Trends in Restroom Designs

As a manufacturer of restroom fixtures for nearly 20 years, Klaus Reichardt, president of Waterless Co., Inc., has become very familiar with the latest trends in restroom design.

Because of the economy, most of the trends he notes are occurring in existing buildings, “and most are occurring in larger facilities, like airports, shopping centers, major office structures, and the like,” adds Reichardt.

So, what’s on tap for restrooms in the future?

• More mirrors. Additional “sight-line” mirrors will be installed, helping to increase security.

• Labyrinth entries. Not only are these installed to eliminate the touching of doors, but studies also indicate they promote security.

• Sound dampening. Restrooms will be quieter with more sound dampening materials installed in ceilings.

• Outward swings. Partition doors are now being designed to swing outward. This allows users to open the door with their shoulders and avoid touching handles.

• Water conservation. More restroom fixtures will be installed that surpass Federal water conservation regulations or use no water at all, such as waterless urinals.

• Automated touch-less. Devices that automatically dispense soap, paper, water, etc. will become standard.

• On demand hot water. More restrooms will have their own “on demand” hot water system and not depend on a facility’s hot water source, helping to save energy.

• Delayed flushing. Currently, some automatic restroom fixtures flush too quickly after use. The spray generated can soil the user and clothing. New flushing systems will have a delay to help avoid this.

According to Reichardt, the following developments are evolving now and will become more common in years to come:

Editor's Note: Klaus Reichardt is founder and CEO of Waterless Co., Inc., manufacturer of No-Flush Urinals. He can be reached at [email protected].