Because of their utilitarian nature, closet doors often remain a bland expanse of space in a room's décor, their design possibilities overlooked. But using their surfaces as a extension of the wall or as a piece of furniture can Incorporate closet doors into a room's design. Find inspiration in a piece from a design era that fits the room décor or create a whimsical, visual treat. Does this Spark an idea?
Use Whimsy
Apply a whimsical design to plain bifold doors by cutting decorative edges with a jigsaw along one or both sides of a flat wood molding. Choose two or three colors from the room's color palette and paint each surface or trim with a different one. Use undulating, curvy-edge details or strong geometric patterns. Draw inspiration from molding details on kids furniture or by ornate costumes or period pieces from the Rococo or Art Nouveau periods. Antique jewelry details from the Victorian period will have interesting edge details. Attach the molding with wood glue.
Hide the Doors
Make the closet doors disappear by applying a full-sized mirror to them. Or wallpaper the doors with the same paper being used on the wall. If the walls are upholstered, upholster the doors the same way. Inset door handles allow easy opening and closing of the door but are unnoticeable when papered like the walls and door. Upholstery and wallpaper can be wrapped around edges and secured along the inside door panel. Any type of door will work using this design idea, but pocket or sliding doors offer a full flat surface that does not open to reveal hinges. Upholstered surfaces can be designed to use as a bulletin board.
Make Them Furniture
This idea works well on closets that do not rise to the full ceiling height of the room. Apply a door finish that makes the closet appear to be furniture---wood plank, shoji screen, bamboo. Try a traditional look on a hinged door using applied molding to create a paneled door design. Design these furniture-styled closet doors by locating pictures of armoires and cabinets that inspire an era or particular décor. For example, paint the closet doors a faux wood finish that mimics the doors found on clothing armoires of the Art Deco design era.
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