What is the best closet door to add into apartments?

Apr 9

What Is the Best Closet Door for Apartments?

(A Multifamily Developer & Architect Guide)

When designing or upgrading multifamily apartments, closet doors are often overlooked—but they directly impact unit efficiency, leasing appeal, and long-term maintenance costs.

For multifamily developers, architects, and general contractors, selecting the right closet door system isn’t just a design decision—it’s an operational one.

So what is the best closet door for apartments?

The 3 Most Common Closet Door Types in Multifamily Housing

In multifamily construction and apartment renovations, these are the three most widely used closet door systems:

Bifold Closet Doors

Best for: Budget-conscious multifamily projects

Bifold doors are commonly used in garden-style apartments and cost-sensitive developments.

Why they’re used:

Lower upfront cost for large-scale projects
Better access than sliding doors
Common in value-engineered multifamily builds

2. Sliding Closet Doors (Bypass Doors)

Best for: Space optimization in apartment units and modern multifamily design

Sliding closet doors are the go-to solution in ground-up multifamily development and value-add apartment renovations.

Why developers choose them:

Maximize usable square footage in unit layouts
Ideal for high-density apartment design
Clean, modern aesthetic renters expect
Works well in market-rate and workforce housing

3. Hinged Closet Doors

Best for: Luxury apartments and high-end multifamily developments

Hinged doors are typically reserved for Class A multifamily properties where space is less constrained.

Best Closet Door for Apartments: The Multifamily Standard

✅ Bifold Closet Doors Are the Best Overall Choice

For most multifamily developers and architects, bifolding closet doors are the preferred solution.

Why?

1. Maximizes Net Usable Space (Critical in Multifamily Design)

In apartment unit planning, every inch matters.

Bifolding doors:

Eliminate door swing clearance issues, or keeps it to a minimum
Improve furniture layout flexibility
Increase perceived unit size

2. Aligns with Modern Multifamily Design Trends

Today’s renters expect:

Clean, contemporary interiors
Minimalist finishes
Functional design

Bifold doors support modern apartment interior design standards without increasing cost.

3. Improves Leasing & Marketing Appeal

Closet doors directly impact apartment leasing velocity.

All white bifold closet doors:

Enhance natural light
Make units feel larger
Photograph better for listings

4. Scalable Across Large Multifamily Projects

For developers and general contractors, repetition matters.

Bifolding systems:

Standardize across units
Simplify procurement and installation
Reduce variability in construction

When to Use Other Closet Door Types

Use Hinged Doors For:

Luxury multifamily developments
Larger unit floor plans
High-end renter demographics

Use Bipass Doors For:

Budget-driven multifamily projects
Areas where you have no wiggle room in from of the closet opening, and have to.

The Most Overlooked Factor: Hardware & System Quality

Here’s where many multifamily projects fail long-term:

It’s not the door type—it’s the system behind it.

Low-quality systems lead to:

Increased maintenance calls
Resident complaints
Higher operating costs

Pro Tips for Multifamily Developers & Architects

To maximize ROI on your closet door selection:

Specify commercial-grade bifolding door hardware (Magiglide Closet Doors have ALL hardware included)
Use soft-close systems to reduce noise complaints
Standardize door packages across units