Bifold or bypass barn doors for laundry?

kellylouisewebb

 hello! I need some advice. We have just converted a linen cupboard into a hidden laundry room. I’m torn up between bifold barn doors and bypass barn doors as I know there are pros and cons to

both. When it was a linen

cupboard it had normal doors that swung open outwards. 

we have had the tiling done, plumbing done and bench top done and will be putting in cupboards or draws beside the machine underneath the bench top but have left the doors for months cause I can’t decide!!! I feel like the bypass doors will look a lot nicer and more compact. 

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @kellylouisewebb. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about doors.

You’re at an exciting stage with your hidden laundry project, and I can understand why you’re torn between bifold doors and bypass barn doors. Both options have merits, but they also involve some trade-offs regarding practicality and aesthetics.

Bypass barn doors are a popular choice because they tend to look sleek and modern, and they’re great for saving space. These doors slide past each other, so they don’t need to swing open, which means they’re ideal for tight spaces. They can give your laundry a nice, clean look without taking up extra room. However, the main downside is that you’ll only be able to access one side of the laundry at a time. Since the doors overlap when they slide open, they can block access to the other side of the space. This might not be ideal if you have things on both sides of the area that you need to access regularly, as you’d have to move items or open one side at a time.

On the other hand, bifold doors might not offer the same streamlined look as barn doors, but they provide much better accessibility. Bifold doors fold in half as they open, allowing you to open up the entire laundry space. This means you can access both sides of the room at once, which can be a real advantage if you have cupboards, drawers, or shelving on both sides of the laundry. While bifold doors may not give the same “barn door” aesthetic, they can still look stylish, and they are highly functional. Plus, you avoid the obstruction problem that comes with bypass doors.

So, if aesthetic appeal is your top priority and you’re okay with limited access to one side of the laundry at a time, bypass barn doors would be a nice, compact solution. But if you want the ability to access both sides of the space at once and are willing to sacrifice a bit of the barn door look, bifold doors might be the better option in terms of practicality.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell