Most warehouses in Australia are well-planned, storage-saving places that utilise the space available efficiently to hold as much as possible. However, when the warehouse itself is small, or if there are some awkward corners left over or it doesn’t utilise vertical space effectively, your storage options become limited.

In such a situation, warehouse owners have to get a little creative with their space and choose a commercial shelving solution that is specifically designed to fit into smaller spaces. Here are a few suggestions if you’re in the same boat:

Search the market for innovative shelving

Many commercial shelving makers allow you to get your shelves customised according to the space and needs of your warehouse. These storage solutions make good use of vertical space and use innovative techniques to maximise the available space. This may include corner wire shelving, narrow wire shelves or longspan shelving which may be squeezed into a small space.

Organise and re-organise

Some shipments may come in full pallet orders but may need to be stored for a shorter time, whereas, others may come in a half pallet order but need to be stored for a longer time. Using the smaller spaces you have to stash the half pallet orders that may not be used as frequently can help you save a lot of space for the larger full pallet orders that may need to be sold faster. Keeping them separately may have the added benefit of making them easier to find without the risk of getting lost among the larger shipments.

Invest in cross-docking systems

A cross-docking system is great for stuff that sells out almost as soon as it is stocked. It is also excellent for perishables that may spoil if left in a warehouse for too long. When these items come in, instead of sending them into the warehouse to be stored, only to be removed a little while later to be shipped back out, take inventory and directly store them in shelves placed on your main docking area specifically for this purpose without ever taking them inside the warehouse. Not only will this save space but will also save time and manpower.

Make use of vertical spaces

Working in a warehouse with limited floor space but with high ceilings can be a perfect opportunity to make use of the vertical space you have. Use ladders, forklifts and cranes to place boxes on higher shelves. You’ll be surprised at how much inventory your small warehouse can hold when used efficiently!

Get in touch with a commercial shelving solutions provider

If you’re working with a particularly tricky layout or have special inventory needs and need help figuring out an effective storage solution, get in touch with a commercial shelving solutions provider. When you explain your needs to them in detail, many may send through a representative from their team to come and look at your space and suggest storage solutions for your needs. These professionals have experience fitting warehouses of all shapes and sizes, and may even suggest more innovative ways of working with your space!