Consider These 11 Trendy Alternatives To Traditional Barn Doors To Refresh Your Space

Barn doors styled inside homes started becoming more popular in the 21st century and for good reasons. They're space-spacing and functional, and they can enhance a room while complementing rustic decor. They can even increase the value of a home, but while many people welcome these benefits, some aren't fans of the farmhouse look, sliding feature, or visible hardware that traditional barn doors show off. If you're one of these people, consider the many trendy alternatives to refresh your space, including french doors, accordion doors, pocket doors, and double sliding doors.

As the name reveals, barn doors originated in barns, but even the more traditional styles have evolved a great deal since their early days, with other styles now appearing on the list of space-saving door options. Some function the same way as traditional barn doors, while others require extra wall construction to accommodate them. With so many styles to choose from, you may want to ditch barn doors altogether or opt for a barn door style with more pizazz than the conventional look.

Traditional barn doors typically have a stained finish, often with an X or Z pattern bracing the vertical boards, but if you're aiming for a contemporary look and don't mind windows, you may like a solid glass style. Wayfair offers this 10 Lite Glass Solid + Manufactured Wood Barn Door in white in five sizes, starting at $320. With the installation hardware kit included, these doors function just like regular barn doors but with the look of French doors.

Unlike barn doors that require a specific amount of wall space to allow room for the sliding door(s), double sliding doors require only a door frame. These panels operate on a fixed rail and stack one in front of the other when fully opened. They can be installed in a closet, office entrance, and other areas of your home. SmartStandard's Double Frosted 3-Panel Glass Sliding Door costs about $300 to $700, but you can find comparable styles at a range of prices from other retailers.

Pivot doors have the power to transform your doorway into a modern, distinctive, and even show-stopping space. They also save room, compared to hinged doors, because they don't require as much wall clearance. The unique feature of these doors is that they rotate on a fixed vertical axis on both the upper and lower door jambs. This style from ERGON LIVING sells for $690 to $715 on Milcasa and is available in various sizes, in anodized black or silver.

Another space-saving alternative to traditional barn doors is accordion doors, which consist of multiple panels operating along a track. These panels stack together when the door is fully opened, and a magnet keeps them closed. A single accordion door slides and folds to one side when opened, while a pair splits at the center and folds to both sides. Choose from several materials to match your decor, including vinyl, wood, glass, PVC, and plastic. The JUJUBON Double-Layer Accordion Doors sell for $130 to 260 on Amazon, but other styles range from $40 to over $1,500.

For a low-cost, easy-to-install barn door alternative, consider a cover that isn't a door at all but a blackout accordion door curtain, like this AJAZZ Blackout Magnetic Door Curtain. The pleated curtain functions like an accordion door, complete with a pull handle and magnet, but instead of a track, it uses a tension rod and ball-bearing hooks like a shower curtain. One noteworthy attribute of curtain doors is that they allow small pets to push through and walk underneath while remaining closed.

Comparable to French-style bifold doors, bifold sliding barn doors feature foldable, windowed panels but with the track installed on the wall above the door frame. You can find two-door and four-door options to accommodate a wide range of door frames. On Amazon, the Art-Life Bifold Sliding Barn Door Hardware Track Kit is priced from $38 to $65, allowing you to install your choice of bifold sliding barn doors or upgrade your existing bifold closet doors with a modern twist. They're perfect for kitchen, laundry room, office, and living room doorways.

If you have very limited space or just like the idea of a hidden door, a pocket door might be a good fit for you. These doors slide into the door frame when opened all the way, so sufficient wall space is required on the side of the frame the door will slide into. The tracks are also installed inside the door frame. Choose between single or double pocket doors, with or without windows. The average cost to install a pocket door ranges from $400 to $2,500.This JUBEST Pocket Door sells for about $400.

Combine your love of books and sliding doors with a bookshelf-style barn door. This Ark Design option features a fusion of a modern and classic design. Fill the shelf with books, magazines, plants, or a combination of the three to create a unique highlight of any room. You can install the track above a door frame or on a solid wall in your home library. Available in eight sizes, expect to pay $230 to $640 for this style on Wayfair.

French-style bifold doors can be a great choice for a doorway leading to an office, living room, or any room that doesn't require visual privacy. Since these doors fold, they take up only half the space of the door frame when fully opened. This Pinecroft Classic French Style Bifold Door from Wayfair is available in white or unfinished wood in four sizes for $490 to $960.

If you like pachyderms, you'll love these elephant custom barn doors made by Pandoora Wood. These hand-carved wooden doors are perfect for adding more character to a room and can be customized to your specific needs. You even have the option to select other animals or design styles. Other listings from the Etsy seller reveal doors with birds, trees, flowers, mandalas, and lattice patterns carved into them. Get yours on Etsy for a starting price of $1,500.

If you feel like traditional barn doors are going out of style, this option is a modern solution. Say goodbye to barn doors with standard X and Z styles, and say hello to custom three-dimensional striped doors from Cali Custom Build. Pick the color, size, wood species, and finish of your choice, and even add a small entrance at the bottom for your canine or feline friend. You'll love the geometric style and depth, and your pet will love having their own doorway.