How To Choose a Storage Unit

You've got a garage full of furniture, a spare room that's stopped being spare, or a move coming up faster than expected. Picking the wrong size is one of the most common renting mistakes: too small and you're cramming things in awkwardly, too large and you're paying for empty floor space every month. Miles of Storage put this guide together to help you think through sizing before you commit.

Estimating the Unit Size You Actually Need

Start by thinking in terms of rooms, not square footage. A 5x5 unit holds roughly the contents of a large closet, like seasonal gear, a few boxes, and small furniture pieces. A 5x10 unit is closer to a one-bedroom apartment's worth of non-essential items: a mattress set, a dresser, a small sofa, and stacked boxes. A 10x10 covers the full contents of a one-bedroom apartment or a two-bedroom apartment with lighter furnishings. For a three-bedroom home or a combination of furniture and bulky items like appliances, a 10x20 or larger is typically the right fit.

The easiest way to avoid under sizing is to walk through your home and write down every item you plan to store before you ever look at unit listings. Group items by category (furniture, boxes, sports equipment, appliances) and note anything oversized or awkwardly shaped. Tall wardrobes, sectional sofas, and king-size mattresses take up far more floor space than their dimensions suggest once you account for how they actually sit in a room. Our storage unit size guide walks through common unit dimensions with real-world contents comparisons if you want a visual reference.

Measuring and Planning Before You Rent

Once you have your item list, measure the largest pieces. Knowing that your dining table is 72 inches long matters when you're deciding between a 5x10 and a 10x10 unit. Sketch a rough floor plan of how items might stack or arrange; vertical stacking is one of the best ways to use a smaller unit efficiently, so factor in ceiling height as well. Most standard units run eight to ten feet high, which means shelving units and stacked boxes can reclaim a lot of floor space.

Leave yourself a center aisle if you plan to access the unit regularly. A unit packed wall to wall might technically fit everything, but retrieving a single box from the back becomes a project. If you need frequent access or to size up a unit, drive-up access makes a real difference in day-to-day convenience.

Security Features Worth Checking

Not all facilities offer the same level of security, so it pays to ask specific questions before signing. Miles of Storage facilities in Indiana feature perimeter fencing and gated entry that requires a personal access code.

When you're ready to find a location, Miles of Storage has facilities across Indiana. Browse our storage locations in Indiana to find a facility near you and reserve a unit online.