Picking the right storage unit makes the whole process of moving, renovating or clearing space much easier. Whether you're relocating, decorating, storing seasonal items, or need extra room for a growing business, getting the size right matters.
Go too small and you'll be squeezing things in. Go too large and you're paying for space you don't need.
This guide walks through how self storage in Leeds is typically sized, roughly what fits into each size, and how to work out what's right for you.
Why Size Matters
Everyone's storage needs look different. A student moving out of halls might only need a few boxes and suitcases stored. A family moving house may need room for furniture, appliances and years of accumulated belongings. A business might need space for stock, equipment, documents or office furniture.
Before renting a unit, it's worth thinking about:
A bit of planning up front saves a lot of hassle later.
Storage Unit Sizes at a Glance
There's no single "right" size — it depends entirely on what you're storing. As a rough guide, units at Pickups Self Storage range from around 36 sq ft up to 320 sq ft, with average prices starting from about £1.30 per sq ft (based on 50 sq ft hired for one week — get an exact quote for your needs via our contact page).
|
Unit size (approx.) |
Good for |
Typical use case |
|
36–50 sq ft (small) |
A few boxes, suitcases, small furniture |
Students, single-room contents, seasonal items |
|
75–100 sq ft (medium) |
Contents of a 1–2 bedroom flat |
Moving house, redecorating, downsizing |
|
150–200 sq ft (large) |
Contents of a 2–3 bedroom house |
Full house moves, renovations, business stock |
|
250–320 sq ft (extra-large) |
Multiple rooms, garden equipment, bulk stock |
Large house moves, warehousing, distribution |
These are estimates rather than fixed rules — the shape and stacking of your items matters as much as the raw quantity, so it's always worth talking it through with the storage team rather than guessing.
Small Units
Suitable if you only have a limited number of belongings — think boxes of clothing, books, small household items, personal belongings, university equipment, seasonal decorations, or a few suitcases.
This size works well for students in particular. Student storage in Leeds is a practical option between term times, so you don't need to transport everything home over the holidays.
Medium Units
A step up if you have a larger collection of household belongings — useful when you're moving between properties, redecorating, downsizing, clearing a spare room, or storing furniture during a renovation.
Furniture takes up far more room than boxes, so when estimating space, think about the dimensions of your largest pieces (wardrobes, sofas, beds, tables) rather than just counting boxes.
Large Units
Useful when you need to store the contents of several rooms, or a significant amount of equipment — household furniture, appliances, multiple boxes, garden equipment, or business stock.
If you're moving house, a larger unit gives you somewhere to keep everything while your new property is being prepared, or to bridge the gap between moving out of one place and into another.
Storage for Businesses
Storage isn't just for households. As businesses grow, many need extra space for retail stock, online marketplace inventory, office furniture, equipment, document archives, packaging materials or items awaiting distribution.
For a growing business, renting additional space can often be more practical — and considerably cheaper — than moving into larger commercial premises. Business storage at Pickups offers a range of options built for exactly this, with individually alarmed, CCTV-monitored units and PIN or key access.
Making the Most of Your Space
Once you've picked a unit, how you pack it makes a real difference.
1. Use strong, similarly sized boxes. They stack more easily and are less likely to fail under weight. Avoid overloading any single box.
2. Label everything specifically. "Kitchen – plates, glasses, cookware" is far more useful than just "Kitchen" when you're looking for something months later.
3. Keep an inventory. A simple list — on your phone or a spreadsheet — of what's gone into storage and where. This matters even more for business storage, where you're tracking stock or equipment.
4. Leave room to move. It's tempting to fill every inch, but an overpacked unit makes it hard to reach anything. Leave a small walkway if you expect to visit often.
5. Put frequently used items near the front. Anything you won't need for months can go towards the back; boxes you'll want sooner should stay near the entrance.
Not Sure What Size You Need?
It's completely normal to be unsure, especially if you've never rented storage before. Rather than guessing, list your larger items first — sofa, bed, wardrobe, dining table, chairs, appliances — then add in your box and suitcase count, plus any business equipment.
That list alone gives a much clearer sense of what size unit makes sense. It's also worth speaking directly to a storage provider — the team can talk through your specific requirements and suggest a size that fits, rather than leaving you to guess.
Is Smaller Always Better?
Not necessarily. A smaller unit might look like the cheaper option on paper, but an overcrowded space causes its own problems — boxes stacked too high, furniture wedged too tightly, and having to unpack half the unit just to reach something at the back.
The goal isn't the smallest unit possible. It's a size that comfortably fits what you own while staying easy to use.
How Long Do You Need It For?
Length of stay affects the decision too.
Short-term storage tends to cover moving house, renovating, travelling, gaps between university accommodation, or waiting on a new property.
Longer-term storage is worth thinking through a bit more carefully — good organisation and easy access matter more the longer things sit in the unit.
Why Choose Pickups Self Storage
Pickups Self Storage is a family-run facility in Leeds with over 20 years' experience, offering 24-hour access, extensive CCTV, and a fully illuminated site. We provide a range of unit sizes across self storage, student storage and business storage, with no deposit and no minimum term.
Find the Right Size for You
Start by listing what you need to store, note your largest items, and think about how often you'll need access. Whether it's a few boxes, a full house move, holiday storage between university terms, or extra space for your business, the right unit size makes storing everything far more manageable.
Not sure which option suits you? Get in touch with Pickups Self Storage and the team will help you find the right fit.
1 year ago