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Stephen’s Self-Storage

Make room. Find your fit.

Storage Unit Size Guide

Self Storage in Oakdale, Hastings & Cottage Grove, MN, and Prescott, WI

What size storage unit do you need? Start with the belongings you plan to store, then compare the floor space and examples below. We can help you choose a suitable unit before you reserve.

Compare storage unit sizes

Use the bedroom ranges as starting points for a household move, including living-room furniture and boxes—not just bedroom furniture. Oversized pieces, appliances, garage contents, and the aisle space you want can change the size you need. Car, SUV, and boat layouts are alternative uses of the space; they do not leave the full unit available for household goods. Sizes and unit types vary by facility.

Dimensions shown are nominal floor sizes. Door openings, interior clearances, and usable height vary. Illustrations are AI-created examples, not photographs or measured plans of our units. Confirm the specific unit before reserving.

Showing all 9 sizes.

5 by 5 foot storage illustration filled with stacked moving boxes and green totes

5′ × 5′25 square feet

Small

Closet overflow, boxes & totes

A good starting point for seasonal decorations, clothing, books, sports gear, or boxed household belongings. Think of a large closet rather than a furnished room.

Best for decluttering or storing selected belongings, rather than a complete apartment. Heavy boxes belong at the bottom of stable stacks.

5 by 10 foot storage illustration with an upright sofa, stacked boxes, bed frame parts and a small dresser

5′ × 10′50 square feet

Small

One room or a lightly furnished studio

Consider this size for a bedroom’s belongings, selected living-room furniture, or a lightly furnished studio when the item list is modest and furniture can be packed efficiently.

The picture shows selected furniture, not a complete household. Check the sofa’s dimensions and usable height before planning to stand it on end.

Prescott also lists a 10′ × 5′ layout with the same 50-square-foot floor area. Door placement and room shape can affect how furniture fits.

10 by 10 foot storage illustration with household furniture, an upright mattress, shelving and moving boxes

10′ × 10′100 square feet

Medium

A 1–2-bedroom apartment with a modest load

A useful starting point for a one-bedroom apartment, or a modest two-bedroom apartment with fewer or smaller furnishings. Bulky furniture and lots of boxes may call for the next size up.

Taking tables and bed frames apart and stacking suitable boxes helps make the most of this size. Allow more space if you need an access aisle.

10 by 15 foot storage illustration densely packed with furniture, mattresses, appliances and boxes

10′ × 15′150 square feet

Medium

A 2-bedroom apartment or smaller home

Room to consider for a two-bedroom apartment or a smaller home, including furniture from several rooms, boxed belongings, and selected major appliances.

This example uses efficient packing and a matched stackable washer and dryer. A full garage, oversized furniture, or frequent access may require more room.

10 by 20 foot storage illustration with a dense household load and a narrow center walking path

10′ × 20′200 square feet

Large

A 2–3-bedroom household move

A practical starting point for a two- to three-bedroom home’s furnishings, appliances, and boxed belongings, depending on how much you own. The floor area is similar to a one-car garage.

Garage contents, bulky items, and wider access paths use additional space. A suitable car may fit instead of this household load; confirm its dimensions and the door opening.

10 by 25 foot storage illustration with packed furniture, shelving and boxes on both sides of a narrow aisle

10′ × 25′250 square feet

Large

A 3–4-bedroom household move

Consider the extra depth for a three- to four-bedroom home’s belongings, a substantial furniture collection, or a household move with additional boxes and equipment.

The additional 50 square feet over a 10x20 can help with a larger load. Large garages, workshops, and furniture that cannot be stacked may need a different layout or more space.

10 by 30 foot storage illustration with a sedan near the opening and household goods packed at the far end

10′ × 30′300 square feet

Large

A larger household—or a car plus belongings

For household storage alone, this can be a starting point for a four-bedroom home’s contents. Another option is a car together with a smaller household load, as illustrated.

The car-and-belongings layout is an alternative to using the whole unit for a household move. Measure the vehicle, allow clearance, and confirm the specific unit and door before reserving.

10 by 35 foot storage illustration with an SUV near the opening and furniture and boxes at the far end

10′ × 35′350 square feet

Oversized

An SUV plus household storage

The longer floor plan can accommodate a suitable SUV with a separate area for furniture and boxes. Used entirely for household goods, it is also an option to consider for a large home with four or more bedrooms.

Storing an SUV reduces the space left for household goods. Check overall vehicle length, mirrors, height, and door clearance; fit depends on the actual vehicle and unit.

12 by 35 foot storage illustration with a boat and trailer inside the opening and household goods at the far end

12′ × 35′420 square feet

Oversized

A boat & trailer plus household belongings

A wider enclosed layout to consider for a suitable boat on its trailer, together with a separate load of furniture and boxes. The example pairs a boat with approximately a 10x10-foot household storage area.

Measure the complete boat-and-trailer setup, including the tongue, motor, fenders, and highest point. Confirm door dimensions and maneuvering room; floor width alone does not establish fit.

Need help choosing? Tell us what you plan to store, the dimensions of your largest items, and how often you will need access. We can help you compare suitable units and arrange a visit.

Contact your preferred location

Plan for the way you’ll use the space

Measure the bulky items

Include furniture arms, appliance depth, and any pieces that cannot be taken apart. A unit’s floor area does not tell you whether an item can pass through its door.

Pack with access in mind

Use sturdy, labeled boxes and stack only where it is safe. Keep frequently used items near the entrance and allow an aisle if you need to reach belongings farther back.

Make use of the right options

Free pallets are available for use at all three facilities. Prescott also offers temperature-controlled storage options. Compare the specific unit type as well as its size.

Choosing a unit for a vehicle or boat

Vehicles and boats can be stored inside our regular enclosed storage units when they fit. A familiar size label alone does not establish fit.

Measure the complete setup

Include mirrors, racks, the trailer tongue, motor, and any other projecting parts. Check total width, length, and height, plus enough room to maneuver and close the door.

Confirm the specific unit

Contact your preferred location about the actual door opening, interior dimensions, and approach. A boat pictured in an illustration is an example, not a guarantee that your boat and trailer will fit.

Questions about storage unit sizes

Is a 10x10 storage unit twice the size of a 5x10?

Yes, by floor area. A 5x10 provides about 50 square feet, while a 10x10 provides about 100 square feet. Similarly, a 10x20 provides about 200 square feet—twice the floor area of a 10x10. That does not mean every item or packing arrangement scales the same way: room shape, door placement, furniture dimensions, usable height, and access space still affect what fits.

Can I choose a size based on the number of bedrooms?

Bedroom estimates are a useful starting point, but they are not a guarantee. Two homes with the same number of bedrooms can have very different amounts of furniture, garage contents, and boxed belongings. How you pack matters, too: furniture that comes apart, sturdy stackable boxes, and the dimensions of your largest items all affect usable space.

Some people want room to walk between belongings and find things throughout their stay. Others want to fit as much as possible into the unit and expect to unload it together later. Decide how you will use the space, then compare your item list and packing plan with the examples above.

What if I’m deciding between two sizes?

If you think your belongings fall between two sizes and you want space to reach things, choose the larger size. A smaller unit might hold the same belongings when packed tightly, but fitting everything inside and being able to get to it are different needs.

Consider how safely you can stack boxes, whether furniture can be taken apart, and how often you will visit. Allow an aisle and space near items you need regularly. If you mainly want the most compact fit and will remove everything together, a tighter arrangement may work. We can help you compare the actual units before you reserve.

How should I pack my belongings to maximize usable space?

Start with a simple plan. Take apart suitable bed frames and tables, keep hardware in labeled bags with the matching furniture, and use sturdy boxes or totes in consistent sizes so they stack efficiently. Put heavy items low, lighter items above them, and avoid placing weight on fragile belongings.

Freestanding shelving can make good use of height while keeping boxes and smaller items easier to reach. Choose stable shelves with suitable weight ratings and account for their depth in your layout. Label containers on the sides facing your access path, keep frequently used items near the opening, and leave the walking space you need. Free pallets are available for use at all three facilities; include their height and footprint in your plan.

Is a 5x10 storage unit the same size as a 10x5?

Both have about 50 square feet of nominal floor area. The difference can be which side has the door and how you enter the space. The door also needs clearance to close, which typically leaves a 10x5 layout with slightly less usable storage space than a 5x10. Keep belongings clear of the door’s closing path. A long sofa or mattress may fit differently depending on the opening and approach, even when the nominal floor area is the same. Prescott lists a 10x5 layout; confirm the actual layout and door clearance when comparing units.

Can I stand a sofa or mattress on end to save space?

Sometimes, if the item’s construction, condition, and dimensions allow it. An upright sofa can use less floor space, and dismantling a bed frame can make its parts easier to pack. Follow the furniture or mattress manufacturer’s storage guidance, protect surfaces, and keep items stable. Some mattresses and upholstered furniture can be damaged by unsuitable positioning or prolonged pressure. Check usable height and door clearance before relying on the upright arrangements shown in the illustrations.

Does the unit size tell me how wide or tall the door is?

No. A size such as 10x20 describes the nominal floor dimensions, not the door opening or usable height. Door width, overhead clearance, and the space needed to turn an item into the unit can determine whether it fits. Measure belongings that cannot be taken apart and contact the location to confirm the specific unit’s opening and interior clearances.

Can I store a car or boat together with household belongings?

Yes, when the complete load fits inside a suitable regular enclosed unit. Plan separate space for the vehicle and the belongings rather than using the unit’s full household estimate and then adding a car or boat. Our 10x30, 10x35, and 12x35 illustrations show examples of these combined layouts.

For a vehicle, include mirrors, racks, and bumper-to-bumper length. For a boat, include the entire trailer, tongue, motor, fenders, and highest point. Leave room to maneuver, reach what you need, and close the door. Confirm the actual vehicle or boat dimensions and the specific unit with us before reserving.

Are all sizes available at every Stephen’s location?

No. Unit sizes, layouts, and types differ among Oakdale, Cottage Grove / Hastings, and Prescott. Cottage Grove and Hastings are separate city pages for the same physical facility. Compare the location pages for current sizes, rates, and availability, and contact the location about a particular layout.

What information should I have ready when asking for help choosing a unit?

Bring a list of your main furniture, appliances, and equipment; approximate box or tote counts and sizes; and measurements of your largest items. Tell us what can be taken apart, whether you plan to use shelves, and whether you want a tight fit or room to reach belongings during your stay. If a vehicle or boat is included, provide its complete dimensions. Contact your preferred location so we can help you compare suitable sizes before you reserve.

Find your size. Check rates. Reserve.

Choose among our three physical facilities. Cottage Grove and Hastings have separate city pages for the same facility. Current rates, offers, and availability are shown on the location pages.

Learn more about our storage features and access, or return to the Stephen’s Self-Storage homepage.