Ever Wondered Why Public Toilet Stalls Have Those Gaps? There’s a Practical Reason Behind It

Most people use public restrooms without paying much attention to the design of the fixtures around them. Whether visiting an airport, shopping center, office building, stadium, school, or restaurant, the experience is usually brief, and few people stop to consider why certain features look different from those found at home.

One detail that often goes unnoticed is the shape of many public toilet seats. Unlike the fully enclosed seats commonly installed in private residences, many public toilets—particularly in commercial buildings—use an open-front or U-shaped design.