Lockers UK: Types, Materials and Storage Solutions for Workplaces and Schools

Lockers are secure storage units used across the UK in workplaces, schools and commercial environments to store personal belongings, equipment, uniforms and devices. The main types include workplace lockers, school lockers, charging lockers, wet area lockers and outdoor lockers, each suited to different environments and storage needs.

This is the main guide to lockers in the UK. It compares locker types, materials and configurations to help you choose the right system for your environment, whether you need staff storage, student lockers or secure device charging, and it links to more detailed advice on layout, security and selection.

If you already know the environment you are specifying for, you can go straight to our guides on workplace lockers, school lockers, charging lockers, wet area lockers and outdoor lockers.

What types of lockers are available?

The main locker types include workplace lockers for staff storage, school lockers for students, charging lockers for devices, wet area lockers for humid environments and outdoor lockers for exposed locations.

Locker type	Best for	Common environment	Typical use case	Main benefit
Workplace lockers	Staff storage	Offices, factories, warehouses	Personal belongings, uniforms and PPE	Secure daily-use storage
School lockers	Student belongings	Schools, colleges, campuses	Bags, books and coats	Durable high-use storage
Charging lockers	Phones, tablets and laptops	Offices, schools, shared device areas	Secure device charging between uses	Secure powered storage
Wet area lockers	Clothing and personal items	Gyms, pools, leisure centres	Short-term storage in damp areas	Moisture resistance
Outdoor lockers	External storage	Public areas, workplaces, transport sites	Storage in exposed locations	Weather resistance

The right locker type depends on how the space is used, what needs to be stored and the conditions the lockers will operate in. A simple comparison at the start usually makes the rest of the specification easier.

Quick locker selection guide

• If you need secure storage for staff belongings, uniforms or PPE, choose workplace lockers for staff storage.
• If you need durable storage for students and shared education spaces, choose school lockers.
• If you need to store and charge devices at the same time, choose charging lockers where devices must be stored, managed and charged between uses.
• If the environment is humid, wet or regularly washed down, choose wet area lockers or plastic lockers.
• If storage will be installed outside, choose outdoor lockers built for exposed conditions.

Locker types are best compared by use, environment and storage requirement. Workplace lockers suit staff storage, school lockers suit student use, charging lockers support devices, wet area lockers resist moisture and outdoor lockers withstand external conditions.

If you want to compare one category in more detail, start with workplace lockers, school lockers, charging lockers, wet area lockers or outdoor lockers depending on the environment.

This comparison is the primary way to evaluate locker types across UK workplaces, schools and commercial environments.

Quick takeaway: for general personal storage, workplace or school lockers are usually the right starting point. If devices must be charged while stored, move straight to our charging lockers guide.

What are lockers designed to store and protect?

Lockers are used differently depending on the environment and how storage is managed. Across UK workplaces, they are commonly used for staff storage, clean and dirty uniform separation, PPE storage and day-use personal belongings. In schools, they support organised student storage. In leisure settings, they provide short-term secure storage for visitors and members.

Choosing the wrong locker type can reduce usability, waste space and create avoidable maintenance issues, so the intended use should always guide selection.

Different locker types suit different spaces. The best choice depends on what needs to be stored, how often access is needed and whether the environment is dry, wet, internal or external.

If you are unsure which type is right, start with workplace lockers for general storage or move to charging lockers if devices need to be stored and powered at the same time.

• Workplace lockers are used for staff storage in offices, warehouses, factories and commercial premises. They are often chosen for personal belongings, uniforms and PPE.
• School lockers are designed for busy education settings where durability and ease of use matter. They are commonly used for books, bags, coats and day-to-day student items.
• Charging lockers combine secure storage with power for phones, tablets, laptops and other devices. They are best for environments where equipment must be stored safely and kept ready for use.
• Specialist lockers can be configured for uniforms, PPE, tools, laptops, tablets or other specific applications.
• Wet area lockers are suited to leisure centres, swimming pools, showers and changing areas where water resistance is important.
• Outdoor lockers are used where storage must withstand weather exposure and more demanding site conditions.

In environments where devices are used, charging lockers often replace standard lockers to combine storage, power and device management in one system.

Locker materials explained

The locker material affects strength, maintenance requirements, appearance and environmental suitability. The right choice depends on where the locker will be used and how hard it will be worked.

If the environment is wet or humid, plastic lockers are usually the safest long-term option.

Choosing the wrong material can lead to corrosion, wear or increased maintenance over time. In most cases, the environment is the main factor when deciding which locker material to use.

• Steel lockers are widely used in workplaces and schools because they offer strong security, broad configuration choice and good everyday durability. They are often the best option for general internal use.
• Laminate lockers offer a more premium finish and are often chosen where appearance matters more, such as offices, leisure facilities and higher-spec commercial interiors.
• Plastic lockers are corrosion-resistant and especially useful in wet, humid or hygiene-sensitive areas such as pools, gyms and washdown environments.

For most sites, steel lockers suit general use, laminate suits premium interiors and plastic suits wet or humid environments.

Material	Best for	Environment	Main advantage
Steel	General workplace and school use	Dry internal areas	Strength and security
Laminate	Premium commercial settings	Offices, leisure, higher-spec interiors	Appearance and finish
Plastic	Wet and humid areas	Pools, gyms, washdown spaces	Corrosion resistance

If you need a deeper comparison of steel, laminate and plastic options, read our locker materials comparison. For staff environments, our workplace locker systems guide explains where different materials and configurations work best, while our wet area lockers guide explains why plastic and moisture-resistant materials matter in damp locations.

Locker sizes and configurations

If you need to maximise user capacity in limited space, multi-tier lockers are usually the most efficient choice.

Full-height lockers are usually the best choice when clothing or uniforms need to be stored without folding.

Start by deciding whether item size or user capacity is the priority, as this determines the most suitable configuration.

Lockers are available in a wide range of sizes and compartment layouts. The right configuration depends on both the size of the items being stored and the number of users the space needs to support.

Full-height lockers are useful for clothing, uniforms and larger personal items, while multi-door units help increase user capacity in tighter areas. Z lockers can offer a practical balance between hanging space and floor efficiency.

• Single tier lockers suit clothing, uniforms and larger items.
• Two tier lockers balance storage volume and user capacity.
• Four to six tier lockers are useful for smaller personal items in high-density environments.
• Z lockers help combine hanging space with a more compact footprint.

For a closer look at dimensions and configuration choice, read our locker size guide. If hanging space and footprint both matter, see our guide to Z lockers. For wider layout and planning decisions, go to our locker room design guide. If installation and placement are part of the project, see our locker installation regulations guide.

Locker locks and security options

The right lock depends on who uses the locker and how access is managed. Assigned lockers often suit simple keyed or combination systems, while shared-use lockers may benefit from digital or contactless access. Choosing the wrong lock can slow access, create admin problems and reduce usability, so lock type should match the operating model of the site.

Modern locker systems may include digital, RFID or contactless access, especially in shared or managed environments. For a broader overview, refer to our guide to smart locker systems in the UK.

For specification advice, see our best lock options for workplace lockers. If you need replacement keys, lock support or related parts, visit our locker keys page.

The best lock choice usually depends on whether the locker is assigned or shared, how often users change and how much control the site needs over access.

For wider advice on locker security, locking options and replacement parts, you can also read our guides to best lock options for workplace lockers, smart locker systems and replacement locker keys.

• Keyed locks are straightforward and widely used for assigned lockers.
• Combination locks remove the need to issue physical keys.
• Digital keypad locks can suit shared-use and managed environments.
• RFID or contactless locks work well where fast access and central control are priorities.

Where lockers are commonly used

Lockers are used across a wide range of UK environments, and the correct specification depends on how the space is used, what needs to be stored and whether the environment is dry, wet, internal or external.

• Workplaces need lockers for staff belongings, uniforms, PPE and daily-use storage. They improve organisation, support security and help keep shared spaces tidier. Offices, factories and warehouses often need different configurations, so start with our workplace locker systems guide or explore commercial lockers for workplace environments for specification advice.
• Schools and colleges need durable student storage that can handle regular use and changing timetables. The right setup helps reduce clutter and lost items. For a closer look, see our guide to school lockers for secondary schools.
• Gyms and leisure centres often require moisture-resistant lockers for short-term public use. The right locker choice supports quick turnover and user convenience.
• Industrial settings may need more robust locker systems for workwear, tools and separated clean or dirty storage. Correct specification helps protect equipment and support safe working practices.
• Shared device areas may need charging lockers rather than standard storage lockers. For siting advice, read where to install charging lockers.

The right locker choice depends on how the space is used, how damp it becomes, how often access is needed and whether storage is assigned or shared.

How to choose the right locker

Start with the storage requirement, then work outward from there. A good locker choice is usually the result of five simple decisions.

• What needs to be stored? Bags, uniforms, PPE, books, tools and devices all require different internal space.
• How often will the locker be accessed? High-frequency access may influence lock choice and placement.
• Will lockers be assigned or shared? This affects both lock type and administration.
• What is the environment like? Dry, wet, humid and external areas all need different materials.
• How much security is needed? The value and sensitivity of stored items should guide the lock and construction choice.

Accessories, parts and ongoing support

Locker systems often need ongoing support over time, especially in busy workplaces and schools. Replacement keys, number plates, upgraded locks and related parts can extend the working life of the installation and keep storage usable without replacing whole units unnecessarily.

• Replacement locker keys
• Locker number plates and identification tags
• Replacement and upgraded locker locks
• General locker parts and accessories

Locker FAQs

What are lockers used for?

Lockers are used to store personal belongings, equipment, uniforms and devices securely in workplaces, schools and commercial environments. They help organise shared spaces, protect items and provide controlled access for users.

Are lockers secure?

Yes. Lockers can provide strong everyday security when the correct construction and lock type are chosen for the environment and the items being stored.

What lockers are used in schools?

Schools usually use durable student lockers designed for regular daily use, practical access and efficient storage of bags, books and coats.

Do lockers come with locks?

Many lockers can be supplied with a choice of locks, including keyed, combination, digital and contactless options, depending on how the locker system will be used.

What type of locker is best?

The best locker depends on what needs to be stored, how often it is accessed and the environment. Workplace lockers suit staff storage, charging lockers suit devices and plastic lockers are best for wet or humid areas.

What are lockers made from?

Lockers are commonly made from steel, laminate or plastic. Steel lockers are strong and widely used, laminate lockers offer a premium finish and plastic lockers are corrosion-resistant for wet or humid environments.

What lockers are used in workplaces?

Workplaces typically use staff lockers for personal belongings, uniforms and PPE. The right choice depends on the sector, space available and security requirements, with options ranging from simple storage to managed access systems.

What lockers are used in wet areas?

Wet area lockers are usually made from plastic or water-resistant materials and are designed for gyms, pools and changing rooms. They resist moisture, prevent corrosion and perform better in regularly damp environments.

What size lockers do I need?

The right locker size depends on what needs to be stored, how many users the space must support and whether capacity or item size matters more. Full-height lockers suit clothing and uniforms, while multi-tier lockers suit smaller personal items.

• Workplace Lockers UK: Staff Storage, Security, Compliance and Layout Guide
• School Lockers: How to Choose
• What Are Charging Lockers? Complete UK Guide for Workplaces and Schools
• Wet Area Lockers UK Guide
• Outdoor Lockers UK Guide
• Steel vs Laminate vs Plastic Lockers: Which Is Best?
• How to Choose Locker Size
• Locker Room Design UK: Layout, Lockers, Benches and Planning Guide

Find the right lockers for your site

Choosing the right locker system depends on what needs to be stored, how the space is used and the environment the lockers will operate in. Starting with the correct type, material and configuration helps improve usability, reduce long-term maintenance and avoid unnecessary replacement costs.

For staff storage, start with our workplace locker systems guide. For education, go to school lockers. For device charging and secure powered storage, use our charging lockers guide. For damp environments, read our wet area lockers guide. For exposed installations, see our outdoor lockers guide. You can also browse our full locker range for schools, workplaces and commercial environments.