When it comes to warehouse efficiency, choosing the right racking system isn’t just about storage—it’s about optimizing space, improving picking accuracy, and supporting your overall workflow. The wrong rack can slow down operations, waste vertical space, or make it harder for automation systems to perform efficiently.
At LD Systems, we help clients select and implement the best warehouse racking systems for their facility, industry, and goals. Below is a breakdown of the most common types of warehouse pallet storage racks we offer, along with how they function and who they’re best suited for.
“Why Should I Care About My Warehouse Racking System?“
Racking is often thought of as a passive component in warehouse design—just “something to hold pallets”. But in reality, your racking system is one of the most important contributors to warehouse efficiency, space optimization, and long-term scalability.
Well-designed racking does more than store inventory—it shapes how people and products flow through your facility. From picker routes to equipment flow, your racks define the rhythm of your operations. Poorly selected or outdated racking can lead to cluttered aisles, longer picking times, safety risks, and underutilized vertical space.
This is where warehouse space optimization comes into play. The right racking allows you to store more in less space, making room for automation tools like conveyors and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), while giving your team better access to the products they need—when they need them.
With real estate costs increasing year by year, every square foot of your facility matters dollar-wise. With strategic rack selection and layout design, you can dramatically increase capacity and throughput without adding square footage. That means faster picks, fewer misplaced items, safer workflows, and a warehouse that’s ready for growth.
At LD Systems, we treat racking as part of your full systems integration strategy—because smart storage isn’t just about where your products live. It’s about how your entire operation works.
Selective Pallet Racking
Overview: The most common type of pallet racking system, offering direct access to every pallet without moving others. Great for facilities with a wide range of SKUs and high accessibility needs.
Selective Pallet Rack is the go-to choice for storing pallet loads of merchandise, allowing unobstructed access to every pallet stored in the rack. When designing pallet rack, consider the following:
Best For:
- Retail distribution centers
- Food & beverage warehouses
- General storage with frequent inventory rotation
Drive-In / Drive-Through Racking
Overview: High-density storage ideal for large volumes of similar products. Pallets are stored several deep, reducing aisles and maximizing floor space.
Drive-in/drive-thru racks are two other types of high-density storage rack configurations commonly used in warehouses. These types of storage are typically used when a large quantity of pallets of the same commodity need to be stored and cannot be self-stacked more than one or two high.
Best For:
- Cold storage facilities
- Seasonal inventory with high volumes of the same SKU
- First-in/last-out or first-in/first-out (FILO/FIFO) inventory strategies
Push-Back Racking
Overview: Pallets are loaded onto nested carts that roll backward when new pallets are added. Combines density with selectivity and allows for multiple SKU storage per lane.
This type of rack allows for up to three pallet loads in the same lane or face, one behind the other. Each pallet face or opening is its own lane and is independent of the loads in other lanes. As a load is placed into a lane in the push back rack, it pushes the load already in the lane back into the rack and leaves the last load put in front. When a pallet load is removed from a lane, the load behind it flows forward and becomes the front load.
Best For:
- Warehouses needing both high capacity and moderate selectivity
- Third-party logistics (3PLs)
- Consumer goods distributors
Overview: A gravity-driven system where pallets flow from the loading side to the picking side, perfect for FIFO inventory. Rollers and brakes ensure safe movement.
Best For:
- Time-sensitive products (e.g., pharmaceuticals, perishables)
- High-volume picking environments
- Distribution centers with FIFO rotation
Overview: Designed for long, bulky, or irregularly shaped items like lumber, pipe, or sheet metal. These racks feature arms instead of shelves for flexible storage.
As the name implies, the storage levels are cantilevered from a rear vertical support only. Cantilever rack is available in single or double-sided configurations and can be designed to meet specific load requirements.
Best For:
- Building supply warehouses
- Industrial manufacturers
- Warehouses storing oversized items
Overview: A smaller-scale flow system used for boxes or bins instead of pallets. Items are loaded in the back and picked from the front.
The depth of carton flow rack units can range from 4 feet to 20 feet depending on the required inventory storage for each SKU. More than one lane can be dedicated to highly active SKUs, while the front tilt or straight shelves of the picking side offer convenience for broken case or full case picking.
Best For:
- E-commerce fulfillment centers
- High-SKU operations
- Order picking and packing zones
Which Rack Is Right for You?
Choosing the right warehouse racking system depends on several key factors:
- SKU diversity and velocity
- Inventory rotation method (FIFO vs. FILO)
- Product size and weight
- Automation compatibility
- Available vertical space and aisle layout
At LD Systems, we conduct full warehouse consulting and assessments to ensure you’re maximizing both space and efficiency. Whether you’re building a new facility or updating your current layout, our team will help you design a system that fits your unique needs.
📦 Not sure where to start? Let LD Systems help you select the right rack for your warehouse.