Are you trying to find an easy door solution, or maybe you're trying to replace existing accordion doors in your home with something a little more durable? Well, you've come to the right place. We've put together this guide to help you find the perfect door solution for your space.
These are top alternatives to accordion doors:
- Beaded Door
- Curtains
- Bi-Fold Doors
- Pocket Doors
- Room Divider
- Barn Doors
- Standard Interior Door
- Dutch Doors
- Ribbon Door
- Screen Or Storm Door
- Cafe Doors
Some of these door types have advantages that others don't, and some of them have a specific design aesthetic that may not fit your taste. Keep reading to learn more about each type of door, how they function, and their individual advantages and disadvantages.
Why Should You Change Your Accordion Door?
Accordion doors, like all doors, have their own benefits and shortcomings. They make a good solution for visual privacy since they are typically opaque plastic. However, they offer little sound insulation, durability, or light blocking ability.
These characteristics make them well suited for closets and pantries, but they're not so great for areas that demand more privacy, like bathrooms and bedrooms.
1. Beaded Door
We may include affiliate links and curated AI content to highlight top design styles.
If privacy isn't a prime concern for the location, but you don't like the look of accordion doors, a beaded door may be a good option.
This will create minimal privacy, but it's a great way to add character, color, and interest to a closet door. You can find beaded doors in a variety of colors, designs, and materials.
Beaded String Bamboo Beaded Door
This beaded door has an awesome boho vibe that will add charm to your doorway. It's 35 1/2-inches wide and 78-inches long, so it will cover any doorway 35 1/2-inches or smaller.
Click here to see this beaded door on Amazon.
2. Curtains
Using curtains on your doorway will provide about as much privacy as an accordion door, but depending on the type of curtain, it may block light better.
They also break less often, since there are fewer parts to go wrong and they're made of fabric rather than plastic.
Using curtains is another great option if you want to incorporate some color or personality into the space since they're available in so many colors and designs.
WPKIRA Doorway Blackout Curtain
This curtain is great for privacy since it's a blackout curtain. It will block light and visibility very well, but it still won't do too much for noise.
Click here to see this curtain on Amazon.
3. Bi-Fold Doors
Bi-fold doors are a great option when privacy is important. Their design allows them to be manufactured in a variety of sizes for just about any opening, and they tend to be fairly durable.
There are solid and louvered varieties depending on the level of privacy required.
Snavely International Bi-Fold Door
This bi-fold door is both attractive and durable. It's available in a variety of sizes to meet your needs and they're solid pine for a long-lasting solution.
Click here to take a look at this door on Amazon.
4. Pocket Door
Pocket doors are a lot like traditional doors, but they take up less room. They slide open on a track that leads inside the wall, allowing for the door to be almost completely hidden when it's not in use.
These are a great option if you lack the space required for your door to swing open on hinges.
Johnson Hardware Pocket Door Track
This track will allow you to install a standard 36-inch by the 80-inch interior door as a pocket door. It has a design to work with 2-inch by 4-inch framing. Plus, you can cut the track to work with smaller doors too.
Click here to check out this hardware on Amazon.
5. Room Divider
If you have a room that only needs additional privacy now and then, a room divider might be a better solution. You can set it up when you need it and fold it up and store it for later.
It will provide an excellent amount of visual privacy, but it won't do much for noise or light.
FDW Wood Room Divider
This privacy screen is available in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors. It's the perfect way to achieve temporary privacy as needed.
Click here to see this privacy screen on Amazon.
6. Barn Doors
Barn doors are similar to pocket doors because neither of them has to swing to open or close.
Instead of tucking themselves inside the wall, barn doors hang on the outside face of the wall with the track and door remaining visible at all times. They provide great privacy and have more light and noise blocking abilities than accordion doors.
SMARTSTANDARD Barn Door Kit
This barn door kit includes a barn door slab, as well as the necessary hardware for installation. It's available in a variety of sizes to meet your needs.
Click here to check this door out on Amazon.
7. Standard Interior Door
A standard hinged interior door is one of the best solutions for any doorway. These doors provide unbeatable privacy and they're one of the best options to reduce noise and light leaks.
You can even buy interior doors with extra insulation properties to help increase their noise canceling properties.
Kimberly Bay 3-Panel Interior Door Slab
This interior door slab is available in three different sizes. It comes primed and ready to paint.
Click here to see this door on Amazon.
8. Dutch Door
A dutch door is a fun twist on a standard hinge door. It splits horizontally in the center allowing for the top to open and close individually from the bottom and vice versa. It's a great option for playrooms and pet areas.
9. Ribbon Door
This option is very similar to a beaded door, but it offers a little more visual privacy due to its wider strands of fabric. It's a beautiful and unique option as a door that provides enough privacy for closets, laundry rooms, and playrooms.
Old Silk Sari Ribbon Doorway Curtain
Click here to see this door on Amazon.
10. Screen Or Storm Door
Using a screen or storm door in place of interior doors is a fun and quirky way to create separation. It adds a classic country charm to any home and can offer varying degrees of privacy depending on the design.
These are a great option for closets, pantries, laundry rooms, and more.
Kimberly Bay Screen Door
Click here to see this screen door on Amazon.
11. Cafe Doors
Cafe doors are another fun alternative to accordion doors. They don't provide much privacy at all, but they're unique and interesting.
They would work well for a closet, pantry, laundry room, or any other space that doesn't require too much privacy.
Swinging Cafe Doors Pine Cafe Door Set
These cafe doors are available in several sizes and you can paint or stain them to match your desired aesthetic. This set includes the doors and hinges you will need to get these doors installed.
Click here to check out these cafe doors on Amazon.
Do People Still Use Accordion Doors?
Yes, accordion doors are one of the least costly and most effective solutions for a doorway. They're also very adaptable since most can be cut to any size you may need.
They aren't the most attractive option, but they do the job in a pinch and provide enough privacy to make any room feel comfortable.
Are Accordion Doors Good?
This depends on the context. Accordion doors create enough privacy to make a space feel secure. However, they won't stand up well to a home invasion or a fire since they're made from a thin sheet of plastic.
If you use them in a high-traffic doorway, they may not stand up to the use. The samme goes for other options either, so they're not the perfect solution for every application.
Are Accordion Doors Easy To Remove?
Yes, most accordion doors hold to the framing of the doorway with a series of small screws. These screws tend to be very easy to remove, but you may need to fill in the holes they leave behind with a bit of wood putty.
Any homeowner who is familiar with a screwdriver can remove an accordion door.
In Conclusion
Now that you know all the best alternatives to accordion doors, you're ready to figure out which option is best for you and your home. Don't forget to consider durability, privacy, and longevity as key factors when making your decision. Good luck, and have fun remodeling!
Now that you've made it to the end, you may enjoy these articles:
If you need help figuring out what color your next door should be, read our article "What Color Closet Doors Go With White Walls?"
For more information on how to install your new door and the space requirements needed, read our article "How Much Space Between Door And Floor? [Both Interior And Exterior Doors]"
