Essential Tips for Selecting Business Storage Unit Sizes

Picking the wrong size business storage unit can cost you a lot of money.

Here’s why…

Renting more space than you need is throwing away money every month. And on top of that:

Renting a unit too small is just a waste of time. You’ll be moving in and out again in a month, doubling your moving costs and losing precious time.

On the bright side…

Choosing the right business storage unit size isn’t brain surgery. There is a simple framework that can help you nail it on the first try and never waste time and money again.

Here are the essential tips and steps you need to know:

• Why Picking The Right Business Storage Size Matters
• Common Business Storage Sizing Mistakes
• Calculating Your Business Storage Needs Like A Pro
• Business Storage Unit Sizes & Options
• Features To Look For In Business Storage Units

Why Picking The Right Business Storage Size Matters

Here’s a little secret no one tells you…

The business segment is expanding at a 7.9% annual rate. The competition for the right storage units is only going to heat up. Picking the right size storage unit on the first try is going to be critical to getting the space you need without overpaying or losing out.

Consider this.

In business, inventory piles up. Equipment and machines take up space. Before you know it, what started as a “temporary” storage solution turns into a permanent cost center. When picking the right size storage units with electricity and other features, businesses should plan for the future, not just current needs.

Oh, and one more reason sizing matters…

Changing storage units is a massive hassle. Relocating inventory within storage facilities wastes money on labor costs and precious time. Add potential damage to the mix and you have a recipe for disaster. That’s why getting the size right the first time is so critical for businesses.

Common Business Storage Sizing Mistakes

Allow me to share a little secret.

Business owners typically underestimate the amount of space they’ll need by 30-40%. The usual “I’ll stack it up nice and tight” or “We’re not that busy, we won’t need that much room” creeps into the calculations. But of course, reality comes knocking when you finally start to load it all in.

Here are some of the common mistakes made when estimating storage unit size needs:

• Not factoring in aisle space for accessibility
• Neglecting seasonal inventory fluctuations
• Dismissing future business expansion
• Making decisions based on monthly rates alone
• Overlooking the actual physical layout

The worst offenders? Businesses that end up having to rent multiple storage units due to poor planning.

They pay for double the space when one correctly sized unit would have sufficed. Avoid being one of those high dollar waste cases by planning properly.

Calculating Your Business Storage Needs Like A Pro

Alright, let’s get into how you can figure this out like a true professional.

The first step is to list every single item you plan to store. This means boxes, equipment, shelving units, everything. Get an estimate of dimensions and total cubic footage of your items.

Now for the secret that no one is going to tell you…

Add 30% to that number. This is your buffer. It helps account for accessing your stored items, any future growth, and the inevitable inefficiency of loading things in.

If your items fit the calculated size of a 70 square foot unit, jump up to 100 square feet. Medium-sized units hold 40% of market share by revenue for a reason. They hit that sweet spot.

Business Storage Unit Sizes & Options

Here’s a quick rundown of typical unit sizes and what kinds of businesses fit them.

Small Units (5×5 to 5×10)

Good for:

• Document storage & archiving
• Small product inventory
• Office equipment overflow
• Seasonal decorations (think Christmas trees for retailers)
• Miscellaneous boxes and clutter

Picture a 5×5 as a walk-in closet, a 5×10 as a small bedroom.

These are affordable options but quite limited in size.

Medium Units (10×10 to 10×15)

This is where most businesses end up. In a 10×10 unit, you have about 800 cubic feet of space.

Perfect for:

• E-commerce inventory for small online sellers
• Equipment and tools for contractors and handymen
• Several filing cabinets and office furniture
• Retail display materials and signage
• Seasonal merchandise or slow-moving products

The most popular storage unit size by revenue generated is the good old 10×10 for a reason.

It offers a great balance of space and price for growing businesses.

Large Units (10×20 to 10×30)

Moving into some serious storage space territory here.

Suitable for:

• Wholesale and large volume inventory
• Construction equipment and heavy machinery
• Vehicles and equipment storage
• Large-scale e-commerce businesses

A 10×20 is equivalent to a standard one-car garage in size. These units can hold pallets of goods, large equipment, and you will still have room to move around inside.

Features To Look For In Business Storage Units

Size is not the only thing to consider.

The features the unit offers can make or break your experience. Here are the things that really matter when evaluating storage units for business needs:

Climate Control – This is must if you’re storing electronics, documents, or anything sensitive to extreme temperatures. Paying a little more to prevent having to replace ruined inventory is worth it.

Electricity Access – This matters for any business that will need to plug in dehumidifiers, charging equipment, lights, etc. A dead deal if your unit does not offer this essential feature.

24/7 Access – If you’ll need to retrieve inventory after hours to meet an early morning delivery, closed storage facilities kill productivity. Make sure 24/7 access is an option.

Security Features – Things to look for include individually alarmed units, video surveillance, and gated access. You should expect the facility to protect your business assets.

Loading Dock or Drive-Up Access – If you’ll be moving heavy items, floor level drive-up access is a game changer. Save your back and precious time by not having to carry things up and down stairs.

Maximizing Your Storage Space

Now that you’ve secured the right size storage unit, use it wisely.

Don’t just throw everything haphazardly into the space.

Maximize vertical storage. Install shelving units along the walls and stack boxes to use height. Keep most used items towards the front for easy access. A central aisle for walking is recommended.

Label everything. I cannot stress this enough. EVERYTHING should be labeled, especially if you are going to access items in the middle of the night on a half-empty caffeine buzz.

Swap out cardboard boxes for clear plastic bins when possible. They are easier to stack, protect better, and you can see inside without opening them.

Bottom Line

Correctly estimating business storage unit size can save you a lot of money and time.

Don’t rush into signing a lease just because the monthly rate is low. Do the math. Add that 30% buffer. Plan for future growth needs in the next 12-18 months.

Choose a unit that allows for growth beyond today’s needs and space for not just what you are storing, but also the features you require like electricity and climate control.

Take the time to plan and pick the right storage unit size and features the first time. You’ll save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run.