A method and apparatus are provided for automatically selecting and deleting unimportant content in order to secure a storage space in a digital multimedia device. The multimedia content is classified into content in which a storage period is set and content in which a storage period is not set and then the content is stored. The size of the content occupying a storage space in each storage type is automatically calculated to analyze a user's pattern of using the storage space when the storage space is insufficient, and content to be deleted is selected according to the analyzed pattern. Thus, it is possible to prevent the content which the user does not want to delete from being deleted and to eliminate the need for the user to individually manage the content.