6 Space-Saving Storage Solutions for Your Warehouse

Warehouse space is at a premium in the U.S., with soaring demand driving higher rents and lower availability. Businesses need to find new ways to do more with less by maximizing their warehouse space utilization, but it can be challenging when your warehouse is already close to capacity. 

With a little ingenuity, however, almost any business can improve the amount of storage space available to them. Here are six options that can free up space, improve efficiency and create room that you may never have realized your warehouse had. 

1. Examine your slotting and warehouse flow. 

Before making big changes to the physical layout of your warehouse, take a look at how it’s organized. A relatively simple reorganization of your slotting system may be able to improve your space and efficiency. 

A slotting system–such as an ABC system–can improve employee pick times and give you access to your most important SKUs when you need them. Transitioning to a double-deep storage system is another option that works well for warehouses with large amounts of slow-moving SKUs. 

2. Clear out dead inventory.

Almost every warehouse has dead inventory—damaged, obsolete or extremely slow-moving inventory that’s not worth the carrying costs to store it. This inventory can take up a lot of space, and cleaning it out can free up substantial room for storing active inventory. Run an inventory audit and take a hard look at your lowest-performing inventory to see if you can get rid of it to free up space. 

3. Build your racks higher. 

The simplest solution is sometimes the best one, and that often applies to building rack shelving higher. By adding just one more level of shelving to their racks, many warehouses can create large amounts of new storage space. 

Of course, it’s important to note that this tip comes with safety caveats. Always check the manufacturer’s recommended maximum height (and maximum weight rating) for your rack equipment, and don’t overbuild. No amount of storage space is worth sacrificing warehouse safety. 

4. Consider over-aisle, over-dock and mezzanine storage.  

Businesses can also utilize vertical space by installing over-aisle, over-dock and mezzanine storage. These storage systems create new space in the warehouse by storing items in traditionally underutilized areas using modular storage systems. 

Over-aisle storage adds shelving to the space above aisles. Over-dock storage adds shelving to the space above the dock, while mezzanine storage creates a whole new layer of shelving for the warehouse by installing a second-story platform above part or all of your warehouse. These storage options are widely available, and warehouses around the world use them successfully. 

Consult a qualified engineer or professional installer when considering one of these solutions, as they need to be carefully implemented to protect their structural integrity and the safety of warehouse employees. Note that some mezzanine storage configurations may not be accessible to forklifts, so choose accordingly. 

5. Get the right storage equipment. 

A warehouse that doesn’t have the right storage equipment will always be at a disadvantage when it comes to space utilization. If your warehouse has been just getting by with makeshift storage solutions, there’s no better time than now to get your storage in shape with the right equipment. 

Having the right storage equipment is particularly important if your warehouse stores hazardous materials. Perform an audit of your hazmat storage procedures and make sure they’re in compliance with federal, state and local hazmat storage regulations. 

Air Sea Containers offers a full selection of storage equipment solutions for your warehouse, including hazmat storage equipment such as flammables safety cabinets, spill control pallets, hazmat warning labels, drum rack systems and hazmat warning placards. 

6. Create narrower aisles. 

Sometimes small changes can add up to big gains, and narrowing your warehouse’s aisles can be one such effective change. Reorganize your racks, subtracting a foot from every aisle, and suddenly you’ve got one or more entirely new aisles to work with. 

Of course, it’s critical to ensure that your aisles remain wide enough to comfortably accommodate forklifts, foot travel, pallet jacks or any other methods of transportation and material handling that your warehouse uses. Warehouse planning software can help you visualize and calculate your aisle spacing needs. 

Air Sea Containers has over 20 years of experience in delivering storage solutions that help our customers make their warehouses more efficient and organized. Our experts have the answers that can help you refine your packaging materials and storage. Just call (866) 596-9448 or contact us online for more information. 

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