THE BIG TICKET
THEY’RE AN INTEGRAL ELEMENT OF EVERY HOME, SO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS VITAL FEATURE WITH THESE SIMPLE IDEAS
In the modern home, we’re increasingly welcoming f lexible layouts with the option to close the door behind us, creating a space that feels cosy. ‘Open spaces are not gone, but adaptability is becoming crucial,’ says Giulio Malberti of Italian design brand R imadesio. Internal doors aid the f low of movement around the home – but despite being a key architectural pillar, they often get overlooked. We speak to the experts to find out what options are out there to try.
Internal glass doors are having a moment. Not only do they look slick and sophisticated, but they’re practical, too, letting in more light, beneficial for smaller, cramped homes. Meanwhile, they still maintain a sound barrier and can be tailored to have an element of privacy with frosted or f luted glass. ‘Glass can satisf y different functional needs, guaranteeing openness and privacy at the same time,’ says Chiara Lualdi, marketing director at Lualdi. Pivot glass doors are a fantastic alternative to traditional and sliding doors; they tend to be streamlined designs with super-slim profiles and a modern frame, and work by rotating around a mechanism rather than being hinged at the side. Crittall is a popular internal glass option too, though may not be suitable for all interiors – the style may feel out of place in more traditional schemes.
Pocket doors save valuable space for an uncluttered aesthetic. They run on a track, receding into a mounted frame. ‘Over time, this door model has evolved to become an architectural element that characterises and defines the f luidity of spaces,’ says Chiara. The technolog y for sliding pocket systems has significantly improved over the years, too. However, there is still one lingering issue, says Irene Gunter of London-based firm, Gunter & Co. ‘I would not choose a pocket door for a room where privacy is needed,’ she explains. ‘While it may work well for an en suite bathroom or bet ween a dining room and a kitchen, it is not ideal bet ween the hallway and a bedroom or home office, for exa mple.’ Sound and smells easily travel through pocket doors.
