Why pocket doors are popular in high-end developments
pocket doors are a good example of the idea that fashions come full circle and everything is capable of regaining popularity eventually. For pocket doors it has been something of a triumphant return and one that has staying power. An obsolete design curiosity from Victorian times is now considered to be a smart and innovative design solution that helps to add value to a high-spec property, and whether that is a shiny new home or apartment, or a plush office block or commercial space.
It is now widely understood that pocket doors create space in a property, but increasingly it is also being recognised that they offer flexibility and practical solutions for how space is used. And that they have a visual appeal which makes them ideal for contemporary, hi-spec properties, due to their sleek lines, unfussy detail, seamless appearance and minimalist elegance.
The space benefits of the pocket door
High-end developments can be lavish in terms of finishes, furnishings and fixtures, but they still need to be cost-effective in terms of how they are developed, used or sold. So every bit of space matters, and if a pocket door helps create ten square feet of space which means more rooms can be let or sold, or a domestic property has more bedrooms, an en-suite, a walk-in wardrobe or a separate toilet, then this is going to make the property more appealing.
Space is at a premium in all walks of life, and we are almost constantly on a quest to find more of it. So a high-end development can become much more appealing and cost-effective if it can maximise space to offer more flexibility, and the pocket door can provide that.
Open-plan living and working
The psychological feeling or sensation of space is often just as important as having physical space. Open-plan living is a modern trend that is commonly applied to contemporary homes to create a communal sense of wellbeing. But this also creates the ability to ‘zone’ a property and develop flexible spaces, using the pocket door. This means we can create smaller, intimate spaces during the day, or in the evening, and at other times have larger, open-plan spaces. This is great for spatial flow, particularly on occasions when we are entertaining, as it prevents people being isolated in different rooms and means an occasion has more atmosphere and conviviality.
Connecting spaces can work in various different ways, and creating temporary zones means we can utilise a property and adjust it to meet our changing needs. The same is true in a new commercial development, where open-plan space can be zoned to create smaller work units, multi-use rooms, meeting rooms or offices. This is an efficient use of space and creates flexibility upon which a modern business can thrive.
Natural light
A pocket door opens into a wall pocket and hence disappears from view. This means it isn’t an obstacle when open, like a traditional hinged door, and therefore enables more natural light to flow into a space. Quite apart from the benefits this brings in terms of energy efficiency and mental wellbeing, it creates a visual appeal that makes a property feel fresh, invigorating and alive. In a commercial property this can help people feel productive and it can help improve morale, while in a residential property it can help to make small spaces more attractive and usable, and larger spaces more relaxing and comfortable.
Natural light is one of the most popular and most sought-after features people want from a property. It can make or break a sale or a lease. Pocket doors help create this and immediately add value to a property by making it feel fresh, clean and appealing. Glass pocket doors can improve this even further by creating space like a standard pocket door, but also allowing light to shine through between rooms and corridors.
Flawless design
Contemporary interior design is very much about minimalism and having clean and fresh surfaces which easily transition into each other. The pocket door is a great example of this, given it disappears from view when opened, but even when it is closed you have a seamless view across a wall, particularly when using flush pocket doors and concealed trims which sit flush to the wall to create the flawless appearance you want. This works in both a residential and commercial setting, and creates the sensation that this is a modern, luxurious and opulent construction with no visual clutter and where no expense has been spared.
Accessories
pocket door accessories add a touch of class to a high-end development and enhance the appeal both practically and aesthetically. Features such as soft-close, touch latch and double-door coordination demonstrate how you can customise pocket doors to provide that little extra which suggests that every individual person is important, and their needs have been catered for.
You can browse our range of pocket door systems at MB Direct and choose the style and finish that will suit your modern development. Pocket doors are versatile, reliable and durable and deliver a feeling of supreme elegance and quality whether it is residential or commercial.