Pocket doors can be a space-saving solution for a small home, but experts say there are pros and cons that should be considered before you commit

Opening a door between two areas of a home typically requires sufficient room for it to swing open. But if you are short on space, there’s an alternative way to separate rooms from one another – pocket doors that slide into a wall cavity so they’re hidden when open.

The internal doors of a home create privacy, reduce noise transmission and make rooms cocooning, and they’re also an important element of its decor. Pocket doors can deliver on all these counts, too, along with freeing you up when it comes to furniture placement. However, they are more complex to install than hinged doors, so you'll need to be sure they are right for your home and budget.

We've spoken to door experts to create this guide that has all the knowhow you need about choosing, buying and fitting pocket doors.

What is a pocket door?

A pocket door is a sliding door that’s concealed in a cavity – the pocket – in the wall when it’s open. To fit one a new stud wall can be constructed with the pocket door frame inside the recess. Alternatively, the pocket can be created by putting up a false stud wall alongside an existing wall, thus making space for the frame.

Pocket doors can be used singly, sliding into one wall, or for a wide opening, you can use double doors, which slide to either side of the opening.

Solid doors or glass doors can be used in pocket door frames, providing the option of entirely closing rooms from one another or allowing light through when the doors are closed as well as open.

Are pocket doors a good idea?

Pocket doors are a very good idea in certain scenarios. ‘Pocket doors are best used when you have a door that wants to live in the open position, but with the door leaf out of the way,’ explains Robert Rhodes, director of Robert Rhodes Architecture + Interiors. ‘As such, I think they work well for situations where two rooms are very open to each other, as you’d want the doors between the two to be open most of the time and only closed sometimes. Some examples of pocket doors like this are between interconnected reception rooms, between living rooms and dining rooms or between dressing rooms and bedrooms.’

Robert Rhodes

Robert Rhodes is the director of Robert Rhodes Architecture + Interiors, an award-winning London studio driven by a love of old buildings, and focused on exceptional renovations. Robert studied architecture in the USA and Italy, and has been in professional practice in the UK for more than 20 years. He is a member of both the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Pocket doors can also be considered as an alternative to a hinged door when floor space is limited – for a cloakroom or an en-suite, for example. But they could also come in handy if you are struggling with how to arrange furniture in a small living room, for example, as the swing of a door doesn’t have to be accommodated.

However, there are both pros and cons and these are the factors you should consider.

Pros of pocket doors

• Sliding into the wall, they’re unobtrusive
• Bathroom fixtures along with furniture like beds or sofas could be located nearer to the room’s door
• They can bring acoustic insulation to a through room as they partition it

Cons of pocket doors

• Fitting them requires more work than fitting a hinged door
• Maintenance could be challenging because of the hidden track system. Look for a maintenance-free unit with a long guarantee
• They need to be fitted into a stud wall; for a solid wall an adjacent stud wall will be required for the pocket door
• Movement can create noise

How much does a pocket door kit cost?

A pocket door kit includes the fittings to construct the pocket and the track. As well as this you will need a door panel or panels. There are a number of standard UK door sizes and specific pocket door frames for each, so be sure to select the appropriate kit when ordering. You can expect to pay from around £170 for a kit.

Find pocket door kits at the following suppliers:

• ECLISSE: single and double pocket door systems; glass pocket doors including frame and door
• IQ Glass: glass pocket doors
• Rocket Door Frames: single and double pocket door kits
• Todd Doors: single and double pocket doors with pre-assembled cassettes

How easy is it to install a pocket door?

Installing a pocket door demands some skills but it is a project that a competent DIYer can take on. ‘Top hung preassembled pocket doors are simple to install as they generally come with a preassembled frame and track,’ says Michelle Martin, senior marketing executive at IQ Glass.

‘However, it’s important to ensure you have enough wall space to create the pocket for the door to slide into, and to check for potential obstacles like plumbing or wiring within the wall before installation.’

Alternatively, call in a builder or joiner, who can install the door for you.

Michelle Martin

Michelle is senior marketing executive at IQ Glass, specialists in specification of architectural glazing and modern windows and doors, including internal pocket doors.

FAQs

Can you put a pocket door in any wall?

We noted above that a pocket door needs to be fitted into a stud wall, but there are other possible complications in the form of sockets, switches and so on.

‘While it is possible to install internal pocket doors even if there is a radiator or plug in the wall, it will require careful planning and likely modifications to accommodate these features,’ says Michelle Martin. ‘The pocket door mechanism needs space within the wall cavity where the radiator or electrical wiring might be located so it’s advisable to seek a construction professional in certain circumstances.’

What are the space-saving alternatives to a pocket door?

As pocket doors present the complication of creating the wall pocket, you might consider surface-mounted sliding doors as an alternative. As with pocket doors, you’ll still need sufficient wall space beside the opening to accommodate the door plus you’ll have to avoid areas where there are already radiators, switches and sockets.

Some sliding door designs make a feature of their mechanisms, and can also be DIY installed. Barn-style sliding doors can suit rustic interiors as well as more contemporary rooms depending on the door style selected, or opt for industrial-look sliding doors for a sleek finish.

And there are also sliding doors with unobtrusive mechanisms that make them closer in style to a pocket door – although, unlike with pocket doors, the door will be on show when open.

If you're looking for more ways to make the most of a compact home, these clever storage ideas for small spaces can help.