and large. See the count your boxes and supplies for a split by box type plus tape and paper quantities.
Should I get climate control?
It depends on contents and duration, not on home size. Wood furniture, electronics, instruments, photographs, artwork and leather deteriorate in an unconditioned unit through a US summer. For three months of boxed kitchenware, it is money you do not need to spend. Full comparison.