BIFOLD doors have been all the rage over the past few years – but is their reign officially coming to an end?
Interior expert Jordana Ashkenazi has claimed the popular feature looks “dated” and “clunky” and should be replaced with a more modern style.
Although many people like bifold doors, which fold up against each other in an accordion style and promote an “indoor outdoor” feel, she claims they “overpromise” and tend to under-deliver.
She told the Daily Mail: “If there’s one feature I see again and again that instantly dates a kitchen, it’s bifold doors.
“As an interior designer, I can almost pinpoint when a renovation was done the moment I spot them. They had a huge moment, but because they became such a default choice, they now feel very of their time rather than timeless.
“Over time, they can start to feel clunky and tired, which isn’t ideal in a space as central and expensive as a kitchen.”
She added that bifold doors are also expensive to maintain, and there are options that are cheaper to install.
Jordana shared a number of different alternatives that she would like to see in houses instead…
Slimline sliding doors
Another option you can try, according to the interiors expert, is large-format sliding doors.
She advised that ones with minimal framing are the most timeless and elegant.
Jordana advised these mean you can have bigger panes of glass and a better “flow” for inside and outside space, without “bifold door clutter.”
Pocket doors
Where space allows, Jordana said pocket doors are a great option as they slide neatly and disappear when open.
She advised that you get them designed with Crittall-style glazing and “beautiful arched forms”, for the best effect.
Depending on the pattern, she said they are not only practical but also “visually striking.”
Classic French doors
Her third alternative is to use a “well-proportioned French door”, which has a slim profile.
She said that these doors, if they have good glazing, don’t date and so could be a good option if you are renovating.
Jordana said they bring “symmetry, softness and charm” and don’t feel fussy.
Floor-to-ceiling glazing with a hidden sliding door
One of her other options is to use full-height glazing, combined with a concealed sliding door.
The interiors whizz said these give off a “premium look” which “feels seamless.”
Another perk is they give “uninterrupted views” when open.
Interior Design expert advice
