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Moving house? Whether you’re hiring a van or using a professional removals company, you’re going to need to make a few key decisions.

The first is which size van you’ll need, to fit in all your stuff. You might also need to select an appropriate size storage unit to unload it all into at the other end.

Here, we’ll be looking at how much you can fit into a Luton van, which is a popular choice for removals here at Kiwi Movers.

We’ll also run through how much storage space you need for a full Luton van, so you can choose the perfect unit for your needs.  With our help, you’ll have both moving and storage sewn up.

What is a Luton van and how big is it?

A Luton van is a large box van, with a raised section over the cab. It’s around 10-14 ft long, 7ft wide and 7ft high and offers around 600 to 800 cubic feet (17 to 19 cubic metres) of space.

To help you picture it, it’s around the size of a small bedroom or half a typical garage. You see Luton vans all around London doing deliveries. Supermarket delivery vans are essentially the same, but slightly smaller.

Thanks to its generous capacity yet compact, manoeuvrable size, the Luton is popular among professional removals companies and self-hire movers alike.

How much can you fit in a Luton van?

A Luton van can hold the contents of an average small house or 2-bedroom flat.

Here’s a short list of what this may actually look like, in terms of items and boxes:

• 30 to 40 medium boxes
• Wardrobes, sofas and dining tables
• Beds and mattresses
• White goods, such as a fridge and washing machine
• Bikes, suitcases and garden tools.

Is a Luton van enough for your move?

A Luton van is the ideal choice if you’re one or two people moving out of a 1-2 bedroom house or apartment. It’s also suitable for small office removals, and for students clubbing together for a storage space during holidays.

If you’re moving out of a large family home or you have particularly bulky furniture (such as a corner sofa or piano), you may need something bigger.

How much storage space do you need for a full Luton van?

A fully loaded Luton van typically requires a 100 sq ft storage unit to fit everything in. This also allows for a little walkway/aisle space, so you can access the unit.

This is for a van that is absolutely full, with no space to spare. If your van isn’t fully loaded, you may be able to fit everything in a 75 sq ft or 85 sq ft storage unit.

Comparing storage unit sizes for van loads

Here’s a quick look at typical vans used for removals, along with recommended self-storage unit sizes and what each can fit in:

Using this table, you should be able to estimate what size van and self-storage unit you’ll need, based on the amount of stuff you’re moving.

But if you need more help, use this handy space estimator tool. You can also contact our sister company Kiwi Storage for advice – call 020 8264 0550 or email [email protected].

Tips for loading your Luton van efficiently

To be sure everything will fit comfortably into your storage unit after unloading, here are some tips on packing your unit efficiently:

• Disassemble larger furniture where possible, to save space
• Use stackable boxes, and stack by size and weight (largest on the bottom) for stability
• Load heavy or bulky items first
• Label all boxes clearly, so you’ll be able to find everything once they’re in storage
• Use straps and blankets to protect items during the move
• Try to leave some walkway/aisle space free, so you can access the unit.

Ready to move? Request a quote for your move here.