3 Ways You Can Design Inclusive All Gender Bathrooms

Traditional bathroom icons that adorn the signs of public restrooms may seem harmless enough. But to transgender or nonconforming individuals, they often can force an uncomfortable and difficult choice every time a person needs to use the restroom in a public space. In a larger sense, they reinforce a binary gender system with only two choices–male or female–an instinctive labeling of people who complicate that notion by identifying as “other.” All-gender bathrooms are the future. Here are some tips on how to start creating more inclusive spaces. 

1. Choose gender neutral colors.

2. Keep textures and materials organic and neutral. This helps maintain balance, form, and function.

3. Keep signage conventions neutral and design to accommodate inclusivity. Language is powerful. “Gender inclusive” or “all gender” is preferred. You could also say something like: “This restroom welcomes humans of all shapes, sizes, and forms.”