The disclosure herein describes enabling use of a logical unit for data storage in a distributed storage system using a plurality of backend data objects. Based on receiving instructions to create a logical unit of a logical unit size, a target backend object size to be used with the logical unit is determined, and a plurality of backend objects for allocation to the logical unit is calculated. The backend objects are allocated to the logical unit and a metadata mapping associated with the logical unit is generated. The metadata mapping associates logical block addresses of the logical unit to the allocated backend objects. The logical unit is linked with the metadata mapping in an input/output (I/O) service and, based on the linked metadata mapping, I/O traffic is routed to and from the logical unit. Using multiple backend objects enhances flexibility and efficiency of data storage on the distributed storage system.