A kitchen pantry is intended to make life more convenient by providing space to keep various ingredients and culinary odds and ends. But if a pantry has a wide, swinging door that blocks off half the kitchen when opened, it can end up taking up more space than it’s saving, particularly in a small kitchen. There are a few ways to solve this issue, such as removing the pantry door entirely, but if you prefer to keep your baking supplies private, the smartest, space saving solution for crammed kitchens is to opt for bifold doors.

Bifold doors utilize a roller system to fold in on themselves when opened, and reduce how much room they take up in a space. While they are typically used for closets, bifold doors can prove extremely useful for a kitchen pantry. Depending on the width of the door frame, you may even be able to install a single bifold door to really free up some square footage. Kitchen pantry renovations are trending in 2025, so there’s no better time than now to put in a new folding pantry door.

Along with opening up kitchen space that would otherwise be taken up by a traditional swinging pantry door, bifold doors have a number of other small yet notable advantages. For example, these doors are often light and relatively easy to install alone. Choosing bifold doors also gives you access to a wide range of customization options, like going for glass panels or a dark stain. You could even choose a plain model, and try a creative way to give a basic bifold door new life.

Bifold doors can also be a better option than other alternative door styles, like sliding barn or pocket doors that may require more space and work to install. Plus, you don’t have to sacrifice ease of access, since bifold doors will still allow you to easily reach everything in the pantry. As far as looks go, making bifold doors match the rest of your kitchen is as easy as installing the right door pulls and hinges and choosing a matching coat of paint. Or, you can make the doors stand out with bold colors and designs. Either way, as long as you’re renovating the door, you should also consider the best way to organize your pantry, according to an expert.