When you’re designing and decorating a room, a lot of different things need to be considered to really elevate a room to something special. Paint, decorations, and more are all things that get a closer look, but one thing that is often overlooked entirely is the closet door.

That’s largely because most people feel they have limited options when it comes to the closet door – either a standard interior hinged door is used, or the classic bifold doors are installed. But you can take your closet door further with just a little creativity if you want.

Metal ceiling tiles are a perfect way to customize your closet door in a big way. By installing the right tiles in the right way, you are able to give your room a classy, sophisticated look. And since the tiles are available in a huge range of colors and patterns, you can truly let your personality show through when you install them.

But how do you do it? There are two main methods, depending on the type of door you have and the finished result you’re looking for. Here’s a closer look at each of them.

Installing Tiles As A Façade

This is probably the most straightforward option, but it still has some challenges and some considerations. This method is used on solid bifold doors, using their existing surfaces as an attachment point for the metal ceiling tiles.

• Start by choosing your pattern and color of the metal tile. Once you’ve done that, you will want to measure the door and ensure that the tiles are enough to cover. If the door has inset square or rectangular patterns, you may only want to place the tiles in those spaces instead of covering the entire door. The choice is yours, of course – just get creative.

• Now cut the tiles to fit your pattern. If you’re filling the recessed spaces, you’ll just need a few. If you’re doing a larger door-covering pattern you may need to use many tiles. Either way, always dry-fit as you go to ensure proper coverage and fit.

• Empty spaces or recessed spaces will make attaching the tiles difficult. This is why you should plan your design around those spaces or even using those spaces. Apply the adhesive compound to the tile and then press into place, holding long enough for it to set properly.

• Allow to dry and enjoy your new, stunning, custom created door!

Installing Tiles As An insert

This gets a little more complex. Certain bifold doors have louvered surfaces that won’t allow for the placement of tiles. In these instances, you’ll need to remove the louvered slats and create an insert.

• Start by removing the louvered slats. This involves carefully separating the slotted attachment points and sliding out the wood. You’ll need to be careful to avoid breaking the wood itself.

• Use a piece of thin wood – ¼ or even 1/8 inch will be best – replace the louvered slats with a solid surface. This is only a step needed if the space is very large. Otherwise, you can skip to the next step.

• With your door prepped, you can insert your tiles! Cut the tiles to fit, allowing some extra space to fit into the groove that will be holding them. Once that’s done, begin sliding them into the groove. You may have to use adhesive on the ends of each tile to ensure that it stays in place, but re-tightening the tension of the grooves can often be enough to hold things in place.

Getting Perfect Results

It’s important to remember a few things if you really want to make sure you get the best possible results from your efforts. The biggest one is to be patient and take your time as you go. Getting in a rush will only lead to disaster. Also, know the limitations of your door and your metal tiles to makes sure you have a situation that will actually allow you to complete the job properly.

If you’ll remember these simple tips you can often get perfect results and upgrade your closet doors to something truly beautiful. It’s a straightforward upgrade that takes little time and little effort and is well worth considering for any home.