Barn Door Ideas

Did you know barn doors aren’t just for barns anymore? Are you looking to bring a modern twist on an old design into your home? Then you’ve come to the right place. Because we’ve written this article, filled with some of the finest barn door ideas and inspirational pics to help you choose the perfect barn door for your home.

Designed and used for centuries as a simple way of getting in and out of a barn. Today’s barn doors are being used inside the home with fantastic results. They’re super easy to install which makes barn door kits such a popular choice among DIY pros. They’re affordable and come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. And they can be painted or stained which makes barn doors a versatile design choice. We use them in ultra modern homes all the way to rustic farmhouses and everything in between. Chances are, if you like the look of an interior barn door, they’ll be something out there for you.

And the great thing about interior barn doors is that just about any door or large door shaped material can be made into one. They’re basically just a door that hangs and slides side to side on a tract bolted into the wall. They can be used in just about any room. A home office, closet, pantry, gym or dining room can all benefit from a barn door.

While they don’t have as tight a seal as a conventional hinged door, they do offer additional privacy and some soundproofing on top of their great looks and easy function.

What Is a Barn Door?

A barn door is a door that hangs and slides on a tract. They can be installed anywhere inside a home where space allows. For centuries, barn doors have been used as exterior sliding doors to go in and out of a barn. Today, barn doors are used as interior sliding doors in homes. They save space and look great. Barn doors come in a wide range of styles and finishes to match whatever look your going for. Even the mounting hardware and handles come in a variety of styles so you can mix and match elements to create a unique design.

Barn doors can be installed as a single or double sliding door design that opens like a french door. Single style interior barn doors are great for a closet, pantry, gym, home office and more. Double barn doors can be used for wider openings such as in a living or dining room.

You can easily make an interior design statement by including a sliding barn door. Whether you like a modern or rustic style, or somewhere in between, a barn door is worth considering. Even though they’re a design trend that gains popularity each year, they’re still not considered a mainstream interior door choice which is why they make such a strong impression.

Modern solid panel sliding barn door with black hardware.

Benefits Of A Sliding Barn Door

Sliding barn doors not only look great but also offer some functional benefits when compared with a traditional door. Whether you’re building a new house or remodeling an old one, a barn door can be a great addition to your home. They come in a wide range of styles and designs that fit just about any home style. Interior barn doors have all sorts of benefits, below we’ll list some of the most common ones.

1. Interior Barn Doors Are Easy To Use

From their humble origins, barn doors have become a beautiful interior design feature.

One of the things that makes barn doors so popular is how easy they are to use. The door hangs from a tract that’s bolted on top of the doorway. They’re easy to slide from side to side with very little pressure. Barn doors have no door handle to worry about which makes them easier to use for people having trouble turning a knob or small kids. No matter how heavy a door you choose, as long as the tract is installed correctly, the door will be easy to slide.

2. Barn Doors Are Easy To Install

Barn doors are offered in a range of styles with exposed mounting hardware that’s super easy to install. They have a big visual impact in the room and work well in a range of scenarios due to their sliding action. In places where it doesn’t make sense to install a standard door a barn door may work.

Unlike a conventional hinged door, barn doors don’t have a frame or any hinges. You don’t have to worry about the door being plumb, square or level. And there’s no trim to worry about once the doors been installed.

All you do is bolt in the tract. Bolt the mounting hardware into the top of the door. And then hang the door. Generally a barn door kit comes with handles but they’re much easier to install than a door knob. You just screw them into the door.

3. A Unique Design Feature

Let’s face it, while there are plenty of functional benefits to installing a barn door, sometime it’s just all about looks. Interior barn doors are an easy way to make a big design statement in a room. Whether it be a pantry, living room, office or closet, interior barn doors make an impression. They’re both functional and stylish and add a bit more interest than a traditional door.

Depending on the hardware, handle and barn door design you choose, your sliding barn door can add a sharp modern look or a rustic charm. There are even glass, metal and refurbished antique wood options for a more specific look. No matter what your style, you can make your interior space stand out with the perfect sliding barn doors.

And because the entire weight of the door is resting on a track and not hinges, you can use a much bigger, heavier door than usual. In fact you can hang all sorts of materials as long as they’re big enough to cover the opening. We’ve seen designers use all sorts of creative things as a door.

4. DIY Barn Door Kits

How easy barn doors are to install is one of the biggest benefits to some homeowners. Not needing a carpenter to do a high quality job can be a big plus. That’s why barn door kits are such a popular choice, they come with everything you’ll need.

If you plan on installing a barn door by yourself then you’ve got two options.

You can buy the mounting hardware, door and handles separately.
If you want an easier option then just buy a barn door kit. Most are customizable to fit a variety of styles.

Sliding barn doors are easy to install and make a great DIY project. Most installations can be done in an hour or so with some basic tools. Traditional doors are a lot harder to install because the frame has to be level, plumb and square in order for it to swing and close properly. And once you’ve got it installed you still have to worry about the knob.

However sliding barn doors only have a few pieces to worry about which are the track, mounting brackets, handles and some screws. If you ever want to change your barn door at some point it’s very easy to remove the door and swap it for another style.

Pro Tip: Make sure you buy a long enough track and that there is enough wall space next to the opening to allow for the door. It’s easy, just double the width of your door. For example if your installing a 32″ barn door then you need at least a 64″ track and 32″ of free wall space next to the opening for when the doors fully opened.

5. Interior Barn Doors Save Space

Interior barn doors can be a great way to save some space. That’s one of the reasons why they’re so popular for use in apartments and small homes.

Since barn doors are sliding doors, they only take up wall space when they’re open and not floor space. It may not sound like much but every inch of floor space can make a big difference in a small home or apartment. You can add more furniture around the area where the door would normally swing.

Did you know you can even use barn doors as pocket doors, which actually slide inside the wall. Pocket doors are completely hidden when open which frees up wall space. However you need a thicker wall to accommodate the door.

When you want to save some space, barn doors can be a great choice. They’re perfect for a closet, pantry, office, den, laundry or dining room door.

6. Barn Doors Make Door Frames Wider

Barn doors don’t have a door frame like a conventional door does. Without a frame eating up valuable inches within your opening, the door actually becomes wider. This is referred to as the doors rough opening dimension. For example a 36″ interior door has a rough opening of around 38″. When you use a barn door the opening stays at 38″, you don’t lose 2″ to a frame.

Larger homes tend to have big openings so it’s not that big a deal, but apartments and small homes tend to have smaller doorways so gaining a few inches with a barn door could be a big help.

7. Barn Door Hardware

The barn door itself doesn’t necessarily look any different from a standard door. In fact many designers use a door that matches the other interior doors. What sets a barn door apart from all the other interior doors is the hardware.
Barn door hardware is visible and doesn’t look like any other door hardware in the house. It stands out, so you should take as much time choosing the perfect mounting hardware and handles as you do the door.

There is a huge variety of hardware options that can make your barn door unique. No matter what door design your going for there’s hardware to match.

You can purchase each piece separately, or an all in one barn door kit which includes a full set of matching equipment.

8. Barn Doors Are Interesting

Even in the most beautiful homes, the interior doors never seam to stand out. have you ever been in someones home and complimented them on how nice the doors were? Some are definitely nicer than others but in general interior doors rarely make a statement, it usually all about the trim. But that’s not the case with a barn door.

Interior barn doors have just the opposite effect. They’re a great opportunity to add something interesting to the room that no one will ignore. And because barn doors are they’re own thing, you don’t have to follow any rules or match the other doors. They’re a great place to have some fun and take some chances with your style.

Many clients use the doors as decoration. Even painting them with all sorts of colorful designs.

Dining room barn door. Old reclaimed wood with black hardware.

Can Any Door Be a Barn Door?

With the right mounting hardware any door can be made into a sliding barn door. There are a number of manufacturers that make barn door kits which are sold separately from the door itself. That’s the way we do it for all of our clients. Since the door hardware is exposed it’s just as important to find good looking hardware as it is the perfect door. It makes sense to us to choose the barn door mounting hardware, the door itself and the handles separately. They all combine to create a one of a kind look.

There are a wide range of barn door hardware options that can even convert an existing door into a sliding barn door. You can choose from stylish door handles and pulls, door locks, track styles, ceiling mount hardware, and more. However we recommend buying a blank door that doesn’t have holes drill in it for things like hinges and a door knob.

While re-using an old door may seem like a great idea and a cheaper option, it makes the job a bit harder. Although finding a new use for an old antique door can be really cool and worth the extra work.

Disadvantages Of Interior Barn Doors

Even though barn doors are a great design addition to consider, they’re not perfect and do have some faults. There are definitely more Pros with barn doors that Cons, but there are a few key disadvantages to think about.

1. Barn Doors Don’t Have A Tight Seal

A barn door slides along the track bolted above the door opening which leaves some space between the wall and door. Since there’s no frame like with a traditional swinging door it doesn’t actually close tightly. It just slides and covers up the opening. Most barn doors don’t even lock. For some rooms, having a tight seal may not matter. But for others, such as a bathroom or bedroom, you’ll probably want a door that tightly closes and locks.

2. Gliding Barn Doors Don’t Offer As Much Privacy

Because barn doors don’t have a tight seal when closed and don’t generally have a lock, they don’t offer as much privacy as a traditional door. That’s why barn doors are most often used on rooms where privacy isn’t an issue like a pantry, closet or laundry room.

3. Sliding Barn Doors Don’t Offer Much Soundproofing

This is another issue with not having a tight seal. Since the door has gaps all around it some sound can pass through. A tight seal is needed to block as much sound as possible. And a lack of good soundproofing matters most when you want some privacy which is why we don’t see many bedroom or bathroom barn doors.

Of course the door itself does provide a little soundproofing, just not as much as a door that closes tightly. So if you want a barn door and as much soundproofing as possible then buy a good, solid door. Even though some sound waves will still pass through the gaps, a lot of the sound will bounce off a heavy door.

4. Barn Doors Aren’t Energy Efficient

Since a barn door doesn’t have a tight seal, heat and ac will escape through the gaps around and under the door. With a traditional door all you have to worry about is the gap under the door which is easy to fix by adding a door sweep. If you have a room where controlling the climate is important then a barn door is probably a bad idea.

Interior Barn Door Ideas And Designs

Below is a gallery filled with some of our favorite sliding barn door ideas and designs.

White barn doors with frosted glass panels.

Frosted Glass Barn Doors

Barn doors come is all shapes and sizes. Just about any door can be turned into a barn door with the right hardware. And that includes glass. This white door has 3 frosted glass panels which let in a small amount of light but still provide total privacy to the room. It’s a nice feature if you have a room that doesn’t get much light.

Aged wood barn doors with black hinges and a cool trim design.

Aged Wood Barn Door

Bathroom sliding barn door custom built out of aged wood. It’s been finished with a medium dark stain that’s on the muted side with no sheen. The hinges are black and there is no door hardware. If your going with a no hardware or handle look it’s a good idea to build your barn door with some dimension. Which is what we see above. The door design has lots of areas that can be easily grabbed to slid the door. This is a lot harder if your using a door with a flat face.

Notice how small the gap is between the base of the door and floor are and the wall and door back. This is extra important when the door is for a bathroom because you’ll want as much privacy as you can get. Many people think barn doors aren’t appropriate for a bathroom but you can pull it off if the door is installed correctly.

Modern barn doors with a square edged design. All white with black hardware and recessed door handle.

Modern Barn Doors

These white barn doors have a crisp square design with lots of right angles and sharp corners. The black hardware and recessed black handle also fit with a modern style. The home is more transitional than ultra modern but the door itself would work in a wide variety of homes. This home used matching barn doors for every room in the house other than the bathrooms. If you’ve got a home with a similar floor plan to this one where all your rooms come off one tight hallway than you may like the design.

Since the hall is so tight you don’t want hinged doors swinging into it. In swing doors would work but they take up space inside the room. Barn doors can be a great solution.

Aged gray wood barn doors with a vintage style. Closeup view of the front and back side.

Vintage Barn Doors

Vintage wood interior barn doors. Front and back views. Barn doors are great throughout a home leading into all sorts of rooms like a dining and living room.

Wood french style office barn doors painted gray with glass. Black mounting hardware. Doorways can be fully trimmed just like with a traditional door.

French barn doors painted gray with glass. Black handles and mounting hardware.

Dark wood bathroom barn door with black mounting hardware and no handles. Bedroom bath. Medium wide plan wood floors with a natural finish. Bedroom baths can be a good place to install a barn door since you can always lock the bedroom door. Especially if you don’t share the room with anyone.

Modern styled interior barn doors with black handle and mounting hardware. Medium stained flat wood doors.

French style natural wood game room doors. Black mounting hardware.

Medium stained wooded kitchen barn door with black mounting hardware. Matching wood floors. Open floor plan with a luxury kitchen, dining and living room. Marble countertops with chrome faucets. White brick fireplace surround . Light wood dining room table with tan seating.

Open floor plan with wood barn doors. Dark wood doors with matching hardwood floors. Barn doors work great in a home like this. they perfectly match the rustic feel.

French barn doors with black metal mounting hardware. Medium stained real wood doors.

Modern barn door design. Black metal handles and mounting hardware. Flat panel real wood doors. Medium stain.

Pantry / Prep Kitchen Sliding Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors are perfect for use as a pantry door. They’re stylish and with a pantry you won’t have privacy, noise or energy efficiency concerns.

Black sliding pantry door with brushed metal mounting hardware and handle.

A sliding barn door is perfect for a pantry or prep kitchen. The barn door above is reclaimed wood with natural finish and black hardware. It matches nicely with the light oak floors and exposed kitchen beams.

Natural wood prep kitchen / dining room barn door with black hardware. The wood finishes matches beautifully with the light wood floors and exposed ceiling beams as well as the wood exterior doors.

Black wood pantry barn door with brushed metal hardware. Matching black wood is used throughout the room.

Reclaimed wood prep kitchen barn door with black mounting hardware and handle. Matching hardwood floors with gray walls, white trim and real stone interior veneer.

Closet Barn Doors

Sliding interior barn doors make great closet doors.

Sliding closet barn doors with a modern finish. Solid wood with a medium stain and black hardware.

Wooded bedroom closet barn door with a dark gray stain. Black mounting hardware with no handle. Barn doors are easy to operate with or without a handle. Doorways can still be finished with trim just like a traditional doorway if you prefer the look.

Dark wood barn doors leading to his and hers closets. Black mounting hardware. Doorways can be finished without trim.

Dining Room Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors are great for a dining room. They don’t need a tight seal but sometime a little more privacy and soundproofing is nice to have.

Medium stained wooded dining room barn doors with black mounting hardware and no handles. You don’t need handles to operate a barn door. Some designers prefer a cleaner look. Beautiful dining room with dark wood table and plush white chairs. Chandelier. Custom wall paneling. White trim with white walls. Matching medium stained wood floors.

Medium stained wood dining room barn doors with black mounting hardware. Matching wood floors. Barn doors are ideal for sectioning off areas of an open floor plan that don’t necessarily have to be completely sealed.

White Barn Doors

Many people prefer the super clean finish of white doors and you can have that with barn doors. They look great when you finish them to match the other interior doors and trim work.

French style interior barn doors with black handles and mounting hardware. Beautiful white painted finish perfectly matches the walls and trim. medium stained wood floors.

White wooden french barn doors with black handles and hardware. Game room with pool table and medium stained wood floors.

Beautiful white barn door with black mounting hardware and no handle. The paint perfectly matches the look and finish of the surrounding wall paneling for a seamless look.

Laundry Room Barn Doors

Laundry rooms are perfect for a sliding barn door. Generally with a laundry room your not looking concerned with privacy or needing a locking or tightly sealed door.

White laundry / mud room barn door with chrome handle and black hardware.

Aged reclaimed wood laundry / mud room door with metal handle and black mounting hardware.

Laundry room french style barn door with black mounting hardware and no handles.

Summary: Interior Barn Door Ideas And Design

Interior sliding barn doors can be a beautiful addition to any home. Their available in a wide variety of door and hardware styles so it’s easy to find something that will work with the style of your home. And aside from how great they look there are a bunch of functional benefits to consider when compared to traditional doors. While they’re not intended to be used on every doorway, including one or two in your interior design is worth considering. However there are some downsides to barn doors you should also consider before making a decision.

If you have any questions or comments about barn doors e-mail us any time.