Storage for a 3 bedroom house
A three-bedroom house typically needs a 10x20 storage unit. A 10x15 can take it only if the garage stays behind — and the garage is usually the reason people underestimate this size in the first place.
- 1,168 cu ft
- Fits a 10×20 storage unit
- $160–$310 / month
What size storage unit for 3 bedroom house?
| Home size | 3 bedroom house (1,400–2,000 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Estimated volume | 1,168 cubic feet (cu ft) |
| Estimated weight | 7,060 lb |
| Minimum unit that fits | 10×20 storage unit at 86% full |
| Recommended | 10×20 storage unit at 86% full |
| Comfortable option | 10×25 storage unit at 69% full |
| Typical monthly cost | $160–$310 |
| Boxes to pack it | about 62 |
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
Bedrooms are a poor predictor at this size. A three-bedroom house with a bare garage and one with a workbench, mower and eight totes differ by around 250 cubic feet.
| Item | Qty | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Medium box (3.0 cu ft) | 24 | 72 cu ft |
| Large box (4.5 cu ft) | 14 | 63 cu ft |
| Queen bed set | 1 | 60 cu ft |
| Twin bed set (mattress, box, frame) | 2 | 60 cu ft |
| Wardrobe box (11 cu ft) | 5 | 55 cu ft |
| Sofa, 3-cushion | 1 | 50 cu ft |
| Refrigerator, standard | 1 | 50 cu ft |
| Dresser, single (up to 4 drawers) | 2 | 50 cu ft |
| Full bed set | 1 | 45 cu ft |
| China cabinet / hutch | 1 | 40 cu ft |
| Dresser, double / triple | 1 | 40 cu ft |
| Desk, executive / L-shaped | 1 | 35 cu ft |
| Armchair | 2 | 30 cu ft |
| Dining table | 1 | 30 cu ft |
| Dining chair | 6 | 30 cu ft |
| Range / oven | 1 | 30 cu ft |
| Chest of drawers, tall | 1 | 28 cu ft |
| Washing machine | 1 | 25 cu ft |
Showing the 18 largest of 46 line items. Full volumes come from our open dataset of packed volumes.
When to size up
- The garage, shed or patio is included
- You have large appliances plus a dining hutch
- The unit needs to stay usable for more than a few months
An access aisle is the most commonly overlooked one. Leaving a walkway drops a 10×20 storage unit from 1,360 to 1,156 cubic feet of usable space, which is often exactly what pushes this household to the next size.
Your three options compared
| 10×20 storage unit | 10×20 storage unit | 10×25 storage unit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Minimum that fits | Recommended | Comfortable |
| Fill rate | 86% | 86% | 69% |
| Floor area | 200 sq ft | 200 sq ft | 250 sq ft |
| Monthly cost | $160–$310 | $160–$310 | $195–$370 |
| 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 10×20 storage unit runs $160–$310 per month standard, or $195–$380 climate-controlled. Over a year that is $1920–$3720, 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 3 bedroom house produces about 62 boxes at average density. Uniform sizes stack better than mixed cartons; the loose-to-tight packing difference for this inventory is around 350 cubic feet.
Calculate the cartons for this 3 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 3 bedroom house?
A 10×20 storage unit for a typical 3 bedroom house of about 1,168 cubic feet, filling roughly 86% of the usable space. Appliances, a garage or several years in the same home push you up a size.
How many cubic feet is 3 bedroom house?
About 1,168 cu ft and 7,060 lb, based on a full inventory. Expect a spread of 1,051–1,401 cu ft depending on how much is in the closets.
How many boxes will I need?
Around 62 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 3 bedroom house, 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.