Locker Knowledge Centre
Choosing the right locker isn't always straightforward. With so many sizes, materials, lock options and specialist designs available, it's important to understand which solution is right for your workplace.
Our Locker Knowledge Centre answers the questions we're asked every day, helping you choose the best locker for your environment, staff and budget.
Explore our complete range of workplace lockers, designed to provide secure, durable storage solutions for offices, schools, warehouses, healthcare facilities and commercial environments across the UK.
How to Choose the Right Locker
Selecting the right locker is an important investment that can improve security, organisation and efficiency within your workplace. With so many styles, sizes and locking options available, choosing the most suitable locker depends on how it will be used, who will use it and the environment in which it will be installed.
The first consideration is what will be stored inside the locker. Employees may only need space for personal belongings such as coats, bags and valuables, whereas warehouse staff may require larger lockers to accommodate PPE, safety boots, helmets and work clothing. Schools often need lockers that can store books, laptops and PE equipment, while healthcare facilities may require specialist clean and dirty lockers to separate clean uniforms from used clothing.
Next, consider the size and configuration of the locker. Single-door lockers provide maximum storage capacity for each user and are ideal for storing uniforms or larger items. Multi-door lockers offer individual compartments within the same footprint, making them a space-efficient solution where storage requirements are smaller. Measuring the available floor space before purchasing will help ensure the lockers fit comfortably while maintaining safe access routes.
The locking mechanism is another important decision. Traditional cam locks provide a simple and reliable security solution, while hasp and staple locks allow users to fit their own padlocks. Digital combination locks eliminate the need for keys, making them ideal for offices and shared workplaces. Coin return and coin retain locks are popular in leisure centres and gyms, while RFID and electronic locking systems offer enhanced convenience for larger organisations.
You should also think about the environment in which the lockers will be used. Powder-coated steel lockers are highly durable and suitable for most indoor workplaces, schools and commercial environments. In healthcare and food production, lockers with antibacterial coatings can help support improved hygiene standards. If lockers are installed in damp or changing room environments, selecting suitable materials and ventilation features can improve longevity and user comfort.
Appearance is another factor that is often overlooked. Modern lockers are available in a wide variety of colours, allowing organisations to match company branding, departmental colour coding or school house colours. Choosing the right colour scheme can enhance the appearance of changing rooms, offices and educational facilities while making lockers easier to identify.
Finally, consider future growth. Purchasing lockers that can be extended or matched with additional units later provides greater flexibility as your organisation expands. Investing in high-quality steel lockers from a trusted manufacturer also helps reduce maintenance costs and ensures years of reliable service.
At Storage First, we supply a comprehensive range of premium steel lockers designed to meet the needs of businesses, schools, healthcare providers, warehouses and public sector organisations across the UK. Whether you require a single office locker or a complete locker installation, our experienced team can help you choose the ideal solution to maximise security, organisation and value for money.
What Types of Lockers Are Available?
There are many locker types designed for specific applications:
Standard Lockers
Suitable for storing personal belongings, bags, coats, and equipment.
Office Lockers
Designed for modern workplaces and hybrid working environments where employees may not have assigned desks.
Uniform Lockers
Feature hanging rails, hooks, and shelving for storing uniforms, PPE, and workwear.
Charging Lockers
Allow phones, laptops, tablets, radios, and other devices to be securely stored while charging.
School Lockers
Provide secure storage for books, bags, and personal belongings.
Clean & Dirty Lockers
Used in healthcare, manufacturing, and industrial settings to separate clean garments from contaminated clothing.
What Size Locker Do I Need?
Small Lockers
Ideal for:
- Mobile phones
- Wallets
- Keys
- Small personal items
Medium Lockers
Ideal for:
- Bags
- Laptops
- Documents
- PPE
Full Height Lockers
Ideal for:
- Coats
- Uniforms
- Workwear
- Sports equipment
When selecting lockers, consider both current requirements and future growth.
What Locking Options Are Available?
Most lockers are available with a variety of locking systems:
Cam Locks
Traditional key-operated locks supplied with keys.
Hasp & Staple Locks
Allow users to provide their own padlock.
Combination Locks
No keys required.
Digital Locks
Suitable for shared-use environments.
RFID Locks
Access controlled using cards or fobs.
The best option depends on security requirements and how frequently lockers are used.
Are Lockers Suitable for Hybrid Working?
Yes.
Many modern offices use lockers to support flexible working practices. Employees can securely store personal belongings when working from the office while using hot desks or shared workspaces.
Benefits include:
- Reduced desk clutter
- Improved workspace utilisation
- Enhanced security
- Better employee experience
How Many Lockers Does My Business Need?
This depends on:
- Number of employees
- Shift patterns
- Visitor requirements
- Hybrid working arrangements
In traditional workplaces, one locker per employee is common. However, organisations with hybrid working often require fewer lockers as employees share facilities across different days.
Can steel lockers improve workplace organisation?
Yes. Steel lockers provide employees with a secure place to store personal belongings, uniforms, tools and equipment, helping to reduce clutter in work areas. A well-organised workplace not only looks more professional but can also improve productivity, reduce trip hazards and support better health and safety practices.
What is the difference between nested lockers and standard lockers?
Nested lockers share a common side panel between adjoining units, making them a cost-effective option for maximising storage within a limited space. Standard lockers have individual side panels and are often preferred where units may need to be relocated or used independently. The best option depends on your available space and future flexibility requirements.
Can lockers be customised with numbering, name plates or labels?
Yes. Most steel lockers can be customised with door numbering, name card holders, engraved labels or vinyl identification stickers. This makes it easier to allocate lockers to employees, students or visitors and helps improve organisation in busy workplaces, schools and leisure facilities.
Are steel lockers environmentally friendly?
Many modern steel lockers are manufactured using a high percentage of recycled steel and are fully recyclable at the end of their service life.
Their long lifespan also reduces waste by eliminating the need for frequent replacement, making them a sustainable storage solution for organisations looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Can lockers be installed in changing rooms and humid environments?
Yes. Powder-coated steel lockers are suitable for most changing rooms, staff areas and indoor environments.
For locations with high humidity, such as swimming pools or leisure centres, specialist lockers designed for wet areas may provide additional protection against corrosion and moisture.
What accessories are available for steel lockers?
Steel lockers can be supplied with a wide range of accessories including sloping tops, stands, seat stands, locker benches, compartment shelves, hooks, coat rails, door number plates and master key systems.
These accessories allow businesses to tailor lockers to suit specific workplace requirements and improve both usability and appearance.
How should steel lockers be cleaned and maintained?
Steel lockers require very little maintenance. Regular cleaning with a soft cloth and a mild, non-abrasive cleaning solution is usually sufficient to keep them looking their best.
Periodically checking hinges, locks and fixings will help ensure the lockers continue to operate smoothly and provide many years of reliable service.
Are steel lockers a good long-term investment?
Absolutely. High-quality steel lockers are designed for daily use in demanding environments and can provide decades of reliable service with minimal maintenance.
Their durability, security and low running costs make them a cost-effective investment for schools, businesses, healthcare facilities and industrial workplaces.
Can lockers support workplace security and compliance?
Yes. Providing secure personal storage helps businesses protect employees' belongings while supporting good housekeeping and workplace organisation.
In many industries, lockers also assist with separating personal items from work equipment or protective clothing, helping organisations meet their health, safety and hygiene procedures.
Why Choose Storage First for Lockers?
Selecting the right locker solution is essential for creating secure, organised and efficient workplaces. At Storage First Ltd, we supply high-quality steel lockers designed to meet the needs of businesses, schools, healthcare providers and public sector organisations across the UK.
✔ Quality Locker Solutions
We supply durable steel lockers manufactured to a high standard, providing secure storage for personal belongings, uniforms, equipment and valuable items in a wide range of working environments.
✔ Enhance Workplace Organisation
Our lockers help reduce clutter, improve housekeeping and provide employees, students and visitors with a dedicated place to securely store personal possessions, contributing to a more organised and productive environment.
✔ Suitable for Multiple Industries
Our locker range is ideal for schools, colleges, universities, offices, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, healthcare environments, leisure centres, retail businesses and many other commercial settings.
✔ Built to Last
Manufactured from robust steel and finished with a durable powder coating, our lockers are designed to withstand everyday use in busy workplaces while maintaining their appearance and performance for many years.
✔ Expert Advice
Choosing the right locker depends on your available space, security requirements, storage capacity and intended application. Our experienced team is on hand to help you select the most suitable locker solution for your organisation.
✔ Competitive Pricing
We work with leading UK manufacturers to offer high-quality lockers at competitive prices, providing excellent value without compromising on quality, security or durability.
✔ UK Delivery
Storage First supplies lockers throughout the UK, offering reliable nationwide delivery to businesses, schools, healthcare providers and public sector organisations.
✔ Trusted Storage Expertise
With extensive experience in workplace storage solutions, shelving, safety storage and industrial equipment, Storage First provides practical, reliable products backed by knowledgeable customer support and excellent service.
Need Help Choosing the Right Lockers?
Whether you need staff lockers, school lockers, office lockers, changing room lockers or secure storage for industrial environments, Storage First Ltd can help you find the ideal solution. Contact our friendly team for expert advice and discover a range of high-quality lockers designed to keep your workplace organised, secure and efficient.
Are Steel Lockers Better Than Plastic Lockers?
Both have advantages.
Steel Lockers
- Strong and durable
- Cost effective
- Available in many configurations
- Suitable for most workplaces
Plastic Lockers
- Water resistant
- Corrosion resistant
- Suitable for wet environments
For most commercial, educational, and industrial applications, steel lockers remain the preferred option.
What Industries Use Lockers?
Lockers are widely used across:
Offices
Personal storage and hybrid working.
Warehouses
Storage of PPE, personal belongings, and equipment.
Healthcare
Uniform storage and infection control.
Emergency Services
Storage of uniforms, radios, and specialist equipment.
Education
Secure student and staff storage.
Manufacturing
Personal storage and PPE management.
What Are Clean & Dirty Lockers?
Clean & Dirty Lockers feature separate compartments for clean clothing and used workwear.
They are commonly used in:
- Healthcare environments
- Laboratories
- Food production facilities
- Manufacturing sites
These lockers help maintain hygiene standards and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
What Are Charging Lockers?
Charging lockers provide secure storage while simultaneously charging devices.
Typical applications include:
- Mobile phones
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Radios
- Body cameras
- Handheld scanners
Charging lockers help reduce cable clutter and ensure devices remain secure while charging.
How Long Do Lockers Last?
A quality steel locker system can provide many years of reliable service when correctly installed and maintained.
Factors affecting lifespan include:
- Environment
- Usage levels
- Lock type
- Cleaning and maintenance procedures
Many premium locker manufacturers offer warranties.
Storage First Lockers provide a 7 Year Warranty
How Do I Choose the Right Locker?
When selecting lockers, consider:
✓ What needs to be stored
✓ Available space
✓ Security requirements
✓ User numbers
✓ Hygiene requirements
✓ Charging requirements
✓ Future growth plans
The best solution balances security, functionality, durability, and available budget.
Need help choosing the right lockers?
Every workplace has different storage requirements. If you're unsure which locker is best for your environment, we're happy to help.
You may also find these guides useful:
Why Choose Storage First?
Choosing the right locker supplier is just as important as choosing the right locker. At Storage First Ltd, we pride ourselves on supplying high-quality workplace lockers that combine durability, security and exceptional value. Whether you're equipping a school, office, warehouse, healthcare facility or commercial workplace, we offer expert advice and reliable products to help you make the right choice.
✔ Quality Products
We supply premium steel lockers manufactured to the highest standards, designed to withstand daily use in demanding commercial and educational environments.
✔ Wide Choice
From staff lockers and school lockers to PPE lockers, charging lockers and specialist fire suppression lockers, our extensive product range ensures there's a solution for every workplace.
✔ Trusted UK Manufacturers
We work with leading UK manufacturers, including Probe, to deliver lockers renowned for their quality, durability and long service life.
✔ Secure Storage Solutions
Choose from a wide range of locking options, colours, sizes and compartment configurations to create a locker solution tailored to your organisation's requirements.
✔ Expert Advice
Not sure which locker is right for your business? Our knowledgeable team can help you select the most suitable products based on your available space, budget and storage requirements.
✔ Competitive Pricing
We offer competitive prices without compromising on quality, helping businesses, schools and public sector organisations maximise value for money.
✔ UK-Wide Delivery
We supply and deliver lockers across the UK, ensuring your order arrives safely and efficiently wherever your business is located.
✔ Excellent Customer Service
From your initial enquiry through to delivery, we're committed to providing friendly, professional service and expert support every step of the way.
Written by Storage First Ltd
Our team has over 15 years' experience designing and supplying storage solutions for warehouses, offices, schools, healthcare providers and commercial organisations throughout the UK.