How Big is a 5×10 Storage Unit? Complete Size Guide and Storage Tips

When you hit that point where closets are overflowing and the garage doesn’t fit a car anymore because of all the goodies stashed in there, a 5×10 storage unit might just be to fit your storage needs. It’s not massive, but it’s the right size to take the pressure off your living space or small business.

Perfect for when you’re shuffling furniture during a home remodel or when your office is bursting at the seams with new inventory or documents, here’s a quick rundown on how a 5×10 self storage unit can make your life easier without eating up all your budget.

1. How Big Is a 5×10 Storage Unit?

Looking for a self storage unit with a bit more legroom than the smallest of options? That’s a 5×10 storage unit all ready for you. At first glance, it might sound compact — after all, it’s just 5 feet by 10 feet, totaling 50 square feet. But then there’s the height.

Most 5×10 storage units boast an 8-foot ceiling, which means you’re looking at 400 cubic feet of total volume. That’s enough room to stand tall items or stack up boxes high.

Pro tip: The 5×10 storage unit size is about that of a large walk-in closet — spacious enough to store larger items like motorcycles or a living room’s worth of furniture without feeling like you’re cramming every square inch.

2. What Can Fit in a 5×10 Storage Unit?

3d 5x10 self-storage room
Credit: FOTOGRIN-2037077366 | Shutterstock.com

Ready to pack your boxes and give your appliances one last cleaning before tucking them away? Here’s what you can expect to fit into a 5×10 storage unit, especially if you have the smart packing gene:

  • Medium-Sized Furniture: Your comfy sofa, a couple of dressers, a queen size or king size mattress or even a dining table with carefully stacked chairs. The furniture in a one-bedroom apartment should have no trouble fitting in a 5×10 storage unit if properly disassembled.
  • Larger Appliances: A spare fridge, a washing machine, or a dryer that you plan to put away during a home remodel.
  • Moving Boxes and Storage Bins: Various medium sized boxes and containers, stacked high and deep. Hint: A smart stacking strategy involves placing heavier boxes and sturdier containers at the bottom.
  • Outdoor Equipment: Your lawnmower, camping gear, or a bunch of gardening tools.
  • Personal Items: Seasonal clothing, your cherished book collection, and sports equipment. You can even fit bikes and most types of motorcycles in a 5×10 storage unit.

3. Typical Uses for a 5×10 Storage Unit

Are you in the middle of a life transition or just need a place to store your possessions? Here’s what you could use a 5×10 storage unit for:

  • Storing Belongings During a Move or Renovation: Shuffling your life around can be hectic. Thankfully, a 5×10 is spacious enough to store the bulk of a large bedroom or a small apartment’s worth of furniture, appliances, and boxes.
  • Storing Seasonal Items: When it’s time to switch from holiday cheer to spring cleaning, or vice versa, you can stash multiple bins of decorations here, from Halloween haunts to Christmas cheer, as well as bulky winter clothing.
  • Business Storage for Excess Inventory, Supplies, or Documents: If you decide to make a 5×10 storage unit an offsite extension of your office, it will be both cost-effective and secure. Just ensure proper conditions for your papers and delicate inventory, which means considering climate-controlled storage.
  • Storing Items for College Students During Summer Break: When you hit pause on your college life, your dorm essentials don’t have to follow. The 5×10 storage unit size is just right for your furniture, books, and seasonal clothing until the school bell rings again.

Not sure what size you need? Check Out Our Self-Storage Size Guide!

4. Are 5×10 Storage Units Climate Controlled?

Climate control is not a given for any storage unit size, and 5×10 units are no exception. While this feature is increasingly popular, especially in areas prone to weather extremes, it is not standard at most storage facilities. Confirm this aspect with the storage facility before you commit to long-term storage.

Keep in mind that opting for 5×10 climate-controlled storage might raise the rental price of a unit. It is, nonetheless, a worthy investment to protect your belongings from extreme temperatures and humidity, especially if storing sensitive items like leather furniture, artwork, or documents.

5. Can a Motorcycle Fit in a 5×10 Storage Unit?

Great news for bike owners: the 5×10 storage unit size is suitable for parking a motorcycle. It also gives you extra space to maneuver it easily, making tune-ups and maintenance a breeze.

And there’s more good news if you’re eyeing a 5×10 storage unit for your motorcycle. It has plenty of room for all your riding essentials: helmets, jackets, gloves, boots, and even spare parts or tool kits.

Note: Got a motorcycle collection? If you’re the proud owner of two or more bikes, stepping up to a 10×10 storage unit might be a smarter move. That way, each bike gets its personal space and you avoid any scrapes or squeezes.

2002 Suzuki Katana 600 motorcycle sits outside near storage garages
Credit: Aaron of L.A. Photography-1937438986/shutterstock.com

6. What Is a 5×10 Storage Locker?

While most storage lockers are on the small side, typically around 5×5, you can find larger 5×10 storage lockers at some facilities. And while some may call lockers what are actually full-blown storage units, the main difference between lockers and units is their lower height. This means that while their footprint may be the same as a 5×10 storage unit, you can stack fewer items and not all item types will fit unless disassembled.

A 5×10 storage locker can be a fantastic middle ground if you’re not quite ready to leap into a larger storage unit but need more space than the smallest storage solutions typically offer. Just remember to check with the storage facility what the locker height really is before making any commitments.

7. How Much Does a 5×10 Storage Unit Cost?

Average price of a non-climate controlled unit: $59.94

Average price of a climate controlled unit: $65.92

Average rent data is our in-house proprietary data or statistics from SpareFoot.com.

Understanding the cost of a 5×10 storage unit is essential to budgeting for your storage needs. Storage unit prices can vary based on location, facility amenities, and whether the unit is climate-controlled. Be sure to compare different storage facilities and look for discounts or promotions to get the best deal.

Storage Tips for Maximizing 5×10 Storage Space

  • Disassemble Large Items: Take apart furniture and other bulky items to save space.
  • Use Uniform Boxes: Stick to boxes of the same size to make stacking easier and more stable.
  • Label Everything: Clearly label all boxes to make finding items easier later on.
  • Utilize Vertical Space: Stack boxes and items as high as possible to maximize the cubic footage.

Ready to make the most of your space? Discover the convenience and flexibility of our 5×10 storage units today. Whether you’re storing personal items, business inventory, or seasonal items, we have the perfect solution for you. Click here to find a storage unit near you and reserve your storage unit now!

All images have either been provided by a listed organization/source or are licensed under Shutterstock.com.

Andreea Draguleasa showed an affinity for foreign languages and literature at an early age and started writing when she was 6. She studied journalism, advertising, and public relations at the University of Bucharest and worked as a content writer for a tourism agency and as a journalist for a magazine in the hospitality industry until 2010. After seven years as marketing manager for a Home & Deco online shop, she realized that learning something new every day brings her the most joy, so she went back to researching and writing informative articles. Through her experience traveling the world, she's picked up tips and resources she now shares on self storage solutions. When not writing about home organizing and storage, Andreea spends most of her time reading, playing video games, and spoiling her cat.