What pocket doors suit a bathroom?

The pocket door is the ideal solution for finishing the design of a bathroom, and it may even have been fundamental in being able to create a bathroom in the first place. In many homes, refurbishment plans are limited by the available space, and if the needs of the family change the options to extend or modify the layout of the home can be restricted by a number of things, and usually this revolves around space. But even if you aren’t undertaking any structural renovation, the pocket door is the key to improving the practical functionality of the home, and particularly in a bathroom.

The benefits of pocket doors for bathrooms

Pocket doors open into a wall cavity called a ‘pocket’. This means they disappear from view when opened and slide in the same orientation using an overhead rail, instead of encroaching into a room like a traditional hinged door. This means the space immediately behind the door becomes usable space, which includes both the floor space and anything attached to the walls which might previously have been an obstacle to the opening door.

The various benefits of pocket doors in bathrooms therefore are:

Space – Creating around ten square feet of space gives you options for layout, and may mean you can fit a bath, some shelves or a washing basket or set of drawers. Having the option to play about with layout is a great benefit in what is fundamentally a small space. Also, this creation of space may have been critical in being able to create a bathroom in the first place. This is common with en-suite bathrooms, but if you are structurally renovating a property and changing room sizes, the pocket door is the key to making rooms like a bathroom smaller and yet functional and practical.
No obstacles – In a home with restricted space it is also common for doors to open outwards onto a landing. This presents a different problem in small spaces and there is the possibility of doors clashing into each other when opened, injuring a person, or simply becoming an awkward nuisance. The pocket door eliminates this and means the landing is a much larger and safer area and is much easier to navigate.
Natural light – In a bathroom you want as much natural light as possible, and because the pocket door doesn’t encroach into the room it doesn’t block any natural light from the window. And when the door opens it disappears into the wall and lets light flood in. You can also opt for a glass pocket door with a satin opaque finish, which maximises light and also controls privacy.
Accessibility – Pocket doors are easier for people who may have mobility issues to use, they only have to slide the door open and don’t have to move out of the way of it. You can even fit a self-close accessory, so they don’t have to physically close the door.
Modern – A pocket door is a clean, fresh and seamless design which is very contemporary, and perfectly suits the relaxed, sleek and elegant ambience you want to create in a bathroom.

The best pocket door designs for a bathroom

Single – A standard single pocket door is the ideal solution for most bathrooms. It is simple and effective and can be styled and customised to suit your interior design scheme.

Glass – A glass pocket door with a satin opaque finish is ideal for a bathroom as it provides natural light and privacy, making a bathroom feel clean, fresh and inviting. You can also personalise a glass pocket door with etched lines and coloured glass patterns to create a bespoke design.

Flush – The Syntesis style of pocket door has no surrounding architrave and therefore sits flush to the wall. This is perfect for a very contemporary home as it creates a flawless image that complements a bathroom and creates an effortless and seamless effect. In all other respects, the flush pocket door operates exactly the same as a standard pocket door.

Telescopic – A telescopic pocket door is ideal for areas where space is very restricted and you may not have the wall dimensions for a standard door. With a telescopic pocket door, the door is essentially split into two sections, and one half fits into the other half as you open it, before the complete assembly then slides into the wall pocket. So the wall space required for the pocket is half what you would normally need, and is not a full door width.

Check out our range of pocket doors for bathrooms at MB Direct

You can browse our range of pocket doors for bathrooms at MB Direct and order your systems online today.