Today’s workplace looks different than it did even a few years ago. Offices are more flexible, employees spend fewer days at assigned desks, and organizations are placing greater emphasis on creating environments that feel welcoming, organized, and efficient. As work patterns shift, storage must shift with them. Lockers have become one of the most practical tools for supporting hybrid schedules, improving organization, and giving employees a secure personal touchpoint within the office.
At McMurray Stern, we help organizations design workplaces that adapt to change. The right locker solution does more than store belongings. It supports workflow, enhances the look of a space, and strengthens the overall experience for the people who use it. Choosing the right system starts with understanding how your workplace operates today and how it may evolve tomorrow.
A Guide to Choosing Lockers That Support Today’s Evolving Workstyles
1. Begin with How Your Teams Use the Office
Every workplace functions differently, which means locker needs vary widely. A hybrid work environment often relies on shared desks and rotating schedules. In these spaces, personal lockers provide employees with a consistent place to store laptops, personal items, or in-progress work, even if their seat changes from day to day.
For collaborative teams, lockers can also become design elements. Islands can double as quick meeting touchpoints. Wall-mounted lockers can guide traffic flow or create visual separation between departments. When planned intentionally, lockers contribute to the rhythm of the workspace rather than feeling like an add-on.
2. Select a Configuration That Supports Your Layout
Locker systems are not one-size-fits-all. A well-designed solution should support the shape, flow, and needs of your specific workplace. McMurray Stern offers a range of modular options, including:
- Locker Islands that combine storage with seating or writable surfaces
- Divider Walls that define zones while keeping the space open and welcoming
- Shared-Use or Exchange Lockers for teams who rotate equipment or shift supplies
- Compact End-Cap Lockers that maximize corners and transitional areas
By mixing and matching configurations, you can create a locker system that feels integrated into the architecture, not simply placed within it.
3. Consider Materials, Durability, and Visual Impact
Because lockers sit in high-traffic areas, they need to be durable. At the same time, they contribute to the visual identity of the workplace. McMurray Stern offers a range of materials that balance longevity and aesthetics.
Laminate finishes provide a polished, modern look with a wide variety of colors and textures. Steel options offer high durability and are ideal for environments where heavy use is expected. Custom finishes make it easy to coordinate lockers with brand colors or interior themes, strengthening the overall design.
4. Choose the Right Locking System for Your Workplace
Locking technology has expanded significantly, giving organizations more control, more convenience, and more flexibility. Depending on your goals, you may want to explore options such as:
- Mechanical locks that offer simplicity and low maintenance
- Battery-powered locks that provide electronic features without wiring
- RFID, keypad, or mobile-access locks that support shared, assigned, or mixed-use environments
Selecting the right locking strategy ensures the system is easy to use, secure, and aligned with the way your teams work.
5. Plan for Growth and Changing Needs
Employees shift, departments expand, and offices get reconfigured over time. Choosing a modular locker system prepares your workplace for these natural changes. McMurray Stern’s solutions are designed for long-term flexibility. Units can be relocated, expanded, or reconfigured with minimal disruption. Interior components can be adjusted as storage needs evolve. Finish panels can be updated to refresh the look without replacing the full system.
Adaptability ensures your investment continues to support the workplace long after the initial installation.
6. Work with Experts Who Understand Both Design and Function
Lockers play a larger role in workplace experience than most people realize. They influence organization, employee comfort, day-to-day workflow, and the overall feeling of the environment. Partnering with experts ensures you select a system that works not only for the space but also for the culture of your organization.
McMurray Stern collaborates with designers, architects, and facility teams to deliver storage systems that feel purposeful, cohesive, and future-ready. Whether your office is expanding, updating, or transitioning to hybrid work, we help you choose lockers that support your evolving goals.
The Right Locker System Creates a More Human, Flexible Workplace
Workplaces will continue to change, but the need for secure, reliable, and adaptable personal storage remains constant. The right locker system enhances daily operations, supports flexibility, and gives employees a dependable space of their own.
When you invest in locker solutions that align with your workplace strategy, you invest in a more organized, more efficient, and more people-centered environment. McMurray Stern is here to help you create a workspace that grows with your team and supports your success for years to come.
