8 Space-Saving Closet Door Ideas For Even The Smallest Room
Having adequate storage space in an apartment or small home, especially in the form of closets, is one of the most crucial things that makes a space feel functional. Being able to stow away your everyday necessities means more room and less visual clutter in your actual living area, a major benefit for the 73% of people who feel they would be more at ease if all their belongings had a designated place (via mDesign). What happens, then, if your closet itself becomes part of the clutter problem?
Normal doors don't typically cause a ton of issues, but in a room where every square foot is precious, a wide door that has to swing open in order for you to access your belongings isn't ideal. Unless you're willing to move everything out of the way each and every time you want to get into your closet (and who is?), the entire path that the door travels on while it's opening essentially becomes dead space. If you're looking for a way to solve this problem that still allows you to conceal your belongings, you're in luck. There are plenty of different closet doors that have been designed to functionally work in smaller spaces without having to sacrifice style, and we've listed eight options below.
1. Bifold closet doors
Bifold doors are a solid option if you're a fan of a classic look but you want your doors to take up about half the space of regular doors when they're opened. Instead of swinging open, the door essentially folds in on itself, allowing you to open the closet fully without running into other items in the room. With this choice, you still have to allow for a foot or two of free space in front of your closet in order to properly open it, but that's a major difference when you compare to the 32 inches of clearance required for the average interior door.
2. Sliding closet doors
If you want to be able to put furniture as close as possible to your closet without worry, sliding doors might be the option for you. This is thanks to the fact that they open side to side rather than swinging out on a hinge like a traditional door. While they are fantastic if you need something exceptionally low-profile, it is important to consider that you'll only be able to open half of your closet at a time. This isn't typically an issue, but it can be a hassle if you plan to store larger bins or want to see all of your clothing options at once.
3. Closet barn doors
Barn doors are a staple of modern farmhouse style, but they can make for a great space-saving option even if you're a fan of a different home aesthetic. They're essentially an alternative to the classic sliding door — rather than sitting on a track inside your door frame, they're mounted to an exposed track on the wall. With this choice, you'll be able to see the whole closet when the doors are fully opened. Additionally, rather than having to stick with a limited number of design options that fit in your door frame, you can mount just about anything with the right track.
4. Pocket closet doors
Pocket doors are similar to sliding doors, but rather than simply moving from side to side, they are fully concealed within the wall when open. Installing a pocket door might be a bit more complex than some of these other options especially if you're working with an existing doorway rather than a new build, but it can be worth it if you're on the hunt for something that truly feels like it's out of the way. Pocket doors are also a great choice if you enjoy keeping your closet open for long periods of time thanks to the fact that door essentially disappears when not in use.
5. Accordion closet doors
Accordion doors follow the same line of logic as bifold doors, but they contain more folds so they take up even less space. This is certainly convenient, but due to the fact that the material needs to be flexible and lightweight, these doors often resemble something closer to a curtain, making them somewhat less popular than some of the other options on this list. If you like the look, however, you're in luck — accordion doors are often one of the least expensive and easiest to install choices, especially if you already have an existing closet door frame that just needs a bit of sprucing up.
6. French closet doors
If you're looking for an alternative entry to your closet but you don't want to compromise on the look of a classic door, French doors could be the option for you. Rather than using one door for your closet, a French door setup includes two — typically thin — doors that face opposite directions. You'll still have to have some space in your floor plan to allow space for the doors to open, but two smaller doors means you need less room than one large one. After switching out the handles to match the other doors in your room, you'll have a look that's both cohesive and convenient.
7. Hidden closet doors
When you're working with a small space, sometimes you have to sacrifice something in favor of something else that's even more valuable. This hidden closet door is one of those situations. While a large, bookcase-style door is certainly not the lowest-profile choice, it gives you a major bonus: additional storage space. This door might require you to budget off more square footage to allow it to open, but you can more than make up for that with the convenient vertical storage it provides — and the fun that comes along with having your very own secret door.
8. Closet door curtains
In some situations, maybe the best closet door isn't a door at all — it's a curtain. If you're not willing to shell out a ton of money on a closet door but you still want something that can conceal mess, a curtain might be the choice for you. Mount a curtain rod on the inside of your closet doorway, or install a tension rod if you're looking for a rental friendly DIY, and hang a curtain that matches the rest of your space. This option is low cost, still aesthetically pleasing, and gives you a ton of flexibility when it comes to color, pattern, and texture.