As I troll the internet, drooling over inspiring homes, I find that I always stop and stare when someone successfully uses sliding barn doors in their home. There are so many ways to do it, and it doesn't always work, but I thought I'd share a few of my faves with you.

These first two are used as bathroom doors. It just makes the room so much more interesting than a regular door. And they look great open or closed.

I love how these two cleverly hide these small, useful spaces. Both the office and the laundry room can be hidden away when not in use (which is very good because both those spaces tend to get messy - at least in my house).

-via Pinterest (looks like this is an actual salvaged barn door, as opposed to one built for this purpose)

-via workingdesigncollections.blogspot.com (fun way to close off a small, neutral bedroom)

If you have the room, this is actually something that you can do yourself. There are lots of sites that sell the necessary hardware and you can get very creative with your door style:

-via Etsy / Stainless Classic Barn Door by Real Sliding Hardware — -via Etsy / Stainless Classic Barn Door by Real Sliding Hardware

People are doing them in all kinds of colors:

-via remodelaholic.com  (digging the high gloss red) — -via remodelaholic.com (digging the high gloss red)

-via iwantthat.com (It looks like this one was somehow added to an existing, framed-out doorway - not ideal, but still a fun pop of color)

-via designpretty.com  (I'm a tad confused as to why they'd want to cover up that view, but it may just be a way for them to control the light in the office). — -via designpretty.com (I'm a tad confused as to why they'd want to cover up that view, but it may just be a way for them to control the light in the office).

This one uses a very raw wood, but in a modern layout as opposed to a rustic one:

-via Remodelista (apparently it closes off the "children's play area" in a restaurant - smart)

And here's stained wood in the rustic "X" layout:

Here is a super industrial, metal door:

-via misterthree.com (definitely not for most homes, but it works with the polished concrete floors and the exposed beams in this large space)

Finally, my absolute fave:

I absolutely LOVE everything about this room (the color scheme, the open floorplan, the casual, yet elegant feel of it.), but those sliding doors are what makes it really special. The doors have a very cool, industrial feel, but the stain, style and the smoothness of the wood make them warm and modern. So the perfect combination, in my opinion.