Bi-Fold Closet Door Design Selection Tips

Bi-fold closet doors dress up your closet space with fine lines, unique configurations and ea of use unlike any other replacement door you may be considering. Interior designers always make them an integral part of remodel because they know that with the right door hardware and a small investment they can easily fit them into the makeover budget. Home owners have picked up on this trend not only because it is inexpensive, but also because the average person will have great success designing a new wardrobe replacement for those old worn out doors.

It really doesn’t matter whether you are tackling a large walk in closet space or just trying to spruce up the average room for arriving guests. If you’re stuck in a non creative mode, just visiting showrooms or online company displays will get you on the right track and before long your creative juices will be flowing with all the possibilities. The creative side of you will marvel when you discover the functional aspects and budget conscious inspirations you’ll have that transform a room from a boorish area to a centerpiece of visual appeal. The simple way to make any room shine, multi-fold closet doors are a fashionable tend in the U.S. and many other countries where the home has taken center stage to lifestyle.

The design options are nearly endless when you consider the many door track and hardware accessories you can combine with materials that come in acrylics, wood, metal, molded inlays and other features that bespeak luxury in the simplest designs.

For a more sophisticated home you can add to the design mix mirrors that reflect the inside of the room or bring light into areas once unusable. The architectural designs, the framing and tin etchings are so easy to install that you won’t believe the results yourself.

Pre assembled kits are available with pre drilled holes, and standard fits for easy replacement and custom designs that are commonly sold today even though the market is more tuned to the standard configuration. Getting that sleek look is readily available as manufactures have realized that home improvement can be done in stages if the right products are available for the do-it-yourself re-modeler.

When you stop and think, closet doors are probably the most used door in the home. Casual viewing of personal items is never a desire when guests arrive. We want these items readily available, but not open to public view. This may include items such clothes, shoes, linen, toys, exercise equipment and a host of other things common to the home.

The once forgotten closet door has evolved to become a part of the overall home decor. We want them to reflect our homes beauty, create a mood within a room and represent a piece of part of our personality just like the rest of the house.

As you review the multi-hardware kit options, systems, pulls and sets available consider the following:

Size should be the first consideration. Depending on your skills this can destroy the DIY project faster than anything else. Ideally, you want the same size replacement.
It is easy to replace a few panels that are pre-measured and are basically remove and drop in. However, if the closet is walls length then you’ll need to take a few extra steps with cascading tri-folding doors, so everything lines up properly when the job is completed.
As in real estate location is also important. A multi-fold door in an adult space would have different features than one placed in the children’s room or recreation area. So take into account safety, height and hardware before deciding on a design.
The next most important consideration would be what you plan to store in the space. Will the door be continuously opened and closed or will it be used occasionally? Whichever the case take this into consideration.
These four questions are a good start point. However, you’ll also want learn how these doors operate.

Multi-fold doors are installed as panels. The materials are the same in all panels. Their interlocking nature is configured by hinging them together. This allows them to operate like an accordion at the long edges. The louvers require near precise alignment when assembled. It’s a simple operation, but can be handy if you can visualize it before installing the doors yourself.

They stack against each other via door passing over door to neatly come together in a corner of the space. This allows them to fit better in smaller spaces than typical sliding closet doors.

The main advantages of these doors are they allow full view of the closet insides when they are opened fully. No more sliding doors from side to side to gain entrance into one side of the closet, only to realize that what you are looking for is on the other side. And the middle part of the closet is almost inaccessible. Bi-fold closet doors solve this problem since you now have full view of the closet just by pulling open one panel.

You can strategically place furniture in and around the doors since they don’t swing out and crowd the space. In urban areas, apartments and smaller homes this is a big advantage and utilizes the space more efficiently. Overall, these doors look great even when open. So you get to enjoy the aesthetics, functionality and ease of use as these doors bring a fresh perspective to the space.

New Louvered Closet Doors and Options

When redecorating a room, louvered closet doors can add a new focal point in an otherwise bland room. With modern or contemporary designs and hardware, louvered doors are more popular than ever. Materials for them will make a difference in prices, from wood panels to wood or polymers. There are options for these including bifold or sliding, bypass or even multi-fold or retractable doors. Dimensions for doorways that will accept louvered closet doors generally stayed the same over the years.

Many retailers of home improvements offer a variety of options for bi-fold and multi-fold doors, as well as retractable and sliding doors. The hardware is much the same, and therefore should not need to be changed if buying new doors of the same type. However, if there is a change made from a bypass to multi-fold doors for example, the hardware would have to be replaced.

Exteriors for louvered closet doors range from unfinished to painted, covered with material to plain wood grain colorings. Accordion doors are available in few colors and finishes; therefore it may be required for you to simply paint these doors to your desired color. Closet doors found in newer, more modern homes include bypass, multi-fold and some are even custom made. Sliding doors are generally not found, nor are accordion style due to the dated appearance. More contemporary looks are found with mirrored or custom doors, as these can be made to fit your idea of perfection. A custom door made for the entryway that matches your front door design can be completed at many home improvement retailers.

Retractable and sliding doors have the same hardware, and therefore little changes would need to be made for installation. It is always best to use a professional from local retailers to install large or heavy doors, but if you choose to do so on your own, there may be walk way or wall differences that must be taken into consideration when it comes to the hardware length. Since retractable and sliding doors normally have different dimensions, it is wise to check these prior to purchasing new louvered closet doors.

Louvered closet doors such as bypass or accordion are best used for linen closets or small areas that there is no room for a human to walk into. Multi-fold, retractable or sliding doors would be best used in areas where a human could walk and move about. Whether you choose unfinished, mirrored or custom doors, the modern look you apply to these doors will not only set your closet apart from the interior, but will give a new look to the interior of the closet as well. Custom louvered closet doors could have been mirrored on the interior to help with saving space for a full length mirror inside bathrooms. Other options could include using the same paint for your interior on your unfinished louvered closet doors to create the appearance of no break in the wall. Regardless of your choices, the closet doors you install will reflect not only your taste, but your flair for interior design.