Hello,
I’ve reached a point with a topic in our new build (move-in September 2024) where I really need some input. Let me give some background...
We have a niche on the ground floor intended to be used as a storage space for beverage crates, vacuum cleaner, sports bags, and other items. Having lived in the USA for over five years, we fully understand the purpose of a closet space, and when this niche was left over in the planning, we immediately decided that we wanted a closet space as well.
The niche (135 cm (53 inches) wide and about 110 cm (43 inches) deep) is currently just an empty spot in the hallway.
During the construction phase (wood frame construction), when I started looking for a door system for it, I realized that this type of system is really uncommon here in Germany. I found a German supplier offering folding doors (two or three-panel elements) and got in touch with several carpentry shops selling this system, but the cost was around €3000. So, the project was put on hold. One carpenter also mentioned that the doors would need to be fixed at least once on the floor, which would require drilling into the floor tiles (about 6 cm (2.4 inches) long screws). Since we have underfloor heating, we were not very comfortable with that.
Now, this corner is starting to annoy us, and I would like to know if anyone in the forum has ever taken on such a project with folding doors (not the plastic accordion-style ones). Currently, we have the following idea: build a frame from wood (with a transom window, which my husband wants) and hang floating doors from this structure (my husband has carpentry experience—he built two wooden platforms for the children aged 10 and 16 leading to the visible roof truss!).
We can locate the sturdy beams of the wooden structure by knocking, so we can attach the frame there. We would lose about 20 cm (8 inches) in depth. Where there are no beams, the walls are just single-layer drywall.
Has anyone implemented something like this and what kind of "hanging system" did you use? There are several suppliers on eBay, but I would much prefer to rely on experience.
P.S. We do not want a sliding door system, as we want to keep the opening as wide as possible…
P.P.S. The whole project should definitely stay well under €3000.
I’m curious if someone has found a good solution and would like to share it. :-)
Best regards,
Gaby
I’ve reached a point with a topic in our new build (move-in September 2024) where I really need some input. Let me give some background...
We have a niche on the ground floor intended to be used as a storage space for beverage crates, vacuum cleaner, sports bags, and other items. Having lived in the USA for over five years, we fully understand the purpose of a closet space, and when this niche was left over in the planning, we immediately decided that we wanted a closet space as well.
The niche (135 cm (53 inches) wide and about 110 cm (43 inches) deep) is currently just an empty spot in the hallway.
During the construction phase (wood frame construction), when I started looking for a door system for it, I realized that this type of system is really uncommon here in Germany. I found a German supplier offering folding doors (two or three-panel elements) and got in touch with several carpentry shops selling this system, but the cost was around €3000. So, the project was put on hold. One carpenter also mentioned that the doors would need to be fixed at least once on the floor, which would require drilling into the floor tiles (about 6 cm (2.4 inches) long screws). Since we have underfloor heating, we were not very comfortable with that.
Now, this corner is starting to annoy us, and I would like to know if anyone in the forum has ever taken on such a project with folding doors (not the plastic accordion-style ones). Currently, we have the following idea: build a frame from wood (with a transom window, which my husband wants) and hang floating doors from this structure (my husband has carpentry experience—he built two wooden platforms for the children aged 10 and 16 leading to the visible roof truss!).
We can locate the sturdy beams of the wooden structure by knocking, so we can attach the frame there. We would lose about 20 cm (8 inches) in depth. Where there are no beams, the walls are just single-layer drywall.
Has anyone implemented something like this and what kind of "hanging system" did you use? There are several suppliers on eBay, but I would much prefer to rely on experience.
P.S. We do not want a sliding door system, as we want to keep the opening as wide as possible…
P.P.S. The whole project should definitely stay well under €3000.
I’m curious if someone has found a good solution and would like to share it. :-)
Best regards,
Gaby
W
wiltshire1 Jul 2025 12:54ypg schrieb:
Here in Germany, this is simply called a storage room (or sometimes a built-in cupboard). This translation gives a misleading impression. Although closet spaces in the US serve a storage function, they are significantly more than that. The closet space, common in the US, is not only used for storage but often serves as a walk-in wardrobe or even a dressing room. In American architecture, these enclosed, cupboard-like rooms are generally located in or near bedrooms and are often large enough to be considered a room here. Frequently, the flooring (carpet in bedrooms) continues seamlessly from the main room into the closet.
In the four different houses where I lived in the US, I always had a closet space or walk-in closet in my bedroom—sometimes a small one of just under 2 square meters (about 21.5 square feet), sometimes a larger one of around 12 square meters (about 130 square feet). None of these resembled a storage room in any way.
However, it is quite possible that @Sonnenseite122 meant a storage room. That remains unclear for now.
ypg schrieb:
Or you can work with components from wardrobe systems (e.g. Pax, Ikea) and use them either by installing just the carcass without the back panel or only the doors. There are many possibilities.
We also have a niche in the hallway that unfortunately didn’t fit any standard size well. Using components from Pax and Platsa as well as parts from the hardware store, I built a floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobe. Just be careful, as some Ikea models have empty space inside. If you need to drill yourself, you have to check if there is something to hold onto. That’s why the planned Metod doors didn’t work for me.
S
Sonnenseite1221 Jul 2025 16:44ypg schrieb:
Here in Germany, this is simply called a storage closet (or sometimes a built-in wardrobe).
.. and it is planned accordingly: a non-load-bearing wall with a standard interior door.
I think the issue here is the variety of doors and options you could choose from, while you already have a clear idea of what you want. Basically some kind of storage closet. (Dimensions: 135 x 110 cm) (53 x 43 inches) I definitely didn’t want a door that opens toward the hallway (everyone has their quirks!).
In the various apartments we had in the USA, there was usually a clothes rail and shelves behind it, as well as a washer/dryer stack. A very basic setup, but it served its purpose well.
It will probably come down to a wooden frame (open at the bottom to avoid tripping) with a hanging system mounted on it that I found online... If anyone has done something similar, please get in touch.
I’ll also be reaching out to you @Musketier shortly...
W
wiltshire1 Jul 2025 16:51Sonnenseite122 schrieb:
Basically, it's some kind of storage closet. (Dimensions: 135 x 110 cm (53 x 43 inches)) I definitely didn't want a door that opens into the hallway (everyone has their own quirks!)In that case, a kind of vertical rolling shutter like those on old filing cabinets could also work.S
Sonnenseite1221 Jul 2025 16:59Musketier schrieb:
We also have a recess in the hallway that unfortunately didn’t match any practical standard dimensions. Using Pax and Platsa components… Thanks, interesting. I would also like to keep as much of the 110cm (43 inches) depth as possible, so this is currently not an option. In addition, it should be accessible at floor level. And since for you it then doesn’t…
The carpenters and furniture stores I checked with could also offer nice solutions, but they didn’t give me much hope regarding prices…
S
Sonnenseite1221 Jul 2025 17:01I'll try to find two example images right away…
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