10 Smart Tips to Make Your House Move Easier (and Why Storage Bins Beat Cardboard Boxes)
Moving from one house to another can be an exciting new chapter, but let’s be honest, it’s also stressful, messy, and time-consuming. Between packing, labeling, transporting, and unpacking, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But moving doesn’t have to be chaos. With a bit of planning, and the right tools, you can turn the experience into something smooth and (almost) enjoyable. One of the smartest things you can do? Ditch the cardboard boxes and opt for sturdy, plastic bins. Here’s why, along with 10 practical tips to make your move much easier.
1. Start Decluttering Early
Before you even think about packing, go through your belongings and purge what you don’t need. If you haven’t used it in over a year, donate it, sell it, or toss it. The fewer things you move, the less time, energy, and money you'll spend.
2. Use Storage Bins Instead of Cardboard Boxes
Here’s where the magic starts. Storage bins offer multiple advantages over cardboard:
- Durability: They don’t rip, crush, or collapse.
- Waterproof: Your items stay safe even if it rains on moving day.
- Stackability: Bins can stack sturdily, saving space in the moving truck.
- Visibility: Many bins are clear, making it easier to see what’s inside.
Bonus: You don’t need a mountain of packing tape.
3. Label Everything Clearly
Whether you're using bins or boxes, labeling is crucial. Use painter’s tape and a permanent marker to write the contents and the room it belongs in. Color-coding by room can also speed up the unloading process.
For extra organization, number each bin and keep a master inventory list on your phone or tablet, so you always know what’s where.
4. Pack One Room at a Time
Tackling one room at a time keeps things manageable and helps avoid a chaotic mess of random items. Start with the least-used rooms: guest bedrooms, storage closets, and save essentials like the kitchen and bathroom for last.
5. Use What You Already Have for Packing
Get creative! Use laundry baskets, suitcases, tote bags, and even dresser drawers to move items. Wrap fragile items in towels or bubble wrap.
6. Pack an Essentials Bin
Think of this as your "survival kit" for the first few days in your new home. Include:
- Toiletries
- Chargers
- Basic tools
- Paper towels
- Snacks
- A change of clothes
- Important documents
Using a storage bin for this is ideal—it’s easy to spot, waterproof, and durable.
7. Rent or Buy Reusable Moving Bins
If you don’t want to purchase bins, many moving companies now offer bin rentals. These hard plastic bins are typically delivered to your door and picked up once you're done. It’s an eco-friendly, hassle-free option that saves you from the post-move pile of cardboard.
8. Take Photos Before Disassembling
Before taking apart electronics or furniture, snap a few photos of how cords are connected or how items fit together. It’ll save you hours of frustration during reassembly.
9. Hire Help If You Can
Whether it’s professional movers or a few strong friends, having help makes the process go faster, and reduces the chance of injuries or broken items. If your budget allows, consider hiring a packing service for fragile or valuable items.
10. Unpack with a System
Just like packing, unpacking one room at a time keeps you organized. Start with the kitchen and bathroom so you can function comfortably while settling in. Because bins are stackable and often labeled, accessing what you need first becomes much easier than digging through a sea of collapsing cardboard.
Final Thoughts: Invest in Storage Bins—Now and for the Future
While cardboard boxes might seem like the go-to choice, storage bins are a smarter long-term investment. They make your move cleaner, more efficient, and far more organized.
So next time you're preparing to move, do yourself a favor: pack smarter, not harder. With these tips—and a stack of sturdy storage bins—you'll be settling into your new home with far less stress and way more peace of mind.
If you’re planning a move and looking for a better way to pack, transport, and settle into your new space, look no further than ACE Moving Bins. We make the process simpler, greener, and far less stressful, so you can focus on what really matters: starting the next chapter of your life.
At ACE Moving Bins, we proudly serve customers throughout the Greater Fort Worth area, including Fort Worth, Arlington, North Richland Hills, Bedford, Euless, Burleson, Colleyville, Keller, Saginaw, Benbrook, Haltom City, Hurst, Watauga, Haslet, Crowley, Forest Hill, Azle, Mansfield, White Settlement, and River Oaks. No matter where you're located in these communities, you can count on us to deliver clean, sturdy bins and convenient moving solutions right to your doorstep.