Types of Closet Doors: Imagine having a new closet system in your home, like simple shelves or rods to maintain an organized space. You’ve reached your organization goals—hooray! But now, let’s shift our focus to closet doors. They are the pivotal finishing touch that not only you but also your guests will notice the most.
Contemplating sliding doors, barn doors, French doors, or pocket doors? Amidst a myriad of styles, this blog is here to guide you in selecting the optimal closet door that perfectly fits your needs.
Elegant Closet Swinging Door
The classic swinging closet door operates like a regular interior door. It has three hinges and a handle to open and close it. If you’ve got space for a swinging door, this could be a great choice for you!
Pros:
- It’s a popular and timeless option.
- You can match these closet doors with your other interior doors for a consistent home design.
- Many people automatically think of the swinging door when considering closet doors.
Cons:
- You need enough room for the swinging door to open fully. Limited space might restrict the door’s movement, allowing only partial opening.
Is a Swinging Closet Door Right for You?
If you have enough floor space, a swinging door might suit your needs! It’s commonly used for closet doors. At Riverside Millwork Group, we offer customized doors to fit any space. For instance, in the picture below, although the closet had a tall narrow opening, we tailored a double door to fit the space, meeting the homeowners’ needs.
If your closet has a big opening but limited space for a wide door, consider using double doors to halve the width, as shown in the image.
Bifold Closet Door
If you’re tight on space and a regular swinging closet door won’t fit, consider a bifold closet door. A bifold door folds in half at its hinge, allowing it to open by folding against the wall.
They’re commonly used for smaller reach-in closets instead of larger walk-in closets. Compared to swinging and barn doors, bifold doors take up less space, making them a practical choice in confined areas
Pros:
Saves space on walls and floors as it folds in half.
Cons:
Bifold doors might not last as long as other types due to their tracks. Frequent use can cause them to come off the track.
Is a bifold closet door right for you?
If your closet space is tight, a bifold door is great as it takes up less floor space compared to a swinging door. In contrast to a barn door, a bifold door saves wall space. However, be cautious with kids as the folding action may pinch fingers if not handled properly. It could lead to upset little ones with painful fingers – ouch!
In this picture above, there’s a three-panel folding door shown. It has a simple satin nickel handle. To open it, you just grab the handle at the center, and the whole door folds in the middle.
Bypass Doors
Sliding bypass doors move in front of each other instead of swinging, making them ideal for tight spaces with limited wall and floor room.
Pros:
Fit well into closet openings and save space. Simple to use and suitable for DIY installation.
Cons:
Only one side of the closet is accessible at a time. Tracks need proper maintenance.
Is a bypass door right for you?
If you have limited wall or floor space, a bypass door could be the perfect choice for your needs.
Notice in the picture above that when you open one side of the bypass door, it covers the other side.
Closet Pocket Doors
A sliding closet door or pocket door is a smart choice if you want to save space. Take a look at the image below to see how a pocket door might work well, especially if there’s not enough wall space for a barn door or if you prefer not to use too much floor space. It’s worth noting that around 90% of pocket doors aren’t usually closed, so think about whether you’re comfortable having your closet visible to everyone.
Pros:
Pocket doors save the most space among different closet door options.
Cons:
Installing a pocket door is more complex because the wall needs modification to fit the door inside it, unlike other doors. Also, you need enough wall space to accommodate the door’s width since it slides into the wall.
Is a pocket door right for you?
If you have limited wall or floor space in your reach-in or walk-in closet, a pocket door might suit you best. But remember, installing a pocket door involves a more significant renovation, including tearing down and rebuilding the wall around the door. So, consider how big a renovation project you’re ready to take on when choosing closet doors.
Pocket doors can work well not just for closets but also for bathrooms, mudrooms, pantries, and other spaces.
Barn doors for closets have been a popular trend for about five years. Many people choose them not just as a functional door but as a stylish accent or decoration.
They’re ideal if there’s enough wall space without outlets or plugs that might get in the way of opening and closing.
However, most folks prefer the aesthetic of the barn door open, covering the wall space and leading into the next area. So, if you’re thinking about a barn door for your closet, consider how often you’ll keep it closed.
Pros:
Highly stylish and can become a talking point when friends and family visit.
Cons:
Needs ample wall space without plugs or outlets that could hinder its function. Also, you should decide if you prefer the barn door closed rather than open for your closet.
Is a closet barn door right for you?
If you lack floor space and need a door that doesn’t swing open, yet have plenty of empty wall space and want a decorative element, a closet barn door could be a perfect choice.
Check out the image above! In this bedroom, there’s room for either a swinging closet door or a barn door. The homeowner went for the barn door because it suited the wall space and matched their preferred style.
They kept consistency by choosing a barn door similar to the other doors in the house. You have the freedom to convert any door style into a barn door. Talk to our Aspax sales reps for guidance on the best choice for you.
Closet French Doors
A closet glass door, also known as a closet French door, is getting really popular in both old-fashioned homes and modern ones too. French doors come in lots of styles and glass types, so there’s one that’ll match any home.
You can choose different kinds of glass, like diffused laminate, to decide how much privacy you want. Some folks might want their closet private but still love the look of French doors.
Others might prefer more see-through glass to check what’s inside the closet.
Pros:
- Gives your closet a classy look, making it a part of your home’s design.
Cons:
- French doors might cost a bit more than regular closet doors because of their multiple glass panels.
Is a closet French door right for you?
If you’re after a classic swinging door for your closet but want something a bit unique, a French door could be what you need!
The cool thing is that you can use a French door in different ways – as a swinging door, a bypass door, or even as a barn door. So, you can have the best of both door types based on what you need.
Here’s a double French swinging closet door in the picture above. In the picture below, there’s another closet French door, but it’s styled like a barn door for one entrance and swings for another.
You can use the French door style in various ways as you like.
Closet Curtains
Using curtains instead of a closet door might not look great. If you want privacy for your closet because you’ve got personal stuff inside or things are a bit messy, curtains might not be the best choice.
At Aspax Construction Company, we recommend using a proper closet door. There are many types available that can solve this issue. If cost is a concern, we have affordable closet doors.
Reach out to our showrooms for price details. You don’t have to settle for a curtain. There’s always a good closet door option among the choices mentioned.
Closet Door Hardware
Understanding different types of hardware, especially closet door hardware, is crucial. For a basic reach-in closet, you’d require Dummy hardware. It simply opens from one side and is mainly for pulling the door. In a larger walk-in closet, you’d probably need a passage or privacy handle/knob. A passage handle is for rooms without locks, allowing easy access. A privacy handle, commonly used for bathrooms, locks from one side. Consider these options when choosing your closet door hardware.
