Barn Doors vs Pocket Doors: Which One’s Right for Your Home?

When it comes to choosing interior doors for your home, two styles have been dominating the conversation in recent years: barn doors and pocket doors. Both are forms of sliding doors, but they deliver very different looks and functions.

Whether you’re remodelling a room, replacing outdated doors, or planning a full build, your decision will affect not only your style but also your home’s functionality. And while many homeowners also consider bifold doors or French doors in their projects, barn and pocket doors are often the leading contenders for space-saving solutions.

This blog will break down the pros, cons, and best uses for barn doors and pocket doors, with some helpful insights and comparisons to other door styles, so you can choose the right fit for your home.

What is a Barn Door?

A barn door is a surface-mounted track sliding door system that hangs from a visible track installed above and in front of the door frame. Its design is inspired by rustic farm buildings with exposed wheel tracks, however, there is another option which is more evolved to suit everything from modern lofts to transitional family homes.

Key features of barn doors:

• Mounted outside the wall
• Door remains visible when open and sits in front of wall space
• Hardware, often in finishes like matte black or satin nickel, doubles as a design element
• Works with all types of door styles, including panel, glass, and shaker designs

Barn doors are as much about style as they are about function. With the right hardware, they can become a focal point in your space, just like a statement light fixture.

What is a Pocket Door?

A pocket door is a sliding door that disappears into a hidden compartment inside the wall when opened. Instead of being mounted in front of the wall, the door seamlessly glides along a concealed track into the door frame cavity.

Key features of pocket doors:

• Completely hidden when open
• Creates a clean, uninterrupted wall surface
• Requires construction to install the wall cavity
• Available in all door styles

Pocket doors are ideal for tight spaces where a swinging door or even a barn door’s wall clearance would be an issue.

Barn Doors vs Pocket Doors: Side-by-Side Comparison

When to Choose a Barn Door

You should choose a barn door if you want an interior door that becomes part of your room’s visual identity. They’re great for:

• Home offices
• Pantries
• Laundry
• Entryways to dining rooms

Pros of Barn Doors:

• Stylish and customizable with or without exposed wheels
• Easy to install without altering the wall
• Allows for bold hardware finishes like matt black and satin nickel
• Can be matched to other elements, such as French doors or bifold doors, for a cohesive look

Cons of Barn Doors:

• Doesn’t fully block sound or light
• Needs clear wall space for the door to slide open
• Always visible, even when open

May require reinforcement of the wall if no studs are present in that section

When to Choose a Pocket Door

Pocket doors are the ultimate space-saver and work well where wall clearance is minimal. They’re perfect for:

• Bathrooms
• Walk-in closets
• Laundry rooms
• Bedrooms
• Transitional spaces like butler’s pantries

Pros of Pocket Doors:

• Completely hidden when open
• Keeps walls clear for furniture or art
• Provides better sound proofing the barn doors 
• Can mimic other styles, such as French doors, to maintain design flow
• Tracks come with Catch N Close “Soft Close Features”
• Hardware availability: with options for just the ceiling tracks and/ or the whole frame kit

Cons of Pocket Doors:

• More complex installation will require construction of the wall cavity if it’s a renovation
• Harder to adjust or repair once in place
  

Hardware and Finish Considerations

With barn doors, hardware isn’t just functional—it’s decorative. Choosing the right track, rollers, and pulls can dramatically affect the final look. Many homeowners opt for satin nickel hardware for a warm, timeless appeal, while matte black remains a favourite for modern and industrial designs.

For pocket doors, hardware is often more understated, but the handle or pull can still tie into other finishes in the home, including those on your bifold doors or French doors. Flush pulls in brass or brushed nickel can add a subtle touch of elegance.

Comparing to Other Door Styles

While barn doors and pocket doors are both types of sliding doors, they differ significantly from bifold doors and French doors:

• Bifold Doors: These fold in sections along a track and are commonly used for closets in tight spaces in the home. They’re not typically as design-forward as barn or pocket doors but can be a practical choice in certain spaces.
• French Doors: Are Double-hinged doors, French doors swing open and are often used for living rooms, closets, pantries, linen closets, or patios etc. They offer an airy, open feel but require more clearance than either a barn or pocket door.

By understanding all your options, you can choose the right interior door style for each room in your home.

Installation and Cost

Barn Door Installation: Typically involves attaching the track to the wall above the door frame, ensuring it’s level and secure, and hanging the door. If your wall structure allows, this is a quick project with minimal disruption.

Pocket Door Installation: Requires opening the wall to install the aluminum stud frame kit from KN Crowder. There is more availability for different pocket door kits available for every opening. This can be more costly due to labour, but the result is a seamless, space-saving doorway.

Reach out to one of our sales representatives for more details and installation instructions.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose a barn door if you:

• Want your door to be a design statement
• Love visible hardware and finish options like matt black
• Have enough wall space for the door to slide

Choose a pocket door if you:

• Need to maximize space in tight areas
• Prefer a minimalist, hidden-door look

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose a barn door for its style or a pocket door for its discreet functionality, both can add beauty and value to your home. With the right hardware, finish, and attention to detail in the door frame, your sliding door can perfectly suit your lifestyle.

At Royal Door & Trim Supplies, we offer a curated selection of barn doors, pocket doors, bifold doors, and French doors, along with hardware options from sleek modern tracks to elegant brass pulls. Our team can help you match your door choice to your home’s design, ensuring a perfect fit both visually and functionally.

Visit our showroom or contact our experienced sales representatives today to see our full range of interior doors and discover which style will transform your space.