To cover a door opening without installing a traditional door, you can utilize various alternative methods such as hanging curtains, installing barn doors, using beaded strings, or exploring other creative and often inexpensive solutions that provide both privacy and aesthetic appeal.
When you have an opening where a door once was, or perhaps never existed, there are numerous ways to cover the space, offering privacy, blocking drafts, or simply enhancing the room's decor. According to one reference, methods include using curtains, barn doors, beaded strings, and other cheap alternatives that can help you to save some money while providing a beautiful and aesthetic look.
Popular Options for Covering Door Openings
These methods serve different purposes, from full privacy to purely decorative screening.
Curtains
Using curtains is one of the most common and versatile ways to cover a doorless opening. They are easy to install and come in a vast range of materials, colors, and patterns.
- Types: From heavy blackout curtains offering insulation and privacy to sheer panels for decoration, the choice depends on your needs.
- Installation: Typically involves a curtain rod mounted above the opening.
- Benefits: Affordable, easy to change, provides varying levels of light control and privacy.
- Considerations: Can be blown by drafts, may not offer sound insulation, require occasional cleaning.
Barn Doors (Sliding Doors)
Sliding barn doors offer a more substantial, stylish, and space-saving alternative to traditional hinged doors. They slide along a track installed above the doorway.
- Style: Available in rustic, modern, and various other designs to match your interior.
- Installation: Requires mounting a track securely to the wall above the opening.
- Benefits: Saves floor space (no swing radius), provides good coverage and privacy, adds a strong design element.
- Considerations: Requires wall space next to the opening for the door to slide, can be heavier and more complex to install than curtains.
Beaded Strings or Room Dividers
For a decorative, light-filtering screen, beaded strings or similar hanging room dividers can be used. While not offering full privacy, they define the space and add visual interest.
- Aesthetic Use: Great for adding color, texture, or a bohemian feel.
- Installation: Usually hung from a rod or track within or above the opening.
- Benefits: Lightweight, easy to hang, purely decorative, allows light to pass through.
- Considerations: Offers no privacy or sound blocking, can get tangled.
Cheap and Creative Alternatives
Beyond these standard methods, there are many inexpensive ways to cover a door opening, helping you save some money while achieving a beautiful and aesthetic look.
- Fabric Panels: Simple large pieces of fabric hung from a rod or even attached directly above the opening. Can be a DIY project.
- Screens: Folding screens or rigid panel screens can be placed in the opening. These are often portable.
- Repurposed Materials: Get creative with materials like woven mats, macrame hangings, or even artistic arrangements of natural elements (ensure fire safety).
- Vinyl Strips: Similar to industrial door coverings, clear or colored vinyl strips can be hung for a unique look that still allows passage.
Comparing Common Options
Here's a quick comparison of some popular methods:
| Method | Privacy Level | Light Blocking | Installation Difficulty | Cost | Aesthetic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtains | Medium to High | Low to High | Easy | Low to Medium | Versatile, adaptable |
| Barn Door | High | High | Medium to Hard | Medium to High | Strong design statement |
| Beaded Strings | Low | Low | Easy | Low | Decorative, unique |
| Fabric Panels | Medium to High | Low to High | Easy | Low | Customizable |
| Folding Screen | Medium | Medium | None (just place) | Medium to High | Portable, can block view |
Choosing the right method depends on your budget, desired level of privacy, insulation needs, and overall room decor.
