I'm looking to widen the doorways of my closets in my prewar NYC studio apartment. Currently, the closet doors are about 4/5 the size of a standard door, making access awkward due to clothes hanging nearby. My plan is to eventually gut the closets and reinvent the interiors, but for now, I want to make the entrances easier to use. The closets are about 35" wide inside, but the door openings are only 23". I'm considering options like pocket doors or smaller French doors to create a more functional space. Before I start hiring contractors, I want to know if this remodeling project is feasible and what steps I should take to get started. I'm on a budget as a 30-year-old single woman, but I value doing things right. Any advice on how to proceed?
3 Answers
Absolutely possible! You might want to hire a renovation contractor for this, or if you're handy, a carpenter could be a good option, especially if you can handle the drywall and paint yourself. One thing to keep in mind is that if your walls are made of plaster, it can be tricky to work with. Also, check if any walls are load-bearing, as that would add to the complexity (and cost). Still, it sounds manageable!
This is definitely doable! While I'm not sure of the exact steps, I don’t think it’ll break the bank compared to other renovation projects.
This sounds like a reasonable project, not overly complicated. The choice for the narrow current door might be to save space in the room. A pocket door or French doors would give you a wider opening. Just two things to clarify before starting: 1) confirm if the wall is load-bearing and 2) check whether your walls are plaster & lath or modern drywall. Plaster can create a mess when cutting, but drywall is much easier to manage. If you opt for a pocket door, make sure your wall has enough space for the door and pocket. If you’re gutting later, French doors might be the way to go since they could be quicker and cheaper to install.
Thanks for all the info! I wanted to attach a photo to clarify but wasn’t sure if that was allowed.
Thanks for your input! I plan to ask my super for contractor recommendations, or I can check with my Home Depot friend for referrals.