How Much Storage Do You Need for a 2-Bedroom Apartment? Smart Space Guide

Moving? Rent with SecureSpace Self Storage find Units to Fit Your Belogings.

Moving into a 2-bedroom apartment is a great opportunity to start fresh.

However, it can seem like you have only just moved in before the space starts to feel small. If you are a new renter, moving from a larger home, sharing with roommates, or living with your family, finding storage can be a huge challenge if you haven’t found adequate storage space for your belongings. It’s one of the many areas where planning pays off, and self-storage can also help.

Understanding Storage Needs for 2-Bedroom Apartments

Typical Storage Challenges in Apartment Living

Most 2-bedroom apartments are just that — a living space. You get what you see: a small entry closet, a tiny linen closet, and maybe a hall closet. There are usually no attics, basements, or much built-in storage to use. Planning to store your holiday decorations, winter clothes, and extra bedding in that linen closet? Good luck! If you have children, pets, hobbies, collections, and a home office, you will have more to store.

Average Square Footage and Storage Space in 2-Bedroom Units

A 2-bedroom apartment is typically 800-1200 square feet. That appears like a lot of space, but it is actually not. Your furnishings, clothes, kitchenware, and electronics take up more of this space than you realize. The storage in your space (closets, cabinets) also takes up 10-15% of your space. So, in a 900-square-foot apartment, your storage ends up taking up 100-135 square feet. The rest of the space is apportioned to different needs.

Assessing Your Personal Storage Requirements

Storage needs differ from person to person, so take an inventory of what you are going to bring with you. List everything you plan to store — kitchen items, bed, fans, rug, dresser, summer clothes, etc. Categorize them by daily use, seasonal, sentimental, and rarely worn. Then, check how much space you will need to store them. If something does not fit comfortably in the space you already have in the apartment, or it is something you don’t need but just can’t give up yet, you may need a storage unit.

Maximizing In-Apartment Storage

Creative Storage Solutions for Every Room

Store sheets or clothes in a repurposed ottoman because the storage space shouldn’t be wasted if it’s something you’d be using in your home anyway. In the closet, use fabric bins or baskets to group smaller items. Mount a bar or rack with hanging hooks in the kitchen for pots, pans, and small items.

Don’t forget about the bathroom; tiered shelves between the sink and tub can help you use available wall space. Even the entryway can pull double-duty. A bench with storage underneath becomes a place to sit and a spot to stash your shoes or umbrella.

Furniture that Doubles as Storage

An ottoman works for storing blankets, remotes, or anything else that doesn’t have a place in your apartment. A coffee table with drawers is great for stowing clutter, baskets, remotes, and other living room essentials.

A bed frame with storage drawers can house extra sheets and towels. Consider a fold-down desk or a Murphy bed if you use one bedroom for guests and a home office. Remember to select pieces that make your space work better without ruining the look or comfort of your apartment.

Vertical Storage: Utilizing Wall and Ceiling Space

Space Hack: Look up and use the walls as an additional storage space. Hanging things on the wall frees up much-needed floor space. Tall shelves can give you additional storage without cramping in your apartment. Wall-mounted shelves, tall bookshelves, and even seasonal storage systems, like hanging organizers, allow you to use your vertical space.

Wall-mounted hooks and pegboards can hold pots and pans in the kitchen or even tools in the garage. If you’re installing shelves, use extenders or anchors to keep them secure, so you know heavy items won’t cause the shelves to sag or fall.

When to Consider External Storage Units

Signs You Need Additional Storage Space

If you frequently feel like you live in a storage unit because of clutter and lack of space, chances are you need to find alternative places to store your items, such as a storage unit. There’s nothing wrong with keeping your Christmas decorations in a storage unit, and swapping them out for summer and Fourth of July decorations.

If you’ve started a new hobby that’s taking over your space, you will need a storage unit. Whatever the reason, living in a small apartment already gives you a lot to juggle. When you can, lean on a storage unit to ease the load of each season and preserve the items you love.

Calculating the Right Storage Unit Size

How much storage do you need in an apartment? The answer depends on your lifestyle and the specific items you need to store. You can use this quick breakdown of the most common sizes to start:

A 5×5 storage unit can fit the contents of a small closet, a handful of boxes, a mattress and box spring, or a seasonal pool table.
A 5×10 storage unit is a bit bigger and most common in the industry. It can hold the contents of a small room, like a walk-in closet or a dorm room.
10×15 and 10×20 are great for renters who have a few pieces of big furniture, like mattresses, sofa sets, and dining tables.

Storage Unit Size Calculator

Not sure which size is right for you? Save yourself a headache and use the SecureSpace Self Storage unit size calculator to figure it out. The calculator will tell you the right unit size based on the answers you provide. You won’t have to wonder if you’re paying for more or less space than you need.

Choosing the Right Storage Unit Near You

Climate-Controlled vs. Standard Units

What’s the right choice for most renters? If you’re storing temperature-sensitive items like paintings, photos, electronics, or antique furniture, you might want to upgrade to a climate-controlled space. These storage units are temperature- and humidity-controlled, guarding your belongings against excessive heat or cold. On the flip side, standard storage units usually do just fine for common items like tools, clothes, and holiday decorations.

Accessibility Considerations

How often do you plan to visit the storage unit? If you’re a regular, whether you need to check in on your business inventory or change your wardrobe every season, you might look for an all-hours or 24/7 facility. Drive-up units are a plus, too. You can roll into the facility and get moving. This is especially helpful during spring cleaning.

Security Features to Look For

It’s simple; your self-storage unit should make security a top priority. The most reliable places have surveillance cameras, gated entry, built-in unit security, and on-site staff to keep an eye on the property. SecureSpace self-storage stands by these security measures to create a space that’s well-guarded and preserved for its clientele, so you can worry less and store more.

Storage Near Me: Finding Convenient Options

Proximity Benefits: Why Location Matters

Don’t shortchange yourself on this one. Your self storage unit’s distance from your home is an important consideration. Can you easily drop by when you need an item, whether it’s a holiday decoration or bathing suit? If not, you might be taking on way more than you bargained for. It’s easy to find nearby locations if you search for self storage near me, which can be truly helpful if you plan to use the unit for long periods..

Comparing Your Local Self-Storage Locations

No two storage facilities are the same. After working on your list of possible storage unit options, narrow things down further according to:

Pricing and promo options: Find move-in deals or first-month specials.
Access hours: How do access times vary, and do they favor you?
Unit variety: Is there a variety in unit sizes, so you can scale up and down?

SecureSpace Self Storage boasts many sites in your ideal location that offer all that and more. Just check the sizing options and user reviews to find the closest one to your home or apartment needs.

Online Reviews and Facility Tours

Check online reviews to get the full picture. You can’t always get a good picture from conversations, but try to get an idea of the places that didn’t work in other clients’ eyes in terms of cleanliness, service, and quality of the location. Also, if you can, check out the place in person. This will help you find out things like how well-kept the facility is, if the staff is helpful, or if it is a good neighborhood with good security.

Moving In: Tips for Efficiently Using Your Storage Unit

How to Organize for Easy Access

When you’ve signed the lease and officially have a new place to store your belongings, it’s time to put in the elbow grease. Before you start putting things in your storage unit, think ahead about the layout. Keep the things you may need quickly close to your unit’s entrance, and other items you may not need until later close to the back.

Also, label boxes on all sides. For an extra step, make a digital inventory of your stored items using an app or spreadsheet. Translucent storage bins let you see what’s on the inside at a quick glance and keep items safe from moisture, unlike cardboard boxes.

Packing for Long-Term Storage

If you have plans to store your things long-term, the way you pack makes a difference. Pack fragile items in sturdy boxes or cases, and reduce stacking so there’s no collapsing. Add moisture control methods in boxes, like moisture absorbers or silica gel packets, to prevent damage. Don’t pack your belongings in trash bags because they capture humidity, and you might see mold or mildew after a while.

Creating Pathways and Access Points

Don’t stuff your storage space so full that there’s no air between things. Create a walkway in the middle and give yourself a little bit of room around your furniture, so air can move freely, and it’s not a huge project to dig something out in a hurry. Racks and shelving are other ways to make sure you can move freely in your space. Lightweight and freestanding metal shelves are great for miscellaneous and difficult-to-stack items, or things you’ll use frequently.

FAQs About Storage for 2-Bedroom Apartments

1. How do I know if I need a 5×10 or 10×10 storage unit?

It depends on what you need a storage unit for. If you’ll only be storing a few boxes and a piece or two of small furniture, a 5×10 unit will work fine. If you need to store large furniture from bedrooms and kitchens, and personal belongings, opt for a 10×10 unit for more storage space.

2. Can I store all my seasonal items in a small storage unit?

You can—a 5×5 or 5×10 storage unit is enough room for your seasonal decorations, winter sweaters, or summer sports equipment. Use vacuum-sealed bags for soft items, and stack your containers vertically to save space.

3. What items should never be placed in storage?

Avoid storing anything consumable, flammable, explosive, or hazardous. Your storage unit facility will also have rules about unlawful items, animals, and unregistered vehicles. Electronics or leather furniture needs to go into a climate-controlled unit.

4. How often will I need to access my storage unit?

It depends on how you will be using the space. Some people rent a space and go there once every couple of months. Others go every week. If you will be storing your tools for work or materials for a hobby or a business, you may have to visit often.

The Smart Storage Strategy Starts Here

Living in a 2-bed apartment doesn’t have to mean giving up comfort or living in a sea of chaos. By figuring out your personal storage situation, optimizing the space you have, and leveraging smart self storage solutions, you can have a peaceful, put-together living space, and a convenient, extendable storage space that allows you to live how you want.

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