40ft Container: Provides Enough Space for Large Storage Needs

Along with asking about the many benefits of using shipping containers for storage, most buyers also ask about how big a container they need for their requirements. The shirt answer is this: a 20ft container is enough for small moves, and a 40ft container is ideal for large storage needs. 

A 20ft container can easily fit two compact city cars. If you only need to store everyday items like furniture, bikes, and lawnmowers, then this type of container may be sufficient. It can hold the contents of a typical 3-bedroom home. It is 20ft in length. The width is 8ft, and the height is also 8ft (about as tall as a football goal). Being inside a 20ft container is like being in a single garage. That should give you an idea of how much you can fit in this small freight container. 

For larger storage needs, a 40ft container may be more practical. It provides double the amount of storage space that a 20ft container can provide. It is twice as long and also higher, being 8 ft 6 inches high. To imagine how much you can put into a 40ft container, visualize what you can place in a double length garage. If you need to store more items, then this is the type of container for you. Note that you will also need considerable outdoor floor space—at least 9ft x 45ft—to house your 40ft container. If you need something taller, you can go for a 40ft high-cube container, which is 9ft 6inches tall. 

Aside from being useful for larger storage needs, 40ft freight containers are also great for temporary or even permanent accommodation requirements. They are big enough to function as small offices or even residential studios, as they can comfortably fit a kitchenette, a toilet, a big bed, and a sofa, with room left to move around.