Pocket doors – space-saving alternatives with an architectural effect

For those of you who weren’t sure what pocket doors are, you should know that they are a type of sliding door that disappears into a compartment found in the adjacent wall. When fully opened, these doors are practically invisible. There are several advantages that come with using pocket doors.

Traditional room pocket door
Pocket doors are commonly used for verandas or terraces

First of all, a pocket door adds about 10 square feet of floor space and we can’t say the same thing about traditional hinged doors. Also, they have a very nice architectural effect. They can be both single and double and both versions work on the same principles. They usually feature rollers suspended from an overhead track and they’re not that difficult to install.

Traditional room pocket door
They are also very practical in the case of small rooms where space is limited
Traditional room pocket door
Depending on the space available, you can opt for either single or double pocket doors

Pocket doors were particularly popular in Victorian homes but they became less popular after that and many hardware manufacturers went out of business. Now, however, we are more and more interested in saving space in our homes and of taking advantage of every little inch. So pocket doors are once again a popular feature, although often overlooked by architects.

Traditional room pocket door
A single pocket door can be very practical for the bathroom
Traditional room pocket door
Open floor plans and contemporary homes sometimes feature pocket doors
Traditional room pocket door
These doors are also quite popular in more traditional homes
Traditional room pocket door
Pocket doors have a very special and beautiful architectural effect
Traditional room pocket door
They can be either simple or with glass on the upper portion that lets light get through
Traditional room pocket door
Pocket doors look particularly nice in home offices or libraries
Traditional room pocket door
You can either make the door seamlessly disappear into the wall or stand out

This would be the main advantage that this type of doors offers. There is also a downside for using pocket doors and that is the fact that it can be very difficult and impractical to replace or repair the hidden parts and the hardware due to the act that they are found inside the wall.

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.