My bathroom renovation included the most gorgeous free standing tub. Only problem was that it was in the way of the door to the toilet room swinging freely. My favorite solution to doors in tight spaces is to install a pocket door. Installing a pocket door is a great way to save space and add convenience. Unlike traditional hinged doors, pocket doors slide into a wall compartment when opened, freeing up floor space and giving rooms a more open feel.
Installing a Pocket Door
I like these pocket door kits from Amazon. They come with all of the hardware needed for a pocket door. I decided to use the old door since it already fits my aesthetic. Doors are available in various materials and finishes, so you can pick any one that fits your interior. I like to ensure that the wall where I plan to install the pocket door is free of electrical wiring, plumbing, or other obstructions. Then I use a stud finder to locate studs because I will need to cut through some of them to install the door frame.
I remove the door and then use a pry bar to remove any trim around the door opening. Then I remove the drywall around the door frame and from the part of the wall where the pocket will go. Once the drywall is removed I’ll need to modify the wall structure to create a space for the door to slide into. I cut out the wall studs in the section where the pocket will be installed. Then I take out the original door frame. For this door I added new jack studs to the sides of the opening. The jack studs are the height of the door and are added for me to install the track of the pocket door kit on.
A Pocket Door Kit Makes This So Easy
Then I assemble the pocket door frame, which comes with the kit. I install it inside the opening, ensuring the frame is level and square. When it’s level and square I use wood screws to secure the frame to the remaining wall studs. The pocket door track gets installed on the jack studs inside the pocket I built. It allows the door to slide smoothly into the wall. The track in this kit is kind of like a drawer slide. It’s a soft close slide and that part is what the door hangs from to slide back and forth.
After the track is installed I attach the hooks to the top of the door. Those go into the track for the door to hang from. It’s also important to remember to install a door stop on the inside of the pocket to avoid losing your door in the wall. I usually just add a wood block to stop the door at the edge of the frame. When all that is done it’s as easy as mounting the door. You can adjust the height to make sure the doo hangs correctly and slides with ease.
Now To Put It All Back Together
The pocket door is a success, but it’s not finished until there is a whole wall again. I hang the drywall by screwing it into the studs. Then I use drywall mud and paper drywall tape to mud screw holes and seams. The doorway needs to be reframed next. I went with my usual craftsman trim and made sure to sandwich the door well while leaving a slot on the inside of the door frame.
When the mud is dry the drywall will need to be sanded smooth, I hate sanding drywall because it’s a huge mess. For some spaces dry sanding with sandpaper is best, and for others you can use a damp tile sponge to sand the drywall smooth. After sanding I finished off the wall with paint and the seams with caulk. Down to the final touches all I had left to do was to add hardware.
It Was Worth Installing a Pocket Door
I am so much closer to getting to enjoy my bathroom! The pocket door allows me better use of the space near the bathtub. It was so easy to install and is such a simple addition to the bathroom. I don’t have to worry about the door hitting the bathtub and I can use all of the floor space in my bathroom. It is gorgeous and slides so nicely, I love it!
