There’s a lot to hate about public bathrooms. Maybe that’s why people get so darned excited when they walk into one that isn’t just not-gross - but great.
A lot of businesses take it for granted, but a bathroom can actually be a point of pride for an organization.
Don’t believe us? Here we’ll take a look at the best bathrooms in America, and what they’re getting right.
The Bathroom at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
The only thing you can say when you enter the newly renovated bathroom at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is “wow.”
It’s so good that hundreds of thousands of people voted for it as the 2023 winner of America’s Best Restroom Award.
What makes it stand out? It’s beautiful and bright and clean, sure. But it’s also very thoughtfully designed to cater to the 24 million people who go through this airport each year.
The stall bathrooms are oversized, totally enclosed and private, and include storage space for passengers’ luggage. The sinks include space to set down toiletries, and are open underneath, so people can store their bags there too.
Seventy percent of people say that they wish public bathrooms had more privacy. And anyone who’s lugged their bags into an airport bathroom knows what a juggling act that can be. By designing thoughtful touches, BWI airport has impressed visitors from all over the world - and won lots of free press in the process.
The Bathrooms at Tampa International Airport, Airside C Terminal
When Tampa International Airport renovated the bathrooms in its busiest terminal, Airside C, they wanted to create a welcoming, luxury experience for travelers.
It worked. The space’s high-end design and thoughtful touches helped it take the throne as the 2022 winner of America’s Best Restroom Award.
What does the Airside C terminal bathroom have going for it?
It’s spacious, clean, and its aesthetic provides a uniquely Florida feel. But what people really love is the airport’s signature “cockpit” concept, where each sink is equipped with its own sensor-activated soap, paper towel dispenser, and trash can.
By combining a nice, clean look with convenience, Tampa International has created a press-worthy private space for passengers.
Bancroft Park Bathrooms, Colorado Springs
This TikTok-famous bathroom isn’t just cute - it’s self-cleaning!
Bancroft Park in Colorado Springs went all in when they designed its public bathrooms. They made everything fully automated, including self-dispensing toilet paper, auto-flush toilets, and touchless sinks.
If that isn’t impressive enough, these bathrooms lock the door and clean themselves after every 30 minutes of continuous use. They also alert attendants when supplies get low, ensuring that no visitor ends up with an empty toilet paper roll.
We just have one question: How can we get one like this at home?
Varsity Theater Bathrooms, Minneapolis
Varsity Theater’s bathroom was honored with America’s Best Restroom Award in 2013, but this amazing bathroom is still one of the most mentioned features in Google reviews of this venue.
One user described them as a “luxurious bathroom cave.” We’d say that about sums it up!
But this quirky space has more than visual interest - it’s also designed to cater to its users by allowing concert-goers to view and hear the stage from this space. They can even order a drink from the back counter of the bar!
Plus, the women’s side of the bathroom features four times as many stalls as the men’s side. It’s one final tip in Varsity Theater’s favor, and shows just how carefully they considered their visitors’ needs.
Bonus Points for Design
If your bathroom is clean, as an accessible design, and caters to its users’ needs, why not have a little fun? Here are a few bathrooms that knock the design side of the equation right out of the park.
Two Cities Pizza Bathroom, Cincinnati
This fun bathroom looks just like the New York Subway. Thankfully, it’s much cleaner - and you can get off whenever you want. You can see more amazing restaurant bathrooms in Restaurant Bathroom Ideas That'll Make Your Business Stand Out.
Town of Minturn Public Restrooms, Colorado
These unusual looking bathrooms are designed as functional art, designed to look like an old Colorado mine.
The Hermitage Hotel Bathrooms, Nashville
Image: Peter Burka
These beautiful bathrooms have been photographed by retro lovers for years. The hotel has recently upgraded its women’s bathrooms as well.
P.S.: They’re Clean!
Some of the top bathrooms all have one thing in common: thoughtful touches that make people feel welcome and at home. They’re also clean, and designed to be cleanable. According to Bradley Corporation’s Healthy Handwashing Survey, 68% of Americans have had an unpleasant experience in a public bathroom.
If you want your customers to feel welcome in your space, keep it as clean as your home. (A public bathroom cleaning checklist can help!) They’ll appreciate it - and keep coming back.
The Finishing Touch
A public bathroom doesn’t have to be the best bathroom in America to make people feel comfortable and welcome. But putting in a little extra effort into public bathroom design in a way that considers your visitors’ needs can make all the difference.
At Step ‘n Wash, we believe that details matter. Our floor-mounted step stools are designed to help children and people of shorter stature reach the sink. They are discreet and retract gently to stay out of the way when they’re not needed. Best of all, they make a bathroom more comfortable and accessible for families with children.
Check out our product. It’s a simple step towards a better customer experience.
