It WAS a trend, now passed.

“Barn” doors were popular with the typical, rustic ones being overdone, but there are so many modern styles to now choose from. In the right location with the right style, I think they are great. In a couple of years from now when building, maybe decide then and in reality, if you tire of its not hard to replace. https://www.contemporist.com/10-examples-of-barn-doors-in-contemporary-kitchens-bedrooms-and-bathrooms/

It’s a trend that’s great in a real farmhouse.

I never considered Barn doors in a house a trend or desire in my life which I viewed as primitive and silly. What was a classic I always liked were pocket doors in old Victorian homes, which fell out of favor in the 1920's because of the crude roller trolleys and tracks which became noisy, wobbly and hard to open and close over time. Then came star trek with the space age automatic pocket doors,

There are many companies now offering automatic motorized units for operating pocket doors for residential homes, but still use crude roller trolleys or belt driven devices to open and close the doors and IMO are already obsolete. But new companies are popping up incorporating the technology used in automation, robotics and CNC machinery to open and close pocket doors with a whisper so fast there is no waiting. They're using linear rail slides, servo motors and controllers which were once to expensive to open a stinking door but not anymore.

This is the trend that hasn't become a trend yet, and I see it evolving as a common replacement for hinged doors, with no locks & keys, nobs or even buttons to push. It's here now and like Star trek's other futuristic devices like tablet computers, communicators, telepresence and tricorders we all use now the star trek pocket door will be the next thing to become common. Star trek first envisioned transparent aluminum and today a company called Surmet now manufactures a type of transparent aluminum named ALON and is for sale at about $15 per square inch.

Lol, thanks for all the comments! Maureen- some of those photos are really lovely, in my opinion, as they certainly don't look like they belong in a barn! I'm wondering what the potential disadvantages are.

Kevin- I've liked pocket doors in some situations, but I've seen those same problems you mentioned with the tracks. I always hated the little piece that popped out from the edge, that needs to be pulled to close the door. The motorized units you speak of are intriguing, but they don't sound like they'll be inexpensive.