Bathroom door ideas for space, style and self-care

Whether you’re making small upgrades to your bathroom or going for a full overhaul, swapping out the interior door is often an overlooked (but incredibly important) part of the project. Just like a new shower can improve accessibility or upgraded tile can enhance the overall aesthetic, the right interior door can help make your bathroom much quieter, more private, spacious or brighter. 

The right interior door for your bathroom depends on your goals for the project, the amount of space you have and what type of bathroom it is. For instance, is this a private en suite or a powder room off your main living area? 

Here’s some inspiration to help you find the best interior door for your bathroom. 

Super-quiet solid core doors

There are two main types of interior doors: hollow core and solid core. Hollow core doors are a standard feature in many homes. A bathroom remodel is the perfect opportunity to swap out your old hollow core door for a solid core door to make the space quieter and more private—like your own personal spa.

How do you know if your current bathroom door is a hollow core or solid core door? If the door is closed and you can still hear water running or a toilet flushing, odds are that your bathroom has a hollow core door. Masonite solid core doors are made with 70% more sound-dampening material than their hollow counterparts, meaning your resident shower singer’s morning performance will stay in the bathroom where it belongs as opposed to spilling out into the rest of your home. 

This sound-dampening quality makes solid core doors a perfect choice for any bathroom, but especially for shared spaces, like those bathrooms used mostly by guests. 

Modern bathroom door ideas

Modern home design continues to be one of the most popular types of home aesthetics, characterized by clean lines, simplicity and natural light flow throughout the space. Here are some bathroom doors you may consider to elevate your modern home. 

Doors with glass

To increase the natural light making its way through your modern home, bathroom doors with glass may be your answer. Depending on the size of your doorway, you can choose French doors or a one-panel door with a glass type, like frosted glass, that you aren't able to see completely through.  

Think about your adjoining bathroom. Is there a window that keeps this space light and bright? Bringing that natural light into your primary bedroom can connect the two rooms while keeping privacy intact. 

Modern barn door

What comes as a surprise for most is that barn doors aren't just for homes with a rustic or farmhouse style—they can fit in well with a modern home too. Masonite's 3 Equal Lite Frosted Glass barn door kit with glass panels is a stylish focal point, especially in a primary bathroom where there currently may be an open doorway or a more traditional hinged door. Design forward, the 3 Equal Lite enhances the look of your space while also keeping clutter out of sight. 

Melrose 6 Panel

The design of the Masonite Melrose door with six horizontal panels naturally lends itself to a modern bathroom design, categorized by clean lines and spaces. Consider this door in your bathroom if you have minimal décor and want your door to stand out as part of your bathroom’s style. Use white to help contribute to a relaxing atmosphere or paint your door to complement the accent colors of your space. Because of their calming effect, blue and gray tones are popular bathroom door colors. 

Small bathroom door ideas

Tight on space? Have no fear, solutions are here. Even with a smaller bathroom, there are ways to make their space feel and function bigger than it is, starting with a sliding bathroom door. Here are some doors that will help you save space.  

Space-Saving Sliding Barn Doors

A sliding barn door is perfect for an en suite bathroom where there is not enough room for traditional hinged doors to open without banging into a vanity or wall (and after redoing your bathroom, this damage is probably the last thing you want to deal with!).   

Any interior door can be converted into a sliding barn door. Masonite Barn Door Kits with hardware make it easy by including everything you need to make over a space in about 90 minutes.  

These kits come with a predrilled barn door slab, door installation instructions and all the necessary hardware components such as mounting board, track and rollers, stoppers and guides, screws and bolts, and even a handle. Plus, the kits come in a variety of styles, including panel designs for more privacy or options with glass to allow more natural light into your bathroom.  

However, it’s important to note that a barn door might not be the best option for shared bathrooms. Barn doors have gaps on the side that allow some sound to pass through… which can make things awkward for your family members and house guests! A hinged solid core door would be a better choice for bathrooms located off main living areas. 

Hidden pocket doors

If you don’t like the look of barn doors or simply don’t have enough horizontal wall space for a barn door to slide open, try a pocket door. A pocket door is mounted on rollers that slide along an overhead track. When opened, pocket doors slide into a “pocket” in the wall, helping you to maximize every inch of your bathroom’s square footage.  

However, just like barn doors, pocket doors also have gaps that allow light and sound to pass through, which means privacy can be an issue.  Pocket doors also generally require a bit more time, energy and patience to install than a sliding barn door. For a successful installation, there must be room for the pocket door to slide into the wall. The wall must also be wide enough for the door with no plumbing, electrical wiring or ductwork.  

Any door can be added to a pocket door frame, whether you prefer a door with glass or a standard panel design. Masonite pocket door frames are available at Home Depot and Lowe’s and come in a variety of sizes, making it easy to find the right one for your bathroom project.  

Compact bifold doors

Can bifold, or closet, doors be used as bathroom doors? Yes—while they aren’t considered a traditional door for a bathroom, bifold doors can work in a few scenarios.  

Bifold doors are doors that fold at the center when opening and unfold when closing. Like barn doors and pocket doors, bifold doors are typically used in spaces where traditional hinged doors don’t fit. Since they do have gaps, bifold doors also do not provide as much privacy or sound insulation as a solid core door.  

Design options can also be a bit more limited since the doors have to fold. Sometimes, the panel design of a bifold door can look much different than the traditional hinged version. 

Because of their limitations, bifold doors might not be the best choice for the main interior door leading into your bathroom. Bifolds are a better choice for water closets (a separate designated area for the toilet within a bathroom) or linen closets. 

Bathroom door FAQs

Review these frequently asked questions about bathroom doors: 

Should bathroom doors be in or out swing? 

Most interior doors are in swing, including bathroom doors. This is especially important for busy households where a door swinging outward can cause damage to walls (or people!) if care isn't taken. However, when designing your bathroom's layout, be sure to account for the amount of space an in-swing door takes up so you can avoid it bumping into a vanity or toilet. 

What should I consider when choosing a bathroom door?

Deciding exactly what you want your bathroom door to do and how it should function in the space are two of the most important parts of the selection process. Think through these: 

• Door swing: We've already established that in-swing doors are best for bathrooms, but make sure to consider the direction of the swing when planning the layout of this room. Especially if you have a small bathroom to maximize, you want to be sure the direction the door opens into the room keeps it from hitting cabinets or other fixtures. 
• Size of the opening: Not all open door frames are created equal. Make sure to accurately measure your interior door space so you can choose a bathroom door that'll fit as it should. Read through our guide to learn how to measure for interior doors. 

• Door material: For bathrooms that your guests may use or are shared by multiple people in the household, a solid core door may be an optimum choice. For en suite bathrooms, consider doors with glass to allow for a more natural flow between spaces. 
• Home style: Do you have a classic home that calls for something a bit more ornate? Or a modern home more suited for minimalist styles?

Are wood doors a good option for a bathroom? 

Over time, wood tends to warp as it is repeatedly exposed to moisture—and just think about how steamy a bathroom gets after a single hot shower. Solid core molded doors have been designed to look and feel like wood, but they are made from heavy fiberboard, which is not as prone to warping. That alone makes them a better choice for your bathroom. 

However, due to their construction, solid core molded doors cannot be made with glass. If you want glass, opt for a wood door or a sliding barn door.