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Closet Door Ideas

Brian Gregory

By Brian Gregory
Updated November 18, 2024

A closet door may seem like an afterthought, but we’ve got some excellent do-it-yourself (DIY) closet door ideas to help you find one you’ll love.

A beige bedroom with a gray bifold closet door.

Types of Closet Doors

Whether you’re looking for hall, laundry or bedroom closet door ideas, once you know what’s available, it’s easy to find the door you need. Here’s an overview of the most popular closet door types.

French Doors

A room with green walls, wood floors, a side table and white French doors ajar.

French doors are one of the classiest ideas for bedroom and closet doors. This style of door echoes the entryway of a stately building, so French doors make an excellent addition to a large walk-in closet. Just make sure there’s enough clearance for both doors to swing out fully.

French doors are available in a variety of styles and finishes to blend in with any décor theme, but they work especially well in homes with a vintage aesthetic. French doors are also simple to install. You can easily mount them to most door frames using standard hinges. Prehung French doors are also available.

Sliding Closet Doors

A wooden sliding door with six frosted-glass panels installed in a sitting room.

If you prefer a modern look, there’s no shortage of sliding closet door ideas to suit your space. Sliding doors are great for small rooms where a hinged closet door would take up too much space when open. Rather than swinging like traditional doors, these doors slide horizontally on a track system that’s attached to the floor and the top door frame. Sliding doors come in multiple materials, including glass, mirrored glass, wood, aluminum, steel and more to accommodate nearly any theme. In addition, these doors come prefinished, pre-stained or unfinished so you can customize them to the perfect shade.

Tip

Want to learn how to install sliding closet doors? Check out our sliding barn door installation how-to. The steps can also help if you need to fix sliding closet doors or replace hardware.

Bifold Closet Doors

A pair of gray wooden bifold closet doors at the end of a narrow hallway.

If you’re in the market for an affordable, low-maintenance option but don’t like the look of sliding doors, consider bifold closet doors. Bifold doors are especially suitable for linen closet doors or for corner closets where a swinging door might hit the wall when open.

These doors that fold can also fit into a lot of décor themes. Although there are many styles of bifold doors, louvered closet doors, which have horizontal slats, are one of the most common types.

Tip

See How to Install Bifold Doors for more help.

Accordion Closet Doors

A white accordion door next to a small end table in a beige living room.

Accordion doors aren’t only great to use as lightweight room dividers. You can also use them as an alternative to a hinged, bifold or sliding closet door. These doors are called accordion doors because their hinged panels, which slide on a track, resemble the bellows of an accordion. The main advantage of this small closet door is that it takes up very little space, making it an ideal choice for a small hallway closet, a linen closet or a pantry.

Barn Doors for Closets

A natural wood barn door installed in the entryway of a walk-in closet.

If you’re looking for a wooden sliding door with a lot of style and character, a barn door could be right for you. Barn doors are a stylish closet door replacement, especially if you’re looking to replace a sliding closet door. They come in a plethora of finishes and materials and fit in especially well with farmhouse, eclectic or shabby-chic décor.

Barn doors open essentially the same way that other sliding doors do, except that you install the track over the top frame of the closet door rather than inside it. You can use barn doors with many types of closets, but they work best in large rooms with walls that don’t have a lot of obstacles like electrical outlets, light switches or air vents. These can scrape against the door as it slides along the wall.

Hidden Doors

A bookcase door with five shelves filled with books and decor items.

If you want to minimize the appearance of a storage closet or simply want to make the most of your space, there are hidden doors available. One of the most popular types is a bookcase door, which provides extra shelving for displaying books and décor items. Although hidden doors are an innovative solution, they can be more challenging to install than other door types because of their complicated design.

Glass Closet Doors

A sliding mirrored glass closet door in a neutral colored bedroom.

If you’re looking for a modern closet door with a bit of personality, consider a glass closet door. You can select from frosted, mirrored, patterned, clear or decorative glass doors depending on your décor needs and how visible you want the inside of your closet to be. One distinct advantage of mirrors on closet doors is that they can reflect light from windows and really brighten up a room. They can also make a small room seem larger.

Curtains for Closet Doors

If you want a different look, consider forgoing a closet door entirely and hanging beautiful curtains or drapes instead. Curtains are incredibly easy for a DIY beginner to install and, because they come in so many colors, patterns and sizes, it’s easy to find a set that’ll fit the door frame. You’ll open and close these curtains often, so be sure to choose a curtain rod that you can mount sturdily. For the easiest installation, opt for a tension curtain rod.

If you want a truly unique option for a closet door, go with hanging beads. This whimsical, economical choice was very popular years ago but has recently made a comeback. A hanging bead curtain is the perfect option for a room with a retro theme.

Tip

See How to Hang Window Curtains for installation help.

Closet Door Sizes

Standard closet door sizes are tricky to determine because closet sizes can vary. While there’s no real industry standard, here are some common measurements you’re likely to encounter.

  • Swinging Closet Doors: 80 inches tall and 30 inches wide
  • Sliding Closet Doors: 80 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide for each panel
  • Bifold Closet Doors: 80 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide for each panel
  • Linen Closet Doors: 80 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide

More Closet Door Ideas

Not sure you really want new closet doors? Update and modernize the look of closet doors without replacing them. Here are a few ideas:

  • Go for a subtle look by changing out the door hardware, like adding a glass door knob or brushed-gold handles.
  • A coat of paint goes a long way in revitalizing a closet door. Choose muted colors that complement the room or go all out with bright hues that make the doors the focal point.
  • Peel-and-stick wallpaper is an easy way to enhance closet doors. When it’s time for another change, simply remove the wallpaper without damaging the door.
  • For a softer alternative, hang a pair of complementary curtains. To add the allusion of height, install the curtain rod close to the ceiling.
  • Room dividers are another way to separate the closet from the rest of the room.

Closet Door Frequently Asked Questions

Closet doors can make a big impact on a room. Use the answers to these common closet door questions to help you get the perfect look.

What Are Alternatives to Closet Doors?

Pocket doors are good alternatives to standard closet doors, especially in small rooms. A pocket door tucks into the wall when you open it, rather than swinging open to block the room or closet. Leave it open and out of the way for easy access or close it for a tidy look. Installation is more complicated, but if you’re low on space, consider pocket doors.

How Can I Make My Closet Door Look Nice?

Contrasting or complementary paint colors make a fresh, inexpensive upgrade to a closet door. Wall decals or peel-and-stick wallpaper give you more design options and can turn a door into décor. With a little more effort, you can install new door hardware to create a look that suits your style or you can create a custom look by applying moulding to the door.

How Do You Modernize a Closet?

Glass and mirrored doors add a modern touch or you can install a sliding door as an update. Monochrome paint schemes, decals and peel-and-stick wallpaper are simple upgrades that can stay on trend and change as trends change. For a casual feel, use curtains with a modern design for your door. In the closet itself, modern organizers can be a dramatic update.