I love this blog day at the DIY Show Off! I finished up the bi-fold doors. Finally! Only they’re not bi-fold doors anymore! Woo hoo!
The doors before:
The doors after (see tips on painting shuttered doors here):
But they were still functioning as bi-fold doors. Bi-fold doors are a great space saver in hallways or for laundry rooms, but not necessary in a bedroom. I wanted them to function as French doors. Super easy to do!
(Dressing Room Sneak Peek!)
Closets Before had curtains for a few years – I hated that wood tone that much!
BIFOLD CLOSET DOORS become FRENCH DOORS…
How to:
The doors were installed as usual in the outer corners. (My doors only have an upper track, the bottom is held in place with a bracket in the corners on the floor – no slider on the floor.)
Remove plastic that keeps the door on track from the upper inner corner. (The upper outer one near the wall will stay in the original track, remove the other top inner plastic.) Mine look like this:
Measure where the door closes and magnetic hardware will need to be place for doors to close and catch.
Start with pilot holes.
Install metal cupboard door hardware (the ‘catch’ piece) onto the track itself, so it hangs down to meet where the magnetic piece is going to be placed on the actual door.
Attach the other piece of the magnetic cupboard door hardware to the door itself, making sure that it lines up with the metal piece on the track so it will catch and stay closed. (Mark and drill pilot holes first.)
These are perfect for keeping the closet doors closed and so easy. Best of all – it doesn’t alter the door itself so if the day comes when you want bi-fold doors again, no problem. Repeat for all doors (4 in our case).
Three on each door near the top, in the middle and on the bottom.
Mark.
Drill pilot holes.
Attach.
Now the doors don’t fold anymore – but can be easily turned back to bi-fold doors. Permanent for only as long as you want them to be permanent.
Door knobs are from Hobby Lobby (1/2 off of $5.99 each!!!)
Since this is my dressing room, I liked the freedom to get creative.
“S” hooks make belts/scarves and accessories easy to find. {Don’t you hate forgetting what you actually do own because you can’t see it or find it?}
I love that they open out, instead of fold. I love the new paint job and pretty knobs. And I love that my cat no longer snoozes on my sweaters, covering them in fur!
What do you think?
Similar ‘S’ hooks:
Dressing Room Reveal coming soon with tons of pictures and a few more details on how my clothing and accessories went from being crammed and sharing space with ‘boy’ clothes to having a room all their own.
Ps. We’re leaving for vacation but I’ve scheduled posts to publish along with some guest posts from some of my creative blog buddies. Please stop by to give these ladies some DIY Show Off love while I’m away and know that if you comment, ask questions, submit features or email me…I may not get back to you right away but I’d still love to hear from you and we’ll catch up when I return (I’ve been working on another room transformation this past week and can’t wait to share it with you!)
Now – Let’s see your latest DIY project!
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I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
Coming up early January 2012…share your best projects of 2011…
12 Bloggers
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12 Days of Holiday DIY
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Roeshel, we have some bifolds I would love to do this to. What a great idea! Thanks for hosting!
I'm DEFINITELY going to be using your Closet Door idea! Thanks for sharing!
And thanks too for hosting!
Aimee from ItsOverflowing.com
These look great! I am looking forward to the holiday parade…thank you for hosting! Christie
Thanks for hosting! The doors look great!
Hi I am studying about the different types of lights and design of lights which are more beneficial for the vehicles that topic help me allot and relevant to the kragen hid lights that is very informative source.
so many holiday parties! so fun! thanks for hosting.
What a gorgeous kitchen redo at Magnolia!!! Love it. I linked up my entryway and a fun wreath @ #168. Thanks for making it possible! Hope you have a great week!
Sherry @ Pondered Primed Perfected
Better late than never right? I am waaaaaaaay at the bottom and looking forward to checking out the other links! Have a great evening. Always impressed by your projects! Thanks for hosting. Kristine
Great job!!! PS I am going to need you to send me that chandelier asap.
Hope you enjoy your time off. 🙂
I am not linking up this week because I have NOTHING new. Blogging is doable. Promoting a blog is HARD.
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I really need to do this to my daughter’s closet. Those bifolds are a hot mess.
I have a question.
How did you drill and attach the magnetic thing to the metal bar at the top?
did you need a screw and bolt to keep it in?? if so what types?
I am a total novice to building and will probably be doing this myself.
Hi Dina! I put a magnet (came with screws in the hardware section) on the top of the door and made sure placement hit the old sliding track – the magnetic catches that and keeps the doors closed. Is that what you meant? Hope that helps!
This is fantastic. Where did you get the S-hooks that you used on the doors? I need some like that!
I don’t really remember, Heather, but these are similar:
Butcher Hanging Hook (S-Hook) 2.75in (7cm) 5-Pack Black
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00423QDIE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00423QDIE&linkCode=am2&tag=th061-20
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I have been wanting to change out my closet doors to regular ones, but it’s not anything I can do myself. Your method is so much simpler and so much less expensive! Thank you! 🙂
Thanks for the great idea! I used your blog as a starting point for updating my bifold doors and adding storage to the back. Gave you credit on my blog, of course: http://www.industrialblush.com/2013/10/diy-bifold-door-transformation-for-more.html
Thanks, Sara! You did an awesome job! I tweeted and pinned your project! Love it!
Did you leave the two bottom brackets on?
I’m not sure what you mean, Amanda. I don’t believe my door had anything on the bottom but this was an old project and I could be wrong. The doors now stay closed with the magnets at the top. Hope that helps!
What is the cute cream paint colour you used? Cheers!
I also converted bifold doors the same way except I put the mending braces on top and on the bottom of the doors so they are out of sight.