I was just at a house with what looked like a pocket doorin front of a wet bar. Later, I was in the pantry and wondered what the sliding door at the back of it was. Lo and behold, it was the ”pocket” door to the wet bar behind the pantry! I have no idea why it was done thwt way, if it was a change after construction or what, but certainly was a creative way to do a pocket door without a pocket.

marissa2680 - That's very disappointing that you may not be able to use your antique door. Other than a sliding type barn door, I am not sure what else can be done. Have you asked your builder?

Have you thought about turning your door into a pivot door? I have pivot doors on my laundry room and dining room in current new build. I had one on my laundry door in previous home and loved how it swings both in and out.

bpath - I am intrigued with your story, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out what you are describing!

Some of the best comments start out with "wet bar" in the first sentence.

How can we still make the pocket door install work?

Work with your builder to find a solution.

Nhb22 I had not thought about a pivot door option. Interesting. Our builder suggested we could build the wall in about 3” into the laundry room to allow it to fit...but I am curious if there are any other options....thanks everyone

I like a pivot door, but your counter would be blocked when the door is open. I would go with the builder's idea.

Can you show more of the floor plan?

If you want help framing you would need to show a framing plan. What's this "load bearing support"? A simple header might work, or might not. There's no way anyone not on site can help you with the information provided.

The header and opening needs to be twice the size of the pocket door. Since it’s not on the plans the framing crew built to the plans. The pocket can go either way, at this point it’s probably easier for the builder to make the laundry room smaller than to reframe the wall.

Next time do this, and use the antique door where someone other than the waitstaff will see it.

Have it re-framed with a load bearing

header and add a pocket door frame.

Any good framer will be able to do this.

According to your drawing, you have 10' ceilings.

Should be plenty of room up there for a structural header.

Do you have a better place that an antique door can be viewed in a more public space? Like the Entry Foyer, or just displaying the door slab by itself? Or are you perfectly happy having this door tucked back in the Mudroom, where it has a minimum of 3 other mere mortal doors taking away attention, 1 of which is in the same wall plane.

"I like a pivot door, but your counter would be blocked when the door is open. I would go with the builder's idea."

Karenseb - I agree that a pocket door will be best for the OP's situation, but the main reason I went with a pivot door in my new home is because there is a vacuum/mop closet to the left of my laundry entrance. I plan to keep the door in the closed position when going in and out. A quick push with the hands or a shoulder (when carrying a laundry basket) places the door back in the closed position and out of the way so that I do not need to move the door when trying to get into the closet.

It is an issue because the OP thinks you are smarter than the builder.