Start designing your warehouse layout with a simple building outline or a ready-made template. Simply click on a wall and type in the dimensions to resize it.
SmartDraw works in both US/Imperial and Metric standards of measure. Add elements like shelves, tables, conveyors, loading docks, offices, restrooms, etc. from a vast library of symbols and images.
You'll get thousands of ready-made symbols for racks, shelves, loading docks, cranes, conveyors, pallets, transfer tables, bathroom fixtures, lighting fixtures, cabinets, office furniture, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, security systems, plants, landscape elements, and more.
Use layers to add electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other features. SmartDraw will show them as tabs so that you can easily navigate them.
Insert hyperlinks to web pages or other SmartDraw files and add photos and notes to your design.
SmartDraw is easy to work with no matter what other apps you use. You can add your warehouse design to:
SmartDraw works hand in glove with most file storage systems. You can save your warehouse plan directly to:
There is no need to create a parallel set of common folders and permissions, SmartDraw can just save files directly into your existing set up.
Share your warehouse layout with anyone, even if they don't own a copy of SmartDraw, with a link.
You can also easily export any diagram as a PDF or common image formats like PNG or SVG.
Have a question? Chat or email us. SmartDraw support is in-house and free!
Design your warehouse together with your team by working on the same layout in real time.
Leave comments and feedback easily even if your team is remote.
SmartDraw makes it easy to collaborate and design together.
SmartDraw also works where you already communicate with others. You can collaborate on a design in Microsoft Teams®, Slack or Confluence.
SmartDraw includes dozens of warehouse designs and layouts as well as templates for facilities, store & retail plans, parking lots, hotels, healthcare facilities, and more.
From self-storage to manufacturing and everything in between, SmartDraw warehouse layout and design software is fast and easy. Use our templates or make custom drawings.
Thinking about spending thousands of dollars on expensive warehouse layout & design software? Concerned about the time and effort required to learn how to use it?
SmartDraw gives you a better alternative. Not only does SmartDraw cost a fraction of expensive CAD programs, but you can be drawing a warehouse layout & design just minutes from right now.
SmartDraw is easy to use because it does so much of the drawing for you. Start with one of hundreds of design templates from basic building outlines to finished warehouse plans. Or use a blank canvas and design your warehouse layout from scratch.
From the Dashboard, click New Document, select the Floor Plans - Commercial and choose the Warehouse Layout template. This template comes with all the tools and symbols you'll need to create your warehouse design.
Create an outline of your warehouse by adding walls for each area and zone of the building.
SmartDraw makes it easy to drag walls to adjust them or just type the length directly into walls to modify them. Once you've created an outline, click on a wall and you'll see two types of growth handles appear. The handle with an up and down or right to left arrow will allow you to move your wall inward or outward vertically or horizontally. The handle at the corners where walls meet will help you adjust your wall diagonally by letting you move the placement of the corner.
Label functional zones using the text tool. Add a zone for receiving and inspection, storage, packing, shipping, offices, and break areas.
Drag and drop racks and shelving units to plan out your warehouse space.
Add safety details like fire extinguishers, sprinklers, exists and more.
Invite clients or team members to give you feedback and work on your warehjouse plan in real-time. Make notes or even make changes on the fly as a group. SmartDraw is so easy to use, you can make changes in real-time.
Once your warehouse layout is complete you can insert it directly to any Microsoft Office app like Microsoft Word® or PowerPoint®, or add it to Google Docs™ or Google Slides™.
SmartDraw also has apps to integrate with Atlassian's Confluence and Jira. You can share your warehouse floor plan design in Microsoft Teams. You can also easily export your design as a PDF or print it.
Design your warehouse layout for efficiency, safety, and scalability by considering the following tips. Create a logical flow from receiving to shipping, and organize zones for each function like storage, picking, and packing. Keep aisles wide and accessible, use vertical space effectively, and place fast-moving items close to shipping areas. Plan for future growth with flexible layouts, and use clear visuals or diagrams to communicate your design.
The four principles of warehouse design are Flow, Accessibility, Space Utilization, and Flexibility.
There are three main types of warehouse layouts: U-shaped, I-shaped (or straight-line), and L-shaped. U-shaped is best for small or medium warehouses with high turnover because shipping and receiving are located on the same side. Straight-line is ideal for large scale automated facilities like fulfillment centers. L-shaped warehouses are usually only used when you have space constraints.
The best layout for most warehouses is typically the U-shaped layout, because it offers the best balance of efficiency, flexibility, and space utilization.
Designing a warehouse involves balancing workflow efficiency, safety, space use, and flexibility so that materials move smoothly from receiving to shipping.
The right tool depends on your needs. SmartDraw offers simple 2D warehouse layouts you can enhance with powerful data integration. It's easy to use, but has powerful tools to draw your warehouse to scale, define your zones, and optimize your layout.
SmartDraw lets you import a PDF and make it a background image you can sketch over. Add evacuation routes, notes, and more to an existing design.
Discover why SmartDraw is the best warehouse layout & design software available today.