Updated June 10, 2026
In today’s day and age, time is money, but so is space, especially in Kelowna. As everyone’s needs and consumption are constantly growing, space is becoming a premium commodity, and it’s not always feasible to move into a larger home, or office to accommodate all your belongings. What’s the next best, affordable alternative? Self-storage units! One of the most common questions is ‘What storage unit size would I need?’So, without beating around the bush, here are some of Space Centre Storage’s best tips for selecting the right storage unit.
How to Start Estimating the Right-Sized Storage Unit for Your Belongings
Step 1: Make a list of all the items in your home or office that you’d like to store. Once the list is complete, categorize your items under labels such as clothes, electronics, appliances, furniture, decor, etc. This will give you a good idea of the volume of space your belongings might occupy, including efficient ways to organize them, for example: clothes can be packed in stackable boxes to save space, whereas a couch may take up an entire side of a storage unit.
Step 2: Measure all your bulky items, and note down the measurements. Items that are bulky or oddly shaped such as furniture, appliances, summer toys, or gardening equipment, are bound to take up more space in your storage unit. It is important to have those measurements in hand because Tetris is best played on your phone but in real life? Not fun at all. In this way, you can plan for optimum arrangement of items, allowing for easy access and retrieval, and a well-kept personal storage unit.
Step 3: Try to assemble all of the items you want to put into storage in one of the rooms in your home. This is tedious, we know—especially since you’ll have to transfer them to your storage unit anyway, but it will help you visualize exactly how much space you’ll need while keeping tabs on the best way to arrange them, saving you time and hassle come moving day. In this step, it’s also helpful to organize your items in terms of frequency of use and plan to store them accordingly. Seasonal clothing or decor could be stored towards the front of the unit, while appliances or kitchenware you barely reach for can be tucked away towards the back.
Step 4: If you're thinking about storing items for the long haul, think about your future needs. Are you planning on downsizing further? Is there an upcoming move, or are you planning on acquiring new items? In these cases, you may be better off with a larger sized storage unit than you currently need to allow flexibility in the items you can store. This will save you future troubles of switching to a bigger unit or requiring more space than you initially planned.
Sizes of Storage Units at Space Centre’s Storage Facility in Kelowna
We’ve got 8 different storage unit sizes available for rent at our self-storage facility, they’ve been broken down briefly, below:
| Unit size | Best for | Home equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 6 | Small boxes, seasonal decor, dorm-room items | Single dorm room or closet overflow |
| 5 x 8 | Condo or apartment overflow, seasonal items | Small apartment extras |
| 5 x 10 | Apartment overflow + motorcycle, bike, or scooter | Small apartment + small vehicle |
| 8 x 8 | Medium-sized furniture, short-term or interim storage | Studio or single room |
| 10 x 10 | Furniture, appliances, and boxes from a small home | 1–2 bedroom home |
| 10 x 15 | Full household contents including appliances | 2 bedroom home |
| 10 x 20 | Large household contents + a vehicle, with room to organize | 2–3 bedroom home |
| 10 x 25 | Large household, vehicles, patio furniture, bulkier items | 3–4 bedroom home |
For more details on popular items stored in these varying storage unit sizes, check out our handy storage unit size estimator.
Space Centre Storage is well equipped with indoor and outdoor storage units, our outdoor storage units are drive-up units which means easy loading or unloading, and some of our indoor units are heated to protect your beloved wooden furniture, picture frames, bottled beverages or electronics. So consider the temperature sensitivity of your items and ease of storage requirements while choosing the right-sized storage unit.
A few things people get wrong when choosing a storage unit size
Going too small to save money. It almost always costs more in the end. Overpacking leads to damaged items, poor accessibility, and often a second unit anyway. If you're close between two sizes, go with the larger one.
Forgetting vertical space. Most of our units have solid ceiling height. Sturdy shelving and stackable bins can double your usable storage area. This changes the math considerably on smaller units.
Not planning for access. If you think you'll need to get in and out of your unit regularly, how you set it up matters as much as how big it is. A well-organized 10 x 10 is far more useful than a crammed 10 x 15.
Underestimating irregular items. Bikes, kayaks, holiday trees, kids' outdoor toys, and gardening gear are the usual suspects here. They're bulky, awkwardly shaped, and don't stack. Account for these first, then plan around them.
Space Centre Storage is the largest self-storage facility in the Okanagan, with over 380,000 square feet of storage space and more than 40 years of experience serving Kelowna residents and businesses. We offer month-to-month rental terms, prorated rent, and a free move-in truck to help you get settled.
Not sure which size is right for you? Give us a call at 250-765-4125 or contact us online, and we'll walk you through it.
Frequently asked questions about storage unit sizes
What size storage unit do I need for a 2-bedroom apartment?
A 10 x 10 or 10 x 15 unit works well for most 2-bedroom apartments. The 10 x 10 fits furniture, appliances, and boxes comfortably if you pack efficiently. If you have larger furniture pieces, a king-sized bed, or a lot of bulky items, the 10 x 15 gives you more breathing room and makes the unit easier to access once it's loaded.
Can I store a vehicle in a storage unit?
Yes. Several of our unit sizes accommodate vehicles. A 5 x 10 works for motorcycles, bikes, or scooters. The 10 x 20 can fit a standard vehicle plus household belongings, and the 10 x 25 handles larger vehicles or multiple items alongside a vehicle. If you're storing an RV or boat, we also have a dedicated RV and boat storage lot with on-site security.
Do I need a climate-controlled unit for my belongings?
It depends on what you're storing. Everyday furniture, boxes, and clothing generally do fine in a standard unit. Wood furniture, electronics, framed artwork, instruments, wine, and sensitive documents are more susceptible to temperature swings and humidity, so a heated indoor unit is the better choice for those items. Ask us when you call, and we'll help you figure it out.
Space Centre Storage is Kelowna's largest self-storage facility, serving the Okanagan since 1985. We offer personal storage, commercial storage, RV and boat parking, and portable storage containers. Contact us to find the right unit for your needs.