DIY Project Parade: Closet Doors – How to Turn BiFold Doors into French Doors

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).
Stop the folding action by using mending plates:

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!!!)

Big improvement!
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!

The DIY Show Off
1. You must use the button above (ADD BUTTON HTML CODE FROM SIDE BAR TO YOUR POST) and link to this post to share the linky love. You post must be recent, shared at one DIY Project Parade only (not continuously) and be DIY related.
 
2.Include your name or blog name and project title. Add your permalink (not your blog url, but your DIY project post url). Feel free to link a Past Post, just invite your readers in a current post with a quick note.
 
3.Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.
 
4.If you notice your link has disappeared -please add the link back to The DIY Show Off
to your post today, a button or a quick note to your readers about the party and try again! I love when everyone participates and readers check out everyone’s links, but I think the return favor of linking back is the nice thing to do so everyone plays fair and enjoys all of the projects and links. Also – this blog party is for DIY projects only. Links not related to DIY will be deleted. Please share your link one week only. 
5.  If reading this in an email, pop over to http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com to see the inspiring DIY projects linked up!
6. If you have a Holiday link to share, feel free to link up to here too!
 
7.  NOW you can “like” the links!  What a fun idea!  Most liked links may be included in a post of DIY Project Parade highlights later in the week.
8.  Visit a few other links to make some new friends, get some creative ideas and feel free to leave me a comment. I’m likely sitting here on the computer and could use a happy distraction! 

 

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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.
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Coming up early January 2012…share your best projects of 2011…
Get Ready
12 Bloggers
12 Colors
12 Days of Holiday DIY
 
Dec. 1st ~ GREEN ~ The Design Confidential
 
Dec. 2nd ~ WHITE ~ Domestically Speaking
 
Dec. 3rd ~ BLUE/PURPLE ~ Fireflies & JellyBeans
 
Dec. 4th ~ SILVER ~ Freckled Laundry
 
Dec. 5th ~ GRAY ~ Primitive & Proper
 
Dec. 6th ~ SPARKLE/GLITTER ~ A Girl and a Glue Gun
 
Dec. 7th ~ MIRROR/CLEAR ~ The DIY Show Off
 
Dec. 8th ~ EARTH TONES ~ Making the World Cuter
 
Dec. 9th ~ RED ~ It’s So Very Cheri
 
Dec. 10th ~ GOLD ~ 504 Main
 
Dec. 11th ~ CHALKBOARD ~ WhisperWood Cottage
 
Dec. 12th ~ MULTI-COLOR ~ The DIY Club

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The Fancy Pants and Another Gorgeous Closet Makeover

Yesterday’s closet makeover was beautiful and today I’m sharing another. Because if yesterday didn’t convince you to get organized and creative, you’ll need to see another.  It can be done!  This beauty makeover is by M.D. at 
The Fancy Pants 
Closet (room!) before was white. Stark. Uninteresting. 
Now with a little DIY power and thrifty treasures, it’s a girl’s dream closet:
Love the gallery wall with Audrey and silhouettes (shown above).
Organization!
Glamorous!  I do have an empty room.  I’m torn. Craft room. Office. Guess room. Dressing room?! If I keep seeing these dream-come-true closet makeovers, I might be able to make a decision!
M.D., thanks so much for linking up your beautiful closet before and after to the DIY Project Parade!  You did a fantastic job! It’s stunning!

SEE MORE AT THE FANCY PANTS.
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Interested in entering to win a chance to win $100 (working to make it $200 but can’t do it without you) gift card for a Target shopping spree from HomeTalk?  Enter HERE and learn more about a very helpful site for homeowners, renters, decorators, gardners and DIYers!
HomeTalk $100 Target Giveaway

Master Closet Dream Makeover

Meet:  Abbie from

Five days...5 ways
She’s the girl behind this gorgeous dreamy closet makeover you’re about to see but here’s a little more about her as well:
“We are incurable DIYers and built 95% of our house ourselves (framing, siding, floors, windows, paint, plumbing, electical…EVERYTHING; air-conditioning and kitchen cabinetry were about the only things we didn’t do, and that’s because we bartered services for them : )), and the closet is no exception with lots of fun details like a built-in shoe shelf, custom cubbies and a built-in laundry chute (yes, my hubby’s amazing!). “
Now, onto the closet.  Warning:  You’re going to be green with envy.  
Before 
(Confession:  My closet looks worse than Abbie’s before and it’s a built-in 1927 size. Waaahh.)
IMG_2911
First step, empty!
IMG_3866
After lots of DIY, now it’s…
GORGEOUS!
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Reminder:  Close your mouth. 
Another glance at the details, definitely framed mosaic worthy:
2011-07-27
This was the $5 chandelier before:
IMG_2902
Now it has so much charm. Unbelievably the same one!
IMG_4737-1
I think if my closet was this organized, I’d remember everything I own (share that problem?). Organized accessories, shoes, jewelry, clothes. 
IMG_4764
I know there’s a napkin in here somewhere for the “drool”…
IMG_4782-2
And that’s only a sneak peek.  You have to see all of the details, DIY and great thrifty finds that went into this beautiful before and after.  Check it out at ABBIE’S CLOSET MAKEOVER BEFORE AND AFTER.
Abbie…this is such an inspiration and so amazing!  I don’t have a closet this size, but I do have an extra room right now.  Seriously inspired to turn it into a dressing room.  You’ve done an outstanding job!  Thank you so much for “showing off”!  I.Love.Every.Detail!
What do you guys think? Envious?  Inspired?  Does your closet look this dreamy?  
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Don’t forget to enter to win the $100 (trying for $200) Target Gift Card Giveaway!  Imagine the closet you can organize with that?! Or how much you could FILL your closet with that?!  I can’t win it, so I’d love for you to enter for a chance! 😉