How Big is a 5×15 Storage Unit? Here’s What You Need to Know to Decide if a 5×15 is Right for You

Sometimes you need more than a little self storage space, but not too much. Perhaps you’re downsizing or decluttering a home, need a temporary space to store a few things while you move, or require a secure offsite location to store supplies and inventory for your small business. Whether you need storage for personal or professional use, the 5×15 storage unit may be the perfect solution.
We’ll walk you through exactly how big a 5×15 storage unit is, what you can reasonably expect to store in one, common amenities to look for in these types of units, and what you should expect to pay. We’ll also offer tips to maximize every inch of space, to help you get the most from your 5×15 storage unit.

The 5×15 Storage Unit Size Guide: What Will Fit Inside? 

To get a sense of the 5×15 storage unit size, think of it as the size of a large walk-in closet, but not quite as big as a one-car garage. These units measure 5 feet wide by 15 feet long and are typically 8 feet high, offering 75 square feet of floor space. If you have specific height requirements, use our handy search tool to search storage units by dimension. 

This is large enough to store the contents of a studio or one-bedroom apartment. It can also hold a considerable amount of small to medium-sized business supplies and inventory. Your actual storage capacity will depend on the types and sizes of materials you wish to store, but this should give you a general idea of what to expect. 

Personal Storage:

If you are considering a 5×15 storage unit for personal storage, these units can accommodate several pieces of furniture, such as:

• One queen-sized mattress and bed frame
• Dresser
• Sofa
• Dining table and chairs
• Several stacked boxes or bins. 

Business Storage:

The 5×15 storage unit size may be ideal for storing inventory and equipment for a small business. Items that will fit comfortably include:

• Filing cabinets
• Packaged, filed or boxed documents
• Stacks of small to mid-sized boxed inventory
• Display cases
• Seasonal display items
• Small to medium-sized business equipment

Your unit’s actual storage capacity will depend on the types and sizes of materials you wish to store, but this should give you a general idea of what to expect. Be sure to measure the size of your items and calculate the square footage you will need to ensure the 5×15 storage unit will be the best fit for your items.

If you need less space than the 5×15 storage unit provides, a smaller, walk-in closet-sized 5×5 storage unit that offers 25 feet of storage space may be a better fit. You could also opt for a 5×10 storage unit, which measures 50 feet, is the size of a small walk-in closet, and will hold the contents of a small bedroom or studio apartment. 

Should you require more room than either of those, consider the more expansive 10×10 storage unit, which is the size of a one-car garage, can store the contents of a 2-bedroom apartment, and provides 100 square feet of space. 

Who Should Choose a 5×15 Storage Unit? Ideal Use Cases for Personal and Business Storage  

Is a 5×15 storage unit size the right fit for your needs? The versatility of this size unit is adaptable to fit a variety of storage scenarios, and is a popular choice for both long-term and short-term storage. Let’s look at a couple of use cases to help you determine if this unit is the best choice for you. A 5×15 storage unit is a good choice for:

Individual / Personal Use

• Moving or downsizing storage for furniture, boxes and household appliances for a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
• College dorm room furniture storage, whether moving school or storing items between semester.
• Decluttering as a temporary place to park boxes and bins to make space as you work through organizing, sorting and discarding items to create space in your home.
• Home renovations, to temporarily house furniture and other items you need out of the way during home construction and remodeling. 
• Storing sporting or seasonal equipment, such as holiday decorations, patio furniture, bikes or sports gear.

Business Use

• Document storage, for archives, filing systems or volumes of sensitive or important papers that need secure offsite storage.
• Small to medium-sized inventory, such as stackable boxed or packaged goods, or overflow or excess stock.
• Promotional and event materials, such as posters, placards, sandwich boards or trade show setups
• Business equipment, like small to medium-sized tools, appliances, electronics and machines.
• Contracting supply storage, for safekeeping of building materials and tools between jobs and job sites.

Pack it Like a Pro: Tips and Tricks to Max Out Space in Your 5×15 Storage Unit

Careful and efficient packing will ensure you get your money’s worth from your 5×15 storage unit. The more thoughtfully you pack your unit, the more you can store. You also want to ensure you can easily access items you will need most frequently, so a little pre-planning and preparation before you fill your unit will serve you well in the long run.

1. Inventory your items

Identify and organize your items by type, season, or size as applicable before beginning to pack.

2. Choose your unit

Consider if you require extra amenities to safely store your wares, such as unit locks, gated access, extra security features or climate control.
Sturdy materials and goods impervious to moisture and excess heat may be fine in a basic unit. However, if you are storing temperature-sensitive or delicate items such as electronics, textiles, antiques, appliances, documents, or anything that could warp or be negatively affected from exposure, a climate-controlled unit is your best bet.
If you are storing valuable items, the extra spend for additional security features may be worth the peace of mind. Look for facilities that offer surveillance cameras and on-site management if you will be housing high-value items, expensive equipment, or documents that contain sensitive personal information.

3. Box or bin your items

Use uniformly sized clear bins if possible, as they stack easily and allow you to easily see what’s inside when you need quick access to your belongings. Be sure to clearly label and categorize each bin or box.

4. Prepare your storage unit

Consider installing shelves to create layers of vertical space, which you can use to stack boxes and smaller items. Add peel and stick wall hooks for lighter items. Long, thin items like curtain rods, disassembled bed frames or rolled up posters and artwork can be tucked into corners and leaned against walls.

5. Pack it in

Plot your floor space to include a small pathway in and out. Large, heavy boxes and items should be moved in first, and smaller, lighter items stacked on top. Place your frequently accessed items closest to your walkway or door for convenience. 

Next Steps: Let Us Help You Find Your Ideal 5×15 Storage Unit Today

If you’ve read this far, you know the 5×15 storage unit is a versatile and affordable option worthy of consideration when you need to store more than a little, but less than a lot. Its 75 square feet of storage provides plenty of space for home goods and furniture, and is robust enough to provide long-term or permanent housing for business inventory or small-to-medium sized business equipment. The 5×15 storage unit size is also flexible enough to temporarily house one or two larger pieces of furniture, personal items or business equipment. 

If this sounds like the right storage unit for you, or if you’d like to explore other options to find the best unit that will fit for your storage needs, we’re here to help. Explore Storage.com’s extensive listings of storage units to find a facility near you today.