How To Design Your
Warehouse Layout

Creating an efficient warehouse layout is essential for businesses looking to optimise their operations. A well-thought-out warehouse design improves workflow, maximises storage, and ensures seamless logistics. At Tradestars, we provide flexible warehousing that enables you to create the best layout for your business, giving you the freedom to adapt your space to suit your needs.

1. Understand Your Workflow

To design a warehouse that works for you, start by analysing your workflow. Identify the key steps involved in your operations, such as: receiving goods, processing orders, packing, and preparing for delivery. 

Understanding these steps allows you to create a logical flow that minimises unnecessary movement and improves efficiency. For example, goods-in areas should be close to storage spaces, and packing stations should be strategically placed to access products quickly.

2. Create A List Of Key Areas

Identify the essential areas your warehouse needs. Common spaces include: goods-in and goods-out zones, storage areas, and workspaces for packing or assembly. Don’t forget to consider areas that don’t need to be part of your warehouse because you have access to them elsewhere. 

For instance, Tradestars offers onsite meeting rooms and content creation areas, freeing up space in your warehouse for operations. Listing these additional areas when creating your warehouse design ensures no critical functions are overlooked and that you are making full use of your space.

3. Map Out Your Warehouse Layout

Sketching your warehouse layout options is a crucial step in planning. Start by measuring your space accurately and noting the dimensions of walls, desks, and shelving. Consider vertical storage to maximise capacity and keep your workflow in mind as you design. Aim to avoid overlap between functional areas to reduce inefficiencies. By mapping out potential layouts, you can visualise how your operations will fit into the space.

4. Think About The Warehouse Equipment You'll Need

Your equipment needs will influence your warehouse layout. Depending on your business, you might require forklifts, pallet jacks, or trolleys. Plan for storage space for these items within your warehouse. Additionally, Tradestars offers amenities like loading zones and print and pack stations, which can reduce the equipment you need to manage onsite.

5. Test What You Can & Adjust When Needed

Once your warehouse layout is in place, testing its functionality is essential. Build out spaces or create scale models to identify potential issues. Be prepared to adjust your warehouse design as you work within the space. During the first few weeks or months, observe how well the layout supports your operations and make changes as needed to optimise for your business’s growth.

O-Shaped Warehouse Design

An O-shaped layout is ideal for small businesses or ecommerce operations with low traffic. This warehouse design positions all activities in a circular flow, with goods entering and exiting through the same point. Products move through various stages, such as assembly or packaging, before returning to the starting point for shipment. While efficient for compact spaces, it may not suit larger-scale operations with high volumes.

U-Shaped Warehouse Design

A U-shaped layout is versatile and suitable for warehouses of all sizes. This warehouse design places loading and shipping areas side by side on one end of the warehouse, with the largest area reserved for storage opposite these points. It’s a practical choice for businesses with significant storage needs, allowing for high shelving and efficient monitoring of goods entering and exiting the facility.

I-Shaped Warehouse Design

The I-shaped layout is ideal for businesses with multiple entrances or those requiring a linear flow of goods. In this warehouse design, products enter at one end, pass through various stages, and exit at the opposite end. It’s particularly effective for ecommerce businesses or large orders, as it ensures a streamlined process from arrival to delivery. However, it requires dual access points for optimal functionality.

L-Shaped Warehouse Design

The L-shaped design is similar to the I-shaped layout but suited for spaces with an irregular shape or a single entrance. Goods move from one point, travel through stages such as storage and packing, and exit at another point for shipping – in a small warehouse with an irregular shape, the entrance and exit may be the same. It works well for small to medium-sized warehouses with multi-stage processes but may not accommodate bulk storage efficiently.

Create Your Ideal Warehouse Design With Our Flexible Warehouses

At Tradestars, our flexible warehousing solutions empower you to design a layout that meets your unique business needs. With customisable private studios and access to amenities like loading zones, print and pack stations, and meeting rooms, we’ve got you covered. Book a tour of our spaces in Hackney Wick or Islington today and discover how we can support your business’s growth.