School Lockers Buying Guide

How to Choose the Best School Lockers for Classrooms, Early Learning Spaces,Schools and Facilities

School lockers help keep classrooms, hallways, and shared spaces organized, secure and free of clutter by providing a dedicated space for storing personal belongings. From early childhood and preschool environments to elementary schools, middle and highschools, as well as administrative offices and athletic departments, lockers play an important role in supporting daily routines and maintaining clean, functional spaces.

Today's Classroom offers a variety of school lockers designed specifically for educational environments. This guide will help you compare locker sizes, configurations, storage options, and materials to find the best solution for your space.

What to Consider When Buying School Lockers

Choosing the right lockers starts with understaning who will be using them and how the storage will be used. Today's Classroom offers both Early Childhood Lockers & Cubbies designed for younder learners, and School Lockers designed for middle school, high school, athletic facilities & more!

Before selecting lockers, consider:

Student age and size
Available floor space
Storage needs
Open vs. enclosed storage
Cubby and storage bin requirements
Material preferences
Long-term durability

Choosing the Right Locker Size

The ideal locker size depends on the age of the users and the items being stored. Consider the height, depth, and storage capacity needed for backpacks, coats, books, lunch boxes, athletic gear, and personal belongings.

Preschool & Early Childhood
Lockers for younger children are typically lower in height and designed for easy access. Many include coat hooks, cubbies, storage bins, and benches to encourage independence and organization.

Elementary School Students
Elementary lockers provide additional storage space for larger backpacks, coats, and school supplies while remaining easily accessible for younger students. Open lockers and cubby-style units are popular choices for classrooms and hallways.

Middle School, High School & Adult Use
Older students and adults often require larger lockers to accommodate textbooks, laptops, athletic gear, instruments, uniforms, and personal belongings. Full-height lockers, double-tier lockers, cubby lockers and ventilated storage lockers are common options for schools, staff areas, and athletic facilities.

Locker Configurations

The number of locker openings you need will depend on class size, available space, and whether students will have individual or shared storage.

Individual Student Lockers

Providing each student with their own locker helps promote organization, responsibility, and classroom management. Individual lockers also make it easier for students to keep track of personal belongings throughout the school day.

Shared Lockers

Shared lockers can be a practical solution when space is limited or storage needs are minimal. These configurations work well in classrooms where students only need temporary storage throughout the day.

Common Early Childhood Locker Configurations

Early childhood lockers are available in a variety of layouts, including: Rainbow Accents 5 Section Coat Locker with Step - Jonti-Craft 0468JCWW

When planning your storage needs, consider future enrollment growth and additional classroom storage requirements.

Early Childhood Locker Types

Lockers with Storage Tubs

Many early childhood classroom lockers are available with optional storage tubs or bins that help keep supplies organized and easy to access. Toddler 5 Section Coat Locker with Step - Jonti-Craft

Storage tubs provide designated spaces for:

School supplies
Art materials
Extra clothing
Personal belongings
Classroom projects

Benefits include:

Reduced clutter
Better organization
Easy identification of student belongings
Color-coded storage options

Many lockers can be purchased with clear or colored tubs, and additional bins can often be added later as needed.

Open Lockers

Open lockers provide quick and easy access to student belongings while allowing teachers to easily monitor storage areas. They are especially popular in preschool, daycare, and elementary classrooms where visibility and accessibility are important.

Lockers with Doors

Lockers with doors provide a cleaner appearance while offering additional privacy and security for student belongings. They help reduce visual clutter and create a more organized storage area.

Stackable Lockers

Stackable lockers provide a flexible storage solution that can grow with your classroom needs. These units can be stacked vertically to maximize storage capacity while minimizing floor space.

Corner Lockers

Corner lockers are designed to utilize often-overlooked corner space, helping maximize storage without increasing the room's footprint. They create a seamless storage layout while maintaining easy access to student belongings.

Wall-Mounted Cubbies

Wall-mounted cubbies keep coats, backpacks, and classroom supplies organized while preserving valuable floor space. They are an excellent choice for smaller classrooms, hallways, and early childhood environments.

Mobile Lockers

Mobile lockers feature locking casters that allow storage units to be moved as classroom needs change. They are ideal for flexible learning spaces, shared classrooms, and environments that require frequent reconfiguration.

Early Childhood Locker Features & Accessories

Many school lockers include features designed to improve organization and convenience.

Coat Hooks

Built-in coat hooks help keep jackets, backpacks, and other personal items organized and off the floor.

Storage Cubbies

Some lockers include cubby compartments for storing bins, shoes, art supplies, or classroom materials.

Bench Seating

Select locker units feature integrated bench seating, providing students with a convenient place to sit while changing shoes, organizing belongings, or preparing for outdoor activities.

Early Childhood Locker Materials

School lockers are available in several durable materials designed for educational environments.

Birch Plywood Lockers

Birch plywood lockers offer a warm, natural appearance while providing excellent durability.

Benefits include:

Attractive wood finish
Long-lasting performance
Smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces
Ideal for early childhood classrooms

Thermofused Laminate Lockers

Thermofused laminate lockers provide a durable surface available in a variety of classroom-friendly colors.

Benefits include:

Scratch-resistant finish
Easy maintenance
Colorful design options
Durable construction for everyday use

Both birch plywood and thermofused laminate lockers are designed to withstand years of daily classroom use.

Lockers for Middle Shool, High School, & Athletic Facilities

Steel Lockers

Steel lockers are the most popular choice for schools due to their durability, security, and ability to withstand heavy daily use. They are available in a variety of sizes, colors, and configurations.

Wood Lockers

Wood lockers offer a warmer, more furniture-like appearance and are commonly used in early childhood classrooms, elementary schools, and administrative areas. Many feature cubbies, hooks, and open storage compartments.

Ventilated & Perforated Lockers

Ventilated and perforated lockers feature louvered or perforated doors that promote airflow and help reduce moisture and odors. They are commonly used in athletic facilities, locker rooms, and high-traffic school environments.

See-Through Lockers

See-through lockers use heavy-duty acrylic door inserts to increase visibility and supervision while maintaining secure storage. These lockers are ideal for schools that prioritize safety and security.

Open Cubby Lockers

Open Cubby Lockers provide convenient, easy-access storage without doors, making them ideal for classrooms, staff rooms, athletic facilities, and shared spaces. Their open design allows users to quickly store and retreive personal belongings while maintaining visibility and organization. Available in single wide or double wide.

Lockers with Legs

Raised lockers provide easier access for cleaning underneath and improve airflow around the unit. They are often used in locker rooms and environments where moisture may be present.

Lockers without Legs

Floor-mounted lockers offer a streamlined appearance and maximize available storage space. They are commonly found in school hallways, classrooms, and administrative areas.

Finding the Right School Lockers

The best school lockers combine organization, durability, and age-appropriate design. Whether you're furnishing a preschool, daycare, childcare center, elementary to high school classroom, administrative space, or athletic department, selecting the right locker style helps create a more organized, efficient learning environment.

Need help selecting the best school lockers for your classroom? Contact Today's Classroom for expert recommendations and personalized assistance.