Locker Room Planning: 7-Step Guide | Design, Budget & Installation

Planning a locker room renovation or installation can feel overwhelming. Locker room design and planning need a clear process. After working with hundreds of clubs and university sport over 30+ years, we’ve developed a proven 7-step process that ensures success. Whether you’re renovating an existing locker room or building from scratch, this guide will walk you through every step—with Australia and New Zealand in mind.

Introduction: Planning Your Locker Room Project

Getting the right lockers for your locker room starts with clear planning. The 7 steps below help you assess needs, set a budget, choose the right locker tier, design the layout, compare options, plan installation, and complete the project with confidence. We’ve used this process with AFL clubs, rugby clubs, university locker rooms, and community sides across Australia and New Zealand.

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

Before you start planning, you need to understand what you actually need.

Determine Capacity

• How many athletes need lockers?
• Do you need separate spaces for different teams or sports?
• Will capacity grow in the next 5–10 years?

Sport-Specific Requirements

Different sports have different equipment needs. In Australia and New Zealand, common profiles include:

• AFL: Guernseys, boots, mouthguards, strapping, personal items
• Rugby (union and league): Rugby Australia and NRL teams need jerseys, shorts, boots, padding, kit bags
• Netball: Dresses, shoes, personal items
• Cricket: Whites, pads, bats, helmets, kit bags
• Hockey: Skates, sticks, pads, equipment bags (see our hockey lockers guide)
• Soccer: Jerseys, boots, shin guards, personal items

Space Assessment

Measure your available space and consider:

• Room dimensions
• Ceiling height
• Door and window locations
• Ventilation requirements

Step 2: Set Your Budget

Budget planning is critical. Consider the following.

Initial Costs

• Locker units (our prices range from $469–$797 AUD per locker)
• Installation costs
• Customisation (logos, colours, names)
• Additional accessories (e.g. stick racks, corner units)

Hidden Costs

Don’t forget to budget for:

• Removal of old lockers (if renovating)
• Electrical work (if needed)
• Flooring updates
• Lighting improvements

Long-Term Costs

Remember to consider total cost of ownership. Wood lockers may cost more upfront but typically save money over 15 years compared with metal, which often needs full replacement after 10–12 years. For more detail, see our wood vs metal sports lockers comparison.

Step 3: Choose Your Locker Tier

We offer tiers to fit different budgets and needs:

• Semi Pro ($469 AUD): Best value, professional quality
• Varsity ($597 AUD): Most popular, enhanced features
• Pro ($729 AUD): Professional grade, maximum customisation
• Stadium / Elite / Legendary ($797 AUD): Premium design, elite features, championship calibre

All tiers include 3/4” birch construction and a 5 year warranty. Compare all tiers here.

Step 4: Design Your Locker Room Layout

Our free custom design consultation helps you create the perfect layout for your sports locker room.

Layout Considerations

• Traffic flow patterns
• Accessibility requirements (e.g. AS 1428 in Australia, NZS 4121 in New Zealand, or your local building and accessibility guidance)
• Team or sport separation needs
• Coach or staff visibility

Customisation Options

Work with our team to customise:

• Team colours and branding
• Player names and numbers
• Logo placement
• Sport-specific configurations (e.g. hanging for guernseys, ventilated boot storage)

Step 5: Get Quotes and Compare

Once you have a design, get quotes and compare:

• Total cost (not just unit price)
• Installation timeline
• Warranty and guarantee terms
• Customisation capabilities
• Long-term support and replacement parts

Step 6: Plan the Installation

Proper installation planning prevents delays and problems. For a detailed run-through of timelines, preparation, and what to expect on site, see our locker room installation guide.

Timeline Planning

• Schedule during off-season when possible
• Allow time for custom manufacturing (typically 6–8 weeks)
• Plan for installation duration (typically 2–3 weeks after shipping)
• Build in buffer time for unexpected issues

Preparation

Before installation begins:

• Clear the space completely
• Remove old lockers (if applicable)
• Ensure access routes are clear
• Coordinate with other contractors if needed

Step 7: Installation and Follow-Up

The final step ensures everything works perfectly.

During Installation

• Be available for questions
• Inspect work as it progresses
• Address any concerns immediately
• Test all locks and mechanisms

After Installation

• Complete final walkthrough
• Get maintenance instructions
• Understand warranty coverage
• Know who to contact for support and replacement parts

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After 30+ years, we’ve seen these mistakes repeatedly:

• Underestimating space needs: Plan for growth.
• Focusing only on price: Consider total cost of ownership.
• Skipping the design phase: Free consultations save money and prevent costly errors.
• Poor timeline planning: Allow adequate time for design, manufacturing, and installation.
• Ignoring maintenance: Plan for ongoing care and know how to access replacement parts.

Conclusion: Your Path to Success

Following these 7 steps will help your locker room project succeed. The key is taking time in the planning phase—it saves time and money later. Our free custom design consultation is available to help you through every step. We’ve done this hundreds of times with clubs and university sport across Australia and New Zealand, and we’re here to make your project successful.