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
A typical 1 bedroom apartment produces about 26 boxes at average density. Uniform sizes stack better than mixed cartons; the loose-to-tight packing difference for this inventory is around 134 cubic feet.
Calculate the cartons for this 1 bedroom with the count your boxes and supplies, then use how to pack a storage unit to keep the first-needed boxes 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?
For a 1 bedroom apartment, decide from the contents and season rather than the bedroom count. Wood furniture, electronics, instruments, photographs, artwork and leather need protection through a humid summer; a short load of boxed kitchenware usually does not. Compare climate-controlled and standard storage.