8 Creative Ideas To Give New Life To Basic Bifold Closet Doors

Closet doors are one of the most overlooked elements in a home. After all, they're functional and are responsible for containing the cluttered mess in your wardrobe. However, that doesn't mean that they can't add an element of design as well. However, closet doors can be expensive and you might have to spend a few hundred dollars for a new set. But don't worry. There are multiple ways you can make your builder-grade bifold doors a stylish part of your decor if you're willing to get your hands dirty.

The easiest way to upgrade your old doors is to give them a fresh coat of paint and replace their hardware with contemporary options. Getting rid of the noisy track and unsightly guard rail is a possibility, too. From small tweaks to major overhauls, here are some creative and customizable ideas to transform your outdated bifold doors into stylish closet entrances.

Tired of your old bifold gates falling off the track every time you open them? It's time to upgrade your plain bifold closet doors with a modern twist. You just need to take the door off its frame and install a new track like Roymelo's Bifold Door Hardware Kit. This will keep the door(s) in place and offer a smooth sliding experience while creating a stylish barn door look. Start by measuring the width of the door panel and add around two inches to each side before ordering. Once you have the kit, follow the manufacturer's instructions to give your old closet doors a new farmhouse-inspired lease on life.

You might be all too familiar with a common bifold closet door disadvantage: a rackety track. The visible guard rail might also cramp your style and overshadow other architectural features. So, take a cue from this TikTok-er and say hello to soft-close no-track bifold doors. You'll need to buy the 3-Way Adjustable Concealed Hinge and Soft-Close Folding Door System from Sugatsune's approved retailers (in-store and online) to achieve a similar look and functionality. 

Looking for budget-friendly ways to convert your problematic bifold closet doors into double doors? Simply follow the best method for removing your old bifold closet doors and remove the hinges connecting the two parts. Once you have two separate pieces in hand, you'll need to install three new hinges on the outer sides of each door and hang them back in the frame. Your double doors are ready! If they have trouble staying shut, add a few magnetic catches, like JQK's 4-pack Stainless Steel Set, to the top of the doors and frame.

In case your only issue with your bifold closet doors is their appearance, give them a fresh coat of paint to give them new life. Invest in a formula like All-In-One Paint by Heirloom Traditions that's designed to stand up to the wear and tear of door use. Just choose a paint shade that goes well with the rest of your decor. Don't forget to empty your wardrobe and cover the shelves with an old cloth to avoid dealing with rogue paint splashes later. You could also attach new handles to the door, like SmartStandard's Heavy Duty Pull and Flush Set, to modernize your closet.

Are you loving the fluted doors making rounds on social media but don't want to buy new ones for your closet? Draw inspiration from this DIYer and attach wooden trim to the perimeter of your existing bifold doors to get started. After the frame is ready, grab some wood adhesive and glue down the dowels. Now for the fun part: priming and painting the upgraded door! Choose a bold hue for a statement-making door or go neutral for a subtle touch of color.

Have some plywood lying around from one of your other projects? Give your builder-grade bifold doors a stunning upgrade with TikTok's simple DIY. You just have to determine the style you're going for, cut the plywood accordingly, and attach it (with a strong glue like Liquid Nails Extreme Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive) on top of your existing doors for a contemporary look. The final step is to paint and attach the hardware to further customize the doors for your closet. Although the process is fairly straightforward, measuring the trim and cutting the plywood strips accurately is important for a professional-looking finish.

The slats in your bifold closet doors might have helped you spy on your friends and siblings while playing hide and seek back in the day. But if you don't like them anymore, swap them out with cane webbing. First, take your doors down and remove the slats. You can use a tool like Craftsman's Cordless Reciprocating Saw to cut them out, or gently knock them out with a hammer. Whichever method you pick, be careful and exercise patience since you don't want to ruin the door. Then, seal the holes with trim and paint the door. Finally, get your staple gun and buy some cane webbing, like Juilsioa's 3.3 Foot Rattan Webbing, for an elevated look.

Wainscoting is a great way to add character and charm to your bifold doors. Hide the existing panels with thin hardwood or MDF, then prime the surface and paint it. Measure and cut the trim pieces for your doors at an angle using a tool like Towot's Multi-Angle Miter Shears. Then, lay the pieces out and adhere them to the surface with a nail gun. Apply a final coat of paint to create seamless paneling for a custom-looking finish.