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Design Dilemma Storage & Closet

Closet Door vs Closet Organizer

8 years ago

Doing a mostly DIY bedroom renovation. Had planned on bypass doors on the closet. Opening is ~ 58" and was ready to install a pair of 30" doors with appropriate overlap. Fortunately (or not) our closet organizer arrived just prior to installing the doors. In hopes of making installation easier I opted to assemble the organizer and realized that A) I wouldn't be able to open the drawers if I left it centered in the space and B) if I shifted it left or right enough to utilize the drawers I'd have about 8" of essentially dead space I couldn't get to. So, I'm trying to come up with either a multi pass door option that opens from either direction allowing access to either side of the drawer unit (utilizing narrower doors) or a bypass that is mounted outside the space like a barn door.

The multi pass seems best suited but I can't tell if the ones I've found have a stationary element and open and collapse from there. That wouldn't work. There are many flavors of external mounts but I haven't come across a version that would work.

I'd love to say money is no object but of course it is.

Suggestions?

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

Good stuff

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Comments (9)

User
8 years ago
Have you thought about an open closet without doors? Or a tailored curtain? I'm not talking about hanging a sheet over it with thumbtacks. I mean one made to fit the space and decor. I chose to put in an attractive closet organizer without doors so I could have full access to the entire closet. I am in a wheelchair so it makes it easier than fighting doors but the principle is the same. All that being said, no doors no cost.
frandaman
Original Author
8 years ago
No doors looks like the winner at least for now. Better half isn't too keen on it but it will have to suffice for now. The closet is actually behind the "headboard wall" so won't be viewed by anyone unless they actually enter that room. It is opposite the wall pictured...which is cork flooring planks. Inspired by many pix here.
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Go on line to The Container Store and look at the Elfa shelving system...the beauty of it is that you install a horizontal rail, and then the standards hang from it. It is a little more expensive than similar systems from the home centers, but in my experience, the parts are far better engineered. Then if you want something more interesting than the plastic stuff from the home centers, if you have a Pier 1 and/or a 10,000 Villages and/or a World Market in your town, look for containers there. The trick is not to over-plan or over-buy...not everything needs to be in something specific. If you really want to save money, you can cover shoe boxes with pretty wrapping paper for office supplies...cut a piece of sheet cork for the bottom to keep it from sliding around. You can also cover or spray-paint empty cans to hold pens and pencils and other stand-up things. Inexpensive metal baking pans with a cork lining are also good, and have a nice industrial quality, if that appeals to you. I keep batteries and boxes of staples and paper clips in pretty little gift bags that are sturdy enough to stand a little use, and look nice lined up on the shelf. I also bought a bunch of white paperboard boxes from Staples (they come flat in packages of three or four), and I use them for projects and miscellaneous paper...clean and simple looking, and easy to label. Use your imagination, and have fun with it!
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We have had two closet systems installed Closets by Design. Both times we had positive experiences with the install; just be clear whether you want it to be notched in the back for baseboard, in my opinion it looks better to remove your baseboard so it’s not notched. It’s also worth it to add the baseboard and crown, and increase the height of the system to the ceiling. The salespeople do have a “poor mentality” to make sure they get the sale so you really have to push to add these extras. We are pretty handy, so the third closet system we did ourselves using Menard’s Dakota system for a third of the cost or less. It looks as nice and sturdy the rest.
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Mark, funny comment. after a lot of searching, I found what I thought was a good pick for bi-fold doors. (for my laundry closet. no room for reg. doors) Home Depot had solid oak bi-fold doors. Apparently they are out of stock. right now I've got those hollow louvered doors and they are crap. thinking I may have to have someone make something because I can't find any suitable replacements.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 years ago
Can you not put folding doors that open the closet completely.
frandaman
Original Author
8 years ago
I researched bi-fold doors yesterday pretty extensively. My understanding is they come in certain sizes and no custom sizes. The bypass would be two 30" doors to allow for some overlap in the middle thus the opening that is about 58".

Bi-fold doors would be 60" less an inch for passage on the outside and another inch or so in the middle, which won't work for me.

For now we'll live with the opening.

Thanks
Alison
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Do you have enough wall space on either side of the closet opening to accommodate the full width of the doors plus a few extra inches? My thought is, what about using barn door hardware, with the 30", off the shelf doors?
miacometlady
8 years ago
Sorry... Not getting your dilemma... Lol... My fault entirely... But here r some thoughts on unique door applications anyway.
Alison
8 years ago

Chancellor Estate · More Info

Chancellor Estate · More Info
tatts
8 years ago
Wow! That Chancellor Estate contraption is truly hideous. The gaps in the planks aren't tight, the doors don't line up properly, you can still only open 1/2 of the closet at a time, and the hanging mechanism is ghastly.

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