After we made plans for the new laundry room/mudroom area (you can see those here), we realized we needed to think of a new door situation. Our current door swings left into the room which felt like it could get a little cramped to us. Especially since that would be the mudroom side of the small room and we didn’t want to sacrifice any space on that side or dance around a door when trying to get a hat or something.

We thought a pocket door could work, but that would require moving a lot of electrical lines and that’s how we landed on the ever-popular barn-style door. I have to admit, Chris has been pushing me on one of these for 2 years now and I have been resistant. I have been adamant that it actually has to make sense. I don’t want to take off a door just to put in a sliding door for no reason. And alas! We feel we have a really good reason and a perfect spot for one. For the most part the door in this area, from the kitchen to the laundry room, is open so it will be nice to have the door double as something pretty on the wall in the dining room (the pictures will go). But when it is closed–when the laundry is running, or Charly needs to be in a room while certain guests are over–we are needing to have a functional door in those instances. Form + function is the sweet spot in this case.

I scoured the internet for inspiration. Our house doesn’t have an ounce of farmhouse aesthetic, so I looked for more of an industrial modern+traditional setting (that’s us!) and got loads of ideas. Here are my 25 favorite. (Oh my. 25?!)

1. This one seems easily DIYable and since we’re planning on planking all the walls in the mudroom/laundry area my eyes lit up when I spotted this photo.

2. A darker, rich walnut would look so pretty next to our floors. And the simple shaker style keeps things modern.

3. Go wide (and DIY friendly) or go home?

4. Doors like this don’t just show up in salvage yards in Idaho or hopefully anywhere!, but this is the dream!

5. I am fairly certain we’ll go for wood-toned, but this white ones feels so fresh.

6. Painted would be a fun accent, too!

7. I believe this is the real thing…or an old garage door.

8. The tones in this one remind me a lot of our floors. I think we want the door to be a little richer for contrast, but this is so clean-lined–I love it!

9. I mean, maybe the easiest DIYable door ever, and in wood it is so perfect.

10. I could get down with 5 panels like this!

11. The hardware screws are a little flashy, but the door is wide and glorious.

12. Perfectly vintage fresh.

13. This one is borderline not-my-taste, but I love the windows up top!

14. Not sure what is going on in some of these panels, but I will always love a black door.

15. The hardware adds so much here.

16. Beyond lovely and dripping with inspiration. Talk about form meets function!

17. Seeded glass and panes and wood and industrial hardware. It’s so good.

18. This one got me thinking about a cement-looking door. Could you cover a plain wood door with thin layers of that Ardex stuff so many bloggers are using these days? I mean, would that be amazing?! Did I just give a blogger their next post? (You’re welcome.)

19. I kind of don’t know what I’m looking at here, but it’s so sweet, I love it.

20. Boom. Character.

21. I am fairly positive my little city doesn’t have anything as cool–not even close–in their thrift stores, and I’m not sure my house is even rich enough for such a door, but it is still a beautiful option.

22. Great juxtaposition in this space.

23. When I was little, I swear my closet doors looked just like this! Minus the cool track and amazing handle. And doesn’t the stainless hardware finish look so fresh?

24. Maybe too industrial, but still so chic.

25. Matte black on matte black (on black). I like.

Which is your favorite? Chris said he likes #2 and #10. I am liking #2 as well and #16, but I am digging some of the simple wood ones as well. I have a feeling we’ll end up DIYing a door, but we are going to scour all the classifieds and salvage yards and thrift stores in our area first–just to see if we can find a gem. Stay tuned, we’re so excited about this project. And have a happy weekend! What are your plans?