Ask any homeowner what would most improve their property and the answer is highly likely to be ‘more space’. In many cases, moving to a bigger property is not an option, so homeowners are faced with the prospect of adapting their current property to make it feel more spacious.
One of the most effective ways to create the illusion of space is to use bi-fold doors. The additional light that floods in instantly opens up the existing space, while the unrestricted views through the doors give the impression of a much bigger room.
Recent research shows that using bi-fold doors to create an instantly accessible ‘outroom’ between the home and the garden gives a property a whole new dynamic. Significantly, 98% of home owners expressed that their homes felt bigger and 85% believed that their rooms now receive more natural daylight. In addition to the extra living space, an ‘outroom’ can also add up to 6% to the property value.
Any room in your house can benefit from the addition of bi-folds, whether it’s a kitchen or living room opening out to an ‘outroom’, or a bedroom leading out onto a balcony and the surrounding views.
To find out more about how bi-fold doors can create the illusion of space, we spoke to some of the UK’s leading interior designers. Here’s what they had to say…
Steph Briggs  | Elaine Penhaul  | Rebecca Dupère  | Ramsey Dawson  |
What décor would you recommend to expand the space that bi-fold doors create?
Steph: Keeping it simple works well in protecting the light and space created. Most people install bi-folds as they want to see the view or to bring the outside in.
Elaine: Bi-fold doors are generally used in a room which opens onto a terrace or patio so when fully opened, your room and outdoor space become one. Therefore, we’d recommend that the décor is suitable for this use—for example, a hard floor would be much more suitable than carpet. You could even choose indoor flooring which matches the immediate outside flooring.
The furniture can be of any design to suit your needs but I’d suggest that having something easy to move would be helpful—you may want to rearrange the layout if you want to use inside and outside as one space.
Rebecca: When using internal bi-fold doors to separate two rooms, use the same colour scheme in both. That way, the rooms flow and the impression created is of one large room, not two small ones.
Ramsey: Opening up a huge aperture with glass doors is a brilliant way to incorporate more natural light into your home. For small, dim spaces, adding bi-fold doors can do wonders for the brightness and general atmosphere of the room. Plus, if you opt for aluminium bi-fold doors—which tend to have very slim frames—you can limit the amount of shadow the door frames cast.
How would you suggest using bi-fold doors to create the illusion of space in a smaller room?
Steph: By using bi-folds with a neutral-colour frame that blends into the outside space. Avoid window dressing where possible and keep walls plain and light.
Elaine: If it’s possible, fit bi-fold doors into the full width of a small room rather than just part of the wall. Keep large pieces of furniture away from the doors so you can see straight through to the outside as soon as you walk into a room. Having matching floors both inside and out will also help. Don’t dress the windows with heavy curtains in a small room as they will immediately make everything seem smaller and darker. If you really want curtains, go for light colours or even voiles.
Rebecca: Having glass bi-fold doors will allow more natural light into the room. Needing access to the doors means there will be less furniture in the room, which will help make it seem more spacious.
Ramsey: Even in very compact spaces, bi-fold doors can help to create the illusion of more space because the slim frames and large expanses of glass help to draw the eye beyond the end of the room and into the outdoor area. They can make areas look far more spacious than traditional French doors, which tend to have bulkier frames.
How would you style a room to make the most of an attractive garden or scenic view?
Steph: Botanical themes are bang on trend at the moment and houseplants haven't been this popular for years! I like to use natural materials to reflect nature, pale wooden floors, neutral walls, and a large mirror to reflect the view.
Elaine: Bi-folds are fantastic for showing off a beautiful garden. Avoid heavy window dressings which obscure your view, and place your furniture within the room so the view is the best you can make it.
Rebecca: Foliage plants and terrariums are very on trend at the moment—they look lovely and will help to bring the outdoors inside. Arrange the furniture to take advantage of the views. Ensure any curtains or blinds frame the view so as not to compete with it.
Ramsey: One of the biggest benefits of exterior bi-fold doors is that they help to remove the barrier between your garden and your indoor space. When closed, the huge expanse of glass provides you with a wonderful view of the outdoors, and when open, a huge aperture is created to perfectly blend outside and in. Garden parties, outdoor dining, barbecues and any other spring and summer activity is enhanced when the barrier between your home and garden is removed.
How would you recommend creating a seamless transition between the outside and in?
Steph: Flooring is the quickest win in this situation. Having the same type of floor—or at least the same colour or texture—running from inside to out gives the feeling of the room continuing beyond the doors.
Elaine: One of the biggest benefits of bi-fold doors is the effect they have in creating a seamless flow between your garden and inside space. Even when closed, the expanse of glass in the doors provides great views of the garden while letting the light flood into the indoor space, thanks to their full height and width glazing. Bi-folds are particularly great for outdoor dining and BBQs during the summer months. They can also be opened with ease and often feature child-safe features to avoid small children getting their fingers stuck.
Rebecca: Using the same flooring—wood, stone, slate—both inside and out and at the same level will give the impression of one large, seamless area, with the terrace area becoming an extension of the house. There are many ranges of comfortable outdoor seating and dining furniture, along with outside space heaters and lighting, so when the door is open you have a versatile living and dining space.
Ramsey: If you have a large expanse of wall facing your outdoor space, bi-fold doors are a good way to create a huge, impressive glass wall. You could either make a whole new aperture or expand an existing aperture in the wall and install bi-fold doors to create an epic view of your garden.
Bi-fold doors tend to offer huge amounts of flexibility in terms of the size of each leaf and the total number of leaves included, making it possible to create vast glass walls that make gorgeous focal points.
What lighting sources would you recommend to complement the natural lighting that bi-folds offer?
Steph: In an ideal world a roof light works brilliantly but isn't always possible in every building. Lighting requirements depend on the use of the room and layout. Candles provide beautiful light and are easily movable depending on requirement and mood. I use a lot of storm lanterns in room schemes for this very purpose.
Elaine: Wall lights work well for adding artificial light. Statement floor lamps positioned in corners add not only a focal point to a room but a small burst of light which complements the natural light from the bi-fold glass.
Rebecca: As bi-folds allow for lots of natural light you can use soft lighting—lamps or wall lights. Spotlights are unnecessary but if you have them already you can install a dimmer switch to create a more atmospheric ambiance in the evening.
Ramsey: If you were to have bi-fold doors fitted in the kitchen area, many homeowners choose integrated LED ceiling fittings plus task lighting for the countertops. Ambient LED strip lighting is used extensively in the majority of modern kitchens to create moods under worktops, plinths and overhead wall units. Most LED lighting is temperature-controlled and can be adjusted from warm white to cool white.
How would you advise styling a living room to complement bi-fold doors?
Steph: Simplicity is key. In my opinion, bi-folds work best with clean lines and carefully curated furniture.
Elaine: Bi-fold doors are modern and extremely stylish, adding a contemporary feel to any living room. When styling the room, it’s crucial to position so as not to obstruct the view. Arrange sofas and chairs so they look out onto the garden.
Rebecca: I would recommend an uncluttered look—simple, clean shapes and unfussy curtain treatments.
How would you make the most of bi-fold doors in a kitchen-diner?
Steph: In a kitchen-diner the dining table is often placed in front of or near the doors, which obscures the view from the rest of the room. A glass table gives the feeling of space and distributes natural light more freely.
Elaine: Bi-fold doors in a kitchen—which is often the most used room in a house—will make it feel bigger and lighter. The doors can be opened up in the summer to give a seamless transition between the kitchen and the garden. They are ideal when you’re entertaining on a summer’s evening—people can wander in and out and you can BBQ outside but maybe eat inside with the doors fully open.
It’s nice to have some sitting furniture in a kitchen rather than just table and chairs—place it near the bi-fold doors so you can sit and enjoy the garden no matter what time of year it is.
Rebecca: Good lighting in both areas will help—spotlights are great and if you like soft lighting in the dining area you can easily install a dimmer switch. Ensure there is enough space between the kitchen units and the dining room for the doors to fold back. Use the same colour on the walls of both areas and a light door surround that blends with the decor will help them seamlessly disappear when open and be unobtrusive when closed.
Ramsey: The more light you have in the kitchen, the easier it is to work in. Plus we spend a huge amount of time socialising and cooking in the kitchen—who wouldn’t want a great view of the outside to look at?
What window dressings would you suggest to provide privacy yet retain the feeling of space?
Steph: Ideally minimal—simple plain blinds work well if required.
Elaine: We love to use light-coloured fabrics and voiles.
Rebecca: The type of window dressing very much depends on the function of the room. For instance, if it’s a bedroom you might want blackout curtains or blinds. If the room is overlooked, you may want sheers for privacy or to lessen the glare on sunny days, as well as protecting rugs and furniture from fading and UV damage.
Ramsey: Automatic roller blinds add privacy when it’s required. We’ve recently completed a job where the client has them connected to his smartphone and operates them at the touch of a button.
Is there any type of décor you would avoid in case it detracts from the space that bi-fold doors create?
Steph: Bi-folds work with most types of décor—they're pretty versatile and work from edgy and contemporary to traditional and homely. The light and view they provide is their biggest benefit.
Elaine: Avoid heavy, dark furniture which detracts from the effect you’re trying to achieve by putting in bi-fold doors in the first place. As mentioned before, don’t use heavy window dressings which then cover them up.
Rebecca: Bi-fold doors create the illusion of space partly because you can’t have lots of pieces of furniture in front of the doors if you’re to open them. It’s important to bear in mind that you’ll be getting rid of wall space to accommodate a bi-fold and therefore will have to find another home for whatever was there previously.
Ramsey: If it’s a modern kitchen extension go with modern-style doors, and vice versa if it’s traditional. Try to reflect the style of the decor in a sympathetic material to suit the style of the property.
