Locker Design: A Guide to Choosing the Right Features

When it comes to designing the perfect locker for your facility, it’s important to think beyond just basic specifications. The choices you make will directly impact the functionality, aesthetics, and overall user experience. Whether you’re outfitting a fitness center, a ski resort, or a sports facility, understanding the process of selecting the right features is crucial to achieving the best results.

Start with the Basics: Locker Material

Selecting the Right Material for Your Needs

The first step in designing the ideal locker is choosing the right material. At FOREMAN®, we offer a range of materials, each with unique benefits:

• Signature Phenolic: Known for its exceptional durability and resistance to moisture, making it ideal for high-traffic and wet environments like gyms and aquatic centers. Lockers Shipped Disassembled for cost effective shipping. Easy Assembly.
• Traditional Phenolic: Offers a balance of strength and affordability, suitable for a variety of settings. Lockers Shipped Assembled.
• Plastic Laminate: Versatile and available in various colors and finishes, perfect for facilities where aesthetics are a priority. Lockers Shipped Assembled.

Choosing the right material sets the foundation for the rest of the design process.

Configuration and Layout: Tailoring to Your Space

Understanding Your Facility’s Needs

Once you’ve selected the material, the next step is to consider the configuration and layout of the lockers. Think about the specific needs of your facility:

• Sports Facilities: Athletic lockers like the Ice Hockey Pro, MVP, or Golf series are designed to accommodate specific sports equipment. Certain athletic locker models are designed to house specific items such as helmets, skates, jerseys, shoes etc.
• Ski Resorts: Models like the Tahoe or Aspen are configured to handle ski gear and other cold-weather equipment. These models are also compatible with QBL Ski Boot Dryers, ensuring your winter gear remains dry after a day on the slopes.
• Fitness Centers and Gyms: Depending on your space and user requirements, you might choose from 1- 6-tier, or the classic Z-Style Locker  designs, each offering different storage capacities.

The configuration should align with both the physical space and the specific use cases of your facility.

Customization: Size and Door Options

Maximizing Space and Usability

Size and door configuration are critical factors in locker design. A 1-Tier Locker provides ample space for larger items, making it ideal for gyms or athletic facilities where users need to store bulky equipment. On the other hand, a 6-Tier Locker maximizes storage capacity within a limited footprint, perfect for environments where users only need to store smaller personal items.

Custom dimensions and combination tiers are also available for facilities with unique space requirements. The goal is to create a locker system that fits seamlessly into your facility’s layout while providing the necessary storage capacity for its users.

Enhancing Functionality with Integrated Features

Adding Practical and Aesthetic Enhancements

To elevate the functionality and appearance of your lockers, consider integrating additional features:

• Benches: Integrated benches provide convenient seating and can be seamlessly incorporated into the locker design. (Available models include Signature Phenolic with Integrated Bench and Traditional Phenolic with Open Cubby Bench)
• Slope Tops and Toe Kick Panels: These features not only enhance the appearance of the locker room but also contribute to cleanliness and safety.
• Upper or Lower Cubbies: Additional cubbies offer extra storage space and can be customized with polycarbonate glass doors for security and visibility.

These features contribute to a polished, professional look while enhancing the usability of the lockers.

Security: Locking Mechanisms and Options

Ensuring Safety and Accessibility

Security is a top priority for any locker system. Depending on the needs of your facility, you can choose from a variety of locker locks, including but not limited to:

• Traditional Hasp Locks: A reliable and straightforward option for many facilities.
• Electronic Locks: Advanced systems like Digilock Cue and SAFE-O-TRONIC® ACCESS LS offer high-tech security and convenience.
• Key Management Systems: Master keys, program keys, and ADA-compliant options ensure that your locker system is both secure and accessible to all users.

The right locking mechanism enhances the security and usability of your lockers, giving users peace of mind.

Accessories: Enhancing the User Experience

Adding Convenience and Comfort

Accessories can significantly improve the user experience by adding convenience and functionality:

• USB Power Outlets: Ideal for charging personal devices while using the locker.
• LED Lights: Improve visibility inside the locker, especially in dimly lit areas.
• QBL Ski Boot Dring Systems: Provide comfort in colder environments, making lockers more user-friendly.

These thoughtful additions show that you’ve considered every aspect of the user experience.

Aesthetics and Branding: Making a Statement

Customizing the Look of Your Lockers

The final step in designing your lockers is choosing the right colors, finishes, and branding elements:

• Color Options: From the natural appeal of Amaretto Pine to the sleek look of Fashion Grey, the color of your lockers can reflect your facility’s overall design theme. Choose from a selection of standard color options or browse the Wilsonart HPL color catalog for a wide range of colors and patterns.
• Custom Imaging and Imprints: Personalize your lockers with custom logos, images, or branding elements to make a strong visual statement.

The aesthetic choices you make will ensure that your lockers are not only functional but also a true reflection of your facility’s identity.

Balancing Functionality and Personalization

Designing the perfect locker system is about more than just selecting materials and configurations—it’s about creating a space that meets the unique needs of your facility and its users. By carefully considering each aspect of the design process, from material selection to integrated features and aesthetics, you can create a locker system that is both highly functional and visually appealing. At FOREMAN®, we’re here to help you navigate these choices, ensuring that your lockers are a perfect fit for your facility. Reach out to a member of our sales team today to  on the perfect locker design or your facility.