Minimum Space for Lockers UK: What You Actually Need

The minimum space for lockers depends on locker depth, door swing, user movement and whether people need to change, queue or pass behind each other. As a simple starting point, allow the locker depth plus at least 900 mm of clear standing space in front. For busier changing rooms, workplaces or school locker areas, plan for 1200 mm to 1500 mm or more in front of the lockers.

This guide gives a quick, practical way to estimate how much space you need for lockers before you choose a layout. It is designed for early planning, not detailed architectural design.

For a wider room-planning overview, see our locker room spacing guide. For aisle planning, read the locker aisle width guide. For door movement, see the locker door clearance guide.

How much space do I need for lockers?

As a quick rule, you need the locker depth, space for the door to open, and enough clear floor area for users to stand, turn and access their belongings safely.

For a basic single-sided locker run, many layouts need around 1200 mm to 1800 mm total depth from the wall behind the lockers to the opposite obstruction. This usually includes the locker depth plus standing and access space.

Use type	Typical planning allowance in front of lockers	Best for
Minimum access	900 mm	Low-use areas, occasional access, small staff areas
Comfortable access	1200 mm	Most workplace and school locker areas
Busy changing area	1500 mm+	Gyms, pools, factories, shift changes
Two-sided locker aisle	1800 mm+	Opposing lockers, higher traffic, shared changing rooms

These figures are planning allowances. Final spacing should consider your building, user numbers, accessibility needs, fire routes and how the lockers are used during peak times.

Quick calculation for locker space

Use this simple formula for early planning:

Total space needed = locker depth + clear access space

For example, if the locker is 450 mm deep and you allow 1200 mm of clear space in front, the total depth needed is:

450 mm + 1200 mm = 1650 mm

That means you need around 1.65 m from the wall behind the locker to the opposite wall, bench, partition or obstruction.

Common locker depths and space needed

Locker depth has a direct effect on room planning. Deeper lockers give more storage, but they also reduce the clear space available in front.

Locker depth	With 900 mm access	With 1200 mm access	With 1500 mm access
300 mm	1200 mm total	1500 mm total	1800 mm total
380 mm	1280 mm total	1580 mm total	1880 mm total
450 mm	1350 mm total	1650 mm total	1950 mm total
500 mm	1400 mm total	1700 mm total	2000 mm total

For most commercial locker areas, the practical answer is often between 1.5 m and 2 m of total room depth for a single-sided locker run.

Minimum space for a single row of lockers

A single row of lockers placed against a wall is usually the easiest layout to plan. It needs less space than opposing lockers and creates a clear access zone in front.

For light use, a 900 mm clear zone may work. However, 1200 mm is usually more comfortable because users can open doors, stand in front of lockers and move past each other more easily.

• Small staff room: locker depth plus 900 mm to 1200 mm
• School corridor locker area: locker depth plus 1200 mm or more
• Changing room: locker depth plus 1500 mm or more

Minimum space for lockers facing each other

Opposing locker runs need more space because users may open doors on both sides at the same time. People also need to pass through the middle while others are using the lockers.

For two locker runs facing each other, use this early planning formula:

Total width = locker depth + aisle space + locker depth

Example with 450 mm deep lockers on both sides and a 1500 mm aisle:

450 mm + 1500 mm + 450 mm = 2400 mm

This gives a total space requirement of around 2.4 m. In busy changing rooms, more may be needed.

Minimum space when benches are included

Benches change the calculation. A bench is not just furniture; it creates a seated-use zone. People need space to sit, stand, bend, open lockers and move around others.

If benches sit in front of lockers, avoid treating the gap as ordinary walkway space. Seated users can block access, especially during peak times.

Layout	Planning issue	Practical guidance
Bench directly in front of lockers	Can block doors and access	Allow generous clearance around the bench
Island bench between locker runs	Users sit on both sides	Plan for seated space and circulation
Bench on opposite wall	Can reduce walkway width	Check door swing and passing space

For more detail, read our bench spacing and clearance guide.

What affects the minimum space needed?

The right amount of space depends on more than locker size. A small locker area may still need generous clearance if many people use it at the same time.

User numbers

A locker area used by five staff members does not need the same clearance as a changing room used by a full shift, sports class or gym group. Peak-time use matters more than total locker count.

Door swing

Locker doors need room to open without hitting benches, walls, other users or nearby doors. Wider doors and lower-tier lockers often need more practical clearance.

Locker configuration

Single-tier lockers are taller and give larger compartments. Multi-tier lockers fit more users into the same wall length, but they can increase activity in one area.

Wet or dry use

Wet changing rooms often need more generous space because users may carry towels, bags, footwear and wet clothing. Slip risk, drainage and cleaning access also matter.

Circulation routes

Locker access space should not clash with main walkways, entrances, exits, toilets, showers or doorways. A narrow route may work on paper but fail during busy periods.

Entry-level decision guide

Use this quick guide if you are at the early planning stage.

Question	Practical answer
Is the locker area low use?	Start with 900 mm clear space in front
Will people use lockers at the same time?	Plan for at least 1200 mm clear space
Is it a changing room?	Use 1500 mm or more where possible
Are lockers facing each other?	Allow a wider central aisle
Are benches included?	Add seated-use clearance, not just walkway space
Is the area used during shift change?	Design for peak flow, not quiet periods

Common mistakes when estimating locker space

• Only measuring the locker footprint
• Forgetting door swing
• Placing benches too close to locker doors
• Using corridor space as locker access space
• Ignoring peak-time congestion
• Choosing deeper lockers without checking room depth
• Placing lockers too close to entrances or corners

The biggest mistake is treating lockers as static storage. In real use, lockers create movement, queues, open doors, standing space and changing activity.

Worked examples

Small office locker area

A small office wants personal storage lockers for staff bags and coats. The lockers are 450 mm deep and used throughout the day rather than all at once.

Suggested space: 450 mm locker depth + 900 mm to 1200 mm clear space = 1350 mm to 1650 mm total depth.

Workplace shift-change lockers

A factory needs lockers for staff arriving and leaving at similar times. Users may carry workwear, bags and PPE.

Suggested space: 450 mm locker depth + 1500 mm clear space = around 1950 mm total depth.

School locker corridor

A school wants lockers near a circulation route. Pupils may gather around lockers between lessons.

Suggested space: avoid relying on the main corridor as access space. Use generous clearance and avoid pinch points near doors and corners.

How to reduce space problems

If your room is tight, the answer is not always to force in fewer lockers. Sometimes a better configuration can make the space work more effectively.

• Use shallower lockers where storage needs allow
• Choose multi-tier lockers to reduce wall length
• Avoid placing benches directly in front of locker doors
• Split lockers across more than one wall
• Keep entrances and main routes clear
• Use Z lockers where hanging space is needed in a compact footprint
• Plan layouts around peak use, not the empty room

Minimum space is not always the right space

Minimum space can help with early decisions, but it should not be the only target. A locker area that only just fits may become awkward, crowded or unsafe once people start using it.

The best layout gives users enough room to open doors, access belongings, pass others and move through the space without blocking key routes.

For most projects, it is better to plan a slightly more generous locker area than to maximise locker numbers at the cost of comfort and flow.

Summary: what you actually need

For a quick estimate, start with the locker depth and add 900 mm to 1500 mm of clear access space in front. Use 900 mm only for light-use areas. Choose 1200 mm for more comfortable everyday access. Plan for 1500 mm or more in busy changing rooms, workplaces, schools or peak-use environments.

If lockers face each other, include the depth of both locker runs and a wider central aisle. If benches are included, allow extra seated-use clearance rather than treating the bench area as ordinary walkway space.

Good locker planning is not just about fitting units into a room. It is about creating a space that works when people are actually using it.