How far off the floor should the bottom shelf be?

At least 150 mm, so floors can be cleaned and inspected underneath. This is a standard expectation in Australian food safety inspections.

Is wire or solid shelving better for a cool room?

Wire is generally better in cool rooms because it allows air circulation, reducing warm spots and helping product hold temperature. Use solid shelving where small items would fall through or a wipeable surface is needed.

Can I get shelving made to fit an odd-shaped room?

Yes. We fabricate stainless shelving to measure at our Yennora workshop, including corner runs and non-standard depths.

Commercial Kitchen Shelving and Storage: A Planning Guide

How to plan shelving and storage that stores more, cleans faster and satisfies Australian food safety expectations.

7 min read · Updated August 2026

Measure the room, then plan around your containers

Shelving is bought by the bay but used by the box. Before choosing depths, measure the containers, cartons and trays you actually store. A 450 mm shelf that fits your standard carton beats a 600 mm shelf that wastes 150 mm on every run.

Plan vertical spacing around your tallest routine item plus a hand's clearance. Adjustable posts are worth the small premium — your stock profile will change within two years.

Wire, solid or polymer

Wire lets air and light through, which reduces warm spots in a cool room and cleans quickly. Solid stainless suits small items and wipeable prep storage. Polymer never rusts and tolerates pressure washing, making it the specialist choice for permanently wet or heavily sanitised rooms.

Food safety layout rules worth building in

Bottom shelf at least 150 mm off the floor so floors can be cleaned and inspected
Raw below ready-to-eat, always, to prevent drip contamination
Chemicals stored separately and never above food
Clear labelling and dating on every container for first-in first-out rotation
Leave clearance below sprinklers and do not block air circulation in cool rooms

Load ratings deserve a second look

Catalogue load ratings assume evenly distributed weight. Real kitchens stack 20 L drums at one end of a shelf. Check the rating against your heaviest realistic case, and add an extra post or bay rather than overloading — a shelf collapse in a cool room is a very expensive afternoon.

Frequently asked questions

How far off the floor should the bottom shelf be?: At least 150 mm, so floors can be cleaned and inspected underneath. This is a standard expectation in Australian food safety inspections.
Is wire or solid shelving better for a cool room?: Wire is generally better in cool rooms because it allows air circulation, reducing warm spots and helping product hold temperature. Use solid shelving where small items would fall through or a wipeable surface is needed.
Can I get shelving made to fit an odd-shaped room?: Yes. We fabricate stainless shelving to measure at our Yennora workshop, including corner runs and non-standard depths.