Locker Placement Guide UK: Where to Position Lockers, Benches and Access Routes

Locker placement is the process of deciding exactly where lockers, benches and access routes should sit within a changing room, workplace or shared storage area. Good placement improves flow, reduces congestion and makes the space easier to use from day one.

This guide explains where to position lockers, how benches should relate to locker runs, and how to keep access routes clear. It supports the wider locker room design guide and sits after layout planning but before detailed spacing and final product selection.

Placement decides where items go. Spacing decides how much clearance sits between them. Sizing decides how much room is needed overall.

What locker placement means

Locker placement means choosing the practical position of lockers, benches and access routes inside a room. It is more specific than layout planning because it looks at the exact location of each main feature.

At this stage, the main question is simple: where should each part of the storage area be positioned?

Where lockers should be placed

Lockers should usually be placed where users can reach them easily without blocking entrances, exits, benches, doors or main walking routes. In many rooms, the best starting point is the longest practical wall.

• Place lockers where users naturally enter and move through the room
• Keep locker doors clear of entrances and exits
• Avoid placing lockers where open doors block main access routes
• Use long walls for main locker runs where possible
• Keep higher-traffic areas simple and easy to understand

If the room has an awkward shape, fixed features or several access points, placement should follow the clearest route through the space rather than simply filling every wall.

Step 1: Start with entrances and exits

Entrances and exits control how people move through the room. Lockers should not create pinch points around these areas. Users should be able to enter, find storage, change or collect belongings, then leave without crossing awkwardly through other users.

For most rooms, the entrance should lead naturally towards the main locker area. If the room connects to showers, toilets, corridors or work areas, those routes should also stay clear.

Step 2: Use walls before central space

Wall placement is usually the simplest and most efficient option. It keeps the centre of the room clearer and makes the layout easier to manage.

Central locker runs can work in larger rooms, but they need enough surrounding access space. In smaller rooms, central placement can quickly make the space feel crowded.

• Use wall runs for small and medium rooms
• Consider perimeter placement where several walls are available
• Use central or island lockers only where circulation space allows
• Avoid splitting lockers into too many small unrelated areas

Step 3: Position benches to support lockers

Benches should support the locker arrangement. They should give users somewhere practical to sit, change or manage belongings without blocking locker doors or walking routes.

In many changing rooms, benches work best parallel to locker runs or positioned between facing locker areas where there is enough clearance. In smaller rooms, wall-mounted or compact bench options may help preserve usable space.

• Place benches close enough to lockers to be useful
• Avoid placing benches directly where locker doors need to open
• Keep benches out of main entrance and exit routes
• Use bench placement to support changing flow, not interrupt it
• Consider changing room benches early in the placement plan

For bench-specific advice, read our guide to choosing changing room benches.

Step 4: Keep main access routes clear

Main access routes are the paths people use to move through the room. These routes should stay clear and easy to understand. Poor placement often creates narrow points where users gather, queue or block each other.

Access routes should connect entrances, locker areas, benches and exits in a logical order. For detailed clearance guidance, read our locker spacing guidelines.

Step 5: Separate wet and dry zones where needed

In leisure centres, gyms, swimming pools and changing rooms, placement should consider wet and dry areas. Lockers should normally be positioned where they are easy to access but protected from unnecessary moisture where possible.

If lockers are placed close to showers, pools or wet routes, choose materials designed for damp or humid areas. Wet area lockers may be more suitable than standard steel lockers in these environments.

Step 6: Avoid hidden or unsupervised corners

Locker placement can affect supervision and security. In schools, leisure centres, workplaces and public areas, lockers should be positioned where use feels clear, visible and controlled.

Hidden corners, awkward alcoves and isolated locker areas can increase misuse, reduce visibility and make the space harder to manage. Where privacy is needed, balance it with safe and practical supervision.

Locker placement by room type

The best locker placement depends on the room and how people use it.

Room type	Best placement approach	Key point
Small changing room	Use the longest practical wall	Keep the centre clear
Medium changing room	Use wall or perimeter runs	Balance capacity with circulation
Large changing room	Use zoned or island layouts where space allows	Keep routes logical and visible
School locker area	Place lockers along clear supervised routes	Avoid congestion near doors
Workplace changing area	Position lockers near staff entry or changing points	Support the working routine
Gym or leisure changing room	Separate wet and dry movement where possible	Choose materials suited to moisture

Common locker placement mistakes

• Placing lockers too close to entrances or exits
• Blocking walkways with open locker doors
• Adding benches where users need to walk
• Using central locker runs in rooms that are too small
• Filling every wall instead of keeping the room usable
• Ignoring wet and dry movement routes
• Creating hidden locker areas that are difficult to supervise
• Choosing placement before checking fixed room features

Most placement problems happen when the room is treated as empty space rather than a user route. The best placement follows how people actually enter, use and leave the room.

Locker placement checklist

• Are entrances and exits clear?
• Do locker doors open without blocking main routes?
• Are benches close enough to lockers to be useful?
• Is there a clear route between lockers, benches and exits?
• Are wet and dry zones separated where needed?
• Are lockers visible enough for supervision?
• Does the placement support the room layout?
• Is there enough space to move safely before detailed spacing is finalised?

Placement vs layout, spacing and capacity

Locker placement should not replace the other planning stages. Each stage answers a different question.

Planning stage	Main question	Related guide
Layout planning	How should the room be arranged?	Locker layout planning
Placement planning	Where should lockers and benches sit?	This guide
Spacing planning	How much clearance is needed?	Locker spacing guidelines
Capacity planning	How many lockers are needed?	How many lockers do you need?
Room sizing	How much overall space is needed?	Locker room sizes and space planning

Locker placement summary

Locker placement decides where lockers, benches and access routes should sit within the room. Good placement starts with entrances and exits, uses walls before central space, keeps main routes clear and positions benches so they support the locker layout.

For the full planning structure, read our locker room design guide. For wider workplace storage planning, see our storage systems guide.

If you already know where lockers need to sit, browse our locker range or contact us for help choosing suitable locker types, sizes and lock options.

What is locker placement?
Locker placement is the process of deciding where lockers, benches and access routes should sit within a room before detailed spacing, capacity or product choices are made.

Locker Placement FAQs

Where should lockers be placed in a changing room?
Lockers are usually placed along the longest or most practical walls to create a clear structure. Placement should follow the natural flow from the entrance and avoid blocking access routes, doors or benches.

Can lockers be placed in the centre of a room?
Central or island locker runs can work in larger rooms where there is enough space for clear access around them. In smaller rooms, central placement can restrict movement and make the space feel crowded.

How close can lockers be to entrances or exits?
Lockers should not be placed too close to entrances or exits, as open doors and user movement can create congestion. Keep these areas clear so people can enter and leave without obstruction.

Where should benches be positioned in relation to lockers?
Benches should be positioned close enough to lockers to be useful, but not so close that they block locker doors or walking routes. In many layouts, benches work best parallel to locker runs or between facing lockers where space allows.

How do access routes affect locker placement?
Access routes define how people move through the room. Locker placement should support these routes by keeping main walkways clear and avoiding narrow or blocked areas.

Should lockers be placed in wet or dry areas?
Lockers are usually placed in dry areas where possible, but they can be used in wet environments if the correct materials are chosen. Plastic or laminate lockers are often better suited to wet or humid conditions.

How do you avoid poor locker placement?
Avoid placing lockers where they block entrances, exits or walkways. Do not add benches as an afterthought, and avoid splitting lockers into small disconnected areas. Placement should follow a clear and logical flow through the room.

What should be checked before finalising locker placement?
Check that entrances and exits are clear, locker doors open without obstruction, benches are positioned logically and access routes are easy to follow. If movement through the room feels restricted, the placement should be adjusted before moving to detailed spacing.

Next steps

• Locker Room Design UK: Layout, Lockers, Benches and Planning Guide
• Locker Layout Planning Guide
• Locker Spacing Guidelines: How Much Space Do You Need?
• How Many Lockers Do You Need?
• View lockers