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Need Extra Space? Storage Vault Has The Solution!
Need Extra Space? Storage Vault Has The Solution!
Big or small, long-term or short, whatever your storage requirements, the ideal space is waiting for you at one of 15+ Storage Vault stores across Scotland.
Choosing the Right Size Storage Unit When Moving House
Moving house comes with a lot of decisions. Whether to use self storage or not is one of those decisions. Being unfamiliar with self storage, many families struggle with the question of “What size storage unit do I need for moving house?” If you lease too small a space, your valuables won’t fit. If the space is too big, your moving expenses needlessly increase.
Why Storage Units Are Useful When Moving House
Using self storage when moving home gives you the flexibility to manage your move on your own time. If your move-in and move-out dates don’t quite align, our storage spaces allow you to bridge that gap stress-free.
Self storage is also a smart way to declutter your home before putting it on the market, so that potential buyers can see your house at its best. Plus, placing bulky items into storage ahead of time makes your actual moving day much easier and more organised.
What Factors Determine the Right Self Storage Size?
Here’s how to decide what size unit you’ll need during your house move.
How Many Bedrooms Your Home Has
Use your current home size as a rough guide to storage unit sizes when moving.
o Studio flat: 25–35 sq ftOne-bedroom flat: 50–65 sq ft
o Two-bedroom home: 80–100 sq ft4
o Three-bedroom home: 100–150 sq ftFour-bedroom+ house: 160–200+ sq ft
This gives you a ballpark idea when choosing the right storage unit size for your move.
How Much Furniture and Bulky Items Do You Have?
The number and size of furniture pieces will heavily influence what unit size you need. If you have large wardrobes, bed frames, dining tables or family-sized appliances, you may require a larger unit.
Don’t forget to factor in the height of the storage unit. Remember that you can stack items vertically (with care) to save on floor space when you use Storage Vault moving house storage.
Do You Need Access to Your Storage While Moving?
If you’ll need to grab things during your move, plan for easy access. It’s a good idea to leave a central aisle in your unit, especially if it’s larger. This makes it easier to reach items stored at the back. A fully packed unit may look efficient, but it becomes difficult to access anything without unloading everything first. Space for an aisle is particularly helpful when storing bulky furnishings or heavy boxes.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Storage
Even if you’re only planning on using short-term storage during your move, give yourself some flexibility. Unexpected delays, extended renovations or timeline changes are common. A slightly larger unit can give you breathing room and prevent the hassle of having to move everything into a new space mid-process.
You can take some time and get familiar with your new space. Many of our customers end up using our long-term storage options when they realise the convenience of it. Not to mention all the extra space they have at home.
When you are unsure about your storage needs, speak directly to our helpful team who are ready to guide you through the process.
Call us on 0800 802 1822 and make your next move a simple one.
Common Storage Unit Sizes and What They Hold
Here’s a quick storage unit size guide for moving, based on average house sizes.
50–65 Sq Ft: Ideal for a One-Bedroom Flat
Perfect for the contents of a small flat:
- Small sofa
- Mattress and bed frame
- Boxes of clothes and personal items
- Small appliances
- TV, coffee table and bookshelf
80–120 Sq Ft: Best for a Two–Three Bedroom House
Great for medium-sized homes, our 80-120 sq ft units are some of our best storage unit sizes for moving.
- Beds, sofas and a dining table
- Kitchen appliances
- Boxes, lamps, chairs and side tables
- Bicycles and garden tools
- Wardrobes and drawer units
160–200 Sq Ft: For a Four-Bedroom House
Spacious enough for larger households:
- Multiple bedroom sets
- Large sofas and dining furniture
- Garage and shed contents
- White goods and boxes
- Children’s toys, desks and wardrobes
300+ Sq Ft: For Large Houses, Business Stock or Vehicles
Suitable for oversized moves or business use:
- Full contents of a large home
- Office equipment or excess stock
- Garage equipment and tools
- Motorbikes or small vehicles
- Seasonal business inventory
Tips for Choosing the Right Storage Unit
Here are some expert tips to make your decision on “What size storage do I need when moving home?”.
Take an Inventory of Your Belongings
Write down everything you plan to store. Group items by category, e.g. “Furniture”, “Electronics”, etc. Having a clear inventory helps you visualise the space you’ll need and prevents underestimating or overestimating the size of the storage unit you need to move all your belongings.
Use a Storage Size Calculator
Most professional storage providers, including Storage Vault, offer online storage calculators. These tools are designed to help you match your list of items to the right-sized unit, taking the guesswork out of how to pick the right size storage when relocating. Simply navigate to your closest Storage Vault and browse our units.
Visit the Facility and See Units in Person
Whenever possible, pop by your local Storage Vault site. Our team will show you different units so you can get a real feel for the space. Seeing the height and width in person helps you decide what storage size you need for a house move and can often change your mind about what’s truly sufficient for your belongings.
Allow Extra Space for Easy Access
If you’ll need to reach certain boxes during storage, allow a bit of extra room in your unit layout. This is especially important for longer stays. Make sure your most-used items are stored at the front and that you can comfortably move through your unit if needed.
Yes, at Storage Vault Self Storage, we offer flexible contracts. If your needs change, we can help you move into a larger or smaller unit with ease. You won’t be locked into a fixed contract for one specific unit.
If your belongings don’t fill the unit, you can arrange a downgrade to a smaller unit. It’s best to speak to our team directly for guidance on how to choose the right size storage unit when you’re moving house.
Storage Vault cannot permit the storage of vehicles on our premises, in line with restrictions on the storage of hazardous materials such as car oil and petrol, as well as guidelines for vehicular storage.
A 10×10 (100 sq ft) unit has the capacity to store the contents of a 3-bedroom house, contents of a luton van, or approximately 250 to 260 moving boxes.
A 75 sq ft unit, which can store 200 to 210 moving boxes or the contents of a 2-bedroom house – approximately the capacity of a transit van.
A 50 sq ft unit is equivalent to the size of a small van. A unit of this size will hold larger items of furniture, or around 100 to 110 moving boxes.
Our 10×10 (100 sq ft) storage units – equivalent in size to a luton moving van – are perfect for home movers, with enough space for the contents of a 3-bedroom house or approximately 250 to 260 moving boxes.
If you’re only looking to store a single suitcase or a few small items, our 10 sq ft storage unit – equivalent in size to a telephone box – is perfect for you. Designed to fit a set of golf clubs, curling gear, sports equipment, and other seasonal items, or 15 to 20 moving boxes, these nifty little units offer exceptional value for money.
Our x-large (100 sq ft) units – the same size as a luton moving van – have capacity for the contents of a typical 3-bedroom home, or approximately 250 to 260 moving boxes. These units are available month-to-month at incredibly affordable prices, with 50% off your first 2 months! Get an online quote or call us on 0800 802 1822 for more information.
To store the contents of a 2-bedroom house, Storage Vault recommends a 75 sq ft unit, which can store 200 to 210 moving boxes – approximately the capacity of a transit van.