Transform builder-grade hinged, bi-fold closet doors into elegant french doors with simple adjustments.
I previously shared details about our Entryway Closet organization system and mentioned the bifolding closet doors.
This project was among the initial endeavors we undertook in our home, and it remains a treasured memory.
During the busy completion of the One Room Challenge, I neglected to properly acknowledge the closet project's value.
Therefore, I reviewed my photo collection to illustrate, step by step, how to update bi-fold closet doors to french doors in a modern farmhouse style!
GUIDE TO CHANGING HINGED BI-FOLDING CLOSET DOORS TO MODERN FARMHOUSE FRENCH DOORS
Please note: This article includes affiliate links for your purchasing ease.
Video of Bifold Door to French Door Transformation:
For those who prefer a visual guide to the procedure, this video displays the final outcome of this DIY undertaking:
The appearance of the builder grade bifolding closet doors prior to modification:
Our small townhouse entryway lacked ample space initially; opening the bi-fold closet doors made it feel even more confined. The outdated appearance of the doors and handles did little for the overall style!
Materials required for undertaking this project:
- Metal mending brackets (you will need 2 per door)
- Double magnetic catch (1 for each pair of doors) or 2 single magnetic catches
- 1 1/2 inch primed trim boards to frame the borders of every door
- 1/8 inch mahogany plywood cut into 4 1/2 inch strips for the shiplap effect on each door
- Wood glue
- Brad nailer
- Closet door pulls
A step-by-step guide for converting bi-folding doors to french doors
1. To convert the hinged closet doors, first detach the sliding hardware located on the upper section of the doors.
(After removing the sliding components, they will now swing using the primary hinges.)
2. Completely detach the doors from the main hinges. To secure the door and stop it from folding, affix a metal mending plate to the seam area of each door (above the existing hinges) on both the top and bottom.
3. Achieve the Modern Farmhouse aesthetic by first framing the edges with 1 1/2 inch primed trim boards, cut with miter corners. The trim was attached with glue first, followed by brad nailing.
Incorporate a shiplap look onto the doors' fronts using 1/8″ mahogany plywood; our local Windsor Plywood cut the mahogany into 4 1/2″ strips, which we then sized to fit.
**A personal tip is that I would have applied the dark paint to the main doors before affixing the planks, as the white shows faintly through the gaps, which was quite bothersome!**
*Update: Ultimately, we decided to paint the doors white, as seen in the entryway photos.
When the trim frame is secured, position the planks using pennies as precise spacers.
Next, adhere the planks using wood glue and secure them with small brads.
Subsequently, paint the door in the shade you prefer.
We matched the color of the feature wall in our Dining Room, which is ~ Iron Ore by Benjamin Moore.
After the doors are completely dry, mount the door on the primary hinges, and then install a small wood trim piece with screws along the top of the frame so the doors meet neatly in the center.
Following this, affix a magnet catch mechanism for smooth closure.
For this french door pair, we utilized 2 single magnetic catches; however, in our craft room project, a double magnetic catch proved effective. Both options function excellently.
Finally, incorporate handles that match your personal aesthetic.
Burnished bronze door handles complete this modern farmhouse transformation for the closet door!
Here are the before and after views of this bifold to french door conversion:
To recall what these standard builder grade doors looked like initially:
And here is the finished result!
Later, we painted it Simply White by Benjamin Moore, resulting in an 'after after!' picture;)
For additional straightforward DIY home projects, please review these articles:
- Guide to creating a Farmhouse Shiplap Wall
- How to achieve a Shiplap Accent Wall in a bathroom
- Details on Adding moulding to Ikea bookcase
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