The most common storage mistake is guessing — renting a unit that’s too small the day you start loading, or paying for space you never fill. This guide gives you a plain starting point for what fits in each size, then points you to a quick calculator to lock in the right unit. If you’re storing something big — an RV, a fleet, or a business’s worth of inventory — skip to the large-unit section, because that’s where standard size charts stop being useful.

What fits in a standard storage unit size

These are the sizes most people picture when they think “storage unit.” Use them as a rough reference for household and small-load storage:

• 5 x 10 (about 50 sq ft) — a large closet’s worth: a mattress set, a few boxes, seasonal items, a bike.
• 10 x 10 (about 100 sq ft) — roughly one to two rooms of furniture. A common question is whether a car fits — a small car can technically fit a 10x10, but with almost no room to open a door or move around it. For a vehicle you actually want to access, size up.
• 10 x 15 (about 150 sq ft) — two to three rooms, or a single vehicle with a little breathing room.
• 10 x 20 (about 200 sq ft) — a one-car garage’s worth: a full apartment, a car, or a small business’s overflow.

What size storage unit for your apartment or house

If you're storing a home, the number of bedrooms is the fastest way to a starting size. Add a size if you're also emptying a garage or own large pieces like a sectional or piano.

Home	Starting unit size
Studio	5x10 (50 sq ft)
1-bedroom apartment	10x10 (100 sq ft)
2-bedroom apartment or house	10x15 (150 sq ft)
3-bedroom house	10x20 (200 sq ft)
4-bedroom house	10x30 (300 sq ft)
5-bedroom house or larger	20x20 (400 sq ft) or more

One-bedroom apartment: a 10x10 holds a bed, dresser, sofa, small dining set, and 20 to 30 boxes. If you have a lot of large furniture, go to a 10x15. See how big a 10x10 is.

Two-bedroom apartment: a 10x15 is the usual answer; a 10x10 works only if you're packing very light. See how big a 10x15 is.

For apartments and smaller houses, a standard self-storage facility near you is usually the most affordable choice. Elite's units start around 600 square feet, so we're the better fit once a move includes a vehicle, a boat or camper, or a house too big for one standard unit.

When you need more than a standard unit

Standard charts run out fast once you’re storing vehicles, trailers, or inventory at any real scale. This is where Elite is built differently: our units start where most facilities stop. Every Elite unit is enclosed and drive-up, from around 600 up to roughly 2,220 square feet, with 16-foot ceilings and 12- to 14-foot roll-up doors — so the sizing question isn’t “will it fit” but “how much room to work.”

• An RV, boat, or large trailer — look for a unit at least 30 to 50 feet deep with a tall door. A 16-foot ceiling and a 14-foot roll-up door (on select units) clear most Class A motorhomes and lifted rigs. See oversized vehicle storage.
• A car or two you want to access — a drive-up unit around 600 to 1,000 square feet gives you room to open doors, walk around, and store gear alongside.
• Business inventory and pallets — roughly 600 to 1,000 sq ft holds a small operation with shelving; 1,300 to 1,500 sq ft fits a service truck plus real pallet racking; 1,700 sq ft and up handles multiple vehicles, full racking, and a work area.
• A full fleet or warehouse-scale need — our largest units run to about 2,220 square feet, and you can add adjacent units as you grow. See large storage units in Bakersfield and warehouse-size storage.

Get a recommendation in about a minute

Reading a chart gets you close; a couple of questions gets you exact. Our Bakersfield storage size calculator asks what you’re storing — vehicles, pallets, whether you’ll work inside the unit — and recommends a specific Elite unit with the dimensions and square footage. It takes about a minute and saves you from guessing.

Frequently asked questions

What size storage unit do I need for an RV?

For most RVs, look for an enclosed unit at least 30 to 50 feet deep with a tall door. Elite’s units have 16-foot ceilings and 12- to 14-foot roll-up doors, which clear most motorhomes, fifth wheels, and lifted trailers with room to spare.

Can a car fit in a 10x10 storage unit?

A small car can physically fit in a 10x10, but there’s almost no room to open a door or walk around it. If you want to actually get in and out of the vehicle or store anything alongside it, choose a larger drive-up unit.

What size unit do I need for business inventory?

It depends on how many pallets and whether you’ll work inside. As a rough guide: 600 to 1,000 sq ft for a small operation with shelving, 1,300 to 1,500 sq ft for a truck plus pallet racking, and 1,700 sq ft or more for multiple vehicles and a workspace. The size calculator narrows it down.

What if I pick the wrong size?

Because storage is month-to-month, you can move to a larger unit or add a second one as your needs change — no long-term contract holding you in place. Contact us and we’ll help you adjust.

Find your size and reserve

Run the size calculator for a recommendation, ask about our current move-in special, then reserve online or contact us for a hand.