Bi-fold doors and sliding doors can make a great addition to a home as part of an extension or renovation project. Coming in a wide range of versatile customisable and bespoke designs, bi-folding and sliding doors work brilliantly for creating a link between the inside and outside, as part of a conservatory or orangery, or an open-plan kitchen or dining room. Those with a patio or decking area will love bi-fold or sliding doors as part of an outdoor living or outdoor dining design, to say nothing of being able to see your garden even when you’re not using it. We have rounded up the most stylish and versatile bi-fold door and sliding door designs to inspire you.
Read our practical guide to choosing bi-folding or sliding doors to get the low-down on all the essentials.
- Find out more about creating a link between the inside and outside
- Read our practical guides to planning a conservatory or orangery
- Discover how to plan a kitchen extension
1. Update your conservatory with a graphic bi-fold design
Conservatories and orangeries are the first candidates for bi-folding doors, and with good reason. Designed to bring the garden indoors visually, these rooms really benefit from being as transparent as possible. Adding some interesting with metal casing will introduce an elegant, graphic dimension to the room.
This conservatory has been kitted out with doors by Architectural Bronze Casements.
2. Create a seamless indoor-outdoor link
Sliding doors by IDSystems
If your priority is to maximise space and create a fluid connection between your indoor and outdoor living area, then sliding doors will be your best bet. Using the same flooring indoors and out will enhance the unifying effect.
The sliding doors in this indoor-outdoor living space are from the Pilkington Suncool Range – they are not only unobtrusive and versatile design-wise, but will keep your home cool, making them especially useful for South-facing rooms.
3. Maximise natural light in a dark room
Have a dark kitchen that faces a small walled garden or patio? Introducing bi-folding doors will help maximise space – and natural light. Choose a painted design in white or ivory for a delicate and weightless look.
This kitchen has been fitted with Engineered hardwood folding / sliding doors finished in a microporous paint by Scotts of Thrapston.
4. Enhance a kitchen diner with a wall of doors
A long garden-facing kitchen diner will look stunning with both/either bi-fold doors and sliding doors all along the length – not only stylish, but also useful for illuminating the kitchen when it’s in a corner.
This stunning design by Anglian Home Improvements goes all-out on doors – and roof windows to boot!
5. Go minimalist in a contemporary interior
XP Slide Panoramic doors from Express Bi-Folding Doors
If you like your interior to be streamlined and serene, it’s important to get your doors right too. Avoid an overly ornate design in a contemporary home, opting instead for a simple, contrasting frame.
This contemporary living room design is by De Rosee Sa.
6. Introduce bi-folding doors in a balcony or terrace
Even a small balcony or terrace can benefit from the space- and light-enhancing properties of bi-folding doors. With the doors open, your outdoor space won’t feel so tiny after all.
This home transformation by Scenario Architecture makes the most of a small space with the use bi-folding doors.
7. Go for a floor-to-ceiling ultra-modern design
In a large home with an ultra-contemporary design, bi-fold doors may look a little busy – if the space permits, why not go transform a whole wall into a sliding door, creating a completely open-plan look?
This stunning minimalist, monochromatic design is by IQ Glass.
8. Go for classic bi-fold design in a traditional extension
Thinking of extending to create a conservatory or orangery? A traditional bi-folding design will work well, opening the room up into the garden on warmer days.
This orangery design is by Westbury Garden Rooms.
9. Combine different door styles in an awkward space
Unusually-shaped rooms will benefit from a flexible approach – a combination of bi-fold doors and sliding doors. Go bespoke to get the best results.
This bespoke design is by Scenario Architecture.
10. Open up access to the garden with sliding corner doors
Homes with a difficult or awkward access to a small rear garden will benefit from a sliding door solution.
This corner-access garden has been opened up with chic, industrial-style sliding doors by Maxlight.
11. Go for bi-colour doors
Like the idea of a different door colour on the inside of your room to that on the outside? This is something you can achieve with composite bi-fold doors and sliding doors. The composite construction of these WarmCore aluminium doors from Bison Frames means a different shade on either side comes at no extra cost. There are four powder-coated finishes on offer, as well as four external aluminium designs for the door sashes, three handle finishes and four threshold options. Around £840 per door leaf.
12. Fit bi-fold doors in a period home
Bi-fold doors and sliding doors can happily fit with a Victorian home. In this extension project by Scenario Architecture, they make the addition bright and open, while still allowing light through to the original home via door and window openings left in place to respect the historic layout. These bi-fold doors are integrated with angled fixed frame glazing in the gable end and a single glazed door. Six-panel set of Sunflex SF75 bi-fold doors, from £1,500 per panel including fitting, IDSystems.
13. Fit bi-fold doors into an industrial home design
In dark silver metallic with stainless steel hardware, these bi-fold doors from Origin complement the interior furnishings perfectly. Standard two-door bi-fold, H2.2m x W1.8m, £2,519.
14. Go for bi-fold doors with built-in screens
Built-in screens and shades in Centor’s 205 integrated door prevent overheating and stop insects entering the house. They’re solid European Oak on the inside with an aluminium exterior. This H2.13m x W5.76m doorset cost £15,264.
15. Maximise a natural effect with oak doors
Enjoy unique natural detail with these Oak KustomFold doors from Klöeber. There’s a variety of stain or paint finishes including a dual-colour option. From £3,390 for W2.09m up to H2.2m.
16. Throw back the patio doors for unrestricted garden access
Accoya bi-fold doors with ironmongery, from £8,500, The Sash Window Workshop
Modern and versatile, bi-fold patio doors are comprised of a series of panels that open, concertina-style, and stack at a right angle to the wall. The doors can be completely pushed back to provide unrestricted access to the garden, particularly when paired with a level threshold. They offer a large glazed surface area, and although this is split into several separate panels, it still lets in plenty of light.
