School districts across the country are rethinking one of the most overlooked spaces in their buildings: the restroom.
While traditional boys’ and girls’ restrooms have been the standard for decades, many new schools and renovation projects are now incorporating universal restroom layouts. These designs prioritize student privacy, improve supervision, and help create a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone.
A Different Approach to Restroom Design
Unlike traditional restroom configurations, universal restrooms typically feature individual, fully enclosed compartments adjacent to a common handwashing area that remains open and visible. This arrangement provides students privacy while allowing staff to maintain better awareness of activity within the space.
Increased Privacy
One of the primary benefits of universal restrooms is privacy. Traditional restroom stalls often include large gaps around doors and partitions that can leave students feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious. Universal restroom designs replace these with floor-to-ceiling enclosed compartments that provide a much greater sense of privacy and security. For students of all ages, this can create a more comfortable experience and reduce anxiety associated with using school restrooms.
Better Supervision and Safety
Because sinks and common areas are visible from adjacent hallways or nearby spaces, staff can monitor restroom areas without compromising individual privacy. This increased visibility can help deter inappropriate behavior and make students feel safer when using the facilities. The design strikes a balance between privacy where it matters most and openness where supervision is beneficial.
Fewer Behavioral Issues
Traditional restrooms often contain hidden corners and areas that are difficult to supervise. By eliminating these spaces and increasing visibility in common areas, schools can discourage vandalism, bullying, and other disruptive behavior. The result is often a cleaner, more respectful environment that requires less maintenance and oversight.
Flexible Solutions for New and Existing Schools
Many districts are incorporating universal restroom designs into new schools and renovation projects as they modernize their buildings and address student needs. Whether designing a new school or updating an existing facility, careful planning is essential to ensure the layout supports student safety, integrates seamlessly with the overall facility design, and meets building code requirements.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Construction Codes and Licensing Division administers key design components for universal restrooms during the alternative design review process for compliance with the intent of the code. Currently, no more than 50% of toilet facilities in a building may utilize a universal design. Code updates are anticipated to be released later this year.
Additional design requirements include that doors must swing out with hold opens when not occupied to easily identify if a compartment is not in use. Also, there must be only 1/4″ space between the floor and the door for increased privacy, blocking phones and other objects from entering the compartment when in use. Locks with occupancy indicators on both sides of the door must also be incorporated.
Designing for Everyone
It’s not only students who benefit — community members also appreciate the extra privacy. Now, if a mother needs to assist her young son, she doesn’t need to worry about who else might be in the restroom. A single compartment provides the privacy needed for everyone to be comfortable.
At Widseth, we’ve helped school districts incorporate universal restroom concepts into both new construction and renovation projects. As schools continue to evolve, universal restrooms are emerging as a practical design solution that provides greater privacy, improved supervision, and a better overall experience for students, staff, and the community.
