Your Best Options When Choosing A Bathroom Door Type

Your bathroom door often gets overlooked when, in fact, they actually play a vital role in the interior design and the ambiance. Because this is usable space, the focus is mainly on functionality, and everything decorative occupies a secondary position.

 Bathroom Door

When choosing a bathroom door, there are two typical requirements to consider. The first is its size, and the next is its function, which will allow it to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing or stimulating. Below you can find a short description of a series of door types we find suitable for bathrooms.

Things to Consider for Your Bathroom Door

Things to Consider for Your Bathroom Door

Bathroom remodels are common home improvements. If you’re planning to redesign your bathroom with a new door, you’ll want to consider the following. 

Bathroom Door Size

When designing the entryway to your bathroom, you’ll want to ensure the door not only meets code but is the right size for your space.

The standard size for bathroom doors is 80 inches high and 24 to 36 inches wide. And your door should meet the minimum door size for a bathroom. 

Bathroom Door Handles

When designing the door for your bathroom, you don’t want to overlook the handles. Even though door handles often make a subtle statement, they add style and accentuate your bathroom decor.

Bathroom Door Handles

Door handles and knobs are available in many designs, ranging from modern to vintage, and come in various finishes like brass, nickel, and chrome. 

When it comes to selecting the right door handle, you’ll want to consider:

  • Type – You can choose between privacy or passage handles for your bathroom.
  • Measurements – Determine the size of the hole where the handle gets mounted, the thickness of the door, and the center to the edge of the door.
  • Material – Door handles come in various materials and you want to select the best one for your bathroom style. You can choose from cut class and crystal, ceramic, stainless steel, brass, and more. 
  • Style – Door handles can accentuate the style of your home and bathroom. Several door handle styles include Victorian, bohemian, eclectic, and transitional.
  • Installation – Door handles and knobs are fairly easy to install and come with walk-through instructions. All you’ll probably need is a screwdriver to complete the task.

Bathroom Door Locks

Bathroom Door Locks

Is your bathroom your private sanctum? Then securing the entryway is essential, and there are different types of locks for your bathroom.

You’ll want a lock the is secure, easy to use, and won’t jam while you’re in the bathroom. There are four primary locks to use on your bathroom door.

  1. Deadbolt locks – Commonly paired with non-locking door handles or knobs, deadbolt locks get fitted separately. They come with a key to unlock them from the outside and are easy to use.
  2. Handleset locks – These are locks that come on the handles for the door. They are efficient, but they tend to get jammed.
  3. Passage locks – If you don’t want locks, these are perfect. Passage locks don’t actually have a locking system at all, but they are great to use if you have young children.
  4. Privacy function locks – Their button locking mechanisms characterize these. To lock the door, you press the button, and it clicks in. And to unlock it, you simply press it again to click it out.

Over the Door Bathroom Organizer

Whether you’re maximizing your storage options or living in a small space, over-the-door bathroom organizers are valuable space savers.

You use bathroom organizers to store:

  • toilet paper
  • cleaning supplies
  • beauty products
  • medicine
  • candles
  • decor

You can get organizers with hangers for towels and clothes and that range in different shapes and sizes. 

Top Bathroom Door Ideas for Your Next Bathroom Makeover

Bathroom doors come in all shapes and sizes and can provide privacy, space, and transformation. Include your bathroom door as a part of your interior design with these creative and inspiring bathroom door ideas. 

1. Barn door for bathroom

Blue Sliding barn doors for bathroom

A sliding barn door for your bathroom can make the space feel welcoming and cozy. They come in a variety of designs and can adapt to a variety of decors. A particularly wonderful idea is to use barn doors to separate a bedroom from its en-suite bathroom.{found on wisemanandgale}.

2. Space-saving bathroom pocket doors

Pocked door for small bathroom

Pocket doors are making a comeback and their defining characteristics make them an ideal choice for bathrooms. Because they don’t swing open but rather slide into the wall when opened, pocket doors allow you to save floor space in the bathroom, making more room for other functional features and the bathroom shower glass door. {found on garretcordwerner}.

3. Simple bathroom French doors

Simple panel door to bathroom

This is the most commonly used type of interior door and you can recognize a panel door by the square or rectangular patterns it features. They can range from a single large panel to several small ones. Their simplicity, popularity, and versatility allows them to look natural in a lot of settings.

4. Classy French bathroom doors

Classy French doors

French doors hang on hinges at each side of a door and they swing toward each other meeting at the center. They can be used in a lot of different settings and they can adapt to a variety of styles. Although they’re not very popular in bathrooms, they can become a focal point for this space allowing it to stand out.

5. Glass panel doors

Glass Panel Door to bathroom

This type of doors feature a piece of glass in place of a panel and this basically gives the door a window. Such a door can have one or multiple glass panels arranged in a pattern. This one features a series of 5 rectangular windows.

Single glass panel for bathroom door

A single large glass panel can also be used in which case the door would feature a wooden frame and a glass core. The glass can be frosted to offer more privacy or the door can feature a curtain that covers the glass window.

6. Frosted glass bathroom door

Frosted bathroom sliding glass door

Frosted glass is often used in bathrooms in the form of shower enclosure panels or doors. The glass maintains an airy and spacious look and its texture keeps the room private. Frosted glass doors can feature a variety of styles and can open and close in a variety of ways.

7. Stained glass doors

Stained bathroom glass doors

Stained glass panels can be a part of a door’s design, offering it a unique look. French doors are a popular option. The stained glass panel can make up most of the door’s structure but a door can also have several small panels arranged in a distinctive pattern.

8. Doors with curved design details

Bathroom with a curved door design

Most door types leave plenty of room for customization and, as a result, a lot of variations appear. One example includes interior door designs that feature curved details such as decorative panels and windows. {found on jbanksdesign}.

9. Bathroom door mirror

Bathroom door with built in mirror

Both the door and the mirror are must-have features in any bathroom so why not combine them? A door with a built-in mirror can be a practical option when space is limited or when the layout simply allows it. {found on atmoscaperdesign}.

10. Doors as mirror frames

Framed mirror door on the bathroom

Mounting a mirror on the bathroom door is one thing but integrating a full-height mirror in one is quite different. The door, in this case, would function as a mirror frame that swings open to allow access in and out of the room. {found on lelandinteriors}.

11. No bathroom door knobs

Doors that conceal the passage

If you want to hide the bathroom, consider concealing it behind a set of doors that are part of a larger wall unit. The doors that allow access to the bathroom would simply look like another set of closet doors. {found on st-arch}.

12. Bathroom sliding glass door

Sliding panel doors for bathroom

Because they don’t swing, sliding doors are commonly used in areas with limited floor space. They’re a less common option for bathrooms because they require a large opening. This makes them suitable for spacious bathrooms.

13. Shoji screen sliding bathroom door

Master bedroom with shoji doors for bathroom

If you’re planning a Japanese or Asian-inspired décor for the bathroom, consider using Shoji screens instead of regular doors. They’re similar to sliding doors but have a few unique particularities in terms of materials used, structure and design.

14. Bathroom glass door

A Natural Wooden Door

When separating the bathroom from the master bedroom is not a matter of gaining privacy in either of these spaces, there’s no point in using solid partitions such as walls or doors made of wood. However, you need to keep the moisture contained so partitions are needed. Transparent glass is a viable option in such cases.{found on morphinterior}.

15. Playful chalk doors

Chalk paint bathroom door

Want to add a playful touch to your bathroom? How about painting the interior panel of the door with chalkboard paint? You can then customize and personalize it in lots of quirky and fun ways. You can even let everyone who uses the bathroom leave a message on the door.

16. Brightly pained doors

A Natural Wooden Door

Another way to make the bathroom door stand out, regardless of its size, style and design, is through color. Paint the door an eye-catching shade such as red, yellow, or green and use similar color accents in its interior décor as well.

This is a really easy way to upgrade your current bathroom door without having to replace it. While you could certainly paint a brand new door that you purchase, you could just give your current door a makeover with a bold splash of paint. Paint is one of the best budget-friendly makeover tips for any room in your home and will make your bathroom look brand new even without changing the door.

17. Paneled PVC Doors

Paneled PVC Doors

While we’ve focused so far on bathroom door styles, it’s also important to consider the material that your new door is made from. One of the most popular materials for bathroom doors is PVC, and we highly recommend considering PVC doors for your next bathroom makeover.

PVC doors will be an excellent investment for your bathroom, and they look just like a traditional painted wooden door. However, they don’t require any of the maintenance that wooden doors do. You won’t have to worry so much about preserving this door, and it will offer you and your family a long-lasting solution for many years to come.

PVC is resistant to chemical corrosion, which is important for bathrooms, and they still enjoy a smooth finish. This type of door should be waterproof, which is important for when you are getting out of the shower or bath.

If you are trying to upgrade your bathroom yourself, you’ll find that they are quick and easy to fit, which is why PVC doors are so popular with DIYers. Check out this PVC door from Wayfair for inspiration for your next bathroom door. The great news is that PVC doors come in different styles, so you can find a solution that works for your home.

18. Opaque Glass Doors

Opaque Glass Doors

We’ve already shared some of the other glass door options for bathrooms, but opaque glass doors are well worth considering for your next bathroom makeover. Opaque glass will help to reflect about 66% of the light that a room receives, but it also makes a nice decorative addition to your bathroom. It is a sophisticated and modern option, and you’ll find it easy to clean.

Opaque glass is water-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about where you put it in your bathroom, and you could also consider adding matching shower doors.

If you have a bathroom that’s located in a very sunny spot in your home, we highly recommend an opaque glass door. You’ll find that you can opt for sliding or hinge doors, so there are plenty of good design options for any bathroom.

19. A Metal Bathroom Door

A Natural Wooden Door

While you might not think about metal as a material choice for your bathroom door, it’s a very robust addition to any home. Metal also adds a modern aesthetic for any house or apartment, and it’s a good solution for a bathroom that’s used by multiple members of your family or for adding to your bathroom shower cubicle.

One thing to keep in mind is that metal and steel doors can be quite heavy, which may be an issue if you have younger children. You’ll also need to be careful that it doesn’t rust, but hopefully, your door is far enough away from the shower or bath for this not to be too much of a worry.

The great news is that metal doors are very unlikely to get damaged or broken, so they can withstand daily use for many years to come. Check out this steel bathroom door from Victorian Plumbing for more inspiration about combining glass and metal for your bathroom door.

20. A Natural Wooden Door

A Natural Wooden Door

A natural wooden door is ideal for a traditional home which is trying to keep a rustic theme throughout every room in the home. This wood door from Wayfair is ideal for any home and will create a simple yet classic look for your bathroom.

The great thing about wood is that it can easily be painted over in the future if you do decide to upgrade your bathroom.

Always make sure your wood door has a protective coating to avoid any water damage, which is one of the biggest risks of adding this material to a bathroom. You could even take things one step further during your bathroom makeover and add wooden fixtures and cupboards throughout the bathroom.

Bathroom Door FAQ

How to Unlock Bathroom Door

There are three main privacy locks used for bathroom doors.

  • A turn button lock
  • A pushpin button lock
  • A privacy bolt with a lever

And fortunately, there are some tricks on how to unlock a locked bathroom door.

  1. Credit card – Use a stiff, laminated, unimportant card to slide between the door frame and the lock. And try to push the bolt back inside while leaning against the door.
  2. Paper clip – Using two paper clips, bend the first one and insert it in to the lock hole. Then stick the second straightened one into the lock hole and wiggle it around until the door unlocks.
  3. Metal coat hanger – Bend your hanger, so you have a long hanger with the hook at the end. Wrap the hook around the bolt and pull it towards you while rotating the knob. 

How to Unlock Bathroom Door From the Outside

If you’re locked outside of the bathroom, there are a few ways you can unlock the bathroom door.

  • Disassemble the door knob by unscrewing the screws. If there are no visible screws, try turning the handle counterclockwise.
  • If the door knob has a rectangular slot, fit a flat head screwdriver into the slot and turn.
  • If there is no way to unlock the bathroom door from the outside, find another entry point like a window.
  • If the door has handles rather than knobs, a tricky way to unlock the door from the outside is by slipping a piece of wire under the door. Using the bent wire, you can attempt to clasp the door handle and pull it down to open. 

How to Unlock Bathroom Door with a Hole

If your bathroom doorknob has a hole in the center of it, you can attempt to unlock the door. 

First, locate the actuator using a flashlight inside the hole. 

Then, find a tool that will fit inside the hole.

And finally, move the actuator until you hear the lock open. 

Be careful not to break the actuator during this process, as there is no way to unlock the door if this gets broken. 

How to Clean a Bathroom Glass Door

There are many products you can use to clean your glass bathroom door. Most all-purpose, glass and even homemade cleaners will work.

  1. First, spray the cleaner on the door and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. 
  2. Then, use a soft bristle brush or sponge to scrub the door.
  3. Rinse with water or a clean wet towel.
  4. Finally, dry buff with a clean microfiber towel. 

A couple of tips for cleaning a bathroom glass door are:

  • Never mix ammonia and bleach. It creates highly toxic gases.
  • Never use a hard bristle brush on the glass as it will easily scratch and damage the surface. 
  • Open the windows in the bathroom to keep the area well ventilated. 
  • Sticking to a regular cleaning schedule will make your bathroom doors much easier to clean. 

How to Install a Bathroom Door

Whether you choose a pre-hung or slab door, changing your bathroom door can dramatically change the style of your home.

A slab door is much cheaper but can be challenging to install, whereas a pre-hung door is easier to install yourself but more costly.

Follow these steps to install a bathroom door.

  1. First, remove the existing bathroom door, including the hardware and hinge plates.
  2. Once you remove the door and prep the frame, you can position the new door by sliding it in until the jamb is flush with the wall.
  3. Then, use a level to make sure the door is straight and add shams to ensure the jamb and frame are flush.
  4. Next, you’ll want to nail the door frame to the studs. And then install the bathroom door trim.
  5. Finally, go ahead and install the hardware like your door handles.

There are many great options for choosing a bathroom door.

You’ll find that there are many material choices when reviewing the different bathroom door types, which allows you to find a solution that will fit with your current bathroom and home décor.

We always recommend choosing a material that won’t get easily damaged by water to ensure that it lasts for many years to come. Whichever one of the bathroom door styles you like most, we hope it helps give your bathroom a makeover that will make this one of your favorite rooms in your home.