The days of the mirrors and simple photographs held up by magnets are long gone in the world of locker decorations. Enter: disco balls, chandeliers and curtains.
“From a parent’s standpoint, it seems impractical, but it’s fun,” said Chrystal Davis, executive team leader of guest experience at Target. “School is starting earlier and earlier and the more fun the kids can make their locker, the better.”
It’s not all bling and accessories as stores are stocked with an impressive selection of locker organizers, from locker-sized shelves to hold books to small magnetic pen and pencil holders.
“Some of it is practical,” said Davis. “I really like the locker shelves because in the winter time with the boots, there is so much slush. It helps keep their books and papers separate from that.”
But about those disco balls and chandeliers. . .
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“It’s fun and you only live once, so why not?” said Davis.
The decorations aren’t just basic, run-of-the mill disco balls and chandeliers, though. Run by battery power, Target's disco ball features an on-and-off switch that makes it spin, while the chandelier lights up via motion sensor every time the student opens the locker door.
Both are magnetic and stick to the top of the locker.
The trend is geared toward middle and high school girls looking to put some personality into the school day.
“At the elementary age, I know schools still like to keep things pretty standard and generic from student to student,” said Davis. “As they get older, there is a little more flexibility to accessorize and I think this is more geared toward the older kids.”
The bright colors and sparkly designs grab the attentions of young kids who are quick to snatch the eye-catching objects. Some parents object while others are just as into the trend as their kids.
“It’s little girls that are like, ‘Oh wow, this is cool, Mom!’ and sneak it in the cart,” said Davis. “Sometimes we’ll find a disco ball in the camping department because the parents found it and thought it was impractical. Then, there are the ones who are into it as well.”
Davis finds the decorations intriguing because her locker fell into the plainer category when she was in school.
“My locker was completely generic,” she said. “We only had three to four minutes between classes so we carried our backpacks everywhere. I remember just having a mirror in my locker and maybe a magnet to hold something up.”
“Now we have things like beaded curtains which are just pure accessory and fun,” she added. “I’m kind of a hippie, so I really like those. The disco ball is a close second, though.”
Even though logical parents might not see the purpose behind the over-the-top décor, Davis said that personalization is important to students.
“It’s supposed to make the kids feel at home while at school. They spend so many hours at school so it’s good for them to have a place of their own.”
