Barn doors add texture and visual contrast to a space, but they're not just for rustic or farmhouse interiors. With dozens of designs to choose from, you can find the right barn door for your home.
Sliding barn doors require space above the frame to mount, but there are options if you have minimal wall space. The key is to use high-quality hardware that looks and functions flawlessly.
Colorful
When most people picture barn doors, images of farmhouses or rustic abodes come to mind. But the truth is that barn doors complement a wide range of interior styles, including contemporary ones. In fact, these unique pieces of functional decor can be used as a bold accent to elevate a neutral room.
Because they’re sliding rather than hinged, barn doors can help you preserve floor space. That makes them an ideal choice in tight spaces like hallways and butler’s pantries where space is limited.
You can also snag barn door options with glass panes to preserve light flow and lines of sight in bedrooms and home offices. This look works well in German and Scandinavian interiors that lean toward a modern, grown-up allure. You can even choose striped or chevron door panels to add visual interest.
Modern
Although they often feel rustic and cozy, barn doors can also be incorporated into more refined interiors. Whether they're used as pantry doors or in the mudroom, they'll add texture and interest to your space without overstating it.
They're also an easy way to work a pop of color into your home. Leaving them neutral is an option, but painting a barn door is another way to make an eye-catching design statement. Try a fun pattern like this chevron stripe idea from honey hydrangea for a bold look that's simple to DIY.
Not all barn doors are full-sized. This mini barn door idea from The Painted Hive is a great solution for farmhouse-style kitchens where you want to hide less aesthetically pleasing appliances, such as a laundry room washer and dryer or your wall-mounted television.
Minimalist
A barn door's straight architectural lines, exposed materials and monochrome color scheme make it a perfect fit for modern interiors. When stained or painted to coordinate with your hardwood floors and other wood accents, a barn door can deliver a subtle touch that feels completely cohesive.
Barn doors can be used to hide less-than-aesthetically pleasing necessities like laundry machines, stowing away large appliances, or a wall-mounted television without compromising a room's curated design aesthetic. By hiding these items behind Custom Interior Modern Doors, you can still easily access them but they will no longer stand out or distract from the room's design.
Remember, however, that you will need a fair amount of wall space on either side of the door opening in order to allow it to fully slide open. This is especially true for double barn doors.
Mudroom
If you want to hide coats and shoes in a mudroom without adding bulk, consider using a sliding barn door. This style can also add architectural interest to a wall that would otherwise be blank, and it allows for privacy while still keeping the space open.
Real Simple reports that barn doors can fit in a wide range of spaces, including laundry rooms, pantries, and closets. They're also a great option for hallways or rooms with unusual doorway sizes.
Keep in mind that barn doors don't swing out like traditional doors, so you'll need empty wall space on both sides of the opening to allow for their smooth movement. This can make them less suitable for small spaces. However, you can add them to larger areas if your layout and furniture can accommodate the extra space.
Bathroom
Sliding barn doors are a great solution for bathrooms because they open up space that hinged doors would occupy. Whether they’re hung in a compact powder room or large bathroom, these doors create a dramatic effect.
Although leaving the door paint-free is a popular choice, you can also stain your barn door to match other wood accents in the room. This look is perfect for achieving a cohesive color scheme without the room feeling too matchy-matchy.
Some homeowners worry that sliding barn doors will not be private enough for a bedroom or bathroom, but there are several privacy latching solutions available. These include hook and eye closures and recessed pulls. You can even find barn doors that lock with a strike plate. This hardware gives you the privacy you want without compromising the beauty of your doors.