Sliding barn doors: are they right for your home?

Sliding barn doors run along a track mounted above the opening instead of swinging on hinges. They've become popular for good reason: they save space and add warmth and character to a room.

Where they work well

• Pantries, laundries and walk-in robes

• Wide openings between living spaces

• Rooms where a swinging door would block furniture or a hallway

• Sheds, studios and outdoor buildings

Things to consider

Wall space: the door needs a clear stretch of wall beside the opening to slide onto, roughly the width of the door itself. Light switches, power points and artwork can get in the way.

Privacy and sound: because the door sits in front of the opening rather than inside it, there are small gaps around the edges. That's fine for a pantry, but less ideal for a bathroom.

Support: solid timber doors are heavy. The track has to be fixed into solid framing, not just plasterboard.

Choosing the timber

Hardwood barn doors look beautiful oiled to show off the grain, while painted doors suit a more modern or coastal look. Black steel hardware is the classic pairing, but brass or stainless steel can suit different styles.