10ft vs 20ft Storage Containers: Which Size Do You Need?

Choosing the right storage container can feel a bit like guessing how many bags will fit in the boot before a holiday — you think you know… but then the lawnmower, the Christmas tree, and twenty boxes of “miscellaneous” appear out of nowhere.

So, to make life easier, here’s a simple, friendly breakdown of the two most popular sizes we offer: 10ft and 20ft containers — what fits inside, who they’re best for, and how to decide which one’s right for you.

First up: What’s the difference between 10ft and 20ft containers?

Both sizes are:

• Clean

• Dry

• Ventilated

• Secure steel units

• Perfect for personal or business storage

The only real difference between them is space.

10ft Container – The Smaller Option

Perfect when you need solid, reliable storage… but not a full unit.

Approximate capacity: About the size of a single garage cut in half(around 80 sq ft of floor space)

Great for:

• Decluttering

• Moving a small flat

• Storing boxes, suitcases, or seasonal items

• Tools & materials for trades

• Students between terms

• Small business storage (stock or equipment)

  
  

20ft Container – The Most Popular Size

This one is the standard, full‑sized storage unit.

Approximate capacity: Same as a full single garage(around 160 sq ft of floor space)

Great for:

• Moving house

• Large household storage

• Business stock overflow

• Larger tools & equipment

• E‑commerce storage

• Trades with bulky items (timber, piping, machinery)

If you can imagine fitting the contents of a 2–3 bedroom house somewhere… this is it.

What actually fits inside each container?

What fits in a 10ft container?

Think: the contents of a 1‑bed flat.

• 40–60 medium boxes

• A couple of pieces of furniture (sofa, wardrobe, bookcase)

• Small appliances

• Tools, workbench, ladders

• Bikes, tents, sports equipment

It’s surprising how much you can get in — but stacking cleverly helps.

What fits in a 20ft container?

Think: the contents of a 2–3 bedroom house.

• Multiple large appliances

• Sofas, dining table, mattresses

• Garden equipment

• Business stock or packaging

• Garage contents

• Building materials

• Bulky machinery

If you’re unsure, it’s usually safer to go one size bigger with this one — people rarely regret having extra space.

So… how do you choose the right size?

Here’s the easiest way to decide:

✔ Choose 10ft if:

• You’re storing smaller amounts

• You’re decluttering

• You don’t have large furniture

• You only need short‑term storage

• You’re a tradesperson storing tools/materials

• You want something simple & affordable

✔ Choose 20ft if:

• You’re moving house

• You’re storing large furniture

• You run a business with stock

• You have bulky tools/equipment

• You need long‑term storage

• You’d rather have extra space “just in case”

Pro Tip: Think vertically

Both unit sizes have high ceilings, so stacking boxes safely can double your usable space.

If everything you’re storing can be boxed and stacked, a 10ft unit goes further than you think.

If you’re storing awkward items, go 20ft.

Still unsure what you need? We can help.

We help people choose the right sized storage every day, and it’s completely normal not to know which unit you need.

Just give us a quick call or message and we’ll happily guide you:

📞 01553 630 150

📍 Bawsey & Hardwick locations available