How Many Storage Containers Do I Need for My Move?

How to Size Your Move: The Container Equation

One of the most common questions we hear from Winnipeg homeowners and businesses planning a move is simple: how many containers will I need? Getting this right is critical — order too few and you're scrambling to find space for overflow; order too many and you're paying for unused capacity.

The good news: sizing is straightforward once you understand a few key variables. This guide walks you through calculating the right number of containers for moves across Winnipeg, Manitoba, and beyond.

Container Capacity at a Glance

20-Foot Container (Standard)

Dimensions: 20' long × 8' wide × 8'6" tall | Usable space: ~1,170 cubic feet | Equivalent to: One-bedroom apartment or small house contents

20-Foot High Cube Container

Dimensions: 20' long × 8' wide × 9'6" tall | Usable space: ~1,360 cubic feet | Equivalent to: Small 2-bedroom home or furnished apartment

40-Foot Container (Standard)

Dimensions: 40' long × 8' wide × 8'6" tall | Usable space: ~2,390 cubic feet | Equivalent to: 2-3 bedroom home or small commercial office

40-Foot High Cube Container

Dimensions: 40' long × 8' wide × 9'6" tall | Usable space: ~2,785 cubic feet | Equivalent to: 3+ bedroom home, office furniture, or commercial inventory

How Many Containers Do You Need? By Scenario

Scenario 1: Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment Move

Typical contents: Furniture (bed, sofa, desk), kitchen items, clothing, personal items | Recommendation: 1 x 20' standard container | Why: A single 20-foot container easily handles the contents of a small apartment with room to spare. High-cube upgrade only needed if you have tall furniture (like bookcases or an armoire).

Scenario 2: 2-Bedroom House or Larger Apartment

Typical contents: Multiple bedrooms of furniture, dining table, appliances, artwork, seasonal storage | Recommendation: 1 x 20' High Cube OR 1 x 40' Standard | Why: This depends on how full your home is. If you have mid-to-heavy furnishings, go with the 40-foot standard. For lighter moves or well-organized packing, a 20' high cube works. Our Winnipeg team can help you decide based on photos or a walkthrough.

Scenario 3: 3-4 Bedroom House Move

Typical contents: Multiple bedrooms, living/dining areas, garage tools, seasonal items, appliances | Recommendation: 1 x 40' High Cube or 2 x 20' Containers | Why: A 40' high cube gives you ample space and is the most cost-effective for most family homes. Two 20-foot containers offer more flexibility if delivery locations differ or if you want to split between origin and destination.

Scenario 4: Large Estate or Multi-Level Home

Typical contents: 5+ bedrooms, extensive furniture, wine cellars, art collections, vehicles in storage, office equipment | Recommendation: 2 x 40' High Cube Containers or 1 x 40' + 2-3 x 20' | Why: Large homes often need 4,500+ cubic feet. Two 40-foot high cubes (5,570 cu ft total) give comfortable packing room and reduce the risk of damage from over-cramming. You can also split by room or destination.

Scenario 5: Commercial Office or Retail Move

Typical contents: Desks, filing cabinets, servers, inventory, equipment, artwork | Recommendation: 1-2 x 40' Containers (depending on office size) | Why: Business moves require careful organization. One 40-foot container handles a small office; a mid-size office (10–20 desks) typically needs two. Steel Can Containers helps coordinate timing so your move doesn't disrupt operations.

Packing & Loading Efficiency Tips

1. Load Heavy Items First

Boxes of books, small appliances, and dense items should go in first, stacked along the perimeter. Lighter items (clothing, bedding, decor) go on top. This maximizes space and protects fragile items.

2. Disassemble Large Furniture

Remove legs from tables, disassemble beds, and unstack chairs. Flat-pack furniture takes up 30–50% less space than assembled pieces. Keep hardware in labeled bags and tape them to the furniture piece.

3. Use Vertical Space

Don't just stack items horizontally — use the full height of the container. Lean mattresses and mirrors vertically, stack boxes to the ceiling, and place tall items (lamps, coat racks) in corners where they won't shift.

4. Fill Gaps with Small Items

Use boxes of clothing, kitchen items, or décor to fill gaps between larger furniture pieces. Every cubic foot counts.

5. Secure Everything

Use furniture pads, blankets, and ratchet straps to prevent shifting during transport. Loose items can damage each other and the container walls.

Common Sizing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

❌ Mistake 1: Ordering Too Small

Problem: Running out of space mid-move. You end up cramming items, creating a dangerous load, or needing to rent an additional container last-minute (costly). Solution: Overestimate by 10–15%. It's cheaper to have extra space than to rent again.

❌ Mistake 2: Ordering Too Large

Problem: Paying for space you don't use, and items shifting during transport due to loose packing. Solution: Use our sizing guide above, or contact our Winnipeg team with photos or room dimensions for a free estimate.

❌ Mistake 3: Forgetting Hidden Items

Problem: Seasonal items (holiday decorations, winter clothing), garage items, or storage closets. Solution: Do a full walk-through of your entire home and make a checklist before requesting a quote.

❌ Mistake 4: Not Accounting for Packing Materials

Problem: Boxes, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts take up space. Solution: Add 5–10% buffer to your estimated size, or discuss with our team.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

Steel Can Containers offers free sizing consultations for Winnipeg and Manitoba moves. Here's how to get an accurate quote:

Option 1: Use Our Online Calculator

Estimate the number of rooms, furniture pieces, and items you're moving. Plug into a rough sizing formula (available on request from our team). This gives you a ballpark figure.

Option 2: Send Us Photos

Take pictures of each room (especially closets and storage areas) and email them to office@steel-can.ca. Our team will estimate sizing and suggest the best container configuration.

Option 3: Schedule a Free In-Home Walkthrough

For complex or large moves, we offer free consultations where we visit your Winnipeg or Manitoba location, assess contents, and provide a detailed recommendation. Call 1-204-805-4441 to book.

Container Rental Delivery & Timeline

Once you've sized your containers, here's what to expect:

• Delivery to Winnipeg: 1–3 business days
• Delivery to Manitoba (outside Winnipeg): 3–5 business days
• Loading time: Allow 2–4 hours for professional packing or 4–8 hours for DIY
• Storage duration: From 1 month to long-term (flexible terms)
• Pick-up: Scheduled after your move is complete

Why Choose Steel Can Containers for Your Move?

Moving is stressful. Choosing the right container company shouldn't be. Here's why Winnipeg and Manitoba residents trust Steel Can Containers:

• 14+ years moving homes and businesses across Manitoba
• Free sizing consultations and quotes (same-day response)
• Flexible rental terms: 1 month to long-term
• Delivery to every Winnipeg neighbourhood and across Manitoba
• Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
• Professional, experienced team ready to help

Ready to Move?

Contact Steel Can Containers for a free quote on rental containers for your Winnipeg or Manitoba move. Call us at 1-204-805-4441 or visit our rental page to request a quote today. We respond within 24 hours and are happy to help you size your move perfectly.