Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Summary of Activity for Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership) (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Noncontrolling Interest, Shares [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	8,489,095	2,475,663	2,833,326
Common units issued in connection with the DFT merger (in shares)	2,338,874	6,111,770
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	(601,822)	(354,490)	(279,500)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	(110,070)	(208,092)	(150,993)
Cancellation of incentive units held by employees and directors (in shares)	(22,135)		(1,416)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (in shares)	357,956	390,795
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (in shares)	128,986	73,449	74,246
Balance at end of period (in shares)	10,580,884	8,489,095	2,475,663
Common Units
Noncontrolling Interest, Shares [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	6,899,094	1,141,814	1,421,314
Common units issued in connection with the DFT merger (in shares)	2,338,874	6,111,770
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	(601,822)	(354,490)	(279,500)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	0	0	0
Cancellation of incentive units held by employees and directors (in shares)	0		0
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (in shares)	0	0
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (in shares)	0	0	0
Balance at end of period (in shares)	8,636,146	6,899,094	1,141,814
Incentive Units
Noncontrolling Interest, Shares [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	1,590,001	1,333,849	1,412,012
Common units issued in connection with the DFT merger (in shares)	0	0
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	0	0	0
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	(110,070)	(208,092)	(150,993)
Cancellation of incentive units held by employees and directors (in shares)	(22,135)		(1,416)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (in shares)	357,956	390,795
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (in shares)	128,986	73,449	74,246
Balance at end of period (in shares)	1,944,738	1,590,001	1,333,849