The right lockers can make everyday storage easier, more organized, and more secure.
From schools and offices to testing centers, recreation facilities, and employee breakrooms, organizations need dependable places to store personal belongings.
But not every space needs the same type of locker. Some facilities need small compartments for phones and keys, while others require accessible storage for young children or durable lockers that can handle moisture and heavy daily use.
If you're comparing commercial lockers, start by considering who will use them, what they'll store, and where they'll be installed. Here are three locker solutions worth exploring.
1. Cell Phone and Tablet Lockers for Secure Storage
Not every storage need calls for a full-size locker. Testing centers, offices, classrooms, and shared workspaces often need secure compartments for smaller personal items.
Cell phone and tablet lockers provide designated storage for devices, keys, wallets, and other small belongings. They can be especially useful in testing environments where personal electronics must be stored during an exam.
For example, Hallowell's Cell Phone & Tablet Lockers offer individual locking compartments with padlock, key lock, and digital lock options. Available configurations can be stacked or wall-mounted to accommodate different spaces.
Before ordering, consider how many users need access at once and whether compartments will be assigned permanently or used temporarily.
2. Early Childhood Lockers for Everyday Organization
In preschools, daycares, and early elementary classrooms, lockers serve a different purpose. Children need easy-to-reach spaces for storing backpacks, coats, lunchboxes, and school supplies.
Appropriately sized early childhood lockers help young students recognize their own storage spaces and practice putting belongings away independently.
Options range from open coat lockers and cubbies to models with doors for enclosed storage. Jonti-Craft's Rainbow Accents Stackable Lockers are one example of child-sized storage available through Worthington Direct.
When selecting preschool lockers, consider compartment height, visibility, available wall space, and whether children will need help accessing their belongings.
3. Phenolic Lockers for Busy and Moisture-Prone Spaces
Facilities with frequent locker use or exposure to humidity need storage materials that are suited to those conditions.
Phenolic lockers are constructed with dense, moisture-resistant panels that offer a durable option for locker rooms, recreation centers, athletic facilities, and other shared spaces.
Their nonporous surfaces are designed to resist moisture, scratches, and graffiti, making them easier to maintain in demanding environments. Regular cleaning and ventilation are still important.
The Hallowell VersaMax Phenolic Locker collection includes several compartment configurations, from single-tier lockers to space-saving six-tier models.
Consider compartment size carefully. A six-tier locker may be appropriate for smaller personal items, while full-height or double-tier lockers provide more room for clothing and bags.
What Should You Consider Before Buying Lockers?
Beyond choosing a locker material, a few practical details can help narrow your search:
- Compartment size: Will users store phones and keys, backpacks, uniforms, or larger equipment?
- Number of users: Determine how many individual compartments are needed, including room for future growth.
- Lock options: Compare padlock-ready, keyed, combination, and electronic options where available.
- Location and environment: Consider moisture exposure, ventilation, daily traffic, and cleaning requirements.
- Installation: Review locker dimensions, assembly requirements, anchoring, and available floor or wall space.
For traditional hallways, employee changing areas, and other general storage needs, steel lockers may also be worth comparing with specialty materials and configurations.
Still deciding which locker style is right for your space? Explore our Lockers Buying Guide for additional information to help compare locker options and choose a solution that fits your organization's needs.
Find the Right Locker for Your Space
The best locker for your organization depends on what needs to be stored, who will use it, and the environment where it will be installed.
Whether you're outfitting a testing center, preschool classroom, school hallway, or employee locker room, choosing the right material, compartment size, and configuration can make storage more practical for everyone.
Explore Worthington Direct's full selection of lockers and storage solutions, or contact our team for help comparing options and planning larger orders.
Editor's Note: Originally published October 5, 2018. Updated October 30, 2026, with refreshed locker recommendations, practical buying considerations, and links to current storage options for schools and organizations.
