Depending on which part of the demographic you happen to be, you perhaps haven’t noticed that the vast majority of things are either designed with you in mind or for an entirely different kind of human. We’re talking, of course, about gendered design. 

Someone asked “What female-centric design do you want to see in architecture and design?” and women shared their best ideas. From simple things like car headrests to literally medical procedures, women often get the short end of the stick. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites, and be sure to share your thoughts below. 

#1

You should not be able to look up through any floor or stair surface to look up anyone’s clothing in any public environment where some people may be wearing dresses/skirts instead of trousers. Any design that’s a built-in creep magnet to look up people’s clothes annoys me greatly.

Image credits: nevertruly

#2

This might seem shallow, I don’t know, but I would really love cute shoes for women with big feet. They seriously don’t exist. If they do, I’ve not been able to find them.

I swear shoe manufacturers think all women have small, slender, dainty little feet. I know I am not the only chick with long, wide feet.

I wear a men’s size 11 wide width sneaker. Yeah……my feet are huge. So, that roughly translates to a women’s size 13. Good luck finding a cute shoe or stylish dress boots in that size. I even started looking at shoes for drag queens — which I can usually find the size I need but unfortunately not the style I want.

Image credits: rosesforthemonsters

#3

Crash test dummies with women’s body types (including ones representing pregnancies) used for automotive testing, please! I recall reading that women are more likely to sustain serious injuries when airbags go off, than they are from the initial vehicle accident.

Image credits: peppermind

Depending on who you are, it can be pretty hard to actually notice unless you have experienced it or have been told to look for it. Take the average gendered public bathroom. The male section will inevitably have a whole row or two of urinals, which makes it have significantly more capacity.

So while the female and male bathrooms might be of the same square footage, the male version can accommodate significantly more people doing their business. This is a classic case of “equal space” not actually being equal. 

#4

Can we please get boxes or even just a trash can for period product disposal in all unisex bathrooms. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to awkwardly walk out with a wrapped up pad to track down a trash can only to go back to wash my hands again. I can’t even begin to imagine how bad it is for people who use tampons regularly….

Image credits: Starstruck_in_space

#5

Can I call the development of medical solutions “designing”? (I’m gonna.)

I want the design of medical solutions (anything from medicine to braces to even first aid courses or whatever) to be more inclusive for women. Many drugs are initially not tested on women, which can lead to them not discovering positive effects that the meds have on women but not men. The symptoms for heart attacks are different for women, so more women don’t get the proper help for a heart attack. It’s such a dark side of inequality.

Image credits: you_know_juno

#6

Better head rests in cars. Idk how many times I’ve sat down and my head can’t sit straight. The head rest is angled forward and down, so my height doesn’t work (5’4”) then add in a pony tail and I can’t actually use the seat.. I have to use the steering wheel (that I’m already so close to) to pull myself away from the seat and the floor to push my butt backwards. The entire time. I now I have a van, sooooo much better. I’ve passed on buying vehicles that had horrible head rests and my husband got confused because it was comfortable for him. He liked the car. I said nope. I can’t drive that safely.

Image credits: Dry_Mirror_6676

Even worse, oftentimes items specifically intended for women end up being designed by men. These fall into two categories, items where the designer simply assumes a woman’s body is basically identical to a man’s or the designer simply follows trends and fads. In both cases, the product ends up being less functional than it should be. 

#7

I would love to see purse or bag hooks mounted on the bathroom vanities in public restrooms. Every once in a while I find them, but for the most part, they are non-existent. I hate putting my purse on the floor anywhere in a bathroom but the countertops are usually too wet or small to hold bags while I’m washing my hands.

Image credits: PepRMint_1972

#8

Feminine products should be provided for free
in public restrooms anywhere that toilet paper is provided. Dispensers should be a normal part of restroom design, like toilet paper holders.

I almost always have a tampon on me, but of course, the one time I don’t, I start my period days early while at a museum with no re-entry. Their restroom surprisingly had a tampon machine that required quarters; and I surprisingly actually had a quarter on me. I was like, “wow this is actually my lucky day”. Then guess what? The tampon machine ate my quarter and gave me nothing. Happily the museum staff provided me with a tampon when I told them what happened, but that was after having to leave the resteoom with toilet paper shoved in my pants.

So ever since then, I’m wondering why feminine products aren’t available and stocked like toilet paper in restrooms. It’s a basic hygiene issue and most women will only use the free stuff in an emergency anyway.

Image credits: throw-away-937361782

#9

Reasonable business bags. I have to carry 1-2 laptops and the backpack/ trolly is my office. Most business backpacks, bags and trolleys are designed for men. The backpack’s straps are too wide for my shoulders and give me back pain. The Trolley is usually quite big and weirdly constructed, so I can’t carry it well when necessary. It’s for wider shoulders and more muscled arms and no hips, so it will bump against my hips and legs all the time when I use the handle or shoulder strap. That’s not fun with 5-8kg.

Also, white blouses. Don’t make them see through, thankyouverymuch.

Image credits: anon

In general, this issue can seem baffling at times. After all, most of us would assume that people who are somewhat different from us have different needs, expectations, and assumptions. This is perhaps why it’s always good to get a second (or even third) opinion whenever you can, you might just learn something new. 

#10

For a long time in architecture men design homes that were gorgeous, but absolutely impossible to clean. Essentially, made for the man the gawk at and the woman to well, suck it up.

I’d love to see what a “home designed for women” or “space designed for women” would look like. Someone that’s accessible for a majority of women to not only interact with personally but, care for.

#11

Anything and everything to be built for female bodies, not to be confused with miniaturized male bodies.

Shoes. Car seats. Sporting equipment. Tools. Working spaces. Safety equipment. Medications and medical procedures.

I went with my team for a customer visit recently and they gave us access badges with clips. The men clipped them to their suit jackets. The women among us in sweaters and blouses had to figure out where tf to clip them. Most companies hand out breakaway lanyards these days, which work for folks in any type of clothing. Just the most recent irritant I experienced where it was obvious women were not considered in their customer visit process development.

Image credits: VanthGuide

#12

Pockets.

Image credits: beelovedone

#13

We really need feminist cities or cities designed to keep women safe. More lights on streets, less alleyways, public transit that has security guards, buildings with warmer rooms or rooms with average temperatures that are comfortable to women, accessible sports stadiums, etc.

Image credits: hstarwood

#14

Spaces for comfortable, hygienic breastfeeding that are not bathrooms. Should have comfortable seating, sinks, waste bins, changing tables, and hooks for hanging bags and coats, as well as counter space for laying out pump parts.

Women are statistically more likely to be caring for young children in public so more spaces that are friendly to young children, like enclosed indoor play areas at libraries, coffee shops, etc. Features like safety barriers that do not have wide gaps, covered outlets, and safe window coverings make me feel more at ease with my kids in public.

Image credits: snugglemoose

#15

My seatbelt constantly slides up due to my breasts. I so often worry about getting decapitated by my seatbelt.

Image credits: Myrania

#16

There should be a compartment in cars right in the front/center where you can keep your purse.

Image credits: m37an13

#17

Safety equipment is so rough. We couldn’t find a full-face respirator that fit half our team at work because they’re small women. Would also love curvy work pants and some nitrile gloves made for short, fat fingers, please.

Image credits: jerisad

#18

More bicycles or cycling bikes with wider seats. I love biking, but it always hurts. I know that you can buy a seat that is wider and will cater to a woman’s pelvis, but that doesn’t always speak to Spin classes, and they’re an extra expense on top of already expensive bicycles. I’d love accessible fitness. It could have made such a difference earlier in my life.

Image credits: Common_Impression482

#19

This is a lot more trivial than what others have suggested, but, tools and implements. I’d like secateurs designed for my small hands and chef’s cleavers made with the same philosophy. Phones I can hold comfortably, and drills that are an appropriate size. I want these things to made for AFAB users, not simply coloured pink.

There are definite safety benefits derived from being able to properly grip and handle a tool, too.

#20

Would love to be able to reach all of my kitchen cabinets without having to completely renovate my kitchen.

Image credits: buzzfeed_sucks

#21

Seatbelts designed for women’s bodies would be great, actually.

Image credits: TerribleAttitude

#22

I hate name tag stickers. There’s no great option for where to put them on outfits, plus they never stick well, so I feel like I’m just constantly pressing my hand to my breast to fix them.”

#23

We need more stalls in public spaces. With elbow room, at least one hook for the bag, seat covers. Correct lighting, so we can see a puddle if needed. Family restrooms with a privacy closet in case it’s Dad taking the daughter, which I think is a need, and I’ve not seen that.

Image credits: Particular_Case_1739

#24

Computer/desk chairs. RIP my back/hips.

Image credits: drunkenknitter

#25

Lower countertops and desks to be more ergonomically designed for women. I remember looking up that the best height desk for me as a 5ft 2 woman is 60cm, but every desk I could find had a minimum height of 70cm.

Image credits: destria

#26

I’d just want to ban all glass or metal grate catwalks and stairs in contemporary architecture. My job has me visiting conference centers, hotels and flagship office building fairly frequently and there’s just so much accidential peeping tom architecture going on…

#27

Doors that are easier to open. I’m barely 100 lbs and a lot of doors are just impossible to open for me. It was especially annoying when I worked at the office building with doors that could literally crush me. I understand some of them need to weigh a lot due to fire safety requirements, but a lot of them are just unnecessarily big.

#28

Women’s clothes that come in classic colors or patterns, use decent fabric, and have a classic fit. It’s impossible to buy clothes. If you like the color, it’s made with some horrible fabric. Or it has a weird trendy fit. No, I don’t actually want a mustard color
polyester crop top shirt, thanks.

Bathrooms and changing rooms are going to gender neutral. Which is a nice idea, but I think this guy in my building uses it to jerk off, which is gross. You’ve been hogging the bathroom for 20 minutes and stroll out with the Victoria Secret catalog.

Image credits: JoJo-likes-bikes

#29

Not cringey “Girl power yihaaa” type of stuff when it comes to Geek stuff.
When I find a cool shirt or what, it’s mostly designed for men because of the character, the color, or the anime/comic. When I look at women shirt, mostly pink or pastel color, girly heroes with cringey women empowering writing, or cute animals.
Like, I can’t appreciate a good DBZ shirts with a fight printed on it, too “male”, I better watch some Barbie or shojo girls related stuff ?
I want a shirt of my shape with a f*****g good fight and blood on it, please ?.

#30

Small Windows,peep holes, things meant for your view or things to reach on walls etc
They’re all that bit too high that you means your line of sight will most likely just be obscured/blocked/restricted etc

They should be made bigger to accommodate everyone.

Image credits: thingstocome_

#31

In all honesty I want to stop seeing floors that are mirrors / very reflective. It is not fun when you stumble across one of them wearing a skirt. You can just TELL they were a male invention.

Image credits: milkandcookies222

#32

Changing tables in assine places. My kids are out of diapers now, but I cringe everytime I walk into most public restrooms and see where they put the changing tables.

Like they should never be next to the hand drier those are too loud to have next to a kids head or in the entryway so everyone has to scoot around you or if their is a line you are basically changing a diaper in the middle of it .. just why, why not open the damn thing and think about the logistics before bolting it to the wall.

#33

Warmer spaces! I hate being cold everywhere.

#34

Cargo style utility trousers like they sell in the men’s area of Walmart for like 20 dollars… but for women. I cannot find anything similar for women unless I want to spend 80 dollars per pair. I mean seriously, I can find dozens of cargo LEGGINGS for women before I find a decent pair of real cargos.

#35

Breast holes in massage tables ?.

#36

Bathroom stalls without inch wide gaps in the doors would be amazing!

#37

Ergonomic mouse’s. I got one because I am on the computer all day. I have to hold it slightly at an angle that is not the way it’s designed which kind of defeats the purpose. They are obviously designed for much larger hands.

#38

Houses designed with space for the dealing with the amount of laundry a family gets through. In the UK there is very rarely enough space for dealing with laundry. With the energy crisis and cold weather, drying washing all over the indoors is leading to health issues caused by damp. This lack of design accommodation for laundry is almost certainly related to laundry being a traditionally female concern.

#39

All sinks at a reachable distance from the toilet, so I can wash from period blood without having to walk to the sink like a penguin or even have to put on my pants to walk out to the sink and then walk back to the toilet. In my country there are bidets in most homes but in public bathrooms it’s still very s****y. It just makes it twice as hard, specially when you use the menstrual cup.

#40

I’d love to copy Japan and have women-only train cars!

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