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If you’re perusing our storage unit size guide and wavering between a portable moving and storage container or a self-storage unit, you’d probably like to know more details about the three PODS container sizes. Here’s a summary of what you can expect to fit in each size PODS container, plus how they compare to self-storage units and rental trucks. (Keep in mind that you may be able to fit more or less in your container depending on the size of your items and your packing and loading technique.)
The 8-foot container is the smallest PODS container size available. It will store items for a space of up to 500 square feet. Have a student moving home from the dorms for the summer? This is your container. Need to tuck away some knick-knacks and extras post-downsize but pre-donation? Perfect.
5' x 10' self-storage unit10' rental truck
Container dimensions: 8' x 7' x 8'Practical for college students, apartment residents, or people looking to downsizeAvailable for storage as well as local and long-distance moves
King-size bedDresserBookshelfDining table with 4 chairsSmall sofaA few lampsPictures and mirrorsTVBicycleMultiple moving boxes
Pro Tip: You can check your local Home Depot for PODS rental prices, if you plan to pick up storage supplies there anyway.
This mid-size container will handle local moves and storage for a space of up to 800 square feet. This is perfect if you’re in a small apartment — just a few rooms, max — and you’re moving across town. The 12-footer is also good for storage if you’ve got extra bicycles or yard gear you need to stash somewhere for a while.
10' x 10' self-storage unit15' rental truck
Container dimensions: 12' x 8' x 8'Fits contents from 2 to 3 roomsAvailable only for local moves or storageHandy for keeping items close by in on-site storage during remodeling projects
Below is an example of typical household items that fit in a 12-foot PODS container:
King-size bedTwin bed2 dressers and/or bookshelvesDining table with 4 chairsSmall sofaArm chairCoffee tableEntertainment centerTVSmall desk and chairA few lampsPictures and mirrorsBicycleMultiple moving boxes
The 16-foot container is PODS’ largest and most popular size for local and long-distance moves and for storage, holding the contents for a space of up to 1,200 square feet. Basically, this container will hold belongings from a small home or a one- to two-bedroom apartment.
10' x 15' self-storage unit15'–18' rental truck
Container dimensions: 16' x 8' x 8'Fits contents from a 1- to 2-bedroom apartment or small home (3 to 4 rooms total)A practical solution for moves requiring temporary storageAvailable for storage and for local and long-distance moves
Below is an example of typical household items that fit in a 16-foot PODS container:
King-size bed2 twin beds2 dressers2 bookshelvesDining table with 6 chairsSofaCoffee table2 end tablesEntertainment centerTVDesk with chairSeveral lampsSeveral pictures and mirrorsWasher and dryer2 bicyclesUp to 60 moving boxes in various sizes
Check out the guide below to estimate the size of the portable container, storage unit, or rental truck you need based on your home’s square footage. (We've included rental trucks because you'll need a way to haul your stuff if you're not using a portable container.)
When considering square footage, don’t forget to include all areas of your house that have things you’ll be loading into the unit, such as your garage, attic, basement, and patio. Also keep in mind that the storage unit size guide numbers are estimates; what fits in a 16-foot PODS container, for example, will vary depending on the size of your furniture, how densely your home is furnished, how many fragile items you may have, and your packing and loading technique. This likely sparks the next question: What size PODS container do I need? To find the answer, here’s our storage unit size guide* based on home size:
If you’re storing the contents of a small studio apartment, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a studio or one-bedroom apartment, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a one- or two-bedroom home, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a two-bedroom home, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a two- or three-bedroom home, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a larger three-bedroom home, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a four-bedroom home, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a four- or five-bedroom home, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a five- or six-bedroom home, you’ll need one of these three options:
If you’re storing the contents of a home greater than 3,000 square feet, you’ll need one of these three options:
*_Suggested sizes are for guidance only. Larger items and how efficiently containers/units/trucks are loaded can significantly impact the size and quantity of containers, storage units, and rental trucks you’ll need. _PODS is constantly upgrading its container fleet, and container sizes may vary slightly from one model to another.
While the storage unit size guide above surely helped, it might still be hard to visualize how much space you’ll need. However, most people are pleasantly surprised by the amount of stuff they can pack into a self-storage unit or portable storage container. That’s because most storage units can be loaded from the bottom up, which means you can cover the entire floor and stack your things up to the full 8-foot height. You can also arrange the contents differently than you would a typical room or closet — piling boxes on top of your couch, for instance, and tucking smaller pieces underneath the dining table.
However, it’s not just _how much_ you’re storing, but also what you’re storing and how often you plan to access your storage unit. Let’s take a quick look at these factors to help you work out just how much storage you need.
Start by taking inventory to apply to our storage unit size guide. Use a measuring tape to note the dimensions of your larger items, and estimate the number of boxes you have. Don’t forget items that are irregularly shaped and can’t be stacked, like floor lamps.
In addition to the size and volume of stuff you want to store, factor in how you’ll be using the storage space and how often you’ll need to get into it. For example, if the storage is part of a move and you won’t need any of your belongings when you’re between homes, then you can load your storage unit to the max.
But if you’ll need to periodically get things out of storage, you may want to create a bit of an aisle through the middle of your space. That way, you won’t have to unload half your stuff just to find one item you need. On the other hand, if you only need access to a few things, plan your loading strategically. Set aside the items you expect to need and load them last, so you’ll have easy access.
If you’re reading this storage unit size guide and considering using a portable storage container, it’s important to determine how much room you have for placement. If you choose PODS, for example, you will need to clear a space that’s 12 feet wide, 15 feet high, and 40 feet long. If your driveway isn’t that long, not to worry: You can have your container parked on the street. Just be sure that the spot you have in mind is flat and clear of obstructions — and that you’ve acquired permits, if necessary.
No matter how many times you measure your belongings and count your boxes, it’s natural to feel a bit stressed about the size of the space you plan to rent. So, what if you’re not sure what size storage unit you need?
To ease your mind, you might consider bumping up to the next-largest storage unit size. You want to avoid paying for more space than you need, but the dollar difference between storage unit sizes is often so small that it might be worth the extra peace of mind.
Another strategy is to use multiple portable containers and stagger delivery dates — especially if you think there’s a good chance you’ll need more than the largest size available. Depending on the container company, you can arrange delivery so you only pay for what you use. For example, with PODS, you can reserve multiple containers but stagger the deliveries, so you load one container before you have the next unit delivered. If you end up not needing the extra containers, PODS allows you to cancel at no cost (they’re super flexible like that!).
For more information on PODS’ Reschedule and Cancel policy, visit pods.com/cancel.
If you like working with online tools, narrow your choices down even further by using this PODS moving and storage calculator — a terrific resource to supplement the storage unit size guide. It’ll give you a detailed estimate for the right size PODS container, or combination of containers, you should choose, based on your specific belongings. Like a virtual loading machine, the calculator allows you to select furniture pieces room by room, the number of boxes by size, and other common household and recreational items that you plan to store or move. As you add items, the tool shows the container filling up by percentage, so you get a sense of whether you might have space to spare or will need multiple containers.
As you use this storage unit size guide, remember that how efficiently you pack and load your things will determine which storage unit sizes will work for you. But no worries — we’ve got plenty of advice on that, too.
Planning a move in the near future? If you’re looking for storage options and also planning an upcoming move, you can avoid double work by storing with PODS. Keep your storage container on your property or in a secure PODS storage center. When you’re ready, simply have your container transported to your new home or another PODS storage center nearby. And remember, when you move with PODS, one month of storage is included in your PODS moving cost.
A:You can fit everything from a three- to four-bedroom house in a 200-square-foot storage unit. In short, that’s a lot of space. And the equivalent in PODS? Two 16-foot containers or a 16-foot plus an 8-foot container.
A: With 150 square feet of space, you can generally accommodate belongings from a two- or three-bedroom home. In addition to your furniture and appliances, you’ll also be able to fit about 30 to 40 medium-sized boxes of books, dishes, and any other items that need to be sealed up. If you choose PODS for your move, the equivalent of a 10x15-foot storage unit is a 16-foot PODS container.
A: If you’re moving out of a studio apartment or a small one-bedroom home, a 10' x 10' storage space should be sufficient. Going the PODS route, the equivalent would be a 12-foot container.
A:That depends on what you mean by “ideal” — and why you need the space. Say you’re stashing musical instruments, for instance, because you don’t have room in your home, but you’ll be accessing them regularly. You’ll need to have enough breathing space in the unit to move around comfortably as you go in and out to get your instruments and put them back. So, in that case, tack on a few extra square feet to accommodate. But if you’re packing away furniture and belongings in preparation for a move, use the storage unit size guide above to help you determine the amount of space you need.
A:Storage containers come in different dimensions, with options to fit just about every need. But the most common size measures about 8 feet wide and 8-and-a-half feet tall — with varying lengths: 10, 20, and 40 feet long.
For house-to-house moves, choosing PODS provides a degree of security and flexibility you won’t have with other storage methods. With your storage unit literally parked outside your house, you have the freedom to take the time you need for packing or unpacking — and for unfettered access to your belongings for the duration. And with this storage unit size guide and the PODS moving cost calculator, you get an accurate cost estimate upfront.
But the biggest plus of PODS? Not having to hire a moving truck to get your things to a storage unit, loading, unloading, and then having to do it all over again in the future. You can keep your PODS container in your driveway while you load it and then schedule a driver to pick it up and take it to a secure PODS storage center — no need for you to deal with rental truck companies, extra fees, or any of the other hassles that come with traditional self-storage. If you move in the future, your container can be delivered to your new house or to another storage center in the area. Easy as that!
_Shannon Jacobs is a Tampa-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. She has lived in Atlanta, the Berkshires, NYC, and Nashville, but always returns to the warmth of Florida’s Gulf Coast._
_Special Notes on PODS Container Sizes:_
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