One of my favorite classes thus far in the design program has been my space planning class. It's so easy to get swept up in the excitement of shopping for furniture and items to fill a room, but to make the best use out of a space, you need to look at the size and arrangement of those pieces.
I live in a neighborhood of Denver where the houses are one-hundred-years-old, and quite small. So space planning is critical if you want to have circulation within the tiny rooms. Many of the rooms in these homes have doors to separate them from other parts of the house. This can be great, but a door swing takes up quite a bit of space in a 1,000 square foot home. Pocket doors can be a great solution, but they require thick walls and demolition to install. Barn doors are a great alternative!
Barn doors have become extremely popular, and for good reason. First, they don't require additional floor space to open. They also provide visual interest to a room. They don't require extra thick walls like pocket doors, and barn doors can even be installed by a skilled DIY'er. And the best part, barn doors are evolving to fit more styles than your standard country farmhouse.
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| I love how this classic barn door adds texture and warmth to this cozy country space :: source :: |
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| this barn door doesn't separate a room, but functions as a clever way to conceal an office nook when not in use :: source :: |
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| these "French" barn doors are a great solution if wall space is limited, they even tuck in nicely behind the cabinet and countertop :: source :: |
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| I love the use of these sliding barn doors to cover the TV when not in use :: source :: |
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| barn doors are a wonderful way to add color to a room :: source :: |
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| Converting an old standard door to a sliding barn door is a wonderful way to repurpose it. Here you can see a standard door swing would not have fit, but adding sliding hardware allows for the necessary privacy :: source :: |
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| a contemporary barn door like this can divide a space but keep it feeling sophisticated and sleek :: source :: |
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| these floor-to-ceiling lacquered barn doors feel ultra modern and wow in this space :: source :: |
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| not looking for something flashy? this barn door is painted white to seamlessly blend into the space, but offer a privacy option :: source :: |
