Bifold Closet Door Makeover: A Small Space, Big Impact DIY

DIY Bifold Closet Doors: Why Bifold?

Not sure if bifold doors are your thing?

Picture this: accordion-style doors that fold in on themselves, giving you full access to your closet without hogging valuable floor space. They’re kind of like the yoga masters of the door world—flexible, low-profile, and surprisingly chic.

We chose them because:

• They fit tight spaces perfectly.
• They’re easy to open/close (no more sliding doors getting stuck!).
• The solid-core design feels luxe and blocks out cluttered views.

Pictured above: This was the starting point—bare bones, begging for a makeover!

Here is the closet above once we added new trim and painted the interior of the closet.

Updating Bifold Closet Doors: The Tools + Materials You Need

What you’ll need:

• Tape measure (seriously, measure twice)
• Pencil
• Cordless drill
• Hammer
• Level
• Masonite bifold door kit (ours included tracks, pivots, and knobs)

Trust me, having everything laid out ahead of time saves so much frustration mid-project.

Bi Fold Closet Doors Makeover: Step-by-Step Install

1️⃣ Measure + Prep

First up, measure your closet opening. You want those numbers exact—width and height. Remove old doors and clean up any rough spots.

See image above: This is Jim double-checking the top of the closet (because perfectionists never skip this step!).

2️⃣ Install the Track

We secured the track inside the top of the door frame—leveling it out to make sure we weren’t setting ourselves up for a wonky door later.

Pic above: Screwing in the track like pros (or, you know, like semi-competent DIYers who Google everything first).

3️⃣ Prepare the Doors

We hammered in the door pivots at the top and bottom—these little guys are what make the magic happen. Think of them as the door’s elbows and knees: crucial for smooth folding.

Image: Close-up of the pivot going in. (Is it weirdly satisfying watching these come together? Asking for a friend.)

4️⃣ Pop in the Floor Guide

This step locks in the door’s movement—basically acting as the track’s dance partner.

See above: Installing the guide at the base of the closet frame.

Sliding Closet Doors Makeover vs. Bifold: Why We Chose Bifold

We did consider sliding doors—but:

• Sliding doors can derail (literally and figuratively).
• They cover half the closet at all times.
• We wanted full access, no barriers.

Bifold gave us all the benefits of a sleek look and total access. No regrets.

Sliding Mirror Closet Doors: Yay or Nay?

We debated going mirrored (because, hey, it makes small rooms feel bigger). But with young kids around for Airbnb and a high-traffic area, we passed on the mirror this time. Safety first and honestly, we love the clean look of these solid doors.

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DIY Closet Door Makeover: Cost Breakdown

Wondering about budget? Here’s the rough math:

• Masonite 2-panel solid-core bifold doors: ~\$220
• Hardware kit: included
• Miscellaneous (screws, etc.): ~\$15

TOTAL: Around \$235 for a huge style and function upgrade.

Here is a shot of the rest of the tiny room.

Alternative Closet Door Ideas

If bifold isn’t your jam, here are some other options to consider:

• Sliding barn doors
• Pocket doors
• Curtains (budget-friendly!)
• Accordion-style vinyl doors

Shop Bedroom Source Details (see all items here)

• Plaid Quilt Set: Item here
• Bunk Bed: Item here
• Night Table: Item Here
• Wall Sconce: Item Here
• Lake Throw Pillows: Item Here
• Nautical Sheet: Item Here
• Paddle Boards: Item Here

Door Upgrade: The Before + After

In the adjacent bedroom, we installed another set of bifolds and the transformation (for such short money) is amazing.

Before image: Open closet with zero personality.

After image: Crisp white bifold doors perfectly trimmed out—adding style, function, and hiding alllll the clutter. Chef’s kiss.

Shop Bedroom Source Details (see all items here)

• Brown Waffle Duvet Set: Item here
• Striped Quilt: Item here
• Blue Striped Duvet Cover: Item Here
• Wood Headboard: Item Here
• Night Tables: Item Here
• Gold Wall Sconces: Item Here

Once we added the board and batten to the walls and painted the room Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, the room was absolutely perfect.