Choosing office lockers is not just about finding enough space to fit them. You also need to think about how many people will use them, what they need to store and how your workplace operates day to day.
Order too few, and staff may struggle to find somewhere for their belongings. Order more than you need, and you could end up paying for storage that rarely gets used. A little planning beforehand can help you get the balance right.
Start with Your Number of Employees
The easiest place to start is with your current headcount. If every employee works in the office five days a week and needs somewhere to keep their coat, bag and personal belongings, providing one locker per person is a sensible starting point.
For example, a business with 30 employees who all attend the office daily might need around 30 personal lockers.
However, staff numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. If your business operates shifts, uses hot-desking or has a hybrid working policy, you may not need one locker for every employee.
Consider How Your Team Uses the Office
Hybrid working has changed the way many businesses use their office space. Employees might only come in two or three days a week, and desks may be shared between different members of the team.
In this situation, office lockers can provide secure personal storage without requiring a permanent desk for everyone.
Think about how many people are likely to be in the building at the same time. If 40 employees share an office but no more than 25 usually attend on a typical day, you could start by planning for 25 lockers, then allow extra capacity for busier days and future growth.
It’s worth checking actual attendance patterns before making a decision. The aim is to provide enough lockers for normal use, with some flexibility when more people come in.
What Do Employees Need to Store?
The type of items being stored will affect both the number and size of lockers you need.
If employees only need somewhere for a handbag, coat or small personal belongings, compact compartments may be enough. However, staff who bring laptops, larger bags, gym kits or spare clothing may need more room.
Consider the following before choosing a configuration:
- Coats and bags: Taller lockers can be useful for bulky belongings and outerwear.
- Laptops and work equipment: Check the compartment dimensions carefully, particularly if staff carry laptop bags or additional equipment.
- Small personal items: Multi-compartment lockers can provide convenient storage for phones, wallets and keys.
- Devices that need charging: Dedicated charging lockers may be more suitable if employees regularly use shared laptops or tablets.
The important thing is to choose lockers that suit their intended use. A unit with plenty of small compartments might make efficient use of space, but it won’t necessarily work for staff who need to store larger items.
Make the Most of Your Available Space
Once you have an estimate of how many lockers you need, look at where they will go.
Measure the available wall space and consider how lockers will fit around doors, walkways, desks and other office furniture. Remember to leave enough room for employees to open locker doors and access their belongings comfortably.
The number of compartments in each unit can make a big difference. For example, 24 lockers could be supplied as 24 individual compartments, or across several units with multiple doors. The right arrangement depends on the space available and the size of the compartments required.
Probe Lockers offers different locker configurations, helping businesses choose a setup that works with their office layout and staff requirements. You can explore the office lockers range to compare suitable options.
Don’t Forget Security and Ease of Use
The number of lockers is only part of the decision. You should also consider how employees will access them.
Key locks can work well when lockers are permanently assigned to individuals. Combination locks avoid the need to manage as many physical keys, while digital locking options may suit larger workplaces with more complex access requirements.
Think about who will manage the lockers, too. If employees use the same locker every day, a straightforward individual allocation system may be sufficient. If lockers are shared between different staff members, you may need a clear process for access and availability.
Leave Room for Future Growth
Your office may not have the same staffing levels in a year’s time. If you expect to recruit more employees or introduce more office-based working days, it makes sense to consider this when planning your storage.
You don’t necessarily need to install every locker you might eventually require. However, choosing a layout that can accommodate additional units later could save time and disruption.
It’s also worth considering whether a small amount of spare capacity would help during busy periods, when visitors or employees from other sites may need somewhere to store their belongings.
Finding the Right Number of Office Lockers
There isn’t one fixed rule for how many office lockers a business needs. The best starting point is to consider your busiest attendance days, what employees need to store and how much space you have available.
For some workplaces, one locker per employee will be the simplest option. For others, particularly those with hybrid working arrangements, a smaller shared provision may be more practical.
By taking the time to assess these factors, you can choose office lockers that make everyday working life easier without taking up more space or budget than necessary.
If you’re planning a new installation or updating your existing staff storage, Probe Lockers can help you explore the available options and find a configuration to suit your workplace. Get in touch with our team today.
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