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Ditch a Door to Open a Space
Say goodbye to an interior door or two and welcome better traffic flow and more accessible storage in your rooms
We're in the middle of renovating a small outdated midcentury ranch. To optimize space and traffic flow, we've decided to remove all the closet doors in the three bedrooms. By hanging fabric in place of true closet doors, we hope to open up the rooms, add texture and promote organization, since closing the door on closet chaos won't be an option.
In preparation for our closet door removal, I researched other designers' takes on ditching doors. I found several closet designs that steer clear of doors, as well as entire room designs that break away from the beaten path and use open shelving and fabric panels in place of doors.
Take a look at what I found, then turn to your own home and see if it wouldn't benefit from losing a door or two. Sometimes less really is more.
In preparation for our closet door removal, I researched other designers' takes on ditching doors. I found several closet designs that steer clear of doors, as well as entire room designs that break away from the beaten path and use open shelving and fabric panels in place of doors.
Take a look at what I found, then turn to your own home and see if it wouldn't benefit from losing a door or two. Sometimes less really is more.
Instead of a walk-in closet, turn a small hall into an open closet. Implementing tidy open shelving and hanging rods negates the need for doors, which would impede traffic flow through the hallway.
Remove the door from an existing small closet and hang a colorful fabric curtain instead. Add a floating desktop and open shelving to reinvent the office concept. For a fun surprise, install complementary printed wallpaper within the closet. Pull up a chair and you're ready to work.
See more closet offices
See more closet offices
In a utility room, create an organized storage nook by skipping a door and installing floor-to-ceiling shelving. Keep the look neat with baskets, bags and containers.
Ditching the door doesn't just apply to closet spaces. Forgo doors between rooms when the view is worth looking at. Here, the view of the adjacent sitting room draws you in from the bedroom. Luxurious curtain panels keep the rooms feeling separate while allowing the eye to wander.
Avoid smashed fingers by removing doors from closets in kids’ rooms. Not only are fabric doors easier for children to use, but they also encourage cleaning up.
Design a functional yet playful child’s room with the help of a pro
Design a functional yet playful child’s room with the help of a pro
Instead of hanging a solid door separating this lovely library from the home’s entrance, the designers hung a single fabric panel from the ceiling. The effect is more subtle than a door and very welcoming.
An existing hall closet gets a custom look with built-in drawers and open shelving. Without the extra door, traffic flow is improved and two open doors won't bang into each other.
Create a mini mudroom in a closet by removing the door, then adding wall hooks, padded seating and open storage under a built-in bench. This is a great way to turn an underutilized closet into a multifunctional space.
This small modern cabin makes the most of natural light by using as few interior walls as possible. Simple floor-to-ceiling panels separate the bedroom from the main living space at night and allow tons of sunlight to pour into the bedroom during daylight hours.
Tell us: Have you ditched a door? Share a photo below.
More:
Letting It All Hang Out: The Beauty of Open Shelving
Blended Doors for Standout Style
Tell us: Have you ditched a door? Share a photo below.
More:
Letting It All Hang Out: The Beauty of Open Shelving
Blended Doors for Standout Style
Work with an expert to design a custom closet that reflects your style and meets your needs