Most people choose a storage unit the same way they choose a rental car — they pick the cheapest size that sounds about right, and hope for the best. Then they arrive on moving day with a full trailer and discover that "should be enough" wasn't. Or they pay for a 30sqm unit for three years when an 18sqm would have handled everything comfortably at two-thirds the cost.
Getting the size right from the start saves real money over the life of your storage term. At French Street Self Storage in Pimlico, there are three unit sizes — 18sqm, 24sqm and 30sqm — and each one suits a specific situation. This guide explains exactly what fits in each, so you can make the right call before you commit.
The Three Unit Sizes at French Street Self Storage
Small Unit — 18 square metres
An 18sqm unit is roughly the size of a large double garage. It's suitable for:
- The contents of a one to two bedroom apartment or small house
- Furniture from a single room being renovated or repurposed
- A tradie's tool collection plus smaller equipment
- Business stock and archived documents
- Seasonal items, sporting equipment and camping gear
If you're storing the contents of a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment — bed, couch, dining table, boxes and appliances — an 18sqm unit will comfortably fit everything with room to access items at the back.
Medium Unit — 24 square metres
A 24sqm unit suits a three-bedroom home's worth of furniture and contents, or a larger collection of business equipment or stock. It can hold:
- Three-bedroom home contents including multiple lounges and bedroom suites
- A home gym setup
- A tradie's full equipment collection including a compressor and larger power tools
- Business storage for moderate stock levels
- Furniture from a renovation spanning multiple rooms
You can effectively double your usable space by stacking boxes floor to ceiling and putting furniture legs upward. Disassemble bed frames and table legs before storing — this alone saves significant floor space. Place items you'll need to access regularly near the door.
Large Unit — 30 square metres
The 30sqm unit is our largest and suits full house contents, significant business stock, or operators who need genuine depot-style storage. Typical uses include:
- Complete four or five bedroom home contents
- Retail or trade business stock at scale
- A tradie or small contracting business using the unit as a central depot
- Long-term storage of furniture, vehicles (motorcycles, jet skis) and equipment
How to Calculate What You Need
A rough rule of thumb: allow approximately 1.5 square metres of floor space per room of furniture you're storing, before vertical stacking. So a three-bedroom home with living and dining might need around 7 to 9sqm of floor space — meaning an 18sqm unit gives you generous headroom for boxes and appliances.
If you're unsure, it's usually better to go one size up rather than one size down. The cost difference between sizes is modest compared to the inconvenience of discovering on move day that your unit is too small.
What You'll Need to Bring
- Your own padlock — customers supply their own padlock at French Street Self Storage
- Packing materials — boxes, bubble wrap and furniture blankets if you have them
- A trolley or hand truck for heavier items (this makes a significant difference)
- A list of what you're storing — useful for insurance purposes and for finding things later
Minimum Term and Access
A minimum three-month term applies to all units at French Street Self Storage. After the initial period, storage continues month to month. The facility has drive-up access with free on-site parking, so you can pull your vehicle right up to your unit to load and unload.
Current availability (June 2026): the 18sqm unit is available now at $397 per month. The 24sqm and 30sqm units are currently leased — contact us to be notified when a larger unit becomes available.
Not Sure Which Size Is Right for You?
Get in touch and we'll help you work out the right unit for your situation. French Street Self Storage, Pimlico Townsville.
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