Locker Up

Is there anything more nostalgic than the decked-out lockers of our school days? Maybe it's time to bring that metal canvas back into your life.

Lockers were invented for pure function but imbued with form over time by reminding us of our school days. (Photo: Apartment Therapy)

Ka chunk.

Brrrraanng.

These made-up words are my attempts to capture the oh-so-familiar sound of a locker opening and closing. Metal grating upon metal. Battered edges and dented shelves. A temperamental combination lock that decides to jam right before your 5th period test. Coy little vents through which you could slip notes to someone you liked. So much living in and around a small box.

These metal baskets aren’t exactly lockers but they give the vibe. Locker furniture is often marketed to kids but grownups like them, too. (Photo: Rehab Vintage LA)

The acquisition of a locker meant that you were finally one of the big kids. Typically by seventh grade you were assigned a book locker and a gym locker. The gym locker was not that fun and usually smelled bad. But the book locker … well, it was kind of like your first apartment in miniature.

I personally never knew anyone who had a locker that looked this good. (Photo: The Container Store)

Apparently school lockers are slowly becoming a thing of the past. They peaked probably in the early 2000s. Then, as heavy books were replaced by internet study and concerns about safety and bullying mounted, lockers were phased out.

So now you’ve got acres of old lockers just waiting to be refurbished or languishing in landfills. It’s a shame because I’ve seen some great examples of restored locker units made into stylish credenzas, side tables, pantry storage and more. We all need as much storage as we can get and that’s what the humble locker was made for in the first place. I’d love to see some of these old workhorses find new homes in our lives.

The Locker Look

The “locker look” provides cubbies and cabinets that are instantly recognizable with mostly positive connotations. They offer a “whiff” of academia without the whiff of dirty gym socks. Lockers feel safe and whimsical, industrial and playful.

Craft rooms are great places for locker units. This six-locker unit was cleaned and painted, and some shelves were added inside. (Photo: A Beautiful Mess)

The hard edges and industrial feeling of lockers are not plusses for some. But when you add glossy paint and maybe a new work surface, something changes. Take a look at the bathroom vanity below, made by cutting an old shoe locker in half and adding a wood top. (There’s a detail shot at the beginning of this post.)

A couple found this set of small lockers in an alley and snapped it up. It makes a really cool-looking bathroom vanity and provides lots of storage. (Photo: Apartment Therapy)

If you’re handy, artistic or both then you’ll appreciate this modified tall locker that we had in the shop a few years ago. I loved it because it was so tall and skinny, making it perfect storage for any cramped corner.

A plain tall locker unit is made into something unique with wood cladding and a few strokes of paint. It makes a great broom cabinet or even a small mudroom coat closet. (Photo: Velvet Chaise)

If DIY isn’t your thing, keep your eyes open for companies who’ve caught on to the locker look. There are a lot of them but pay attention to quality. When you do, you’ll see the price goes up. I saw a few fun pieces at West Elm and lockers.com. This one from Wayfair could be a fun little dry bar.

But still … in my opinion the oldies are the goodies.

A set of French gym lockers c. 1920-1930, stunning in their austerity. These are painted red on the inside and have three hooks. Magnifique! (Photo: S 16 Home)