Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended												12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Acquired Above-Market Lease Value [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Acquired Above-Market Lease Value [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Feb. 06, 2008 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Accounts and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 5,576	$ 3,609									$ 5,576	$ 3,609
Accumulated amortization													80,486	69,425
Accumulated amortization, deferred leasing costs	501,033	424,039									501,033	424,039
Accumulated amortization, deferred financing costs	53,939	43,292									53,939	43,292
Below market leases, accumulated amortization	161,369	137,276									161,369	137,276
Preferred Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, authorized	70,000,000	70,000,000
Preferred Stock, dividend rate			5.50%	5.50%	7.00%	7.00%	6.625%	6.625%	5.875%	5.875%					5.50%	5.50%		7.00%	7.00%	6.625%	6.625%	5.875%	5.875%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value			$ 0	$ 123,413	$ 287,500	$ 287,500	$ 182,500	$ 182,500	$ 250,000	$ 0					$ 0	$ 123,413		$ 287,500	$ 287,500	$ 182,500	$ 182,500	$ 250,000	$ 0
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit			$ 25	$ 25	$ 25.00	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25.00	$ 25					$ 25	$ 25		$ 25	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25.00	$ 25
Preferred Stock, issued			0	4,936,505	11,500,000	11,500,000	7,300,000	7,300,000	10,000,000	0							13,800,000
Preferred Stock, outstanding			0	4,936,505	11,500,000	11,500,000	7,300,000	7,300,000	10,000,000	0
Common Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, authorized	215,000,000	215,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	128,455,350	125,140,783
Common Stock, shares outstanding	128,455,350	125,140,783
Preferred Units, issued															0	4,936,505		11,500,000	11,500,000	7,300,000	7,300,000	10,000,000	0
Preferred Units, outstanding															0	4,936,505		11,500,000	11,500,000	7,300,000	7,300,000	10,000,000	0
Common Units, issued											128,455,350	125,140,783
Common Units, outstanding											128,455,350	125,140,783
Limited Partners, common units											1,491,814	1,515,814
Limited Partners, profits interest units											1,077,838	937,208
Limited Partners, Class C units outstanding											397,369	398,378