Is converting a swinging door into a sliding barn door a budget-friendly solution for small spaces like a galley kitchen?
Asked by Alexandre Scott 
5 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
I live in a cozy apartment with a small galley kitchen. The swinging door was taking up too much room, so I decided to save some cash by making it into a sliding barn door instead. I’m not completely sure if it was the perfect fix, but I’m happy with how it turned out and it only cost me around $80.
Wow, only $80? That’s impressive! I couldn’t even find materials for that price.
The track itself costs around 60 dollars, right?
The barn railing cost me just $50. I also picked up some extra wood, screws, and paint for around $30. Luckily, materials tend to be more affordable here in Taiwan.
Hey mate, , in Australia we’re shelling out $145 for those barn rails and $65 for that door.
Oh really? That’s around 3 times more expensive than what I paid for over here.
It turned out so well!
It’s definitely not $80 well spent, but it did a great job. We have one in our bathroom (came with the purchased home) and I really dislike it. Ended up putting locks on both the inside and outside 🤦♀️
You know, I’m not really feeling this whole bathroom door situation… 😊
So I ended up purchasing an old farm house and in order to maximize space, we decided to install a single door (which was part of the original house) for the bathroom – surprisingly, everyone who sees it adores it!
Oh yeah, that was definitely not my smartest idea haha
Na Wells, I have 4 dogs that enjoy opening doors. Plus, we’ve had a few instances of people walking in unexpectedly. It was quite a hassle to install and find locks. The bathroom door isn’t the best. On the bright side, we do receive a lot of compliments on it.
I don’t understand why the kitchen has a door. Can you clarify?
Oh got it, in a small apartment the kitchen smells can spread fast throughout the house. Having a door definitely helps contain them in the kitchen.
Oh I see, must be a common thing in Asian countries. It’s been a while since I’ve seen doors in kitchens in America, like 30 years ago lol
Whether it’s Asian cuisine or Italian dishes heavy in garlic, I always enjoy cooking with olive oil and garlic for my pasta!
I’m currently in NC, and I’ve noticed that some older kitchens still have doors from the 1950s and 1960s. I actually prefer the swinging type doors.
In some cultures, it’s quite common to have a separate kitchen with a strong fan to avoid filling the house with cooking smells. In big cities with diverse populations, we often see a smaller kitchen with a door and a powerful fan installed alongside the main kitchen. These are often called either a curry kitchen or a spice kitchen
I live in a house from the 60’s that features a pocket door separating the hall/living room from the kitchen. I really appreciate it when I need to close off the kitchen prep area.
Mentioned that it was interesting!
Shared that in Japan they had a kitchen door that swung, which they later removed. In the 70’s, their parents had a similar door in North Carolina.
And the bathroom door as well, right?
Oh, pocket doors would be so nice to have!
Haha! I’m a fan of garlic and onions too. A high-quality range hood is essential. And those doors are perfect for keeping people out of my cooking zone! 😄
Can you show us the pictures from before?
This is the previous appearance.
Thank you so much! I now understand how you managed it for $80. I believe many members here (including myself) were under the impression that you completed the entire project, including trim and the door, for that price which wouldn’t make sense. However, reusing parts that are already available is a very logical approach.
Got it, thanks! I basically reused the old door and made the sides longer to fit the door frame.
Great work!! I checked out your profile too, my folks are in Prescott. Quite a change from there to Taiwan 
Oh, that’s crazy! I’ve actually been in Asia for about 30 years. I’m originally from Prescott. It’s a great place!
I love how it looks!
I like the way it looks 👍
Great job on the home improvement, it turned out really nice!
Fantastic!
No content
I’ve put in a number of those
Thinking about renovating an apartment… hmm
Great work
Whatever works, works. That solution was really creative!
What is it blocking…turn out okay?
Cool solution. My bathroom is pretty small, and the regular door kept hitting the radiator and sink when opened all the way. Didn’t feel like dealing with the wall for a pocket door so I went with a sliding door (not really a barn door) on the outer wall. People around here just know that if the bathroom door is shut, it’s occupied.
Looks amazing
You scored a bargain for just $80!
That’s a great deal as long as you’re living there. If you move out, the apartment complex will bring in a general contractor to restore it to its original condition, and they’ll send you the bill.
I am the owner of the apartment. It is quite common in Taiwan to renovate an apartment that you own. There is no need to return to the original style.
If you’re pleased, that’s what counts. By the way, it looks fantastic!