Less Dead Space for More Living Space
Traditional swing doors have long been the standard in home, office, and hospitality design. However, because of their sweeping door travel, a lot of space is rendered unusable, especially with bigger doors. Sliding door hardware systems, however, take up a minimum of space whether opening or closing—space that can be put to better use.
Here’s how to use sliding door hardware systems to save space and open up a building’s potential:
1. Keep Hallways Free Even With Multiple Doors Open
Use sliding doors in hallways with multiple doors to maintain access to all rooms at all times and prevent collisions from doors opening into passersby. Because a sliding door’s dead space due to door travel is only along the wall, it works especially well where there is multiple rooms opening into a single hallway as in retail spaces and clinics.
2. Open Closets Without Closing Hallways
Closet doors, especially coat or bathroom closets, often open into narrow hallways or otherwise tight spaces. A traditional door obstructs the space when the door is open. A sliding door, however, is a best-of-both-worlds solution: access to the closet without cutting off other spaces. And, in the bypassing configuration, sliding doors can be used with even very limited wall space.
3. Divide Spaces Without Drywall
Rather than frame out permanent walls, use sliding door panels to divide a space for the same benefit but with added adaptability. Rooms can be easily opened up to create one continuous space, or closed off to afford privacy or separate uses. The key to this is oversized door panels. Because a sliding door system’s dead space from door travel is minimal and exclusively along the wall, very large door panels are not only practical, but a unique design element.
4. Hide Office or Kitchen Features
Hide office stations or kitchenettes with sliding doors to give a room multiuse capabilities without taking up the space that an entire separate room would entail. Using sliding doors to elegantly hide work spaces allows for quick “clean up” and provides privacy for works-in-progress.
5. Turn Doors into Idea Boards
In any creative environment, pin-up boards and whiteboard space is at a premium. Putting these boards in place of a door panel expands the panel’s use without taking up wall space. Also, idea boards can be used to cover up televisions or supply closets and further use a space more wisely. Finally, with a bypassing configuration, two boards can be hung one on top of the other, making toggling between ideas easier while increasing overall idea board space.
