If you’ve ever tried to estimate how much space you actually need for your stuff, you know it’s kind of like trying to measure vibes. You think you’re low-maintenance until you start packing and realize you’ve somehow accumulated 46 tote bags, four winter coats, and a collection of kitchen gadgets you swear you’ll use someday.
Choosing a storage unit size in the GTA is one of those deceptively simple tasks like finding parking at Yorkdale during Christmas or getting accurate directions on the TTC website. The options sound straightforward (5×5, 5×10, 10×10), but translating those measurements into something your brain understands is a whole other story.
So this guide breaks it down in a way that actually makes sense, using real-life examples, GTA-specific scenarios, and zero math beyond “will this fit?”
Why Size Really Matters in the GTA
Because in Toronto, space = money.
Every extra square foot you rent should actually be useful.
Go too small? You’ll be doing storage-unit Jenga until someone sprains something.
Go too big? Congrats, you’re paying an extra $40/month for empty air.
And with storage prices rising especially in downtown neighborhoods it’s worth figuring out your true Goldilocks zone.
5×5 Storage Unit: The “Toronto Closet”
Best for:
- Students
- Minimalists
- Condo dwellers who just need a winter closet
- People whose hobbies are… not that gear-intensive
Think of it as:
A small walk-in closet.
Like the kind developers brag about in listings even when it barely fits two hangers.
What fits inside:
- 6–10 medium boxes
- 1–2 suitcases
- Sports gear (skates, hockey bag, yoga mats)
- A bike (hanging vertically or angled)
- One small piece of furniture (nightstand, end table)
Real GTA example:
You live in a 450 sq. ft condo at Yonge & Eglinton. Your closet is doing its best, but your winter gear looks like a rabid raccoon trying to escape every time you open the door. A 5×5 unit becomes your “seasonal wardrobe annex.”
Perfect for:
People who want to declutter without reinventing their whole life.
5×10 Storage Unit: The “Bachelor Apartment Backup Plan”
Best for:
- Anyone between apartments
- Small furniture storage
- Couples downsizing
- People with more hobbies than square footage
Think of it as:
Half a single-car garage.
Or a medium-sized Toronto bedroom the kind listed as “cozy” when they really mean “tight.”
What fits inside:
- A mattress + bed frame
- A small couch or loveseat
- Dining chairs
- 10–15 medium/large boxes
- Multiple suitcases
- Sports equipment
- Small appliances
Real GTA example:
You’re moving from Liberty Village to Leslieville (because you want a backyard and a dog, obviously), but your move-out and move-in dates don’t line up. The 5×10 becomes your temporary apartment.
Bonus use case:
Great for people doing renovations or painting your future self will thank you when you’re not dodging furniture like it’s an obstacle course.
10×10 Storage Unit: The “Everything Must Go (But Not Too Far)” Unit
Best for:
- Families
- Roommates
- Full apartment storage
- Big furniture
- Business inventory
Think of it as:
An entire bedroom or small Toronto apartment (sadly, this is not a joke).
What fits inside:
- Full living room set
- Bedroom furniture
- Multiple mattresses
- Appliances
- 20–30 boxes
- Large sports equipment (ski gear, bikes, workout equipment)
- Business storage (inventory racks, equipment bins)
Real GTA example:
You and your partner are moving in together. You both bring a full apartment’s worth of furniture. Suddenly, you realize you own two couches, two beds, four TVs (don’t judge), and three blenders for some reason. Until you figure out which items get voted off the island, a 10×10 unit saves your relationship.
Perfect for:
Anyone storing an entire apartment or running a side-hustle with inventory.
What About the Odd Sizes? (5×15, 10×15, 10×20)
These are great for specific situations:
5×15 Long and narrow
Perfect for people with multiple bikes, tall items, or lots of equipment.
10×15 A one-bedroom apartment
This fits pretty much everything except a dining room—you’re in business.
10×20 The big daddy
Mostly used for:
- Full home storage
- Business equipment
- “I swear I’ll use this again someday” items
Downtown? Rare.
North York, Scarborough, Mississauga? You’ll see more of these.
How to Actually Choose the Right Size (Without Guessing)
Here are Toronto specific tips because moving and storage here is its own sport.
1. Lay everything out before you choose
If your stuff is still scattered across your apartment, your brain will lie to you.
2. Measure your biggest item
That weirdly-shaped couch you bought on Facebook Marketplace?
Yeah, it matters.
3. Stackability = money saved
If you can stack boxes safely, you can often size down.
4. Consider your building’s elevator situation
Older buildings with tiny elevators?
Choose a slightly larger unit so you don’t have to re-organize 12 times.
5. Think seasonal
If your lifestyle includes:
- skiing
- biking
- camping
- intramural leagues
- costume parties
…you probably need more space than you think.
6. Consider future you
If you’re planning to:
- move
- renovate
- adopt a pet
- start a side hustle
…leave room for life to happen.
Toronto Neighbourhood Guide: Typical Sizes People Rent
Downtown (King West, Queen West, Church-Wellesley)
- Units are pricier, so most people go 5×5 or 5×10.
Midtown (Yonge & Eglinton, Davisville)
- Mix of professionals and families 5×10 and 10×10 are common.
North York / Scarborough
- Larger spaces available for better prices 10×10 is a favorite.
Etobicoke / Mississauga
- Lots of side-hustlers, creators, and small business owners bigger units reign.
Real GTA Scenarios: What Size Do You Need?
Scenario 1: The Condo Dweller With Too Many Seasons
You’re in a 500 sq. ft unit near Fort York.
You have a bike, winter tires, two suitcases, and holiday decorations.
Size: 5×5
Why: You just need breathing room.
Scenario 2: The Between-Lease Nomad
Your Queen West lease ends July 31. Your new place starts August 15.
Size: 5×10
Why: You need to store your entire life for a few weeks.
Scenario 3: The Couple Combining Apartments
You both have full living room and bedroom sets.
Size: 10×10
Why: Anything smaller will be a circus.
Scenario 4: The Student Moving Out of Res
You own clothes, bedding, and a suspiciously large number of hoodies.
Size: 5×5
Why: Simple, seasonal, cheap.
Scenario 5: The GTA Side-Hustler
You sell vintage clothes or run a small resale business.
Size: 10×10 or 10×15
Why: Inventory grows. It always grows.
Before You Lock In a Unit
Don’t rent based on price alone
If it’s cheap but 45 minutes from your home, you’ll regret it.
Visit the facility
Not all storage facilities are created equal some feel like safe, climate-controlled wonderlands, and others feel… sketchy.
Ensure you can access it when you need to
24/7 access is worth it if you’re a night owl or run a side-hustle.
Plan for one future season
If you’re renting in summer, think about winter gear (and vice versa).
Choosing the right storage unit size in the GTA isn’t rocket science it’s more like condo science. With the right size, you’ll save money, avoid frustration, and find the perfect extension of your too-small Toronto apartment.
And hey, once your clutter is tucked away in a neat, secure unit somewhere, your condo might even start feeling like the calming urban oasis you see on Pinterest… or at least less like a storage unit itself.
How can storfindr help you get access to the right self-storage?
At storfindr, we believe the everyday person should have access to the same level of convenience, quality and attention to detail as a large enterprise. It’s an experience that starts with finding the right size unit, and a convenient location.
To inquire about a partnership with your business and storfindr Inc., click here.
For more information or just to discuss your logistics needs, contact us at info@storfindr.com.
Need help with getting your large item from A -> B, we have you covered. Check out our parent company GoGedit for assistance.
