The Closet Doors That Are on Their Way Out, According to Real Estate Pros

Just like paint colors, kitchen backsplash designs, and sink styles, popular closet door designs change with the times. While some neutral styles (like bifold and bypass doors) seem to stay on trend longer than others, the doors that seem to make the most impact in the space experience the largest fall from grace. That means some popular statement pieces over the years — looking at you, barn-style doors — can now make your home look more dated than daring when it comes time to sell. 

But the news isn’t all bad when it comes to closet door designs. In the grand scheme of things, a door isn’t going to make or break the sale of your home. More importantly, everyone has different styles and tastes, so what seems out of touch or out of style to one person may be someone else’s favorite look. Ahead, find a few closet door styles real estate agents warn against — just know that you don’t necessarily need to run out to buy new doors tomorrow.

Mirrors serve as a great way to make a room appear bigger and brighter; it’s actually one of the number-one ways to help a room with low ceilings and short walls feel more expansive and open than it is. Yet Romi Jordan Mouillon, a licensed real estate salesperson at Serhant and The Oppenheim Group, says the style has fallen out of favor because they “simply lack character,” unlike some of the other closet door styles creeping onto the market. “There are better ways to sneak a mirror into a room,” she adds.

Sadly, farmhouse style has had its time, according to most pros. The design choice that was made popular by the Fixer Upper duo, Joanna and Chip Gaines, has slowly started falling by the wayside, which is why Mouillon says these “overdone” doors can make your home look dated. This includes a whole variety of barn styles, including glass, wood panel, and even the more unique-looking industrial barn doors.

Fortunately, the news isn’t all bad. Mouillon has insight into the next big thing in closet doors — and if you already have this style at home, you may be a step ahead of the rest. 

“Shoji screens as closet doors are very chic,” she explains, adding that these doors are especially beautiful when hung with a wood finish because they bring “an organic element to a room.”

If you already have Shoji doors in a different finish, Mouillon says you can achieve a similar effect by painting the doors with a subtle contrasting color. “Repurposing vintage doors is a wonderful way to weave in some detail that feels authentic to the space,” she says.