Ditch Traditional Closet Doors For These 9 French Style Alternatives

When it comes to interior design, closest doors are often overlooked, but they can make or break a room's aesthetic. Unfortunately, it seems as though home builders are rarely concerned with this fact, as many traditional closet doors tend to be boring at best and an eyesore at worst. It's no wonder many homeowners can't wait to ditch their builder-grade closet doors for more stylish alternatives. Among them, French doors stand out as being uniquely capable of transforming an entire space. While there is some discussion about what exactly these doors are, they typically have two panels with handles in the middle and sometimes feature glass. French style doors come in a variety of materials and designs, with new trends and twists on the traditional style emerging all the time.

But before you upgrade your closet doors with French alternatives, there are a few things to consider. First, measure the existing door frame. Traditional French doors are designed to fit standard single or double-width door frames (measuring 80 inches tall and 36, 48, or 60 inches wide). You'll also need to consider what type of French doors will fit your space. Is there enough room for a hinged door, or will you need a space-saving alternative? Luckily, there are French door varieties to fit just about any space. And while you might think of glass panes when you think of French doors, you don't need to worry about putting your messy closet on display. French doors can be solid or have frosted glass that keeps what's behind them out of view. Here are nine French style closet doors that will add a touch of luxury to your home.

French style doors don't have to have window panes to add elegance to your space. If you would rather use solid French doors, go with Craftsman-inspired varieties. These doors feature decorative panels that provide a stately and ornate design. Even without glass panes, these French style doors will turn your closet into a key design feature in your space.

Closets are often in tight areas that can't accommodate hinged doors, but you can still get the French door look with sliding door alternatives. You can mount French style doors on a barn door hardware system, a bypass track (so one door slides behind the other), or a pocket door frame so they disappear into the wall (Here's everything you need to consider before installing double pocket doors). Sliding French doors are a trendy way to upgrade your closet, especially if you're short on space.

There's a reason bi-fold doors are a popular closet option — they allow full access to a wide closet while saving space by folding into themselves. Thankfully, you can still achieve the French door look on a sliding bi-fold track. These French style bi-fold doors will give you the same aesthetic as traditional French doors with glass panels while folding into themselves to accommodate a smaller room.

If you already have bi-fold doors, you can transform them into hinged French doors with just a few modifications. First, you'll remove the doors and the track from the door frame. Remove the bi-fold hinges from the doors and then use pocket holes and screws to attach the door panels together to create two separate doors. Attach swing hinges to the doors and door frame and a ball catch on the top so the doors stay closed. Finish the look with door handles on each door.

If you like the look of glass panes on French style doors but you prefer to keep the contents of your closet hidden, frosted glass is a great option. You can buy French doors with frosted glass already installed, or DIY the look using spray paint, like the Rust-Oleum Frosted Glass Spray Paint. Alternatively, use a peel-and-stick frosted window film to cover clear glass panes on French doors.

Mirrored closet doors are nothing new, and while it can be handy to have a full-length mirror built into your room, many builder-grade mirrored closet doors look cheap and dated. Give them an upgrade while keeping their functionality with mirrored French doors. Mirrors replace clear glass panes on these French style doors for a chic, modern update on the dated trend.

Reusing old French doors isn't recommended for exterior doors since they usually aren't as secure and don't insulate as well as their newer counterparts. Instead, utilize them for your closet door upgrade. Those with a horizontal windowpane above can add extra charm. If you prefer to cover the clear glass panes, apply a coat of frosted glass spray paint, attach curtains to the back, or cover the glass with a decorative window film. You can also upcycle your old closet door as home decor so there's zero waste in your upgrade! 

Another popular space-saving alternative to hinged doors is a pivot door. These door frames have hinges at the top and bottom instead of on the sides, allowing the door to swing open toward the interior of the frame, which is useful in spaces where a traditionally hinged door won't fit. Often featured in high-end, modern home designs, French style pivot doors would add luxury and functionality to your room.

Aesthetically, two primary features distinguish French doors — two door handles that meet in the middle of the doors and window panes. Add one or both of these components to your existing doors and achieve the look for a fraction of the cost. Install dummy door knobs to a bi-fold closet door so it looks like two French doors when closed. Or, use trim pieces and paint to create the illusion of window panes on a plain door. Paint the 'window' area a light color, then frame out your faux French style door with a contrasting trim.