Make Better Use of Shelf and Bin Space
Storage space can look large enough until you try to arrange several boxes, containers, or other items inside it. Small differences in width, depth, or orientation can determine whether another complete item will fit.
A shelf and bin space calculation can be useful when planning storage in garages, workshops, closets, utility rooms, warehouses, cabinets, shelving units, and other areas where rectangular items need to fit into a limited space.
Measure the Usable Space, Not the Outside
For the most useful result, measure the actual space available for storage. The outside dimensions of a cabinet, tote, shelving unit, or storage bin may be considerably larger than its usable interior dimensions.
Shelves can also lose usable space to brackets, supports, frames, doors, or other hardware. Measuring between these obstructions gives a more realistic picture of the space available.
Orientation Can Make a Big Difference
Turning a rectangular box or container 90 degrees can sometimes allow significantly more items to fit. This happens because leftover strips of space along the edges may be large enough in one orientation but too narrow to be useful in another.
For that reason, the greatest storage capacity isn't always achieved by placing items in the direction that initially seems most natural.
Leave Room for Real-World Use
A mathematically exact fit isn't always a practical fit. Containers may need enough space to slide in and out, lids may extend beyond the sides, and handles or other projections can interfere with neighboring items.
Leaving a small amount of clearance can make a storage arrangement easier to use and can help compensate for minor measuring differences.
Space Efficiency Isn't the Same as Safe Capacity
Fitting more items onto a shelf does not mean the shelf can safely hold their combined weight. Likewise, determining that several containers can physically stack inside a space does not establish that the containers or their contents are safe to stack.
Always consider shelf load ratings, container limitations, stability, mounting, and the weight of the stored items separately from dimensional fit.