How do I go about putting new doors on a closet that ends at a wall?

Sheila
by Sheila

This question has bothered me for a while. When we moved into our house the closets in the small upstairs bedrooms had cheap bypass doors on them. Needless to say, they didn't last long, not with my kids! Now that my kids are older, I'm looking to put in new closet doors, but I still hate cheap bypass doors! I was actually thinking about putting in barn doors. But I have an issue with one of the closets. The closet is against the outside wall and there is nothing on the wall to mark the end of the closet (see picture, it's hard to explain). Can I still use barn doors here? And if I can what do I do about the baseboard at the bottom?

As you can see, no edges against the outside wall.

And the baseboard runs straight from the room into the closet without a break.

  11 answers
  • Donna Tripp Donna Tripp on Dec 06, 2019

    I have found YouTube to be very informative. Go to it and type in your question. Good luck

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Dec 06, 2019

    You could put in a barn door if the space to the left of the closet is wide enough for the door to open fully. I can't tell from the pic. Alternatively, you could build 2 barn doors and use hinges on the sides rather than a top rail.


    Here are 20 different designs and plans

    https://www.homestoriesatoz.com/build-furniture/20-diy-barn-door-tutorials.html


    Here is a hinged barn door tutorial

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTEpFBd405A


    • Sheila Sheila on Dec 06, 2019

      Oh, there's plenty of space on the left of the door, that's not a problem. Keeping the doors closed and against the wall, that's the issue.

  • User User on Dec 06, 2019

    USING A FARM BARN TRACK WORKS BEST AS DOOR SLIDES AND IS NOT CONNECTED TO WALL


  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 06, 2019

    Hi there,

    You will have to install a door frame, on which to hang the doors. Call in to your local DIY store with the size of the opening and they should be able to help you get the right materials and maybe a bit of advice too.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Dec 06, 2019

    Are you concerned that the baseboard will prevent the sliding door from going all the way to the wall?

    If so, then there are two options:

    -remove the baseboard entirely, or notch cut a portion out to allow for the door to slide up to the wall

    -install a piece of molding trim vertically along the wall to fill the gap formed by the door not going all the way to the wall.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Dec 06, 2019

    Before you hang new doors on the closet, my suggestion is to first remove the rod (if you do not want to use the closet for hanging anything up) and install shelves that are sturdy enough to support the heavy items you want to store inside the closet. It looks like the top shelf is already starting to bow and it is not even full yet. Shelving would instantly make the closet space so much more efficient than how it is being used now.

  • Sheila Sheila on Dec 06, 2019

    My daughter, who will be moving into the room when we move the office to its new location wants more hanging than storage.

    • 17335038 17335038 on Dec 06, 2019

      Oh, Ok, this changes the function of the closet.

      To increase the efficiency of the vertical space in the closet:

      -First remove the top shelf. At the present height it is hard to access, and is frustrating to be always shoving stuff back up there that is falling off.

      -Next, raise the bar to the highest high that you can still reach to hang up a hanger.

      -If you wanted, you could always install another sturdier shelf below the clothing for shoes, purses, etc. This would also make vacuuming the floor much easier.


      Below are some examples of space saving closet hangers:

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Dec 06, 2019

    I would go with a spring tension rod and curtains.

    You can put barn doors there with a track. I would notch out the baseboard so that will allow the door to go flush to the wall. A small vibratory saw will be perfect to notch that out. You can get one for $30 or less.

  • William William on Dec 08, 2019

    Remove or notch out the baseboard so the door is flush to the wall. Instead of a 3" wall I would screw/nail a 1X4 board vertically on the wall so the barn door is flush with it. Adjusting the stop so the door leaves no gap.

  • Dee Dee on Dec 09, 2019

    I would put up bi-fold doors on that closet. Wayfair has some nice ones. Also try a Building supply store. Barn doors need extra room and unless you have a vacant wall will not work with that door.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Dec 10, 2019

    Yes, a barn door requires ample wall space to mount the header track. Bifold doors take up toe kick floor space and make it harder to access the sides of the closet. Sliding doors, hung from a top track, while not needing extra wall or floor space, make it harder to access the middle of the closet.

    Seldom is one style ever perfect.