The Bespoke Alternative To Traditional Closet Doors That Will Beautify Your Space

Rare is the prospective homeowner (or even renter) who walks through what they hope will someday be their home, thinking, "What beautiful closets!" On the contrary, in all likelihood, the closets are largely ignored. Except, perhaps, to be noted as insufficient, though acceptable. It makes sense, of course, because builders and/or property owners likely have chosen the least expensive option — especially when it comes to closet doors. Ideally, they've considered space efficiency, but that certainly isn't a given. A situation that leaves new homeowners or renters doing their best to continue to ignore their drab closets or trying to work around the space-hogging doors. On occasion, they're struggling to do both. There are a variety of stylish alternatives to traditional bi-fold or builder-grade closet doors, but if you really want to glam up the look of your room — and maybe even save some swing space — converting your traditional closet doors to elegant French doors will check all the boxes.

Outside of the stylistic issue, there are several functionality problems when it comes to traditional closet doors: durability, through-visibility, and "swing" space, among them. Bi-fold doors are renowned for lack of durability, and sliding doors (like the kind in some showers) don't actually open all the way to the jams — meaning even when they're open, you can only see a fraction of the space inside. While hinged builder-grade doors — generally hollow, made from cheap wood, unadorned – as you would find at the entry point to bedrooms or offices, do offer a full view of the interior of the space but require adequate floor space to fully swing open. 

Modern French doors are generally considered to be a set of doors — often with a gridded glass center panel — that face each other, closing toward a center point. This design can save floor (or "swing") space, allow you to see the entirety of the interior of your room, and doesn't require maintenance for tracks or sliders. What's more, when it comes to style, you don't have to mire yourself in traditional wood or even glass-paned French doors. Crafty DIYers and interior designers have adapted the functionality of French doors to encompass a wide array of styling options. 

Replacing the traditional glass with mirrors, for example, gives you the luxury of a full-length view of yourself without the need to take up precious wall space. Obviously, this option doesn't allow for more light inside your closet — as would clear or even frosted glass — but it will allow more light to bounce around your space, making it feel generally brighter and more open. Perhaps what you really need is more storage. (Who doesn't?!) Choosing some solid French doors in a style you love will give you the option to hang organizers or baskets on the inside of the doors. Original French doors were deemed as such partly because of the gridded glass we mentioned. A word of caution: if you're leaning towards that style, you'll likely want to invest in some aesthetically pleasing shelving and commit to fantastic organizational habits. Consider your personal style and the needs of your space, and you're sure to find the bespoke alternative to boring closet doors that fits you and your home.