What Fits in an 8×20 Storage Unit? See 60% More Floor Space

When you compare storage units, price is only part of the picture. The amount of usable space you get matters too.

A 10′ × 10′ storage unit provides 100 square feet of floor space. A SteelSafe 8′ × 20′ unit provides 160 square feet.

That’s 60 additional square feet—or 60% more floor space for the same price.

More room can mean more than simply fitting additional belongings inside. It can give you more flexibility to organize your space, keep frequently used items accessible, and avoid digging through everything to find what you need.

Diagram comparing a 10’x10’ unit (100 sq. ft.) to an 8’x20’ unit (160 sq. ft.), noting the 8’x20’ unit offers 60% more space for the same price.

A 10×10 storage unit provides 100 square feet, while an 8×20 SteelSafe unit provides 160 square feet.

What Does an 8×20 Storage Unit Look Like Inside?

An 8×20 unit is 8 feet wide and 20 feet long, providing 160 square feet of floor space.

The longer layout gives you flexibility to organize belongings from front to back. Depending on what you store and how you arrange it, you can plan space for larger furniture, appliances, boxes, tools, equipment, or business inventory while keeping frequently used belongings closer to the entrance
.

Open doors of an empty blue shipping container, showing its interior with a metal floor and walls, under a clear sky.

Inside an empty SteelSafe 8×20 storage unit.

What Can You Store in an 8×20 Unit?

An 8×20 may work well for a move, renovation, business storage, or simply creating more room at home. Actual capacity depends on the size and number of your belongings and how you organize them.

For a household, the space could hold a combination of sofas, mattresses, bed frames, dressers, dining furniture, appliances, moving boxes, storage totes, garage items, and seasonal belongings.

For a contractor, the unit could be organized into separate areas for tools, equipment, materials, and supplies.

For a small business, it can provide additional space for inventory, equipment, records, or other business assets.

Overhead view of a storage unit showing organized sections for furniture, equipment, and boxes; open access aisle runs down the center for easy access to stored items.

Example layout of an organized 8×20 SteelSafe storage unit with furniture, appliances, boxes, and a clear access aisle for easier organization and retrieval.

How to Organize an 8×20 Storage Unit

The extra space becomes more useful when you plan how you’ll use it.

Place heavier and less frequently needed belongings toward the back and bottom. Keep items you’ll need more often closer to the entrance. Label boxes and group similar belongings together.

When possible, leave an access aisle through the unit. This can make it easier to reach belongings toward the back without unloading everything in front of them.

The goal isn’t just to fit more inside. It’s to make your stored belongings easier to organize and reach.

Is an 8×20 Storage Unit Right for You?

An 8×20 can be a practical option for:

Families or individuals moving between homes
Homeowners renovating or remodeling
People downsizing
Households needing seasonal or overflow storage
Contractors storing tools, materials, or equipment
Small businesses managing inventory or supplies

If you’re storing fewer belongings, a smaller unit may make more sense. If you have a larger move, significant business inventory, or substantial equipment, you may need more space.

Use the SteelSafe Storage Unit Size Guide to compare available sizes and determine which option best matches your needs.

Why Choose a SteelSafe Unit?

Space is only part of choosing the right storage unit.

SteelSafe offers heavy-duty steel construction and convenient drive-up access, making it easier to load and unload furniture, boxes, tools, and other belongings.

Online rental also makes the process simple: choose an available unit at your nearest facility and complete your rental online.

Customers storing household belongings can explore Residential Storage, while contractors and business owners can review Business Storage options.

Find an 8×20 SteelSafe Unit Near You

SteelSafe serves customers at multiple locations across Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina, and Colorado.

Availability, pricing, promotions, and access details can vary by facility, so check your nearest SteelSafe location for current information.

If you’re comparing a 10×10 with an 8×20, don’t look at the monthly price alone. Consider how much usable space you’re getting and how that space will work for what you need to store.