What Can You Store in a 20ft Shipping Container?

If you've never used a portable storage container before, you might be surprised by just how much fits inside one. A standard 20ft shipping container measures approximately 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet tall — providing around 1,170 cubic feet of usable space. That's roughly equivalent to a single garage, and it can hold the contents of a typical three-bedroom home.

Here's a practical guide to what you can store, what to avoid, and how to make the most of the space.

Household Storage

Shipping containers are ideal for household storage during a house move, renovation, or declutter. In a 20ft container you can comfortably fit:

• Sofas, armchairs, and other large furniture
• Beds, mattresses, and wardrobes
• Dining tables and chairs
• White goods such as washing machines, fridges, and freezers
• Televisions, home entertainment systems, and electronics
• Dozens of packed removal boxes
• Rugs, curtains, and soft furnishings
• Garden furniture and outdoor equipment

With careful stacking and packing, a well-organised 20ft container can hold the entire contents of a three-bedroom house.

Business Storage

Shipping container storage is increasingly popular with businesses of all sizes. Common business uses include:

• Overflow stock and retail inventory
• Tools, machinery, and trade equipment
• Construction materials and site supplies
• Office furniture and archive documents
• Catering equipment, event supplies, and seasonal stock
• Vehicles, trailers, and plant equipment (in some cases)

For businesses, the drive-up access at Chock-a-Block Storage is particularly valuable — you can load and unload a van directly at the container door without any lifts or corridors to navigate.

Seasonal Items

Many of our customers use their container to store items they only need at certain times of year:

• Garden furniture and barbecues over winter
• Christmas decorations, trees, and lights
• Camping and outdoor leisure equipment
• Skis, snowboards, and winter sports gear
• Seasonal retail stock

What You Cannot Store in a Shipping Container

While shipping containers are incredibly versatile, there are certain items that cannot or should not be stored in them:

• Flammable liquids: Petrol, oil, paint, and similar materials are not permitted for safety reasons.
• Hazardous chemicals: Pesticides, solvents, and other hazardous substances cannot be stored.
• Perishable food: Standard (non-refrigerated) containers are not suitable for food storage.
• Living things: Plants, animals, and people cannot be stored in containers.
• Illegal items: Nothing prohibited by law can be stored on our site.

If you're unsure whether a particular item is suitable, just give us a call on 01424 732643 and we'll be happy to advise.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Container Space

Stack Smartly

Place heavier, sturdier items at the bottom and lighter items on top. Use the full height of the container by stacking boxes and furniture as high as safely possible.

Disassemble Where You Can

Beds, shelving units, and flat-pack furniture take up far less space when disassembled. Keep screws and fixings in labelled bags taped to the relevant piece.

Use Good Packing Materials

Sturdy removal boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper all make a significant difference. Poorly packed items can shift, break, or waste space. We sell a full range of packing supplies on site if you need them.

Leave an Aisle

If you'll need to access items regularly, leave a clear aisle down the centre of the container so you can reach everything without unpacking from the front.

Label Everything

Label every box on multiple sides — including the top — so you can identify contents without moving things around.

Want to Know More?

If you're considering portable storage container hire in East Sussex and want to talk through what you need to store, our team is always happy to help. Call us on 01424 732643 or get in touch via our contact form for a no-obligation quote.