Replace Bulky Closet Doors With These 10 Budget-Friendly Solutions

In a home, every bedroom should have a closet. Then, you need at least two extra closets scattered throughout the home to accommodate storage needs. Normally, every one of these closets has a door. In some cases, you may get lucky and the door causes no problems. But what happens if you're stuck with bulky, unpleasant-looking, or poorly designed doors? Traditional closet doors come with many inconveniences, including taking up too much floor or wall space and having a wide swing span. If you're updating a small home, you understandably want to stay savvy and hunt for minimalist fixtures. From installing curtains to creating Shoji-style panels, you can easily replace bulky closet doors with more practical and budget-friendly solutions.

Before choosing your solution, it's important to set a budget. Just because you want affordable options, doesn't mean you must sacrifice style. In general, closet door replacements can cost you $320 to $1,200. Prices vary depending on the type of door (or door alternative) and its size and materials. Plus, hiring a professional for installation can increase the price. You might want to do many of these projects yourself. Before you start any door DIY, make sure you understand the installation and removal process and follow any instructions provided. Oh, and if you're removing an old door, don't toss it out. You can use repurposed doors in your home by turning them into tables, shelving, headboards, and more.

With the right creativity and imagination, you can seamlessly hide your closet door in plain sight. These secret spaces are certainly aesthetic. They are also an optimal spot to conceal valuables and provide extra security. Plus, they're a fun way to incorporate some mystery and character into your home. Luckily, there are so many ways to decorate your secret library closet door, from paint to real trimmed book spines. Try this clever closet door alternative that'll add storage and style to your room by converting the door into a functional bookshelf.

Who says you need a closet door when this stylish yet budget-friendly solution exists? There are many ways to configure an open-shelf closet, including building your own or purchasing an affordable system. With no door, you can customize the space to accommodate your belongings however you wish. Try racks, drawers, or hooks. Add some decor elements so that the closet ties into your overall space design. If it becomes too cluttered, use a room divider to hide messes when guests come over.

An accordion door is a closet door alternative that saves space and looks trendy. Take a trip to your local home improvement store and you'll see many options. Some come under $50, like the LTL Home Products Interior Accordion Folding Door. If you're willing to spend a little more, there are stylish options for under $100, like the SmartStandard PVC Accordion Folding Doors. Don't be afraid to shop around until you find the right size, style, and color for your home. Just remember to follow all of the installation instructions carefully. Or hire a contractor if you get stuck.

Cover a closet without doors in an aesthetically pleasing way by installing curtains. They're affordable and easy to find, as is the related hardware, like rods, rings, and brackets. Shops normally place them next to the curtains themselves. You may even have some spares stored in your home. Curtains are a versatile option that you can get in just about any color, design, material, and size. Before purchasing them, measure the space. Before installing them, read through any instructions that came with your purchase.

Add some sleekness to your closet by installing vertical door blinds. These shades are significantly lighter than traditional closet doors. You can buy a set for under $100, like these Chicology Vertical Door Blinds in Woven Gray. They come with an easy-to-install lightweight track panel. As with the accordion door, measure the closet before you purchase your shades to make sure you get the right size. Once they arrive, diligently follow all the manufacturer's directions to ensure the blinds work well once installed.

Hop onto the barn door trend by making your own affordable version. You can get a SMARTSTANDARD Solid Natural Spruce Sliding Barn Door with Hardware Kit for well under $150. Once you've purchased your hardware kit or door-plus-hardware kit, remember to follow all of the installation directions carefully. You wouldn't want your hanging door to fall off its tracks the first time you use it! Not DIY savvy? No worries. There's no shame in enlisting the services of a professional contractor to install your new door.

Brighten up any room by covering the closet with an affordable mirrored door. It's the optimal spot to check out your outfit or put on makeup before leaving the house. Start by purchasing a standard door or reusing one from another room. Buy some PopularLdo Shatterproof Self-Adhesive Mirror Tiles or a similar product and stick them to the door. Depending on how large your door is, you may need to purchase multiple packs. Just remember to include them in your cleaning routine since they can quickly get dirty with fingerprints and smudges.

Do you like the shaker cabinet doors? You can accomplish the same look on your closet doors. Head to your local home improvement store and purchase wood trim and paint. If the existing closet door isn't flush, replace it. Before getting started on this DIY, plan out how you want the door to look. Then, cut the wood trim to fit the door's dimensions and adhere them to the door using wood glue. Paint the entire door one color for a seamless finish. Leave the door to dry before you install it in your closet.

Here's a an easy hack to transform boring closet doors: DIY Shoji-style screen doors. These traditional Japanese sliding doors feature breathable screens made from paper framed by some type of wood, like bamboo. These doors are extremely light, making them effortless to open and close. There are many ways to create this type of closet door, but the easiest is to attach corrugated plastic sheet to the back of a wooden grid frame painted black. This project may take a little time, but it's worth it. Once installed, the doors look stunning in any space.

You can ditch your builder-grade closet doors and try this stylish alternative instead: Convert clunky bi-folds into French doors. Typically, upgrading closet doors costs hundreds of dollars. Instead, frugal YouTuber @BudgetGirl shows us how to do it for a bit of spare change. You'll need some Alise Flat Brackets and an HBL Magnetic Door Catch. Install the hardware over the hinges of the bi-fold doors using screws and an electric drill. Caulk the gaps. Once the caulk has dried, the doors won't bend anymore. You've brought new life to the room on a budget!