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
A typical studio apartment produces about 15 boxes at average density. Uniform sizes stack better than mixed cartons; the loose-to-tight packing difference for this inventory is around 83 cubic feet.
Calculate the cartons for this studio 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 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?
For a studio 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.