Pocket door or regular door for a walk-in closet?

12 years ago

We have decided to make a spare bedroom into the Master Walk-in closet. It shares a wall, and on that wall at one side has the main door to the bedroom, and I would like the door to the closet to look as similar as possible. To save space inside the closet, I suggested a pocket door. But my handy man (aka my husband) has told me that it is a lot more work to put in a pocket door. So, which would you chose? He said he would do the pocket door, it will just take more time. And possibly more money as it will require more drywall removal and replacing. Also, any pictures for a room that is about 10' by 10' to have our washer and dryer in it and some built-ins for closet storage? Its a fairly small room. I've attached a rough sketch of the rooms.

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PRO

Someone's in the Kitchen, Inc.

12 years ago

Hi Jennifer! Our general rule is that pocket doors are beneficial where the door will be fully open most of the time, where a swinging door finds no practical resting place when open, or where there simply is not room to swing the door. Otherwise we'd always recommend a hinged door.

Hinged doors are easier to operate, not prone to the binding and scraping that often plagues pocket doors (the minimal framing used in walls of standard thickness tends to bow), and just feel more substantial and secure.

Hubby is right - the entire pocket area of the wall will have to be opened up. And be aware that you will not be able to hang anything substantial on the hollow area of wall containing the pocket. Good Luck! Mark

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Comments (7)

PRO
Dytecture
12 years ago
The sketch didn't get attached, try saving as 'jpeg' file.
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PRO
Scott Design, Inc.
12 years ago
Consider a double door. For example, if you have a 28" opening, get two 14" doors, etc. When open, the doors will not extend into the closet as far. If they swing out, they can lay against the wall. When closed they will look similar to the single door.
Darzy
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
We also converted a small bedroom into a walk-in closet/dressing room. I opted for a four panel bi-fold door (track on the top) that has the same style as the bedroom (beveled panels) entrance door. The bi-fold takes little space on the sides, but a larger opening to enter the closet.
Julie
12 years ago
A sliding door can be noisier than a swing door...might be helpful to think about if someone is still sleeping. :-)
PRO
ReMax - Lisa
12 years ago
I wouldn't go to the trouble of reframing, drywalling etc for a pocket door. Can you put the door on so it swings outward into the bedroom to save space in the closet? That's what we did in ours and it works well. I leave it open most of the time anyway for air flow.
PRO
Cindy Sherman, CKBD
12 years ago
The largest hurdle in adding a pocket door is what may be located inside that wall .. any electrical would be first but also any studs that may impede the fit would require some major retrofitting. The size seems plenty big to fit the dual purpose -- so long as your built ins are functional to your needs.