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
About 62 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 350 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 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?
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.