Traditional swing doors steal space without you even noticing. They need a clear arc to open and close, which means furniture can’t live in that zone. In cramped bedrooms, tight bathrooms or small home offices, that door swing can make layouts really awkward.
Sliding doors – whether they disappear into a pocket in the wall or run on an external track – move sideways, not into the room. That frees up valuable floor area near the entrance. You can place a bed, wardrobe or desk closer to the doorway without worrying about it clashing with the door.
In tiny bathrooms, this can be life-changing. Instead of the door banging into the basin or toilet, it quietly slides aside. The room instantly feels less cramped because there’s no big slab swinging around in front of you.
They’re not right for every situation (you need enough wall width), but where they work, sliding doors let small rooms breathe and give you more flexibility in how you arrange furniture.
