Guide: Measuring Space for New Shelving

Getting new storage shelving installed is exciting, until you realise you've measured wrong and nothing fits. Whether you're planning industrial storage solutions for a warehouse, archive shelving for a records room, or simple storage for your workspace, accurate measurements are absolutely essential. The good news? With the right approach and a bit of patience, measuring your space correctly isn't complicated. Let's walk through it together.

Before You Start: Gather Your Tools

You'll need a few basic items to get accurate measurements:

• A steel measuring tape (at least 5 metres for larger spaces)
• A notepad and pencil for recording dimensions
• A spirit level
• A torch for checking dark corners or overhead areas
• Your phone camera (trust us, photos are invaluable later)

Take a moment to clear the area as much as possible. Move boxes, equipment, or furniture away from the walls. You want unobstructed access to measure properly.

Step 1: Measure the Available Wall Width

Start with the basics. Measure the full width of the wall space where you're planning to install your shelving. Don't just eyeball it, even experienced warehouse managers get this wrong.

Measure at multiple heights (floor level, waist height, and ceiling level) because walls aren't always perfectly straight. If there's variation, note the narrowest width, that's your limiting dimension. For storage design purposes, you'll want to work with the smallest measurement to ensure everything fits.

Top tip: If you're planning multiple shelving bays side by side, measure the total available width, then subtract about 50-100mm for access space at each end. You'll thank yourself later when you're not squeezing past sharp corners.

Step 2: Check Your Height Clearance

Height is where things get interesting, especially in industrial spaces. Measure from the floor to the ceiling, but don't stop there. Look up and identify any obstacles:

• Overhead pipes and conduits - Common in warehouses and factories
• Lighting fixtures - Can restrict how tall your shelving can be
• Sprinkler systems - Must maintain proper clearance for safety regulations
• HVAC vents - Need adequate space for airflow
• Electrical trunking - Often runs along walls near the ceiling

For standard industrial storage solutions, you'll typically want to leave at least 200-300mm clearance below any overhead obstacle. Fire safety regulations may require more, so check your local requirements.

Measure at several points along the wall. Ceilings can slope, especially in older buildings, and you need to account for the lowest point.

Step 3: Account for Floor-Level Obstacles

Now look down. Your floor-level obstacles can be just as problematic as ceiling issues:

• Skirting boards - Usually 100-150mm high, they can interfere with shelf uprights
• Dado rails or wall panelling - Common in older buildings
• Electrical sockets and switches - Must remain accessible
• Heating radiators - Need clearance for heat circulation
• Water pipes or drainage - Often run along base of walls
• Uneven or sloping floors - More common than you'd think

Measure the depth that skirting boards project from the wall. If you're installing freestanding shelving, you may need to account for this by positioning the unit slightly forward. Alternatively, because we manufacture all our UK manufactured shelving at our Stoke-on-Trent facility, we can create bespoke units with recessed bases or modified feet to work around skirting boards perfectly.

Step 4: Measure Depth Available

Depth is crucial, especially in narrow spaces like corridors, archive rooms, or between equipment. Measure from the wall to:

• Any obstruction in front of where shelving will sit
• Required walkways or access routes
• Doors that swing open (measure the door's full swing arc)
• Equipment or machinery that needs operational clearance

For archive shelving in record rooms, you'll typically need shelves between 300-450mm deep, plus at least 900mm for access aisles. Warehouses require more: usually 1000-1200mm aisles for safe passage with trolleys or hand trucks.

Don't forget to account for the wall itself. If installing adjustable shelving brackets that mount to the wall, they'll add 50-100mm of depth. Measure from the wall surface, not from any skirting or architrave.

Step 5: Identify and Measure Around Awkward Features

This is where many DIY measuring jobs fall apart. Your space probably isn't a perfect rectangle. Look for:

• Windows - Measure the distance from floor to windowsill and the width of the recess
• Doorways - Measure the width of the door frame and how far it projects from the wall
• Alcoves or recesses - Measure width, depth, and height at multiple points
• Columns or pillars - Measure their position from adjacent walls
• Fuse boxes or control panels - Must remain accessible by law
• Fire extinguishers and safety equipment - Cannot be blocked

For each obstacle, measure its position from at least two reference points (usually corners or edges) so you can map exactly where it sits. Take photos with your tape measure visible in the shot: this gives you a visual reference later.

Here's where storage design expertise really matters. At IronStor, we've dealt with thousands of awkward spaces across the UK. Those odd corners, protruding pipes, and inconvenient light switches? We've seen them all. Because we control our entire manufacturing process in Stoke-on-Trent, we can modify standard designs or create completely bespoke solutions that work around your specific obstacles.

Step 6: Calculate Vertical Spacing Between Shelves

How you space your shelves vertically depends entirely on what you're storing. Measure the height of your typical items, then add at least 50-75mm clearance above them. Here are some general guidelines:

• Archive boxes - 350-400mm spacing works well
• Lever arch files - 350mm minimum
• Small parts bins - 200-300mm
• Large equipment or machinery parts - Measure your largest items
• Mixed storage - Consider adjustable shelving with 50mm increments

Don't forget to account for the thickness of the shelves themselves (typically 25-40mm for industrial storage solutions) when calculating internal spacing between levels.

Step 7: Check for Level and Plumb

Before you finalize measurements, check whether your walls and floors are actually level and plumb. Use your spirit level vertically against the wall and horizontally on the floor.

If you discover significant variations:

• Note the degree of slope or lean
• Measure at the highest and lowest points
• Consider whether adjustable feet will be needed
• Factor in shimming or leveling requirements

Most buildings have some irregularity: it's completely normal. The key is identifying it before you order, not after delivery.

Step 8: Create a Simple Sketch

Draw a basic floor plan showing:

• Overall dimensions of the space
• Location of doors, windows, and obstacles
• Position where shelving will be installed
• Key measurements clearly labeled
• North arrow or reference to help orientation

This doesn't need to be architectural quality: even a rough sketch with accurate dimensions is incredibly helpful for storage design consultations.

Step 9: Consider Future Needs and Flexibility

Think beyond your immediate requirements. Will your storage needs expand? Might you need to reconfigure the space later? Consider:

• Leaving space for additional bays
• Choosing modular systems that can be extended
• Ensuring access for future modifications
• Planning for changing inventory or equipment

Because IronStor manufactures everything to order in the UK, we can easily supply additional matching units later if you need to expand. You're not locked into whatever happens to be in stock.

The Bespoke Advantage

Here's the reality: standard off-the-shelf shelving rarely fits perfectly in real-world spaces. That's where UK manufacturing makes all the difference.

At IronStor, we don't just supply standard sizes from a warehouse somewhere overseas. Every piece of storage shelving we produce is made at our Stoke-on-Trent facility, which means we can customize dimensions to suit your exact space.

Need shelving that's 2,347mm wide to fit perfectly between two columns? We can do that. Require a specific depth to maximize space while keeping walkways compliant? Not a problem. Want adjustable shelving with non-standard spacing to accommodate unusual items? Consider it done.

This flexibility is particularly valuable for archive shelving installations where space is often at a premium and every millimeter counts. Unlike imported systems with fixed dimensions, our bespoke approach means you use your space efficiently without compromising on quality or structural integrity.

Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced professionals occasionally slip up. Watch out for these common errors:

• Measuring in different units (mixing metric and imperial)
• Forgetting to account for wall irregularities
• Ignoring the space needed for shelf assembly
• Not checking what's on the other side of the wall
• Failing to measure diagonal dimensions in alcoves
• Overlooking regulations around emergency exits and safety equipment

What to Do With Your Measurements

Once you've got all your dimensions recorded, you have several options:

1. Contact our team - Send us your dimensions, and our storage design specialists can review your measurements and suggest optimal solutions
2. Request a site visit - For complex installations, we can arrange a professional site survey

Don't worry if you're not entirely confident in your measurements. Our team regularly reviews customer dimensions and can spot potential issues before manufacturing begins. We'd rather help you get it right the first time than deal with returns or modifications later.

Ready to Move Forward?

Measuring your space properly is the foundation of successful industrial storage solutions. Take your time, double-check everything, and don't hesitate to ask for help if you're unsure about any aspect.

With your accurate measurements in hand and the flexibility of UK manufactured shelving from our Stoke-on-Trent facility, you're set for a storage system that fits your space perfectly: no frustrating gaps, no wasted areas, just efficient storage that works.

Need advice on what you've measured or want to discuss bespoke options? Get in touch with our team on: 01782 770100, email us on: info@ironstor.co.uk or fill in the form available here.