Considering today's real estate and rental prices, it's no wonder that so many people opt for tiny houses or microapartments. Cramming your entire life into a small living space may not be an ideal solution, but it's a solution nonetheless. That said, you might as well make the most of it.
Speaking of which, how does one turn a small house or an apartment into a functional home? Believe it or not, everything begins with doors for small spaces. These types of doors are actually practical solutions that can open up space in your home and bring in more natural light, as well as provide other benefits, of course.
You may live in a small home, sure, but that doesn't mean you can boost its functionality and maximize space so that everything looks bigger than it actually is. With that in mind, let's have a look at some practical ideas and methods that can save you a lot of floor space using the right doors.
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Doors for Small Spaces
So, what makes a door small-space-friendly? Aren't all doors the same? The truth is that there are a myriad of different door types and made out of different materials and not all of them are suited for small spaces. For instance, there are various factors to consider when choosing the ideal door, such as accessibility, door swing, privacy, light, sound, and many more. That said, you want a door that frees up space, not claim it with a wide door swing.
Therefore, the logical thing to do would be to opt for a solution with a reduced door swing, like pocket or barn doors, for example. The fact of the matter is that you already have limited space to work with. The last thing you want is doors that will make things more complicated than they need to be. Fortunately, there are plenty of options that can help you out, and we'll go over each one in great detail. So, let's get to it then!
Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are a type of sliding door that when fully opened, they disappear in a special compartment placed in the adjacent wall, hence the name. Therefore, if there is no room for the door swing in your living space, this door is a perfect solution.
As one of the best examples of space-saving doors, pocket doors are increasingly growing in both popularity and usage among tiny home owners. And, since these doors don't have a reduced door swing, but they eliminate it altogether, they are ideal for bathrooms, bedrooms, and walk-in closets. They are the paragon of functionality that can help you maximize space in a limited space environment.
Barn Doors
Like pocket doors, barn doors are also a type of sliding doors. The only difference is that these doors don't have a specialized pocket to hide in. You just move them to the side to open up space. Although barn doors cannot be hidden, they can serve as a decorative piece that brings a bit of style into your living space.
This is why they come in different shapes and sizes, and can be made out of different materials. Furthermore, you can choose any color and design that will perfectly suit your needs, which is one of the reasons why barn doors are quite trendy these days. In small homes and condominiums, barn doors can be used for different purposes.
For example, they are perfect for hiding closets out of plain sight and they can be ideal for dividing bedrooms from living rooms. Once fully opened they can let in natural light when necessary or you can keep them closed to prevent cooking smells from reaching your wardrobe, for instance.
Sliding Doors
Sliding doors, as their name suggests, slide to the side to open up space to another room or, most commonly, the patio or balcony. However, sliding doors don't necessarily have to be used as a divider between indoors and outdoors. In fact, they are perfect for closets, showers, and pretty much any door in small living spaces. The main reason is that they come in a variety of materials ranging from frosted glass to wood, which significantly broadens their overall usage. Not only that but different materials and designs can significantly boost the overall decor of your home.
Bifold Doors
If you're looking for practical solutions that will help you maximize space in your small home, then bifold doors are definitely an option worth considering. These doors are made out of panels that fold up against the wall when opened. Although very convenient, bifold doors have somewhat of a door swing compared to sliding doors, which is why they should be placed strategically within a limited space.
Still, these doors are very practical, especially when they're glazed with glass panels allowing natural light to reach every corner of your living space. Bifold doors are excellent for connecting and separating different rooms, and they can be customized as you see fit to match your home's overall style.
Accordion Doors
Another superb example of space-saving doors, accordion doors can make every limited space more functional and open. Unlike French or Sliding doors, accordion doors fold perfectly to save space as much as possible. Moreover, they can be customized and designed to match your overall decor and style. As for their usage, these doors fit perfectly as closet doors or doors that lead outdoors, like to the patio or balcony. Think of them as more stylish and functional alternatives to curtains.
Bypass Doors
Bypass doors are also a type of sliding door that consist of at least two or more panels. Unlike folding doors, bypass systems are mounted on parallel tracks allowing panels to slide past each other in any direction. This makes bypass doors ideal for compact spaces, as they do not require door swing to open. They are perfectly suited for pantries, utility rooms, closets, laundry, and service rooms. In addition to that, they are excellent accordion door alternatives and can be customized to match your home's decor.
Pivot Doors
Pivot doors are considered a contemporary alternative to regular hinge doors. That said, these doors rotate on a vertical axis using a specialized pivot mechanism mounted at the top and bottom of the door. Technically speaking, these doors have a reduced door swing compared to hinge doors, but they have a swing nonetheless. That's why they are not as practical for small spaces as other door types.
Still, they're not without proper functionality, and depending on door sizes and your living space, you can still make great use of pivot doors. For example, pivot doors do not require a frame and the mechanism they're mounted on is practically invisible. Therefore, aside from improved functionality, pivot doors are an excellent decor piece that can make a small room look much bigger.
Glass and Mirrored Doors
If you really want to open up space in your small home or apartment then glass or mirrored doors are an ideal solution for you. That said, glass doors provide visual depth as they're made from transparent materials, which means the view isn't blocked and the space will seem much larger than it is.
Mirrored doors have the same effect, although they do create an illusion that there's more space than it meets the eye. However, mirrored doors have another purpose, which is to make the space brighter. After all, mirrors reflect light both natural and otherwise. This allows them to brighten up the space, especially if your home has limited access to sunlight.
Dutch Doors
A hybrid between a window and a door, Dutch doors are very practical solutions for small spaces. As you may already know, these doors fold horizontally allowing you to open up the top half while the bottom half remains closed. Therefore, if you need more natural light or you need to air the room, simply open the top half and the entire space opens up completely.
Keep in mind that these doors have the same swing as traditional doors, so they aren't exactly considered space-saving doors. However, their practical use is awesome, especially if you have small children or pets you want to keep in the room, while having the door opened at the same time.
Room Dividers
Managing small spaces can be quite a challenge, especially if the overall architectural design of your home isn't particularly manageable. For example, microapartments are often single room open spaces, which means there's not much use for doors when there are no rooms to be had.
In such cases, room dividers can serve as both means to create visual representation of individual rooms and as doors. Considering that modern room dividers are very stylish and made from different materials, they can be very helpful in managing small spaces.
How to Choose the Right Door for Your Small Space?
As you can see, there are many options to choose from and choosing the right door pretty much comes down to your personal needs and preferences. However, there are a couple of factors you should consider before you make your decision. For example, consider the type of room and who used it.
Do you need more privacy and sound isolation or is the room a common area that requires more light flow? Therefore, choosing a door should not be something you decide on a whim. Instead, take some time to consider your needs and the needs of your space before you opt for the right model.
Design Tips for Small Rooms
Every door can significantly impact the overall decor and style of your home. Fortunately, even doors can be customized to match the environment perfectly. In small spaces, designing a door the right way can really help make the space look larger and brighter than it actually is.
For instance, specific colors, door finishes, and panel styles can either expand or shrink the room based on what you need. Also, if you match the contrast of your doors with flooring and furniture, you will make your rooms feel more spacious. The same goes for materials like glass and lighter tones for your walls, which can make the room seem wider and the ceiling seem taller.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Small Spaces
As mentioned before, choosing the right door for your small space does require some considerations. If you rush your decision, you may end up regretting it in the end. Changing a door once it has been successfully installed can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor, so it's best if you avoid such scenarios to begin with. That said, here are a few common mistakes you should avoid at any cost.
- Don't choose a door that will block passage, furniture, or cabinets.
- Try not to neglect privacy and sound isolation requirements, especially for bedroom and bathroom doors.
- If you're going to use a certain type of door, like barn doors, for example, make sure it doesn't block wall space for art and shelves.
- Most importantly, don't skimp on hardware quality. The last thing you need is sticky or noisy doors in your small living space.
Conclusion
Every small home requires a suitable door that will help you maximize space and ensure optimal functionality. Most people think that doors are the least important aspect of home design, but the reality is that doors play a vital role in how your home looks and feels. This is precisely why you should opt for a perfect door type that will complement your small living space instead of making it even smaller.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of door for a very small bathroom?
The best door for a very small bathroom depends on the space and design of your home. In most cases, pocket, sliding, and bifold doors are ideal solutions for such small bathrooms.
Are space-saving doors more expensive than regular doors?
That entirely depends on the type of door you opt for. For example, pocket doors tend to be slightly more expensive due to the mounting requirements, while pivot doors are cheaper as they do not require a frame.
Will using non-standard doors hurt my home's resale value?
No, using such doors will actually improve your home's resale value as new owners won't have to invest in space-saving doors themselves. Keep in mind that traditional doors in small spaces are very impractical and, therefore, undesirable.
