8 Types of Closet Doors: Photos, Pros & Cons

Are you looking for a stylish closet door? Closet doors are often overlooked, but they can do a lot to improve a room's design. Closet doors don’t have to be boring, though—they can add style and match your room's unique look. There are many types of closet doors that offer both function and aesthetics. Here are some popular options:

8 Types of Closet Doors

Bypassing Closet Doors
Bifold Closet Doors
Pocket Closet Doors
Glass Closet Doors
Barn Closet Doors
Hinged Closet Doors
French Closet Doors
Mirror Closet Doors

Traditional hinged doors are common, but there are many other types of closet doors to consider. These options can save space and add style to your room.

8 Types of Closet Doors

Now we'll explore each closet door type, explain their functions, list their pros and cons, discuss their best uses, and provide a Rustica door example to help you choose the right door for your closet.

1. Bypassing Closet Doors

Bypassing closet doors are a type of sliding door. Rather than swinging out from hinges as regular doors do, bypass doors slide along a track mounted above the closet opening. When opened, these doors “bypass” each other—meaning they overlap.

When closed, a bypass closet door appears as a traditional sliding closet door. However, the handles are on opposite sides of the door, rather than meeting in the middle like most double barn doors.

Rustica’s bypassing barn doors come with specialized bypassing barn door hardware. You can also include the Come Along System, our innovative design that connects two bypassing doors when sliding the top one to the left or right. This pre-installed system on the bottom of the front door allows both doors to glide with a single pull.

Pros:

Saves Space
Fits most closet openings
Easy to use
Aesthetically pleasing

Cons:

Can only access half of the closet at a time
Requires overhead space for barn track

Best For: Small rooms or hallways that lack floor or wall space. Bypass closet doors are also ideal for wide closet openings that can accommodate two sliding doors.

Example Door: Two Panel Bypassing Barn Doors

The Two Panel Bypassing Barn Doors are perfect examples of rustic-styled bypass closet doors. Made with solid wood, they feature two sections of multiple, recessed, vertical wood panels. These sections are divided in the center by a horizontal wood rail connected to wood stiles on either side of the door.

Simple and classy, these wood sliding doors are perfect for modern farmhouse, traditional, cottagecore, or rustic style interior design. Customize the two-panel bypassing barn doors to make them uniquely yours. Select your needed dimensions, then pick your preferred wood species, finish, and texture. From there, you’ll customize the hardware setup to ensure the hardware is perfect for your space in both function and style.

2. Bifold Closet Doors

Wood bifold door panels framed in black metal — The Mountain Modern design combines a warm wood panel with a dark metal frame.

A timeless and functional design, bifold doors are a great option to consider for your closet. A bifold door uses hinged panels that fold together. Accordion doors use a different folding arrangement, so confirm the hardware system before ordering.

When opened, the door folds in half and protrudes from the track at 90 degrees. A bifold closet door is attached to a track mounted above the closet opening, allowing the door to smoothly open and close.

Bifold closet doors are highly functional and come in various designs and materials, such as wood, mirror, glass, and metal. They can be single or double doors, making them versatile for different interior spaces.

Pros:

Perfect for small rooms or closets
Saves wall and room space
Classic and timeless design
Easy to use
Allows easy access to the closet

Cons:

Can be difficult to put back on the track if it falls off
Requires occasional hinge lubrication

Best For: Hallways or rooms low on wall and room space. They are a versatile option, as they are great for both small and large closet openings. A single bifold door can fit a standard closet door size, and double bifold doors can fit wide closet openings.

The advantage bifold closet doors have over bypassing closet doors is that they allow full access to your closet, as they move out of the way when opened. A bifold door doesn’t require wall space for a track or space around it to swing out, making it an ideal door for small spaces.

Example Door: Mountain Modern Single Bifold Barn Door

Combining metal with wood, the Mountain Modern Single Bifold Barn Door is a perfect mix of rustic nostalgia and modern industrialization. The door is divided into two sections to fold in half when opened. Each side has a metal frame. When closed, the metal frames seamlessly connect, creating a striking appearance softened by the adjacent wood.

This door style is perfect for urban, modern farmhouses, mid century modern, and contemporary-style homes. Customize the door’s dimensions, wood and metal type, and finishing colors to match your home’s existing design.

3. Pocket Closet Doors

Compare other doors for small spaces before choosing a pocket system. A closet opening and a full-room partition have different access needs; these room divider ideas show additional ways to separate adjoining spaces.

Pocket doors are a unique type of sliding closet door with many advantages. But what sets them apart from other closet doors is that they slide into the wall.

By their very nature, pocket doors are less noticeable and less distinguished than regular doors because they function by sliding in and out of the wall on a track. The pocket door is hidden in the wall when the door is opened. This allows for a more open feel in the room when the door is open and tucked out of view.

Because they require a track inside the wall, you’ll need enough interior wall space to install a pocket door track if there isn’t an existing one already.

Pros:

Saves room and closet space
The door can be “hidden away”
Easy to operate
Pocket doors come in a variety of styles
Allows full access to a closet

Cons:

Requires a pocket door hardware system
Can be difficult to put back on its track if it falls off

Best For: Those who want a discreet door that they can easily tuck away. They also allow full access to your closet, making them ideal for small or walk-in closets. Because they don’t swing out or require exterior wall space, they are a great option if you’re low on wall or room space.

While pocket doors save the most space out of all the closet door options, they are not easy to install. If there isn’t a pocket door track already installed, the wall adjacent to the door opening requires renovation to install the pocket door hardware system. That said, they will increase your home’s value as they are a useful and unique door style.

Example Door: Heartland Double Converging Pocket Doors

Charming and rustic, the Heartland Double Converging Pocket Doors are perfect for modern farmhouses and cozy, luxurious ranch-style homes.

They feature traditional stile and rails that are framed by multiple horizontal recessed panels. These panels are divided in the middle by a vertical stile. This vertical stile splits the design in half, creating an elegant geometric appearance.

These luxury closet doors show how sophisticated your wide closet opening can be. Their wood aesthetic creates a warm ambiance that will make any room feel comfortable and homey.

4. Glass Closet Doors

Whether you need an elegant linen closet door for your hallway or luxury closet doors for a master bedroom, glass doors are a beautiful choice. Several closet door styles include glass as the featured element. Traditional hinged, sliding, and pocket doors can all be glass.

If you want a full glass closet door, you can choose doors with a thin metal frame and a unique metal grid design. Other styles combine a metal frame with wood inserts and glass windows. Glass closet doors offer plenty of inspiration and artistic expression.

With Rustica, you can customize every detail of your glass closet door so it’s perfect for your home.

If you like the element of glass, but don’t want to sacrifice privacy, choose a glass style such as frosted glass, overcast, deep freeze, citrus, or crested. These glass styles add a stylish touch to the closet door while distorting the image behind the window. Because glass closet doors can combine metal and wood doors, they are the perfect door to choose if you want a mix of materials for a unique design.

Pros:

Stylish and unique
Can be combined with other door styles
Creates an open, spacious feel
Customizable

Cons:

If unorganized, you can see the mess in the closet interior
Less durable than solid wood closet doors
Requires more frequent cleaning

Best For: Areas where their visual appeal will be noticed and appreciated, such as the master bedroom, kitchen, main hallway, or living room. Glass interior doors fit perfectly in farmhouse, contemporary, colonial, and mid century modern style homes.

Example Door: Broadside Interior Door

If you love patterns that accentuate a room’s modern style, you’ll want to check out the Broadside Interior Door. A series of metal slanted lines on this closet door create a unique geometric pattern.

Perfect for modern, industrial, urban, and mid-century style homes, this door is ideal for those who want their closet door to be a creative focal point in the room.

5. Barn Closet Doors

Consider a barn door if you’re looking for a unique sliding closet door that is a functional piece of art. These rustic and charming doors slide along a track above the closet opening. Because of their specific barn door hardware system, you’ll need to ensure there’s enough space on the wall next to the closet to accommodate the barn door track and the door itself when it is in its open position.

Barn doors can vary dramatically in style. For instance, you can design a sleek and sophisticated sliding barn door with stainless steel hardware for your modern bedroom. On the other hand, you can use a traditional solid wood barn door for the closet in your rustic living room. No matter how modern or traditional the area around your closet space is, you can custom design any closet barn door to match your unique vision.

A single sliding barn door is perfect for small closet openings. For larger openings, consider double barn doors. Double doors add an exquisite touch to the room’s design but need wall space on both sides of the opening.

Pros:

Aesthetically pleasing
Easy to use
Decorative and functional
Saves room and floor space
Versatile and customizable

Cons:

Requires wall space
Requires overhead wall space above the closet

Best For: Those who want their closet doors to be a staple design element. They are the perfect closet door if your room lacks floor space and can’t accommodate a swinging door.

Barn doors add a nice touch to empty wall space around the closet opening and are perfect if you like rustic design. While modern barn door styles also suit urban, industrial, and minimalist interiors, their function still gives them a subtle rustic look.

Example Door: Five Panel Double Barn Door

Traditional style meets modern rustic flare with the Five Panel Double Barn Door. These double panel doors feature five simple recessed panels running the length of the door. These panels are framed by stiles and rails that are slightly raised, giving the door depth.

Contemporary, yet classic, these door offers a warm and welcoming feel when finished with a clear glaze that highlights the natural wood grain and color.

What makes this door truly unique is the custom panel inserts. You can choose the material for the five recessed panels, such as wood, glass, or aluminum. For the aluminum panels, you have the option of smooth or distressed finishes.

The Five Panel Double Barn Door is perfect for wide closets in modern farmhouse, cottagecore, traditional, mid century modern, and soft contemporary interior design styles.

6. Hinged Closet Doors

Hinged doors are the most familiar and common type of door in homes. They swing outward on metal hinges.

Their popularity makes it easy to find a swinging closet door that matches the rest of your home's doors, ensuring design consistency. They are also simple to install and replace, especially if your closet already has a swinging door.

Pros:

Traditional design that will match the rest of the home’s doors
Timeless and popular door style
Easy to install and replace

Cons:

Can reduce floor and room space
May be too traditional and common for some design goals

Best For: Large, open rooms where the door swing won’t obstruct traffic or block room space. They are common for walk-in closets. Plus, they’re a great choice if you want your closet door to match the rest of the home’s doors.

Example Door: Modern Slab Interior Double Door

Looking for impressive solid wood doors for your luxury walk-in closet? Check out the Modern Slab Interior Double Door. ‘Slab’ refers to the door itself, while pre-hung doors include the door, door jamb, and hinges. These double doors are perfect for closet openings with an existing door frame.

These doors feature a flush surface of several vertical thin wood panels. Simple and elegant, the Modern Slab Interior Double Door is perfect for rustic farmhouse style homes. Customize the doors by choosing your preferred wood species, door finish, door texture, and hardware style.

7. French Closet Door

Consider French doors if you’re looking for a stylish and distinctive closet door option. French doors are defined by their prominent windows that run the length of the door. These windows are characteristically divided by metal or wooden window grilles to honor the traditional French style. While they are typically hinged double doors, modern French doors can be sliding doors or a single swinging door.

There’s no doubt that French doors are a luxury closet door option—they will certainly add a sophisticated touch to any room they occupy. Because they are a type of glass closet door, it’s important to consider privacy. If you don’t want your closet items visible, consider privacy glass options, such as frosted or obscured glass.

Pros:

Classic, timeless, and luxurious
Adds a distinct style to the room
Come in a variety of styles and door types
Increases home value

Cons:

Less privacy if clear glass is used
Requires more cleaning

Best For: Those who want luxury closet doors. They are prominent and bold, making them a key feature of the room’s design. If you love walking into your closet to choose a high-fashion clothing piece, you want doors to match your top-tier style and set the tone for your wardrobe.

Example Door: Mountain French Full Interior Double Door

The Mountain French Full Interior Double Door is a classic example of exquisite French style doors. These interior hinged doors feature a metal frame that surrounds a full-length glass window with a 3x5 square metal grille pattern.

Customize the metal and glass to make these doors uniquely yours. For the frame and metal grid pattern, choose from steel, aluminum, or stainless steel. For the glass, pick your favorite type: traditional clear, tinted, frosted, or decorative glass.

8. Mirror Closet Doors

Black-framed mirrored double pocket doors — Mirror panels can be paired with pocket hardware for a dressing-area layout.

Increase the function of your closet doors by choosing mirrored closet doors. With a full-length mirror built into your closet door, you can easily pick your outfit for the day. Plus, a mirror closet door has a simple yet sophisticated style. They also reflect natural and artificial light, making the room feel brighter and more spacious.

Mirrored closet doors come in various styles, including sliding barn doors, pocket doors, glass doors, and traditional hinged doors. The frame around the mirror can be wood or metal, each enhancing the door's style in different ways. Wood adds a warm, rustic touch, while metal provides a modern, sleek look.

Pros:

Multifunctional
Aesthetically pleasing
Helps the room feel larger and brighter

Cons:

Requires more cleaning
May be too traditional for some

Best For: Bedroom or bathroom closets. They are ideal for those who want a full-length mirror but lack wall space. They also make small rooms feel more spacious. Mirror closet doors add an elegant and sophisticated style, making them perfect for urban, mid-century modern, minimalist, and contemporary homes.

Example Door: Ponder Mirror Double Converging Pocket Doors

Looking for modern pocket doors for a large closet opening? Consider the stylish and functional Ponder Mirror Double Converging Pocket Doors. Each door features a full-length mirror with a thin metal frame.

You can choose a double-sided mirror (mirrors on both sides) or a single-sided mirror. If you opt for a single-sided mirror, the back side will be wood, which you can customize with your preferred wood finish.

Design Your Very Own Closet Door with Rustica

Closet doors are an essential part of any home. But they don’t have to just fade into the background—they can be a key element of your home’s overall design. With all the different door types to choose from, you’re sure to find a closet door that suits your space in both style and function.

If you’re ready to upgrade your closet door, go ahead and custom design your dream closet door with Rustica today!

Your priority	Start with	Check before ordering
Save floor space	Bypass or bifold	Panel overlap or folded-stack clearance
Keep adjacent walls clear	Pocket doors	A suitable wall cavity and frame
Make the door a design feature	Barn doors	Clear wall space along the full travel path
Access a wide closet	Double hinged doors	Room for both leaves to swing
Add a dressing mirror	Mirrored panels	Compatible hardware and panel weight

8 Types of Closet Doors

8 Types of Closet Doors

8 Types of Closet Doors

1. Bypassing Closet Doors

2. Bifold Closet Doors

3. Pocket Closet Doors

4. Glass Closet Doors

5. Barn Closet Doors

6. Hinged Closet Doors

7. French Closet Door

8. Mirror Closet Doors

Design Your Very Own Closet Door with Rustica

A Visual Guide to Your Options

Questions, answered

What are closet doors that open outward called?

Are bifold or sliding closet doors better for a small bedroom?