In recent years, the trend to more open floor plans has led to new ways of thinking about interior design.

The challenge of creating a balance between the feel of open space and the feeling of intimacy led architects and interior designers toward innovative uses and designs of sliding doors.

If your experience with this kind of door is limited to sliding patio doors, know that bringing this door style to the interior of the house brings several benefits to both style and function.

1) Get Flexible With Your Floor Plan

An open floor plan works well at times, making your living space seem bigger and more usable. But there are times when you might wish to divide the space back up into its individual uses. For example, opening the kitchen up to the family room is great for big parties but can feel awkward if you bed guests down on the sofa.

Sliding doors can serve as a way to meet these conflicting needs by treating them as moveable walls that can change your space’s configuration. The sliding door hardware blends into the ceiling, so it doesn’t interfere with the general aesthetic.

Corner sliding doors allow for new configurations as well. A home office that would normally open to the hallway can be angled out into the great room instead, for example.

2) Save Space With No Swing

No matter how large the house, saving a little space here and there is always welcome. Sliding doors need no clearance for a door to swing, making them great for anywhere space is limited.

In a small bedroom, sliding closet doors mean more usable floor space for the bed, while in the master, a sliding door to the ensuite bathroom opens up traffic patterns and design options.

Because they don’t need the swing space, sliding doors also better serve the need for ADA compliance better. When making decisions for an accessible home, this door style automatically gives you the needed space and clearance for a wheelchair.

3) Add Character and Style

Most of the time, architects and designers choose interior doors for their ability to blend in. A sliding option becomes an opportunity to add to the style of the home and room.

For example, sliding glass doors allow light to flow from room to room and often give a clean and modern look to your living space. They blend in well without being boring.

On the other hand, sliding barn doors attach to large hardware so they can slide across the opening. They’re meant to stand out and work great with rustic or industrial styles.

Get Creative With Sliding Doors

Whether building a new home or renovating an existing one, sliding doors should definitely be on the design wish list. They offer great benefits for the function of your living space, along with style options to work with your decorating taste.

Check out other articles on our blog for more about interior design and architecture ideas to make a home more comfortable and functional.