Effective warehouse shelving organization is crucial for maximizing space, improving picking accuracy, and boosting overall productivity. Beyond simply installing rack or shelving, how you utilize the space within your storage system makes all the difference. Here’s a look at key options, starting with the essentials:

The Foundation - Bins and Containers:

• Solid Wall Bins (Plastic / Cardboard): Ideal for loose, small parts (nuts, bolts, fasteners), powders, or items needing dust protection. Offer good stackability and come in various sizes and colors for easy categorization. Clear plastic bins offer the best compromise between durability and product visibility.
• Wire Mesh Bins: Provide excellent visibility and airflow. Perfect for items that don't require containment (larger parts, textiles) or where moisture drainage/ventilation is needed. Often stackable or nestable.
• Stackable Bins and Nestable Bins: Maximize vertical space when in use and minimize storage space when empty. Great for inventories experiencing regular fluctuation in stocked quantities.
• Tote Pans: Larger, durable containers often used for work-in-progress (WIP), kitting, or transporting items within the warehouse. Can be placed directly on shelves.
• Bin Liners/Inserts: Plastic bags or liners placed inside bins for containing very small items, liquids, or powders, adding an extra layer of protection and simplifying cleaning.

Separation Without Bins - Dividers and Inserts:

• Bin Dividers / Partitions: Plastic or cardboard inserts that slot into bins to create multiple compartments within a single container. Essential for organizing small, mixed SKUs (e.g., different screws, washers) within one bin location.
• Adjustable Shelf Dividers: Vertical dividers that clip or bolt onto shelf lips. These create lanes or sections across the shelf depth, preventing boxes or items from sliding into each other and maintaining order. Crucial for carton flow or static shelving.
• Foam Inserts / Cutouts: Custom-cut foam (like pick-and-pluck foam or Kaizen foam) provides precise, protective cavities for fragile, high-value, or uniquely shaped items (tools, components, medical devices).

For More Niche Use Cases, Some Less Common Shelving Organization Solutions Include:

• Open-Top Trays and Totes are low profile storage solutions designed for easy grab-and-go picking with easy slide-in / slide-out accessibility. These totes are also stackable when not in use to maximize space use efficiency.
• Shelf Risers are attached to the main shelf and create a second level within a single shelf bay. These are great for storing boxes, bins, and primary products on top while utilizing the space underneath for low-profile storage of small parts, hardware, or accessories.
• Hooks, Bars, and Hanging Systems such as J-Hooks, Towel Bars, and Wire Grid Panels can be attached directly to shelf uprights, lips, or the backside of the shelf to store a wide variety of hangable items.
• Full Extension Sliding Shelves / Pull-Out Trays replace your static shelving with shelves mounted on heavy-duty drawer slides. This style of shelving provides full access to the very back of deep shelving without needing to reach over itmes in front. This more costly solution is best for heavy items paired with deep storage bays.

Important Things To Consider When Choosing An Organization Solution For Your Shelving:

• Item Characteristics: Size, shape, weight, fragility, and how they are picked (Handfuls? Individually? By the box?)
• Accessibility Needs: How often is the item accessed? Does deep storage require pull-out solutions?
• Visibility: Can pickers easily see and identify the item?
• Security: Do items need to be contained, or is open storage acceptable?
• Density vs Accessibility Trays and open totes offer faster access but may store less densely than tightly packed bins. Risers increase density but add handling steps.
• Integration: Ensure any hooks, slides, or panels are compatible with your specific shelving type and weight capacity.

The best warehouse shelving organization often uses a combination of the methodsd described above tailored to different product types and picking requirements within the same shelving system. Evaluate your specific SKUs and workflow to determine which organization method suits your operation most effectively.

Our team has been fitting businesses across America with the shelving solutions they need since 1991! Save up to 40% on pre-owned, heavy-duty equipment. Call (800) 876-3736 or request a free consultation today to revolutionize your workflow!