LOCKER DESIGN TRENDS

Designing a new locker room, whether in a brand-new facility or a renovation, is no easy task. The locker room serves so many needs from training, recruiting, gameday, and recovery, the list of features can be overwhelming. These projects can take years, so future-proofing these spaces is of important, especially in regard to technology. With so many options out there it’s difficult to know where to start, so here are some locker room design trends for you to consider in your next redesign.

Technology Integration

Technology is an integral part of everyone’s lives, and incorporating technology into your locker room design shows that you care about your players and want to stand out against the competition. We’re not talking a power outlet and some LED lights, either. We’re talking about bringing players into the future of locker room amenities. Inductive charging allows for players to charge multiple devices without a mess of cords, all wrapped up in a sleek and minimal package. Tablet mounts give players the ability to maximize their time, reviewing film and emails while relaxing. Integrated speakers bring player communication and hype building to a whole new level. Utilizing technology streamlines player routines, making it easier to get to work.

Check out Utah Football’s player concierge center, which includes cup holders, pop-up outlets, and inductive charger.

Ventilation

You know that locker room smell? Well, it’s optional. Wet clothes get thrown into locker drawers and mildew sets in – but what if the drawer dried those clothes instead? No wet clothes equals no mildewy locker room smell. It also means dry gear when you need it. There are two types of locker ventilation – passive and active. Passive ventilation allows for air flow by simply ventilating the drawer face and/or locker body. This allows for air to flow freely in and out of the locker, working to prevent mildew. Active ventilation amps up the drying ability by incorporating fans or directly tying into HVAC systems using a plenum. If mildew is going to be a problem, it may be worth adding HVAC connections to physically suck out the stink.

Utah Softball makes use of passive ventilation, allowing air flow through the lower drawer.

Gameday and Training Combined (when possible)

Training lockers have everything a player needs to prep for gameday, not to mention nearby connections to weight rooms, training rooms, and hydrotherapy. The locker room becomes home to the players, where they spend the bulk of their day. After a full week of training, players then move to the gameday locker room, where they’ve spent very little time and have fewer amenities. Many teams are moving toward combining gameday and training locker rooms when possible. This allows for a cohesive training and gameday experience and adds additional cost savings when two facilities and locker rooms don’t have to be developed and maintained.

Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center combines training and gameday for a cohesive, holistic experience.

Adjustable Feature Lighting

Small changes can dramatically change the mood in a locker room. One way many teams try to influence player energy is through adjustable feature lighting. The ability to adjust brightness and even lighting color to designate between training and gameday modes can help hype players up and get them into the correct mindset. In addition to player excitement, adjustable lighting allows teams to create additional modes for recruiting and even relaxation.

Check out the custom lighting at Penn State Football. Tell me these two modes don't get you hyped.

Doors to Hide Clutter

Lockers hold a LOT. We’re talking equipment, uniforms, street clothes, and bags – not to mention SHOES. Even the largest lockers are going to get filled up. A great way to create a clean, uniform look is with doors. Locker doors ensure that players’ gear isn’t spilling out into common areas and the locker room can be cleaned up faster. The additional surface also allows for more branding and customization. Mixing different door materials and colors can add vibrance to the locker room and give the organization a high-end feel.

Wayne State Basketball features two doors – frosted glass and acrylic solid surface with etched, color-infilled detail. This instantly creates a clean and organized look along with effective branding.

Shoe Storage

If there’s a consistent need in every locker, it’s shoe storage. Athletes and shoes go hand in hand, and with today’s obsessions with the latest and greatest sneaker releases, the need for more shoe storage has never been higher. It’s not uncommon for organizations to request storage space for 8+ pairs of shoes when designing new lockers. Shoes are also a statement piece, so just throwing them in a cubby won’t do. Giving players a way to show off their favorite gameday and personal shoes allows for self expression. Throw in some cool effects and lighting into the design and you have a ‘shoe-in’ for the players’ favorite locker feature.

Penn State Women’s Basketball features dual pull-out, LED-lit shoe storage, allowing for players to neatly store 8 pairs of shoes.

Unique Nameplate Feature

When a player steps into a new locker room for the first time, they naturally look for their nameplate. Player nameplates are a constant reminder of players’ accomplishment – no matter what difficulties the day held, their name is in that locker room and they are on the team. Nameplates can be as simple as the player’s name on a piece of plastic or as complex as a full-length graphic or digital display. Increased emphasis on unique nameplates is another way that organizations look to get ahead of competing teams. Anything an organization can do to put the players at their forefront of design is going to speak volumes to potential recruits.

The nameplates for Utah Football, designed by the University and produced by Bigfoot Grafix, allow for each player’s personality to shine through while maintaining a sleek and well-branded design that fits the locker room aesthetic.

Durability and Cleanability

Locker room redesign is a time-consuming and expensive endeavor, so it’s important to get it right. Creating a space that provides the players and staff with everything they need is top priority. Fabricating lockers out of material that lasts ensures that all the work that went into design won’t need repaired or replaced after a few seasons. Durable materials, like acrylic solid surface, stand up to the daily beatdown that locker rooms receive and continue to look great. Bonus points are awarded when using materials that can be easily cleaned and refinished if need be.

The acrylic solid surface design of the lockers at Pinnacle National Development Center provides a durable and versatile locker that Sporting KC and the US national teams since 2015.

Clean, Modern Look

Today’s locker room is far removed from the locker rooms of old. Basic, utilitarian lockers and shared space has been replaced with amenity-rich communal spaces and feature-packed lockers. Every element is meticulously selected to match the design vision of the architect and team. Sleek, modern design lets the features of the locker room stand out while still adding to the overall design intent. Clean locker body colors, like white, black and gray, mixed with frosted glass doors and sleek hardware let bold branding elements stay at the forefront without a cluttered aesthetic.

Vanderbilt University’s Basketball lockers blend seamlessly into the design vision of the entire facility, utilizing modern design features to ensure that Commodores Basketball is on the cutting edge of recruiting for years to come.

Etching/Direct-Print Branding

Branding is a must when designing an athletic facility, setting the tone from the moment you walk in the door. Graphics and feature walls show that this program is serious and the organization put their money where their mouth is. The locker design is no different. Direct-printed logos, etched wordmarks and design elements brings the design vision full circle into a cohesive aesthetic from start to finish.

Florida State University utilized a combination of a direct-print Seminole logo, paired with an etched arrowhead integrated into the locker body to bring the Seminoles branding to all facets of the locker room design.

Women's Sports to the Forefront

Women's sports are often an afterthought, which is a shame because amazing athletes deserve to be celebrated. Larger men's teams get all the bells and whistles for their locker rooms and we think women's teams should get the same. Every team deserves a locker that represents who they are, with unique nameplates and design features all their own. Women's sports are upping the ante and their spaces reflect that.

New York Liberty's newest lockers take use of modern features like inductive charging and floating acrylic shoe displays while keeping the sleek design of a solid surface build.

Locker room design is one of the major cornerstones in training, recruiting, performance, and recovery. It’s one of the major places where organizations can showcase their efforts to identify player and coaching needs. Make sure that whatever your next locker rooms ends up becoming, It starts by listening to current players and staff and bringing their ideas to the table.