For most East Tennessee renters, the right unit size maps to what you're storing: a 5x10 fits the contents of one small room, a 10x10 fits a one-bedroom apartment, a 10x15 fits a two-bedroom home's contents or a full contractor setup, and a 10x20 fits the contents of a 2-to-3-bedroom home plus a vehicle or garage's worth of tools. The 10x20 is the most popular size by a wide margin — it's the one most people end up needing once they start packing.
See our dedicated 10x20 size guide for the breakdown of what actually fits. Not sure? Call us at (423) 948-7724 and we'll walk through it with you.
"What size storage unit do I need" is the question every renter asks at some point in the process. Most online size calculators give you generic answers that don't map well to real East Tennessee homes and real belongings. A 10x10 in a condo calculator is not the same as a 10x10 holding the contents of a rural Washington County home with a garage full of yard equipment.
This guide is based on what we actually see at the counter. Real scenarios from real renters across Jonesborough, Erwin, Limestone, Telford, Chuckey, and the TN-107 corridor. The goal is to help you land on the right size the first time so you don't pay for space you don't need or make a second trip to swap units.
We're Mountaineer Storage LLC on TN-107 in Chuckey. Here's how to size your unit right.
Storage Unit Sizes — What Actually Fits in Each
Real-world capacity by unit dimension
The industry uses standard unit sizes, but most people don't think in square footage. Here's each common size translated into what it actually holds for a typical East Tennessee household or business.
Closet-size — small item storage
Fits: Holiday decorations, a few boxes of personal items, a small dresser, seasonal sports gear, or business archive boxes.
Best for: college students, archive storage, single-item needs.
Walk-in closet — small room contents
Fits: Contents of one small bedroom or home office — twin mattress, small dresser, boxes, a desk, or a motorcycle.
Best for: apartment downsizing, single-room clears, motorcycle storage. See our full 5x10 size guide.
Half-garage — one-bedroom apartment
Fits: A full one-bedroom apartment including queen bed, dresser, sofa, small dining set, kitchen boxes, TV. Or a mid-size vehicle plus some tools.
Best for: apartment moves, renovation temporary storage, small business inventory. See our full 10x10 size guide.
Larger garage — two-bedroom contents
Fits: Contents of a two-bedroom home, full contractor setup with shelving and tools, or a full appliance set plus household items.
Best for: small home moves, contractors with full tool inventory, mid-size business.
Full one-car garage — whole home contents
Fits: Contents of a 2-to-3-bedroom home including appliances, large furniture, boxes, and a car or full contractor gear. About the size of a standard one-car garage.
Best for: full home moves, renovation storage, contractor base, most general needs. See our full 10x20 size guide.
Outdoor vehicle storage
Fits: RVs, campers, boats, work trailers, enclosed trailers, landscape trailers, service vehicles up to 42 feet in length.
Best for: RV owners, contractors with trailers, seasonal boat storage.
Real Scenarios — Which Size Do You Actually Need?
Common East Tennessee situations and the size that fits
Moving out of a one-bedroom apartment
Recommended: 10x10. A one-bedroom fits comfortably with room to walk in. 5x10 is tight unless you're minimal. 10x15 is overkill unless you have a lot of oversized furniture.
Selling a home and staging — staged-out furniture
Recommended: 10x15 or 10x20. Home staging usually means removing 30-to-50% of furniture, which is more than people expect. Go one size up from what you think you need — you won't regret the walk-in room.
Renovating a kitchen or bathroom
Recommended: 10x10. Most kitchen or bathroom renovations displace the contents of one room plus some overflow. If the renovation is whole-house, step up to 10x15 or 10x20.
Downsizing from a Washington County home with a garage
Recommended: 10x20 — and often outdoor vehicle space too. Rural East Tennessee homes have garages, outbuildings, and yard equipment that most suburban size calculators don't account for. A 10x20 handles the contents; outdoor space handles the mower, trailer, or RV.
Running a one-truck contractor operation
Recommended: 10x20. Tools, job boxes, staged material, ladders, shelving, seasonal gear — it all adds up fast. A 10x20 gives you room to walk in and work. See our contractor storage guide for how to organize it.
Small e-commerce business inventory
Recommended: starts at 5x10, grows to 10x15. Depends on product size and inventory turn rate. Start smaller and upgrade when you outgrow it — month-to-month rentals make this easy.
Storing an RV or camper between trips
Recommended: Outdoor space sized to the RV length. Most travel trailers are 20-to-32 feet; Class A motorhomes run 30-to-42 feet. Measure yours (including hitch) before booking. Our outdoor spaces accommodate vehicles up to 42 feet.
Military deployment or extended travel
Recommended: matches current household size. A 10x10 for a one-bedroom, 10x15 for two-bedroom, 10x20 for full home. Month-to-month rentals make flexible deployment timelines easy.
Common Mistakes When Picking a Storage Unit Size
What we see people get wrong at the counter
Underestimating how much stuff you have
People routinely underestimate by 30-to-50%. Walk through your space and imagine boxing everything. That mental picture is usually more accurate than an online calculator.
Forgetting you need walking space
A unit packed wall-to-wall means digging everything out to reach the back. Plan for an aisle or at least access to important items. Go one size up if you'll need frequent access.
Not stacking vertically
Most drive-up units have 8-foot ceilings. Use them. Boxes on boxes, furniture disassembled, use shelving. A well-packed unit holds 30% more than a poorly packed one.
Forgetting the vehicle
If you need to store a car, motorcycle, or ATV along with household items, add its footprint to your size calculation. A 10x20 fits a mid-size car with about 100 sq ft of storage left over.
Using suburban calculators for rural homes
Rural East Tennessee homes have garages, outbuildings, and yard equipment that suburban calculators miss. Factor in the garage contents separately from the house contents.
Sizing for forever, not for now
Month-to-month rentals mean you can upgrade or downsize easily. Pick the size you need today, not the "just in case" size. You can always swap later.
FAQ: Storage Unit Size Selection
What size storage unit do I need for a one-bedroom apartment?
A 10x10 unit (100 sq ft) comfortably fits the contents of a one-bedroom apartment including a queen bed, dresser, sofa, small dining set, TV, and kitchen boxes. A 5x10 works if you have minimal furniture.
What size storage unit fits a whole house?
A 10x20 unit (200 sq ft) fits the contents of most 2-to-3-bedroom homes including appliances and large furniture. For larger homes or homes with full garages and outbuildings, a second outdoor space for vehicles is often added.
Can a car fit in a 10x20 storage unit?
Yes. A 10x20 unit is approximately the size of a standard one-car garage and fits most mid-size cars with room left for boxes, tools, or other items. Larger vehicles like full-size trucks or SUVs may fit but leave less remaining space.
Should I size up or size down if I am unsure?
Generally size up one level if you need frequent access to items in the unit. Size down if you are packing tightly and will not be accessing the unit often. Month-to-month rentals let you swap sizes if the first choice does not work out.
What is the most popular storage unit size?
The 10x20 is the most popular size by a wide margin. It handles full home moves, renovation storage, contractor setups, and most general storage needs. It is about the size of a standard one-car garage.
Can I change to a different size unit after I rent?
Yes, at most facilities with month-to-month rentals including Mountaineer Storage. If you find your current size is too big or too small, you can switch to a different size based on availability. Call (423) 948-7724 to discuss.
Not Sure About Size? We'll Help You Figure It Out
Month-to-month drive-up storage at 2603 TN-107 in Chuckey. Swap sizes if your first choice is wrong. No deposits, no setup fees, same-day gate code.
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📍 Mountaineer Storage LLC
2603 TN-107, Chuckey, TN 37641
(423) 948-7724
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mountaineerstoragellc.com