How to add a door, when not enough space to open a normal door?

[wigglylines]

We want to convert a space downstairs into a downstairs toilet. It's the perfect size and shape. Only problem is it's right next to the front door, any new door there would bash into the front door / obstruct it if left open.

What other solutions are there for doors in small spaces? I can think of those plasticy concertina doors, but I'm not keen on them. Is there a nicer solution that won't break the bank?

Could a sliding door slide on the inside so not to block the radiator.

My family have a sliding door in the kitchen concealed inside the wall.

:)

I'm having trouble visualising this. Any chance of a photo or plan?

ThisIsmySecretPassword here you go (that was pure procrastination! :) )

Wouldn't it just be easier to hinge the bathroom door to the same side as the front door?

Then they might still bump into each other if opened at the same time but wouldn't be blocking either door in the same way as if the hinges were on the usual right hand side.

That a a top notch plan and makes everything crystal clear. I agree with SacreBlue . I would just add a normal door hung on the side closest the outside wall. The chances of it banging into the front door are slim. I wouldn't see it as a problem at all.

New door in BLUE.

Sorry to be negative but we have a loo door that is hinged next to another door as in your picture. It is Intensely annoying! In fact we are planning to replace with with a bifold door, though ours will hopefully open inwards.....

That's what worries me Aethelfleda.

A bifold door could just fit inwards, only if would make getting out of the toilet pretty awkward!

What we really need is a concertina door that doesn't look naff. Does such a thing exist?!

ThisIsmySecretPassword thanks, glad you like it! :)

Thanks Secret, Aethel & Wiggly it's not ideal but it is cheap and could be done easily as a temporary measure.

Lots of small bathrooms with bath/shower screens are laid out this way and a small doorstop attached to one of the doors could prevent most hard bumps until something more permanent could be sorted/afforded.

I haven't seen any concertina doors that would feel/look robust enough (for me) without paying out a bit more money so perhaps you could look at this as a way to have a working bathroom until you can upgrade.

SacreBlue good point, very pragmatic! It would enable us to actually have a toilet there, even if annoying after a while.

concertina door maybe? I have one fir the kitchen and its aces

A concertina door would be a great solution on a practical level, but I really haven't liked the ones I've seen (sorry!) Aren't they a bit flimsy? (Or are they much better these days perhaps?)

Be careful of folding doors and soundproofing! A lot of them are quite flimsy - we had one on our tiny bathroom when we moved in and had to replace it with a sliding door, because whenever someone went to the loo you could hear it across the house. Funny for toddlers, but meant we couldn't have guests for meals for a bit!

What about if you moved the toilet over to beside the wall and put a basin in front of the window? It would give you slightly more floor space. Or one of these?

www.betterbathrooms.com/bathroom-furniture/tabor-combination-units/apex-left-hand-combination-unit/

Then a bifold door could hinge inwards and it might not be too awkward as it would fold flat against the window to allow you to get out.

Like this?

You can get small corner toilets easily enough.

We have a bi fold door and it takes minimal space

It opens into the loo more then anything

ThisIsmySecretPassword and PrimalLass can I just say I love the picture amends :)

So much easier than trying to explain it too.

Corner toilet, now there's something I hadn't considered.

Sidthesausage the bi-fold door could open inwards, but (if it wasn't on the side / a corner toilet) I wonder how you'd get out!

How much clearance is there between the door and the toilet at yours when it's open? Do you have to kind of shuffle round it to get it open / get out, and is that OK or really annoying?

What about for larger people? Would it be a pain to use?

We have a bi-fold door to our utility which was once a corridor so its a narrow, small space. Our bi fold isn't on a track do the door folds in onto itself and clearance isn't an issue. Could have it fold in or out like shown on this link. www.wickes.co.uk/Woburn-Grained-Bi-Fold-762mm/p/200616.

I still think it wouldn't be a problem having a normal door hinged on the same side as the front door. Your front door presumably isn't used continuously and it would be obvious if it is in use. You would hear keys in the door, the doorbell ringing or people in the hallway getting ready to leave. It's not the same as two internal doors that might clash.

Can you do a mock up door with a big piece of cardboard and see what you think. Bifolds are fiddly and awkward to use if you are not used to them and any door that opens into the toilet is going to make it cramped.

I think I may be thinking about this too much.