Working out how much storage space you need when moving house is not as simple as counting bedrooms. Two homes with the same number of rooms can contain very different amounts of furniture, boxes and outdoor equipment. A furnished one-bedroom flat with a storage locker may need more space than a carefully decluttered two-bedroom property.
The most reliable estimate comes from an inventory and a survey of the items that will actually go into storage. This guide will help you prepare that information, understand what affects capacity and avoid paying for more space than you need.
If your dates are already approaching, you can ask Burke & Wills for a storage quote. For homes with three bedrooms or more, an in-depth video survey can help the team assess your requirements remotely.
The quick answer: start with what is actually going into storage
Burke & Wills’ large wooden storage containers provide approximately 250 cubic feet of internal space and measure around 7 feet by 7 feet by 5 feet. The number of containers required depends on the volume and shape of your belongings, how much furniture can be dismantled, how efficiently everything can be packed and whether you need regular access while it is stored.
Bedroom count is therefore only a starting point. Before requesting a quote, make a list of large furniture, estimate the number of packed boxes and include items from cupboards, lofts, sheds, garages and balconies. These easily forgotten areas often make the difference between a rough guess and an accurate assessment.
How many square feet of self storage might you need?
For the contents of a whole home, these are useful starting ranges for a conventional self-storage room:
| Home size | Indicative storage space |
|---|---|
| Studio flat | 25–50 sq ft |
| One-bedroom home | 35–75 sq ft |
| Two-bedroom home | 75–100 sq ft |
| Three-bedroom home | 100–150 sq ft |
| Four-bedroom home or larger | 150–200+ sq ft |
These are estimates, not guaranteed capacities. Furniture size, the number of boxes, ceiling height, safe stacking and space to walk between items all affect the room you need. If you are storing only part of a home, you may need less.
Burke & Wills’ container is different from a conventional self-storage room: its approximate 7 ft by 7 ft floor gives it a 49 sq ft footprint, but it is around 5 ft high and holds approximately 250 cubic feet. Do not treat it as equivalent to a 49 sq ft room with a higher ceiling. Ask the team to translate your inventory into the appropriate number of containers or another suitable storage option.
Why two homes with the same number of bedrooms can need different space
Swipe sideways to view all columns.
| Type of home | Items people commonly overlook | What to tell your surveyor |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or one-bedroom flat | Bike, hallway storage, appliances, folding furniture and items kept in a communal locker | Whether the flat is furnished, the number of boxes and any restricted lift or stair access |
| Two-bedroom home | Home-office equipment, dining furniture, guest-room contents and children’s belongings | Which beds and wardrobes dismantle and whether white goods are included |
| Three-bedroom home | Garden furniture, barbecue, tools, toys, sports equipment and items stored under beds | Loft, shed and garage contents as well as the main rooms |
| Four-bedroom or larger home | Multiple reception rooms, large wardrobes, outdoor equipment, artwork and long-kept loft contents | Any unusually large, fragile or valuable items that require specialist packing |
A room that looks relatively empty can still produce a surprising number of boxes. Conversely, large pieces of furniture may use less space than expected when they are safely dismantled and packed by an experienced removals team.
A room-by-room storage checklist
Walk through the property systematically and record everything that will leave the house. Photographs or a slow video walkthrough are useful because they show scale and help the surveyor spot items that may otherwise be missed.
Living room and dining area
- Sofas, armchairs and footstools
- Dining table, chairs and sideboards
- Television, stands and audio equipment
- Bookcases, books, lamps and ornaments
- Pictures, mirrors, rugs and curtains
Tell the surveyor whether sofas separate into sections and whether table legs or shelving can be removed. Do not dismantle anything until you know how it will be protected and reassembled.
Bedrooms
- Beds, mattresses and headboards
- Wardrobes, chests of drawers and bedside tables
- Clothes in boxes or wardrobe cartons
- Bedding, shoes, luggage and under-bed storage
- Cots, changing tables and children’s furniture
Wardrobes and bed frames can occupy very different amounts of space depending on whether they are designed to be dismantled. Mattresses also need suitable protection and must not be bent simply to reduce volume.
Kitchen and utility room
- Crockery, cookware and small appliances
- Fridge, freezer, washing machine or tumble dryer
- Cleaning equipment, ironing boards and bins
- Contents of cupboards that have not yet been packed
Use up food before moving day and confirm which appliances are travelling. Fridges and freezers should be emptied, defrosted and dry before collection.
Home office
- Desk, chair, filing units and shelving
- Monitors, printers and other equipment
- Files, books and boxed paperwork
Keep essential documents, identity papers, keys and anything you may need at short notice with you rather than placing them deep in storage.
Loft, garage, shed and outdoor areas
- Garden furniture, plant pots and tools
- Bicycles, sports equipment and pushchairs
- Seasonal decorations and suitcases
- DIY equipment and boxed loft contents
- Items kept in external lockers or cupboards
These areas are among the most common sources of underestimation. Include them in your first inventory rather than adding them on moving day.
How packing changes the amount of storage space you need
Good packing protects your belongings and uses the available space efficiently. It does not mean forcing fragile items into gaps or stacking unsuitable weights together.
- Dismantled furniture: tables, bed frames and suitable wardrobes may occupy less space when carefully taken apart.
- Consistent box sizes: sturdy removal boxes stack more securely than a mixture of weak or partly filled cartons.
- Full but manageable boxes: empty space wastes capacity, while overloaded boxes can split or become unsafe to lift.
- Appropriate protection: mirrors, artwork, televisions and fragile furniture need wrapping and cannot be treated as space fillers.
- Clear labelling: room and contents labels help the team create an inventory and make redelivery easier.
If you are packing yourself, see the Burke & Wills guide to packing for storage. You can also order moving boxes and packing materials directly.
Self storage or container storage?
The right type of storage depends on more than volume. Think about how long your belongings will be stored and whether you need to retrieve individual items during that period.
Swipe sideways to view all columns.
| Consideration | Self storage may suit you when | Container storage may suit you when |
|---|---|---|
| Access | You expect to visit and retrieve items regularly | Your belongings can remain packed until redelivery |
| Duration | You need flexible short-term space | You are planning a longer move, renovation or period overseas |
| Handling | You want to organise and manage the unit yourself | You want the removals team to pack, inventory, collect and return your belongings |
| Moving dates | You need access while plans remain uncertain | You need a secure bridge between collection and final delivery |
Burke & Wills provides both moving and storage services, so the collection, storage period and eventual delivery can be planned together. If your sale and purchase dates do not align, read what to do when completion dates don’t line up.
What should stay out of storage?
Separate anything you will need during the storage period before the removals team arrives. This normally includes medication, passports, financial and legal papers, keys, chargers, work equipment and a change of clothes.
Food, damp belongings, fuel and potentially hazardous materials may be unsuitable for storage. Discuss unusual items with the team in advance so they can explain the applicable requirements and safe alternatives.
How to get an accurate storage estimate
- Decide what is staying, moving directly or going into storage. Decluttering first prevents you from paying to store items you no longer want.
- Create a room-by-room inventory. Include large furniture, approximate box quantities and all secondary storage areas.
- Take photographs or a video walkthrough. Show inside cupboards only where relevant and include loft, garage and garden contents.
- Explain your timetable. Give the expected collection date, likely storage period and delivery address if known.
- Arrange a professional assessment. The surveyor can account for packing, dismantling, access and the way items can be safely loaded.
The assessment is more reliable than an online bedroom calculator because it reflects your actual belongings. It also helps the team plan the correct packing materials, crew and vehicle rather than treating storage as a separate last-minute task.
Frequently asked questions
Can bedroom count tell me exactly how much storage I need?
No. It provides a useful starting point, but furnishings, box quantities, outdoor equipment and dismantling make a substantial difference. An inventory and survey give a more dependable estimate.
How large is a Burke & Wills storage container?
The large wooden containers provide approximately 250 cubic feet of internal space and measure around 7 feet by 7 feet by 5 feet. The team can advise how many containers your belongings are likely to require after assessing them.
Will dismantling furniture reduce the space required?
It often can, provided the item is suitable for dismantling and the components can be protected and stored safely. Show large furniture during the survey so the team can plan correctly.
Can I access my belongings while they are stored?
Access arrangements depend on the type of storage you choose. If you expect to retrieve individual items, explain this before booking so the team can recommend the most suitable option.
What if my moving date changes?
Tell the removals and storage team as soon as possible. Building flexibility into the collection, storage and redelivery plan can make a delayed completion or renovation easier to manage.
Ask Burke & Wills to assess your storage needs
A useful storage estimate should be based on your belongings, your access and your timetable—not a generic bedroom count. Burke & Wills can review your inventory, explain the available storage options and plan collection and redelivery alongside your move.
Request a storage quote, or arrange a video survey for a home with three bedrooms or more.