How to Measure Your Furniture Before Renting a Storage Unit

Measure each piece’s width, depth and height, then compare those measurements with the storage unit’s interior, doorway and moving route. Sketch a layout that includes furniture, packed boxes and room to reach the belongings you need.

Square footage alone cannot confirm a fit. A sofa might fit inside the unit but be difficult to move around a hallway corner. Furniture might also fit on the floor while leaving no practical space for unloading or retrieving boxes.

Before renting storage in St. Charles, use the steps below to check both the space you need and the route your furniture will take.

Gather Your Measuring Tools

Use a tape measure and a written inventory to record consistent measurements for every large item. A few photos will help you remember how furniture comes apart and which pieces need extra protection.

Have these ready:

• Tape measure: Measure furniture, cartons and clear openings.
• Paper or a notes app: Keep every measurement in one place.
• Phone camera: Photograph furniture, removable parts and narrow sections of the moving route.
• Painter’s tape or graph paper: Mark furniture footprints or draw a layout.
• Another person: Get help holding the tape steady across long pieces.

Record your measurements in inches first. Convert them to feet when calculating floor space so you do not mix units.

Measure Width, Depth and Height

Measure the largest outside dimensions of each piece in the condition it will be moved and stored. Include fixed handles, arms, hinges and protective packaging.

Record these measurements:

• Width: The widest distance from side to side.
• Depth: The furthest distance from front to back.
• Height: The distance from the floor to the highest point.
• Disassembled dimensions: The size of each section after removing parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Packed dimensions: The outside measurements after adding covers, cartons or padding.

Measure the actual furniture whenever possible. Product listings can help, but replacement legs, handles, or cushions may change the dimensions.

For furniture that remains boxed, use the package measurements rather than the assembled size.

Measure Bulky Furniture Separately

Measure each large item and detachable section individually, allowing for fixed parts, covers and protective packaging.

• Sofas and sectionals: Record the full length, depth and back height. Measure chaise and corner sections separately.
• Mattresses and bed frames: Measure the mattress, headboard, base and frame sections individually. Follow manufacturer guidance and check our mattress storage guide.
• Tables, dressers and shelving: Measure tabletops, removable legs and large panels separately. Include handles and allow space to protect glass.
• Appliances: Include handles and hinges, confirm the facility accepts them, and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning, drying and storage-position instructions.

Before disassembly, check the manufacturer’s instructions, photograph assembly points and keep hardware in labeled bags.

Check the Entire Moving Route

Confirm that your furniture can pass through every opening and turn between your home and the storage unit. An item that fits inside the unit may still be difficult to get through its entrance.

Check these points:

• Doorways: Measure the usable opening with the door in its moving position.
• Hallways: Measure the narrowest section and any fixed obstructions.
• Corners: Check the space available before and after each turn.
• Overhead clearance: Account for low ceilings, fixtures and other restrictions.
• Home access: Include stairs, landings or elevators where applicable.
• Storage access: Confirm the unit doorway, corridor clearance and actual interior dimensions.

Fountain Lakes Storage offers ground-floor indoor units. Ask the team about the route to your selected unit, including any turns and space needed for a loaded cart.

If a measurement looks close, discuss it before booking or loading the vehicle.

Compare the Six Storage Unit Sizes

Use unit dimensions to narrow your options, then test your measured inventory against the actual space. The sizes below describe nominal floor dimensions, not doorway openings or guaranteed usable clearance.

Unit sizeNominal floor areaWhat to check in your layout

Unit Size	Floor Space	What to Check
5×5	25 sq ft	Whether compact furniture and boxes fit together without blocking access.
5×10	50 sq ft	How longer pieces fit along the unit’s longer side.
5×15	75 sq ft	How several pieces fit within a long, narrower layout.
10×10	100 sq ft	Whether wider furniture and boxes leave practical access space.
10×15	150 sq ft	How multiple large pieces fit alongside the remaining cartons.
10×20	200 sq ft	How to arrange a substantial load while keeping needed items reachable.

Turn Your Measurements Into a Floor Plan

Convert furniture measurements to feet, calculate each footprint and draw the pieces inside a scaled outline of the unit.

For rectangular furniture, multiply width by depth to estimate the floor space it occupies.

For example:

• Sofa measuring 84 by 36 inches: 7 feet by 3 feet, occupying 21 square feet.
• Dresser measuring 60 by 20 inches: 5 feet by approximately 1.67 feet, occupying about 8.3 square feet.
• Combined unwrapped footprint: Approximately 29.3 square feet.

That total does not automatically confirm a fit in a 50-square-foot unit. Furniture shapes, packaging and access space affect the arrangement.

Build your layout in this order:

1. Draw the unit’s actual interior dimensions.
2. Mark the entrance and the area it needs to remain usable.
3. Position the largest furniture pieces.
4. Add disassembled sections and packed cartons.
5. Leave a practical route to belongings you expect to retrieve.

Draw sectional pieces separately. Use the full diameter when planning space for a round tabletop.

Only plan to use space beneath furniture when doing so will not damage it or make retrieval difficult.

Use Vertical Space Carefully

Use height for suitable, stable items after checking how they can be stacked. Total cubic feet are a rough planning measure, not proof that a load will fit safely.

To estimate rectangular volume, multiply width, depth and height in feet. Then check the arrangement:

• Confirm the unit’s usable height.
• Place heavier, stable cartons lower.
• Keep fragile items supported.
• Avoid placing loads on furniture beyond its design limits.
• Follow manufacturer guidance before storing furniture upright.
• Arrange belongings so you can retrieve them without climbing on the load.

For help arranging cartons and planning access, read our storage organization guide.

Check These Details Before Booking

Book after confirming that your inventory fits both the moving route and your planned unit layout.

Use this checklist:

• Every large item, disassembled section and packed carton is included.
• Measurements account for fixed projections and protective packaging.
• Furniture can pass through the home and storage facility routes.
• The layout leaves room for loading, unloading and retrieving belongings.
• The unit’s actual dimensions and usable height are confirmed.
• Access hours and current availability suit your moving plans.

Keep the inventory and layout on your phone so they are available when discussing the unit or organizing the move.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Will a Sofa Fit in a 5×5 Storage Unit?

Some compact sofas may fit. Check the sofa’s dimensions, unit doorway and suitable storage position before booking.

Q2. Should I Measure Furniture Before or After Disassembly?

Measure both before and after disassembly, including any protective covers or padding.

Q3. Can a Storage Size Guide Replace Measuring My Furniture?

No. Use the guide to compare sizes, then check your furniture measurements against the unit’s interior and doorway.

Choose a Unit Around Your Measured Inventory

Bring your measurements and moving dates to Fountain Lakes Storage to compare available units. The facility offers six indoor temperature-controlled unit sizes at 3810 Millstone Corporate Dr in St. Charles, MO.

Contact the team to discuss your furniture measurements, or check current unit availability to plan your move.