Urban apartments are getting smaller. Average US apartment sizes have been declining for a decade, while the amount of stuff the average person owns has gone up. The result: millions of people renting storage units to make their living space functional.
Before signing a storage lease, here's a guide to what actually helps — starting with in-unit solutions before moving to external storage.
In-Apartment Storage First
Vertical Space
Most apartments use 30–40% of available vertical space. Ceiling-height shelving (IKEA KALLAX, Billy, or similar) can quadruple usable storage without increasing floor footprint. Loft beds with built-in storage work well in studio apartments.
Under-Bed Storage
A standard bed frame provides 7–14 inches of clearance — enough for rolling bins, flat boxes, or purpose-built drawers. Platform beds with built-in drawers eliminate the need for a separate dresser in small bedrooms.
Door-Back Organizers
The back of every door is unused storage real estate. Over-door organizers work for shoes, cleaning supplies, pantry items, and bathroom products.
Furniture with Storage Built In
Ottomans with storage, coffee tables with drawers, beds with built-in shelving, dining benches with lift lids. Replacing single-purpose furniture with storage-equipped alternatives reduces the need for additional units.
What to Put in External Storage
Not everything belongs in a 400 sq ft apartment. The best use of a storage unit is removing genuinely space-consuming, infrequently accessed items:
- Seasonal items: Holiday decorations, winter clothing, sports equipment used only part of the year
- Rarely used furniture: Extra chairs, a fold-out bed for guests, a dining table leaf
- Hobby equipment: Camping gear, ski equipment, musical instruments you play occasionally
- Sentimental items: Family heirlooms, photo albums, childhood keepsakes you want to keep but don't need access to
Choosing the Right Unit Size for Apartment Overflow
Most apartment dwellers don't need a large unit. Overestimating leads to paying for space you'll never use.
- 5×5 (25 sq ft, ~$40–$80/mo): Seasonal items, a few boxes, sports gear. The right size for most people.
- 5×10 (50 sq ft, ~$60–$100/mo): Furniture from one room, several boxes plus seasonal gear. Right for a studio or 1-bedroom overflow.
- 10×10 (100 sq ft, ~$100–$160/mo): A full room worth of furniture. Usually more than most apartment renters need.
Proximity vs. Price: How Far Should Your Unit Be?
For frequently accessed seasonal storage (you go once a month or less), a unit 10–20 minutes away is fine and likely 20–30% cheaper than one walking distance from your building. For things you access weekly, proximity matters more.
Factor in transportation cost too — if you don't have a car, a unit 5 miles away means Uber or renting a van every visit.
Shared Storage Units
If you have roommates or a partner, sharing a unit cuts costs in half. A 5×10 split between two people costs $30–$50 each per month. Make sure you have a clear agreement about who has access, what's stored, and who pays — ideally in writing.
Building Storage Options
Before renting externally, check:
- Building storage rooms: Many apartment buildings have communal storage lockers in the basement. Ask your landlord — they're sometimes available for $20–$50/month or free.
- Parking garage space: Ground-floor parking spots in covered garages can accommodate storage in some buildings.
- Shared amenity rooms: Some buildings have bike storage, ski lockers, or equipment rooms that residents underuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage space does the average apartment need?
Studios and one-bedrooms typically generate enough overflow for a 5×5 or 5×10 unit. Two-bedroom apartments with roommates or families often need a 10×10. Rarely do apartment renters need more than a 10×10.
Is it worth renting storage for a small apartment?
If you're storing items you use seasonally, the answer is usually yes — especially if the alternative is a larger, more expensive apartment. A $70/month storage unit is far cheaper than the rent difference between a 1-bedroom and a 2-bedroom in most cities.
What is the cheapest way to store things from a small apartment?
Sell what you don't regularly use, maximize vertical storage inside your unit, and rent only what you can't reasonably fit elsewhere. A 5×5 at $40–$60/month is the cheapest self-storage option and sufficient for most apartment dwellers.
