The Modern DIY Alternative To Traditional-Looking Bifold Doors

Bifold doors are the design equivalent of a spork; they're useful in certain contexts, but not always especially design-centered. Worse still, they are known for having problems with the sliding track or falling apart at the hinges. Because they're usually cheap, they often show up in flipped or rental homes. If you happen to have a pair (or even a few pairs) in your home, though, they don't have to be a barely-functioning eyesore. Give your builder grade bifold doors a stunning upgrade with a chic alternative to bifold closet doors.

If your doors have a solid front instead of the slatted shutter design, you essentially have a blank canvas on which to create your dream doors. Shutter-style bifold doors will require a little destruction before you can begin, but that just gives you more creative options. There are many ways to spruce up your bifold doors, from converting them to swinging doors to incorporating new colors and textures to replacing shutters with decorative materials. 

One of the many options to ditch your builder grade closet doors for a stylish alternative is to simply change the way they function. Swinging doors generally have an elevated feel and it doesn't take much to transform your bifold doors into french doors. Simply change out the hardware to a non-folding style. These mending braces from Prime Line will do the trick, and add a magnetic hasp to keep your doors closed. If you're tight on space, the folding type might be the best type of door for a home with a smaller floor plan — but that doesn't mean they can't be a modern, even elegant part of your aesthetic. 

Add a trendy, luxe feel by adding wood trim in a sophisticated geometric pattern and painting the doors a deep, jewel-toned color. Classic, mid-century styled spaces can be elevated by covering the doors in thin slats of wood trim, laid vertically side by side, and stained to complement your color palette. Alternatively, mount wood veneer squares with glue or nails (or both) onto the door, creating an inset-grid pattern. These Sauers wood veneers from Amazon are around $10, and come in a variety of colors. 

For shutter-style closet doors, remove the shutters first. You now have an open "window" of space just begging for a creative touch. Adding panes of frosted glass, a wicker panel, or some painted rice paper will give a light look and feel. Glue a delicate lace panel into the frame for a Victorian vibe or hunt down some panes of stained glass that fit the open space.

When functionality is your top priority — like, perhaps, in your kitchen — go for a chalkboard up top, then add some flair on the bottom by painting the doors a trendy, deep color, or adding wide slats of wood to create a barn door effect. Converting the doors entirely to chalkboard in a child's playroom may encourage little ones to create art on the doors (and not the walls). You can even DIY chalkboard paint with two simple ingredients: paint and non-sanded tile grout. In your bedroom, ditch the cheap wall mounted mirror and convert your bifolds into stunning mirrored closet doors instead. You could just glue the mirrors on, of course, but it might be a little more refined to add a delicate wood trim around the edges.

Finish off your project by choosing the right style-appropriate hardware. Bright metallics can complement dark colors, and matte black pulls would look great on a barn door-inspired style. Antique or vintage handles can flatter a lace or rattan panel configuration — or you could DIY your own stylish cabinet handles using a wooden jar lid cut in half. With a little effort and some creativity, you can easily create closet doors you will love seeing in your space.