The Big Small-Space Advantage of Bi-Fold Doors
When it comes to maximising small homes, bi-fold doors open up a world of space-saving possibilities. Made up of multiple panels that fold back on themselves accordion-style, the bi-fold door slides open and neatly stacks against the wall to leave a large, unobstructed opening. Unlike the traditional swing door, they free up precious floor space while keeping layouts flexible. They help carve out multipurpose rooms, can let in more natural light and airflow, and always add a sleek, modern touch – without the hassle of major wall renovations required for more advanced installations, like sliding pocket doors. Below, we dive into five standout projects that demonstrate how bi-fold doors can work magic in small-space design.
Folding in Hidden Storage and Room Divisions
When every square metre counts, bi-fold doors create adaptable spaces without making a home feel cramped. Take the 59sqm/635sqft Candy Cube apartment in Hong Kong, a futuristic apartment where vertical folding screens tuck away hidden workstations and storage. Architect Nelson Chow reimagined the floor plan, replacing walls with moveable partitions that create distinct areas while keeping the space feeling open. The result? A playful, sci-fi-inspired home that adapts on demand.
Meanwhile, DB Apartment in São Paulo, designed by Studio Papaya, swaps traditional walls for warm wooden bi-fold doors that work with sliding panels to transform the 56sqm/603sqft home. The dining and living areas can open up into one large space or be sectioned off to create a private guest room. This seamless shift between functions is a perfect example of how bi-fold doors can turn compact homes into highly flexible, ever-changing environments.
Keeping Kitchens Under Control
Small-space kitchens often blend into living areas, but bi-fold doors provide a smart way to keep them contained when needed. In the 49sqm/527sqft Segur Flat in Paris, a sleek floor-to-ceiling bi-fold enclosure makes the U-shaped kitchen disappear as needed (a handy feature if guests drop by unannounced and the kitchen is less than spotless). To maintain a sense of flow, however, architecture studio faire designed a passthrough window – known as a passe plats in French – below fluted-glass shelves along the side of the bespoke unit, keeping the connection to the dining area intact.
Over in Singapore, 401e features a galley-style kitchen with a bi-fold door designed to keep cooking smells in check. The door’s clear glass panels allow light to pass through, preventing the kitchen from feeling boxed in. Designer Jade Cham compared the 47sqm/506sqft apartment to a Swiss Army knife – compact, multifunctional, and brilliantly efficient.
Next-Level Modularity
Pushing the idea of bi-fold doors to the next level, the architects of ATOMAA took modularity to new heights with an origami-inspired folding panel system in Milan’s BRERA Apartment. These panels allow the 34sqm/365sqft apartment to morph between different layouts, concealing the bedroom, expanding the dining space, or seamlessly integrating the kitchen and living areas. Thoughtful circular cutouts triple as handles, ventilation openings, and playful decoration, maintaining a consistent atmosphere and aesthetic no matter how the space is arranged. From the inside, the light visible through the cutouts mimics a starry sky at night. Blending Japanese-inspired folding techniques with modern European design, BRERA Apartment offers a glimpse into the evolution of modular small-space living.
A Flexible Future
From hidden workstations to kitchens that vanish and bedrooms that transform, these projects prove just how powerful bi-fold doors can be in small homes. They create a balance between openness and privacy, ensuring that compact living never feels limiting. It’s clear from the above projects that the advancement of modular design is already pointing toward a future where small spaces are more flexible than ever. Whether it’s for storage, separation, or sheer ingenuity, bi-fold doors continue to prove their worth in modern, space-conscious homes.