Storage for a studio apartment
A studio apartment usually fits in a 5x10 storage unit. That covers a queen bed set, a loveseat, a small table, a dresser and roughly 20 boxes with a little room to spare.
- 278 cu ft
- Fits a 5×10 storage unit
- $55–$110 / month
What size storage unit for studio apartment?
| Home size | Studio apartment (400–600 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Estimated volume | 278 cubic feet (cu ft) |
| Estimated weight | 1,655 lb |
| Minimum unit that fits | 5×10 storage unit at 82% full |
| Recommended | 5×10 storage unit at 82% full |
| Comfortable option | 5×15 storage unit at 55% full |
| Typical monthly cost | $55–$110 |
| Boxes to pack it | about 15 |
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
Studios are the size people most often over-book, usually because the quote came from a room count rather than an item count. The furniture in a studio is genuinely small; the boxes are what surprise people.
| Item | Qty | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Queen bed set | 1 | 60 cu ft |
| Loveseat / 2-cushion sofa | 1 | 35 cu ft |
| Dresser, single (up to 4 drawers) | 1 | 25 cu ft |
| Wardrobe box (11 cu ft) | 2 | 22 cu ft |
| Kitchen table | 1 | 20 cu ft |
| Medium box (3.0 cu ft) | 6 | 18 cu ft |
| TV stand / media console | 1 | 15 cu ft |
| Large box (4.5 cu ft) | 3 | 13.5 cu ft |
| Coffee table | 1 | 10 cu ft |
| TV, 50" and larger | 1 | 10 cu ft |
| Dining chair | 2 | 10 cu ft |
| Suitcase, large | 2 | 10 cu ft |
| Small appliance bundle (mixer, air fryer…) | 1 | 6 cu ft |
| Nightstand | 1 | 6 cu ft |
| Small box (1.5 cu ft, "book box") | 4 | 6 cu ft |
| Framed art / large mirror | 1 | 4 cu ft |
| Microwave | 1 | 4 cu ft |
| Floor lamp | 1 | 3 cu ft |
Showing the 18 largest of 18 line items. Full volumes come from our open dataset of packed volumes.
When to size up
- You own a washer and dryer
- Your sofa is longer than 6 feet — it will not turn in a 5 ft wide unit
- You need to reach anything during the rental
An access aisle is the most commonly overlooked one. Leaving a walkway drops a 5×10 storage unit from 340 to 289 cubic feet of usable space, which is often exactly what pushes this household to the next size.
Your three options compared
| 5×10 storage unit | 5×10 storage unit | 5×15 storage unit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Minimum that fits | Recommended | Comfortable |
| Fill rate | 82% | 82% | 55% |
| Floor area | 50 sq ft | 50 sq ft | 75 sq ft |
| Monthly cost | $55–$110 | $55–$110 | $75–$140 |
| 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 5×10 storage unit runs $55–$110 per month standard, or $70–$140 climate-controlled. Over a year that is $660–$1320, 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 15 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 83 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 studio apartment?
A 5×10 storage unit for a typical studio apartment of about 278 cubic feet, filling roughly 82% of the usable space. Appliances, a garage or several years in the same home push you up a size.
How many cubic feet is studio apartment?
About 278 cu ft and 1,655 lb, based on a full inventory. Expect a spread of 250–333 cu ft depending on how much is in the closets.
How many boxes will I need?
Around 15 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.