Barn Doors: Timeless, Trendy Or Damaging Your Home's Resale Value?

Barn doors were a striking design piece during the extremely popular modern farmhouse trend from 2015 to the early 2020s. But are sliding barn doors going out of style now? Once Instagram's darling, these rustic sliders are being criticized for their lack of privacy and overdone rustic vibe, but updated versions like glass barn doors are surging in popularity, enhancing appeal and potentially increasing home values. In fact, according to a survey by Data Insights Market, the residential sliding barn door market is valued at $245 million currently and is projected to grow steadily over the next few years — clear evidence that barn doors are evolving, not fading. With design updates and consumer demand continuing to climb, these doors are still very much in style and, when done right, can add that mix of charm and function buyers are looking for. And really, if homeowners are willing to pay more for a space with stylish barn doors, that tells us one thing: They're not hurting your home's value — they are most likely helping it.

Sliding barn doors add a much-needed, space-saving solution to entryways while infusing a touch of rustic charm to any room. The biggest advantage they give to a space is exactly that — more space. Because barn doors do not swing open, but slide on a track instead, they free up the area that would normally be blocked by a traditional door. This fact makes them the perfect solution for those in smaller homes who are short on square footage. And for that reason, many places in a home are perfect for barn doors, whether it's a master bath entry, pantry, office, or even laundry room. They also add versatility to any design by giving the option to create an open floor plan or create partitioned rooms.

Although the traditional rustic wood or painted barn door might be a timeless addition to any home, many are looking to update the trendy entryway. The most popular option is glass. Frosted glass door options can add a touch of sophistication while maintaining privacy. This update can be a perfect way to incorporate barn doors in a modern home. Alternatives for the standard black or antiqued hardware are being swapped for brushed brass, stainless steel, or even gold.

Another popular way to update your barn doors to add value to your home is to swap out the rustic, simple wood design for warm woods or even change the plank pattern. Others who are looking for a more minimalist design are opting for the light touch of birch wood. Some are even swapping wood out entirely for solid metal planks to add a striking industrial touch to their home. Whatever update you choose for your much-loved barn door, it doesn't seem like they will be going out of style anytime soon and will absolutely continue to add value to your home.