Sliding vs Hinged Wardrobe Doors

Sliding doors glide sideways on a track. They don't swing open, so they need zero clearance space in front. Sleek, modern, space-saving. The go-to choice for contemporary new builds.

Hinged doors swing outward like traditional wardrobe doors. They give you full access to the entire wardrobe interior at once, but need 60-70cm of clear floor space in front to open fully.

Small bedrooms (box rooms, bedroom 3/4): Sliding doors are the clear winner. In a room where the bed takes up most of the floor space, you simply can't afford 60cm of swing space. Sliding doors mean you can put furniture right up to the wardrobe.

Medium bedrooms (bedroom 2): Either works. If the wardrobe is opposite the bed with 1m+ of clear space, hinged doors are fine and give you better access. If it's a tight L-shape layout, sliding is safer.

Master bedrooms: Purely a style choice. You'll have the space for either. Sliding doors give that luxury, hotel-suite feel. Hinged doors give a more traditional, furniture-like look.

• Sliding doors (IKEA PAX): £400 – £800 for a 2m wardrobe
• Sliding doors (bespoke): £1,200 – £3,500+ for a full wall
• Hinged doors (IKEA PAX): £300 – £600 for a 2m wardrobe
• Hinged doors (bespoke): £800 – £2,500+ for a full wall

Sliding doors cost more because the track system and door panels are more engineered. But the difference narrows at the bespoke end — at that point, the internals and materials matter more than the door type.

New build bedrooms have a few characteristics that affect your choice. Walls are plasterboard on timber stud — they need proper fixing if you're hanging heavy hinged doors. Sliding systems spread the weight along a floor and ceiling track, which is gentler on new build walls.

Most new builds have 2.4m ceiling height. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors at this height look absolutely stunning and make the room feel bigger. Hinged doors at full ceiling height are possible but the top section usually becomes a separate cupboard (too heavy for a single door).

The trend in 2026 is firmly towards sliding doors with a minimal frame — think handleless, push-to-open, or a slim aluminium frame in black or brushed gold. Mirrored sliding doors remain hugely popular for making bedrooms feel larger and doubling as a full-length mirror.

For hinged doors, the Shaker style is having a moment — a simple panelled door in a matt finish (sage green, warm grey, or classic white). It brings warmth and character to the clean lines of a new build.