A Small Bathroom Door Is The Designer Trick You've Probably Never Considered But Should
If you're feeling a bit squeezed for space in your small bathroom, you've likely gotten really creative with every square inch. The pedestal sink instead of the vanity cabinet. The teeny-tiny shower in lieu of a big bathtub. Wall shelving as opposed to that freestanding storage unit. But there's one spot that you've probably not given much thought to but could use a dose of creativity: the bathroom door.
As it turns out, the door is a surefire way to save precious floor space in a small bathroom. Whether you're looking to maximize the petite powder room you already have or you're starting from scratch with a bathroom remodel, you can majorly boost the functionality of your washroom with the right door choice.
Why Traditional Doors Are Not Ideal for Small Bathrooms
Here's the main thing you'll want to focus on when pondering door ideas: Skip traditional designs. You see, when used for a small bathroom, a standard interior bathroom door could swing into your teeny space, which means it will feel even smaller than it already does. If you're planning a remodel, we highly recommend considering the six traditional door alternatives below.
What Kind of Doors Are Best for a Small Bathroom?
Traditional bathroom doors swing inward, which would inevitably take up what could otherwise be valuable space. If a bathroom is tiny enough, a swinging door may not even be an option. The options below either open outward or feature a sliding mechanism. If you do decide on a sliding door, it's important to ensure the bathroom layout is conducive to a track on which the door glides.
Types of Bathroom Doors
1. Sliding Door
A door that slides on a track instead of being pulled open. It can either be a single or double door.
Pros
- Huge space-saver.
- Large selection of designs across all decor styles.
Cons
- Track takes up surface area that may not be available.
- Requires a nontraditional locking mechanism.
Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate
A type of sliding door that's made of rustic, barn-inspired wood on a metal track. It can either be a single or double door.
Pros
- Adds character.
- Can add value to a home.
Cons
- Track takes up surface area that may not be available.
- Requires a nontraditional locking mechanism.
- Materials may be more expensive, especially when looking at high-quality distressed wood.
- Doesn't go with every decor style.
Stephen Paul for Hunker
A single door or set of double doors that swing out and include some type of glass panel. French doors are most often double doors.
Pros
- Makes a space feel more open.
- Can add light to a room that lacks it.
Cons
- Lacks privacy (unless you choose frosted glass).
Sanford Creative
A set of doors that don't always need to include glass (unlike French doors). We recommend choosing ones that swing outward so as not to compromise your valuable bathroom space.
Pros
- Gives you the option to keep one door open and one closed.
Cons
- Can take up valuable bathroom space if they swing inward.
- More installation required than with a single door.
Peter Schweitzer
A sliding door that goes into the wall when opened. It therefore has no visible track, as the track is mounted inside the wall. It can be either a single or double door.
Pros
- The most efficient space-saving solution.
Cons
- Hardest to install since the door needs to go into the wall.
- Track can get stuck if it isn't good quality.
- Requires a nontraditional locking mechanism.
Stephen Paul for Hunker
A door that folds in half when opened as a means to save space.
Pros
- A similar look to a single door but offers space-saving properties.
Cons
- Bi-fold doors cost more than traditional doors.
- Fingers can get stuck in the fold (especially important to note for children).
- Rarely come with a locking mechanism.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Bathroom Door
There are three main factors to consider when purchasing a bathroom door: size, handles, and locks.
1. Bathroom door size
The first factor, size, is rather straightforward. While you're obviously looking for something on the smaller side, it's important to make sure it's accessible to all your guests. The standard bathroom door size is 32 inches, but you can go down to 24 inches and even smaller if you're planning on installing double doors.
Trisha Sprouse for Hunker
Your bathroom door handle will be influenced by two factors: aesthetics (self-explanatory) and functionality. Based on the type of door you select, you'll need to pick out either a traditional doorknob or a door pull (either flush or extended). Most of the above options will use a pull instead of a knob; however, double doors will occasionally feature twistable handles.
Sanford Creative
There are two main types of bathroom door locks for home restrooms: handle/knob locks and sliding door latches. The first and most common type is built into the door handle with a pushbutton or turning lock. Alternatively, for sliding doors, special latches are required. These are ideal for all doors on tracks, including barn doors and pocket doors. Similarly, bi-fold doors require specific latches. Other solutions for securing bi-fold doors can be found here.
Designer-Approved Ideas for Bathroom Doors
Here is some small bathroom door inspiration from seven of our favorite interior designers.
1. A white sliding barn door mixes freshness and charm.
As you sift through small bathroom door ideas, know that you can save space and pile on the charm too. The perfect example of this? A sliding barn door. From farmhouse to modern bathroom interiors, this type of sliding bathroom door will look oh-so-stylish, and you'll be able to skip options that swing into your bath. We're particularly loving the fresh white barn door —chosen by stylist and New York Times bestselling author Emily Henderson — that brings a clean look to this often rustic style.
Get the look: Ark Design II Paneled Manufactured Wood Barn Door With Installation Hardware Kit, $296.99
The Learner Observer
For a twist on the classic barn door look, consider double sliding doors. It'll give your bathroom a bit of a "grand entrance" that's more eye-catching than a standard option. Just look to this stunning blue example from interior designer Thalita of The Learner Observer.
Place of My Taste
When it comes to barn doors, you should know that you can totally DIY one for your small bathroom. It's a great way to replace the less than desirable bathroom door design that came with your house while making your small bath seem bigger. Check out the tutorial by DIYer Aniko of Place of My Taste.
Chris Loves Julia
Whether you're installing French doors or a pocket door, glass is an effective way to trick the eye into thinking there's more room than there really is. Bathroom doors with glass allow light to flow in and give the illusion of bonus space, something that Insta-famous renovators Chris and Julia of Chris Loves Julia embraced in this small bath.
Erin Kestenbaum
Go for French doors sans the glass. Since they swing out, they won't take up any of your hard-to-come-by floor space, and they look so elegant and luxe. We're digging the deep shade of teal used in this space belonging to designer and photographer Erin Kestenbaum.
Molly Winters Photography for Kim Lewis Designs
Here's a super clever way to approach a sliding bathroom door: Install one on either side of a small corner bath. These doors — picked by the six-year lead designer of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Kim Lewis — beautifully serve as home decor while saving space too.
Truth & Co.
Pocket doors don't have to be boring. Show off yours with a contrasting shade from the bathroom's wall. We really like the blueish-gray shade — selected by the interior design duo Anisa and Casey of Truth & Co. — for this powder room's pocket door.
