In our new master bathroom, the "toilet room" is under the stairs. To meet code, we had to move the toilet forward in the room, which makes the space quite small (maybe 5x3?) - kind of like a small public toilet stall. The entrance to the toilet room is directly across from the toilet, and leads into a 3' wide hallway. We have framed for a 24" door.

The problem is the door. Since we have so little space, a bifold is ideal, but most of them look cheap. A full swing door is possible, but when it's opened it will block the entire hallway, and I am up in the air as to whether it should open towards the bedroom or towards the hallway which leads to the shower and main bath area. Swinging in is not an option.

Does anyone know of a *nice* bifold door or perhaps a good alternative for this tight issue? If a full swing door is the answer, does anyone have opinions as to the direction of swing?

Thanks!!
logcabincook

 

The only alternative I can think of is not a conventional one for such a small door, and bathroom at that. You'd have two 12" doors (like a tiny french door) they would each be hinged, one hinged left, one hinged right. They would swing into the room like a double french door, and come shut behind you. You could lock them from inside with a simple hook and eye, or use ball catches to simply keep them shut. You'd need to put an astragal on one of the doors to hide the gap between the doors once they are closed. Door stop would hide any gaps on the sides.

If the doors were 12" double french doors, would there be room for them to hinge into the room, then close behind you? That would be ideal. If they had to hinge out, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Other than that, you're probably going to be stuck with the 24" door. I'd hinge it so that the knob is on the side that is most frequently travelled. I'm guessing the door will have to be kept closed when not in use?