One of the most common questions students ask when they start looking into storage unit options around move-out time is a simple one: what size storage unit do they need? Rent a storage unit that is too small, and you are trying to cram a desk into a space that will not close. Rent a storage unit that is too large, and you are paying for empty square footage every month that could have stayed in your pocket.
Getting the size right from the start saves money, reduces stress, and makes the whole moving process significantly easier. This guide walks you through exactly how to figure out the right unit size for your situation based on what you are storing, not a generic one-size-fits-all recommendation.
Key Takeaways
- Most college students need either a 5×5, 5×10, or 10×10 unit depending on what they are storing.
- The biggest factor is whether you are storing furniture particularly a bed frame, desk, or couch.
- A 5×5 unit works well for boxes and personal items only, with no furniture.
- A 5×10 unit handles a typical dorm room’s worth of belongings including a few pieces of furniture.
- A 10×10 unit is ideal for students storing the full contents of a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
- Sharing a unit with a roommate often makes a larger unit more cost-effective than two smaller ones.
Why Choosing the Right Unit Size Actually Matters
Renting a storage unit that is too small is one of the most common mistakes students make usually because they underestimate how much they have accumulated over a semester or a year. What seems like a manageable amount of stuff looks very different once it is all packed up and stacked in a hallway.
In contrast, renting a larger unit (meaning, a unit larger than you need) leads to wasted monetary resources on empty space. A summer break on the order of three to four months means that this additional cost compounds in a way that’s easy to avoid with planning.
The goal is to estimate accurately, leave a little breathing room, and choose the unit that fits your actual situation.
The Three-Unit Sizes Most College Students Use
The 5×5 Unit For the Minimalist Packer
A 5×5 unit is approximately the size of an extra large walk-in closet. These have about 25 square feet of floor space. Usually about eight feet high, you can utilize extra vertical space by stacking items.
This size works well for students who are storing:
- A moderate number of boxes clothing, books, kitchenware, and personal items
- Small items like fans, lamps, and bedding
- A mini-fridge on its own or alongside a few boxes
- A bicycle or similar item alongside a small number of boxes
What a 5×5 unit does not handle comfortably is furniture. If you have a bed frame, a full-size desk, a dresser, or a couch that needs to go into storage, this unit will feel cramped and may not close properly when fully packed.
Best for: Students storing only boxes, personal items, and small appliances with no large furniture pieces.
The 5×10 Unit The Most Popular Choice for Dorm Students
A 5×10 unit has 50 square feet of space and is the size of a large bathroom or small bedroom. This unit size is the most rented size by college students. A 5×10 unit has space to store an entire dorm room and has space for some large furniture. This is the unit size college students rent the most because it has space for the things college students want to store and does not have the extra space students do not need.
The key to making a 5×10 work well is smart packing. Disassembling furniture where possible taking apart a bed frame, collapsing shelving units allows you to use vertical space effectively and fit more into the footprint than you might expect.
Best for: Students moving out of a dorm room with a standard amount of furniture and personal belongings.
The 10×10 Unit For Apartment Dwellers and Heavy Storers
A 10×10 unit offers 100 square feet of floor space roughly half of a standard single-car garage. This size is the right choice for students who have been living in a studio or one-bedroom apartment and need to store most or all of their belongings, or for students who have accumulated significantly more than a typical dorm room’s worth of possessions.
This is also the most practical size for two students sharing a unit. When two roommates split the cost of a 10×10, the per-person expense is typically lower than each renting a 5×5 or 5×10 separately and they get more usable space with the added benefit of coordinating their move together.
Best for: Students moving out of an apartment, students with a full set of furniture, or two roommates sharing a unit.
When to Consider a 10×15 or Larger
Most college students will not need a unit larger than a 10×10. However, there are situations where a bigger unit makes sense typically for students who are storing the full contents of a one or two-bedroom apartment, including a full living room set, multiple bedroom pieces, and a large volume of boxes.
If you find yourself looking at a list of items to store that goes well beyond what is described for a 10×10 above, stepping up to a 10×15 gives you meaningful additional space without a dramatic increase in cost.
How to Figure Out What Size You Actually Need
Rather than guessing, spend fifteen minutes going through your space before you book anything. Walk through your room or apartment and make a list in two columns what you are storing and what you are taking with you or donating.
Once you have that list, ask yourself three questions:
Do I have any large furniture pieces?
Bed frames, full-size desks, dressers, couches, and bookshelves take up the most space in a storage unit. If you have even one or two of these items, a 5×5 is unlikely to work. If you have several, you are looking at a 5×10 at minimum and possibly a 10×10.
How many boxes am I realistically looking at?
Be honest with yourself here. A box of books, a box of kitchen items, a box of clothing, a box of bedding, a box of miscellaneous items that alone is five boxes, and most students have more. Fifteen or more medium boxes starts to push the limits of a 5×5 unless it is exclusively boxes with no furniture at all.
Am I sharing the unit with anyone?
If a roommate or friend is going in on the unit with you, account for their items as well and size up accordingly. Two students’ worth of belongings almost always lands in 10×10 territory.
Typical First-time Student Moving out of a Regular Dorm
Common Items: Mini Dorm Fridge, Mini Dorm Fridge, Mini Fridge, Clothing for Two Seasons, Desk Lamp, Twinn Bedding, Books, Electronics, some boxes of, personal belongings.
Scenario 2: Sophomore or junior moving out of a shared apartment
Typical items: Their share of bedroom furniture bed frame and mattress, desk, dresser plus their personal belongings, kitchen items they own individually, and clothing.
Recommended size: 5×10, or 10×10 if they have more than an average amount of furniture or are sharing the unit with their roommate.
Scenario 3: Two roommates sharing a unit to split costs
Typical items: Combined bedroom furniture from two students, shared kitchen items they are splitting, and both students’ boxes of personal belongings.
Recommended size: 10×10 in most cases, stepping up to 10×15 if both students have full furniture sets.
Scenario 4: Student studying abroad for a full year
Typical items: Everything from their apartment or dorm full furniture set, all clothing, all personal belongings stored for an extended period.
Recommended size: 10×10 or larger depending on the total volume of items.
Scenario 5: Student storing only boxes and small items, no furniture
Typical items: Seasonal clothing, books, bedding, a few small electronics, kitchen items.
Recommended size: 5×5 potentially even on the generous side.
Tips for Getting More Out of Any Unit Size
Choosing the right size is only part of the equation. How you pack and organize the unit determines whether you can actually access your belongings and whether everything fits comfortably.
Disassemble furniture before moving it in. Bed frames, bookshelves, and desks take up significantly less space when broken down into flat components. This is one of the single most effective ways to fit more into a smaller unit.
Use the inside of your furniture. Dresser drawers, the space inside a desk with a hutch, and the interior of a mini-fridge can all hold boxes or folded items during storage, making use of space that would otherwise be wasted.
Stack boxes from floor to ceiling. Use heavier, sturdier boxes on the bottom and lighter boxes on top. Uniform box sizes stack more cleanly and more safely than a mix of shapes.
Store items you might need near the front. If there is any chance you will need to access your unit during the summer to retrieve something for an internship, grab documents, or drop off additional items place those items near the door rather than buried at the back.
Label every box on the top and sides. When boxes are stacked, labels on the top are the only ones you can see. Label sides too for when boxes are against a wall.
Does Unit Size Affect Student Storage Cost?
Yes larger units cost more per month, which is exactly why choosing the right size matters for your budget. The difference between a 5×5 and a 5×10 is meaningful over a three or four-month summer. The difference between a 5×10 and a 10×10 is more significant still.
The price gap between sizes is small, and it is normally more cost efficient to buy the larger size and have the extra space rather than buying the smaller unit and trying to fit everything into the smaller space.
To get a clear picture of what different unit sizes cost and how to budget for summer storage in Grand Forks, visit our guide on Student Storage Cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common storage unit size for college students?
The 5×10 is the most commonly rented unit size among students at A&J North Storage. It handles the typical contents of a dorm room including furniture and gives most students more than enough space without paying for square footage they do not need.
Can two students share one storage unit?
Yes, and sharing a storage unit is one of the best value options. It is actually cheaper on a person basis for each student to share a 10×10 unit rather than rent a 5×10 unit individually. The storage unit will additionally provide more space and a better organization for each person.
Do I need a climate-controlled unit for my belongings?
For most standard student belongings, a standard unit is fine. However, if you are storing electronics, wooden furniture, vinyl records, artwork, photographs, or other items sensitive to temperature or humidity fluctuations, a climate-controlled unit provides added protection particularly through a North Dakota summer that can bring both heat and humidity.
What if I underestimate and my belongings do not fit?
If possible, contact the facility before your move-out date to discuss your options. At A&J North Storage, our team can help you assess your needs and identify whether a different unit size is available. Planning and booking early gives you the most flexibility.
Should I go slightly larger or slightly smaller if I am between sizes?
When in doubt, go slightly larger. The cost difference between adjacent unit sizes is usually modest, and the stress of a unit that does not fit is never worth the savings. A unit with a little room to spare also makes organizing and accessing your belongings much easier throughout the summer.
How far in advance should I reserve my unit?
At least two to three weeks before your move-out date. Storage units near UND fill up quickly during peak move-out season in May and early June, and booking early gives you access to the full range of available sizes rather than whatever happens to be left.
The Right Size Makes Everything Easier
Choosing the right storage unit size is one of those decisions that seems minor until you get to move-out day and realize you either cannot fit everything or you are paying for a unit that is half empty. A few minutes of planning before you book makes the entire experience smoother from moving in at the end of the semester to moving back out when you return in the fall.
Whether you are a first-year student clearing out a dorm for the first time or a junior moving out of an apartment, A&J North Storage has the right size unit waiting for you in Grand Forks.
Reserve Your Student Storage Unit at A&J North Storage
At A&J North Storage, we offer a full range of unit sizes designed to fit every student’s storage needs from compact 5×5 units for light packers to spacious 10×10 and larger units for apartment dwellers and roommate pairs splitting costs. Our facility at 1809 N 6th St provides clean, well-maintained units with 24/7 gated access and flexible month-to-month rental terms built around the student calendar.
Not sure which size is right for you? Our team is happy to talk through what you are storing and help you pick the unit that fits your situation without paying for space you do not need.
Visit our Student Storage page to learn more or contact us today to reserve your unit before move-out season fills up.
Final Thoughts
For most college students in Grand Forks, the right storage unit size comes down to one simple question are you storing furniture or not? No furniture means a 5×5 is likely enough. A standard dorm room’s worth of furniture points to a 5×10. A full apartment or two students sharing means a 10×10. Everything else flows from there.
Contact A&J North Storage today and let our team help you find the right fit for your summer storage needs.
