Designers Agree: Homeowners Want This Design Feature in 2026 (For Every Room!)

Although they’re a common feature in historic homes with closed-plan layouts, pocket doors are making a comeback in newer builds and home renos, too.

For example, when home construction company Anthony Wilder Design/Build takes on a new home or new client, “pocket doors are often part of the overall plan,” architect Sean Mullin says.

The doors, which glide along a track and nest into the wall, are “preferred alternatives to swinging doors that impede the function of a space,” he adds.

When it comes to where to place a pocket door in homes today, the world (or threshold) is your oyster. Below, Mullin and other builders speak to why pocket doors are trending again in homes today—and where a pocket door can get the job done better than a standard hinged one.

Why Pocket Doors Are Trending Again

According to the experts, pocket doors are popular again because hardware improvements have made them more functional—and easier to install and repair—than they were even a decade ago, Luke Olson, principal at GTM Architects, says.

Olson cites specific examples available today including synchronized hardware (which allows tow doors to open simultaneously) and soft open-and-close mechanisms as being major selling points.

Additionally, pocket doors are much sturdier and more durable than they once were, making them a more reliable feature that can be used in different rooms.

“Pocket doors are now available in much larger sizes with more reliable hardware that can handle heavier door panels,” Olson says. “Gone are the days of binding doors that constantly run off-track.”

An added benefit of pocket doors is their significant clearance, explains Deborah Sauri, the co-founder of TriVistaUSA Design + Build.

“There may be instances where someone in a wheelchair may prefer a pocket door because they can be made wider than a traditional door opening, which avoids the door swing,” she says.

This is also a selling point for homeowners looking to age in place.

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What Pocket Doors Look Like in Today’s Homes

There are also more material choices for pocket doors in 2026. If you find the look of solid wood to be too heavy for your space, there are other routes.

“Alternative finishes to solid glass pocket doors, such as frosted or seeded glass, offer another design element in the space, and if used in a water closet, for instance, provide a level of privacy,” Mullin says.

Where You’ll See Pocket Doors

In historic homes, it’s common to see pocket doors separating a main living area from a dining room, and while that’s still a popular option, in today’s homes, pocket doors can truly be found anywhere.

Small spaces like bathrooms (especially water closets), clothes closets, and laundry rooms are popular pocket door picks, but you can definitely think outside the box in terms of placement and purpose.

For example, Olson has recently been installing them for clients as a means to keep pets away from specific spots in homes; in these cases, he will weave them into pantries or mudrooms.

Another common application of pocket doors in 2026 involves using them to close off a kitchen workspace, bar area, coffee staton, or desk nook.

“This design is a convenient way to have an open and spacious workspace when needed, but then you can close up the cabinets when you’re done,” Sauri says. “This is especially convenient if you didn’t want to clean up the mess behind the doors!”