Minimalist interior design - why pocket doors are the perfect fit

It is true that pocket doors are an ideal solution for all types of home. The space saving qualities and the adaptability they provide can be a benefit whether you have a modern family home, a quirky period home or a small flat or apartment. But given the pocket door originated in Victorian times and until the last decade was routinely dismissed as an outdated design oddity, it is something of an unlikely triumph that the pocket door is positioned today as being the perfect design solution for modern homes seeking to master the minimalist look.

Pocket doors operate by opening into a wall ‘pocket’. This is a cavity built into the wall which houses the door when it is opened and therefore enables the door to slide horizontally along an overhead rail. Because the pocket door doesn’t open ‘into’ a room, like a traditional hinged door, this creates vital space in a room that becomes usable and opens up various practical options. And in terms of creating a minimalist design scheme in a home, the benefits of the pocket door are not just aesthetic.

What is minimalist interior design?

Minimalist interior design is a philosophy that focuses on only using the bare essentials in a home design scheme. Therefore the simple functionality of items is the main consideration, and the idea is to create spaces that are clean, uncluttered and sparse. Ultimately, this creates a serene and peaceful environment, but one that still has operational benefits. Minimalist spaces usually have open plan floors, lots of natural light, neutral colours and a minimal use of ornaments, patterns and clutter.

So, minimalist design focuses on quality not quantity and ensures that where one thing can do the job of lots of things, that would be preferential.

How the pocket door suits a minimalist mentality?

The pocket door ideally suits this philosophy because:

• Disappears – The pocket door disappears from view when opened, and you can’t get much more minimalist than being invisible. The pocket door can be left open to provide an uncluttered view and easy transition between rooms.
• Clean lines – The design of the pocket door is simple and effective, with clean lines and surfaces which are elegant and unfussy.
• Flow and transition – If pocket doors are left open they can create a seamless flow between rooms. You are effectively creating an open plan floor layout which helps with transition between rooms and makes a space feel airy, clean and fresh. Open plan living is very popular in modern, minimalist homes and pocket doors make that happen by acting as temporary walls and partitions which can be opened and closed to create adaptable rooms and flexible spaces. Why build three separate rooms when pocket doors enable you to use a large space in three different ways? You can create small study or work rooms, a larger family TV room and link to an open communal party space, all with pocket doors. This is the perfect example of minimalism.
• Syntesis pocket doors – These are pocket doors that have no architrave around the edges of the door frame and hence the door sits flush to the wall. This creates a seamless visual appeal that is very soothing and easy on the eye, and allows the door to blend into the wall surroundings.
• Glass pocket doors – It is possible to install glass pocket doors which, again, enable light to flow between rooms and help to create a space that breathes and promotes flow.
• Sustainability – Another feature of minimalist homes is promoting sustainability and using materials and features which do multiple jobs in an efficient way. Pocket doors fit into this by creating flexible spaces and maximising the space we can utilise. Pocket doors are good for energy efficiency as they can provide a tighter seal around doors, with a reduced gap to restrict airflow between rooms. Glass pocket doors can also be beneficial to energy efficiency by maximising natural light and heating up rooms when sunshine is allowed to travel through glass and within a home.

Many people think ‘minimalism’ is purely a visual thing, and that is definitely a big part of it. Pocket doors contribute to this by being clean, unfussy and enjoying smooth and classy operation. But minimalism is also in how things work and what options they present you with. In the modern home we are big on efficiency and customisation, ie. making the best use of our space, cutting out waste and dead space, and adapting a space to suit our needs as they change. Pocket doors provide all this as one simple design feature and therefore provide the perfect fit for the modern home.

Need some advice on what pocket door is best for your property? Contact our friendly team here at Pocket Door Shop.