Buying guide
Moving Into a New Apartment: The Essentials Checklist
Updated How we research
Moving is the one time it pays to buy storage before you need it, since the bins you pack with become the bins you organize with. This checklist covers what to grab first: stackable totes that move and then store, under-bed containers that reclaim dead space, and the no-drill basics that get a new place functional on day one without touching the walls.
The short version
We compared 5 picks. Our scores range from 7.4 to 8.4 out of 10, across $, $$ price bands.
- Best overall:SpaceHacks Under-Bed Storage with Wheels (2-Pack, Clear Window). Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:Command Medium Utility Hooks (9 hooks, 12 strips, 3 lb). Value score of 9/10, overall 7.6/10.
- Solid build:IRIS USA 32 Qt Stackable Storage Bins with Lids (4-Pack). Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 7.5/10.
- Feature-rich:Rubbermaid Cleverstore Clear 32 Qt Stackable Bins (6-Pack). Features score of 7/10, overall 7.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
The quick checklist
- ✓Stackable totes that pack and then store
- ✓Under-bed bins for off-season items
- ✓Damage-free hooks for the entryway
- ✓Over-the-door organizer for the closet
Pack it, then store it
- IRIS USA 32 Qt Stackable Storage Bins with Lids (4-Pack)Our score7.5/10
- Rubbermaid Cleverstore Clear 32 Qt Stackable Bins (6-Pack)Our score7.4/10
Set up day one, no drill
- Command Medium Utility Hooks (9 hooks, 12 strips, 3 lb)Our score7.6/10
- Simple Houseware 24-Pocket Clear Over-the-Door OrganizerOur score7.5/10
All 5 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Rolling fabric drawers with locking wheels and a clear window, great value at two for under thirty dollars.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Four 360-degree wheels, two with locks, make sliding it out from under a low bed effortless
- + 600D Oxford fabric over a metal frame holds up to 66 lbs without sagging
- + Clear window and label slot let you identify contents without opening the drawer
- - At 6.69 inches tall it may not clear very low platform frames
- - Wheels roll best on hard floors and can drag on thick carpet
#2The renter default: damage-free hooks that hold 3 lb and peel off clean.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Stretch-release strips remove cleanly from painted walls with no holes or sticky residue, the key feature renters need
- + Holds up to 3 lb each, enough for coats, towels, utensils, light decor, and bag straps
- + Includes extra adhesive strips so hooks can be repositioned or reused after moving
- - Bonds reliably only on smooth, fully cured surfaces and fails on textured or flat-paint walls
- - Performance drops in high humidity and on freshly painted walls if not cured for at least a week
#3Durable American-made latching totes that stack rock-solid for closets and garages.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Latching buckles and grooved lids create very stable, secure stacking
- + Made in USA from sturdy BPA-free plastic that holds up to heavy contents
- + Built-in pull handle makes it easy to retrieve bins from high closet shelves
- - No front access, so you must unstack to reach a lower bin
- - Some buyers report the side latches feel weak or pop loose over time
#4The category benchmark: 24 clear pockets and true no-drill hanging.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 9/10
- + Clear vinyl pockets let you see every pair or item at a glance, great for shoes, accessories, and small pantry goods
- + Very affordable and one of the most-reviewed organizers in the category, signaling consistent quality
- + Includes metal hooks for true no-drill, renter-friendly hanging that lifts off without leaving marks
- - Clear plastic pockets can crease, stretch, or discolor over time with heavier use
- - Hooks may be too wide for some thinner doors, which can interfere with the frame closing
#5Trusted clear Rubbermaid totes with recessed latching lids that stack neatly and keep dust out.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Straight-wall design holds up to 14 percent more than comparable bins
- + Recessed latching lids interlock for superior, dust-proof stacking
- + Crystal-clear sides make contents easy to identify without labels
- - No front-access door, so reaching lower bins means unstacking
- - Latching lids can crack or grow brittle in cold or after heavy use
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Small Space Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.