One of my clients has had a door dilemma as of late–a new washer/dryer got installed, the old door couldn’t clear them, we (I) took the old door off its hinges because it just started to get too annoyingly in the way (I often make bold moves in the heat of the moment), but then the room was doorless, which is regrettable because it’s also a bathroom, but that was fine for a minute because it’s really more like a spare in the basement, but then a friend moved in downstairs and BOOM–we needed a damn door was what.

Our other options were looking bleak: hanging the door the other way would cause it to obstruct another doorway adjacent it; a pocket door would necessitate deconstructing the entire wall and even then it might not have been long enough, blah blah.

And the point of all of that was it finally dawned on me: the sliding barn door, der!

Let’s take a moment to extoll the virtues of the barn door because really, don’t be so self-important; what more pressing thing have you got to do? (Don’t answer that.)

1. Barn Doors Got Da Looks

Barn doors have intrinsic aesthetic value. While pocket doors quite literally disappear, and standard doors are so non-remarkable that they nearly do, the barn door makes a statement. Why say nothing when you could instead say, “I am barn door, watch me glide, dig my industrial/rugged vibe,” and such?

Look at this, even when you try to make a barn door blend into its surroundings, it still manages to stand out:

2. Barn Doors Find A Way To Make It Work

Barn doors are problem-solvers. They’re incredibly versatile because they can be situated in tight or otherwise awkward spaces. They won’t interfere with pre-existing walls and doors, and won’t obstruct the path. Except, you know, when they’re closed.

They can, on the other hand, equally be employed to establish closures to larger spaces, as you can make a barn door as wide you need.

3. Barn Doors Let You Do It Yerself

Barn doors are apparently DIY-friendly. I cannot attest to this myself, but there are countless barn door DIY tutorials floating around the interwebs, suggesting it most certainly can be done. Let me ask you a question, you novice DIY-er, you: would you rather try your hand at installing a pocket door? Or a barn door?

Answer: come onnnnnnn.