How to Design a Changing Room
When designing a changing room there are many things to think about. Whether you’re a sports club, a gym or a leisure centre – the design affects user experience for members. Locker room layouts depend entirely on space available and the club type.
We have broken down the top five things to consider when kitting out a changing room:
1. Material
• Wet Areas
Do you need wet area lockers? If you are a swimming pool or leisure centre with pool facilities then the answer is yes. For this environment plastic lockers and laminate lockers are ideal.
Our suggestion:
Our wet area locker is manufactured in the UK with pre-coated galvanised steel with a 1.5mm thick steel frame. Hinges are 75mm deep to ensure durability with frequent use. 2, 3 and 4 doors lockers have their own security shelf to prevent unauthorised access to compartments below. These lockers are also fitted with moisture resistant cam lockers for superior locking in damp environments.
• Boutique Style
For boutique style changing rooms often found in health clubs and spas wooden lockers are a popular option. Our Timber door lockers and Executive locker range both provide a stylish and modern twist on the classic metal locker.
Our suggestion:
Executive lockers featured in our last blog about creating the best first impressions possible. By using smart and sophisticated furniture it portrays a professional and upmarket image of your business. The security yet functionality of these lockers offers everyone using them peace of mind whilst not creating an eye sore.
• Standard Metal Locker
Here at Direct2U we offer a range of standard lockers to suit the most basic of security needs. When budgets tight and no frills are required these are a great, sturdy storage solution. Popular with schools, warehouses and factories, metal lockers are the go to equipment for keeping things safe and low cost.
Our suggestion:
Our economy locker is the cheapest locker you’ll find on the web. Sure, it looks pretty standard and like your average metal locker but our range has reinforced doors and a welded frame for rigidity. Available in either dark blue or light grey these lockers are a perfect match for schools and factories. Along with a small price tag they also have a tiny delivery time of only 10 working days.
2. Locks
There are many lock options available and different manufacturers will call them different things. We’ve done a break down of the most popular options for common use.
• Community Gym and Leisure Centres
A popular lock for these environments is the hasp and staple lock – otherwise known as padlock locking. This is a cost effective option where users will bring their own padlock – reducing the risk of losing keys etc. Another benefit of this type of lock is that replacements can be bought should an existing lock need to be changed.
Our suggestion:
Although the hasp and staple lock is useful and popular, the favourite locking system for public environments is the coin/token return lock. Almost all of us will have come into contact with a coin return lock – most likely at our local leisure centre or swimming pool. These are an ideal lock for such environments because they require little maintenance by staff/ owners and users can simply put in £1/ €1 and have full use of the lockers themselves. Alternatively, if staff does wish to have more control, instead of using monetary coins, tokens can be purchased and used instead.
• Boutique Style
For low traffic or repeated single user environments a more enhanced lock option is best. Lockers where users might store high value goods or leave things over night it is a good idea to use card activated or combination lockers. There are a few types of combination locks:
– Standard Combination Lock: Simple 3 digit code using turn wheel with a master override key system – Re-programmable Combination Lock: Front facing dial with 10,000 combinations. Not recommended for multi-user applications – Digital Combination Lock: simple to program 40,000 combinations. Batteries last up to 50,000 operations. Single user recommended but multi-user option available
Our suggestion:
Card activated locks are essential in any up market, high security establishment. With a card activated lock all the user has to do is show the card against the matching transponder. No external devices or programming needed. Battery life will last 10,000 closings. Simple.
Click here for visual of lock options.
3. Circulation
Not only is the furniture important in a changing room but so is the layout. It is essential for maximising available space whilst creating a comfortable environment for users. It is recommended that the central circulation path should allow for two people to walk side by side.
Changing rooms for dry areas should be open but not exposed; users who will be changing in there don’t want to be visible to the whole room. If you’re planning on having showers in your locker room it is best to place them central if you can and have designated dry and wet changing areas. Creating pods and nests of lockers can create more privacy whilst saving space.
4. Benches
As previously mentioned, providing a comfortable space for users to change in is essential. By providing seating in the centre or around the room gives people the chance to sit down and get ready leisurely. It also encourages socialising which is important in sports clubs. Our range of changing room benches can be customised via colour and style and are available as island benches or against the wall. Benches with hooks on are popular for gym environments as they free up lockers and offer users somewhere to hang their clothing whilst changing. Free standing benches in the middle of a large space also make the space feel less exposed whilst not over crowding the room. Here at Direct2U we offer full size and junior size changing room furniture ideal for all industries.
5. Lighting
The importance of lighting is often overlooked when designing a functional and practical space. Lighting can change people’s mood and how they view an environment. In dry areas, side lighting is useful as it can reduce the number of shadows – particularly useful for shaving and putting on make up. Lights above lockers and indirect lighting create a focal point for circulation and grouping. If you are creating a wet area changing room please be aware of regulations regarding lighting due to the levels of moisture in the air.
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This is just a selection of key things to think about when designing a changing room. If you are struggling and would benefit from a site visit, let us know and we can visit and advise you of how to make the best of your space. Questions about any of our products and services can be answered via live chat, email or telephone.
