I think I decided to go all “barn door style” on this house! I always intended to do ONE OR TWO barn doors but the regular doors in this house are my enemy so I’m reconsidering that number. Barn doors are so pretty and functional. They don’t take up any floor space. They don’t block your sink! You don’t have to fiddle around with shims to get them to open and close properly when you install them. Just hang level and you’re done. Bam! I’m sure it’s more difficult than that but I’m irritated at my doors right now so I my judgement might be foggy.I just haven’t decided yet…
Here are some awesome barn doors I found while looking for inspiration.
Via Houzz
via Houzz
via Houzz
via Houzz
via Houzz
via Houzz
Hey– and this is what I ended up building for my first barn door. I had this really awesome plan to add a super duper something to it but never got around to it…maybe someday. sigh!
Jane @ the borrowed abode says
Oh geez, I have no idea! It might be a lot of barn door for some people, but at the same time – if it makes you happy, then you should DO IT! It’s your world, your house, and you should do what you want with it.
DeNacho says
i’m a huge fan of barn doors in the home. i think the last example is perfect for your space. perhaps plain white on 2 of the doors & something bright/unexpected on the 3rd would be interesting! can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Jenn says
We have a tiny powder room off of our kitchen. The door for it would bang into the back door that entered into the kitchen. If they were BOTH open, they’d actually lock together via the doorknobs and then we couldn’t get into the kitchen or out of the bathroom. So, I made a barn door out of plywood that we used for our kitchen floor (yes, we used plywood to finish our kitchen floor….I LOVE it!!) and I used rail that is designed for a sliding closet door as the hardware for the ‘barn door’. It works perfectly for us…especially since the doorway into the bathroom is only 24″ wide. We are going to build a box to case in the rail so that it is more pleasing to the eye. I think doing 3 barn door styled doors would look fine depending on how you do the coloring of the doors/hardware. For instance, if you wanted the doors to totally stand out, then make them darker against your light wall. If you’d rather them kind of blend in, then make them a lighter color. If you don’t want people to accidentally go into the wrong rooms, you could always have some vinyl decals made for them and apply them to the doors when you are done. I have some vinyl decals on my living room wall and have been thinking about having “powder room” made for our barn door.
Carole Beseler says
Why not put two doors on one long bracket for the basement and laundry door, then a separate door/barn door for the new closet? Who says you can’t have overkill???? I LOVE the look!! Do it!!
Grace @ Craftadon.com says
I think one long bar with three of the same doors in different colors would look cool. It would break up a long, other wise boring hall.
Maren says
Go for three barn doors. You have flawless style and will figure out how to do it and make it look good. Plus, that hallway is weird and needs something substantially interesting to make it good. Barn doors (and how about built-in bookshelves along the other wall? It’s wide enough you seem to have the space.) would definitely add architectural interest and make it look purposeful and stylish.
Kimberly Cook says
I really love the 4th picture from the top! Here’s my suggestion: build your closet so your middle door sticks out. Then do 3 separate rails (or you could do continuous molding like the picture I loved…) and 3 separate doors. Sliding doors don’t have to look like they came from a barn and they don’t have to look country/rustic/etc either! You’re a genius so I’m sure whatever you do will be AMAZING!
Lynda says
Barn doors are attractive, but if you decided to sell, and I had a toddler and wanted to buy your house, then I would not want a barn door heading down to the basement.
You do so many beautiful and inspirational things to your home(s) and they always look impressive, but barn doors? IMHO, not for this house I think. 🙂
Janet says
If you put a barn door in the middle of the closet and also the basement you would need to move the basement barn door over every time you need to get into the closet. Just a thought…as I don’ t know the size door you plan to use!
PS Thanks for the great website and tips!
Sandra @Beneath this Roof, Within these Walls says
I love barn doors. I also love that armoire, but I can understand the need for storage, and that is a great place for a closet. I think three doors would be fine, but I am guessing when the closet door is open, it will slide in front of the stairs? Might that be a problem? Probably not, unless you spend a lot of time with the closet door open, or have someone who forgets to close it! I don’t have the answer but I am sure you will figure it out, your house is wonderful and you have tons of great ideas.
Stephanie says
I grew up and later lived in several homes with “pocket” doors. My long suffering spouse didn’t like them so much but I LOVE THEM!!! No wasted space. But a few pinched fingers… The Barn door look is a very nifty variation but its probably like a feature wall. Too many places to look at once? Go for it!
Amber says
This is the stuff I used for my barn door. It is much cheaper than the “official” barn door track and hangers. The track is SUPER heavy. Ours was 6 feet and we definitely could have used a third person but we were able to get it up. I’ll get a blog post up soon about how mine turned out. I totally love it. When it is open, which is like all the time, it is out of the way! It’s fantastic and I highly recommend it.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/BATTALION-Door-Hanger-Bracket-Kit-4PE60?cm_sp=IO-_-IDP-_-BTM_BTB05209020&cm_vc=IDPBBZ2
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/BATTALION-Box-Track-4PE54?cm_sp=IO-_-IDP-_-BTM_BTB05209020&cm_vc=IDPBBZ2
CJ says
I love the idea. Barn doors are my fav and will not work at my home. The prob I see is that the basement door is farther out then the laundry room, one rod would be great but looks like a 3or4″ bump out. I would also want the spacing on both sides of the middle door to be the same. I like the comment on having the doors be painted diff colors would give interest without having to add art. I like the black hardware the best. Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
FeatherHen says
I think that if the style/color is contrasting that three would look great. I do not like how the last picture looks, with all the came color. I also think they need to be on their own rails……If it was me anyway! 😉 I’m sure you will pick something beautiful, you always do. Heather
Guerrina says
I think the closet & basement (?) on one rail as long as the basement one is able to be secured from little ones going down AND a separate one on the laundry room AND one on that room down by the stairs. Put in some type of wainscoting …there’s a lot to be said for continuity 🙂 Weren’t you thinking about built-ins (and maybe a colorful settee or two!) on the wall opposite the doors?
Erica @ From Millstones to Milestones says
I say go for it, I know if anyone can do it – you can!
maggie says
I like barn doors but I’m just not seeing the ‘three barn doors in a row’ look. If pocket doors are a possiblity I would go with them. Whatever floats your boat, though!
Cyndia Montgomery says
We found the hardware much cheaper at Tractor Supply. Less than $200. I love barn doors!
Janet G. says
If anyone can come up with a plan for this, it’s you. I think the key is achieving a symmetrical look with three. In looking at your pictures, I think you may have to do 3 separate rails due to the bump out of the area at the second door. This was my inspiration for the barn door I plan to do to my laundry room, and I love that he made the hardware.
You’ll have a better feel for the direction you need to go in once you lay it out in something like Google Sketch Up. I know that with your awesome woodworking skills you are going to come up with some unique, incredible doors if you decide to go that way. It doesn’t look like three pocket doors would work due to wall space and constraints such as the air return and outlet that are visible from the hall side of that wall, but I’m not sure. Can’t wait to see what you finally do – you never fail to amaze, Sandra!
gail says
Since you’re actually looking for opinions.
One long rail for the two barn doors (if you can eliminate the small bumpout). Some sort of a double door for the new armoire closet (i.e. ). My two cents.
Joanie says
I’m all about symmetry (it’s that whole OCD thing, you know!). What do you think about leaving the middle door alone, and putting a barn door on either side? Keep the bump-out, make the opposite side wall step back the same as the other side. Paint the middle door a different color to make it stand out. Or make the middle door two narrow doors that meet inthe middle and open outward. Of course, you’d have to work it so the wall space on either side of the center door was the same. Let’s all say it together now, “symmetry…”
Andrea says
As long as you don’t want the door to seal off anything (noise, smell, privacy), they’re good. We stayed in a hotel a couple months ago that had one to the bathroom, and while lovely, it was useless. You could see around the door into the bathroom, and don’t even get me started on the humidity problem when the shower was engaged. It ruined me for barn doors, I am sorry to say. Unless they are more like a sliding screen type of door.
Lisa E says
I love the look of barn doors but like Andrea stated above, was concerned about them sealing anything. I have to say the long rail with three in a row……. I know it’s not the style you would pick, but my immediate thought was ….. a prison. It reminded me of cell doors. Sorry, maybe because I work in one? 😉 You are so talented, you will come up with a winner, I have faith in you!
kristin marvin says
Opinion–LOVE barn doors but I think they should be used sparingly. For example, a special room or a focal point wall. Like your wall of doors–could be a great spot but three MAY be too many? Or it could look awesome with the right door–not too overdone. Also, switch out the designs a little. If it is in the same viewing area stick with the same door but if you did them to a master bed area on a different floor then make a new kind of door. My big time opinion. I would sketch alot and think alot aobut where and what before doing. But yes, the wall of doors is crazy. My daughter has the 60’s master bedroom and had a wall of three (double)sliding closet doors. The two outer were regular doors and the center were mirror (ugh). We turned the center set into a built in desk area:)
Jake's a Girl says
Every door is not too many. 😉 I love barn doors. I love pocket doors too.
Any door that doesn’t get in the way is a perfect door.
I say, Go for it.
Tanya Hunter says
Hi, so we actually have 4 doors in one hallway (2 bedrooms, bathroom and laundry room). I have 3 framed portraits of my kids in matching frames, one between each door. It’s quite nice and it will save you $ because you would only be putting in the one door. Also to loose space on your stairs might not seem like a big deal now but wait until you try to move furniture up and down with the corner to turn. I think you will be glad to have the extra space (unless you have a second set of stairs).