8 Types of Closet Doors

Tuesday July 16th, 2024

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:

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

A timeless and functional design, bifold doors are a great option to consider for your closet. Also known as accordion doors, sliding closet doors features two panels held together by a central hinge.

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

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 closed and tucked out of view.