What size storage unit do I need?
Pick what you're storing, or count your furniture and boxes, and we'll tell you the unit size to book. Then see the facilities near you that have it.
You need
Medium
About 5–8 m²
A double bed, a couch, a fridge, a washing machine, a small table and about 30 boxes.
See facilities with this sizeStorage unit size chart
Typical prices are the median monthly price facilities list for each size, from 469 published prices, checked October 2026. They change, so confirm with the facility.
| Size | Roughly | What fits | Typical price | Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locker (under 1.5 m²) | about 1 m × 1 m | 10–20 boxes, suitcases, a bicycle, documents or seasonal gear | R415/month10 prices | 58 facilities |
| Small (1.5–4.5 m²) | about 1.5 m × 2 m | One room or a bachelor flat without big appliances; small business stock or archive boxes | R617/month48 prices | 133 facilities |
| Medium (4.5–9 m²) | about 2.5 m × 3 m | A 1-bedroom flat: double bed, couch, fridge, washing machine and about 30 boxes | R730/month109 prices | 285 facilities |
| Large (9–15 m²) | about 3 m × 4 m | A 2- to 3-bedroom home with appliances and boxes | R960/month91 prices | 218 facilities |
| Extra large (15–30 m²) | about 3 m × 6 m (garage size) | A 3- to 4-bedroom home, garage contents, or a car | R1 200/month135 prices | 300 facilities |
| 6 m container (~14.6 m²) | 6 m × 2.4 m, about 2.6 m high | A 2- to 3-bedroom home; often delivered to your door | R963/month24 prices | 61 facilities |
| 12 m container (~29.7 m²) | 12 m × 2.4 m, about 2.6 m high | A 4- to 5-bedroom home, or business stock and equipment | R1 850/month13 prices | 31 facilities |
| Open parking bay | an open or covered bay | A caravan, boat, trailer, car or motorbike | R635/month39 prices | 110 facilities |
How to work out your size
Floor area is what you pay for, but height is what saves you money. Most indoor units are about 2.4 m high, so things you can stack (boxes, chairs, drawers with the legs off) take far less floor than they do at home. Big, awkward items decide the size: measure the couch, the beds and the fridge first.
- Pack into same-size boxes. They stack safely to the ceiling. Odd sizes waste space.
- Take furniture apart. Bed frames, table legs and shelving lie flat against a wall.
- Leave a walkway if you'll visit. If you need things during the rental, add about a fifth more floor so you can reach the back.
- Store fridges and freezers with the doors ajar, clean and dry, so they don't grow mould.
- Heavy items first, against the back wall, and anything you need often at the front.
Moving house? A drive-up unit lets the truck park at the door, which saves time on a big move. Storing for a long time while you work abroad? Ask about discounts for 6- or 12-month bookings, and about insurance: most facilities ask you to cover your own goods.
Not sure what things cost? See storage unit prices in South Africa.
Storage size questions
What size storage unit do I need for a 2-bedroom home?
Usually 9 to 12 m², a large unit of about 3 m × 4 m. If you have bulky lounge furniture, a garage full of tools or more than 50 boxes, go one size up.
How high are storage units?
Most indoor units in South Africa are about 2.4 m high, and shipping containers about 2.6 m inside. Stacking boxes to the ceiling saves floor space, so ask the facility for the height before you book.
Is it better to book a bigger unit?
Book the size your things need plus a walkway if you will visit often. If you only need to store and collect once, a tightly packed smaller unit is cheaper. Many facilities let you move to a bigger unit later.
Can I store a car in a storage unit?
Yes, in a garage-sized drive-in unit of about 15 to 18 m². An open or covered parking bay is cheaper if the car can stand outside. Facilities usually ask for proof of insurance and that the car is roadworthy or will be towed in.
Are the sizes in square metres or cubic metres?
Facilities in South Africa mostly quote floor area in square metres (m²). Some container yards and moving companies quote cubic metres (m³). Divide cubic metres by the unit height, about 2.4, to compare.