Right or left-hand door? The direction of door opening matters

Furnishing a new flat or house and a major refurbishment require many important decisions. One of these is choosing the right door. It is not only the material, colour, handle design or security systems that are important, but also the direction of opening. It is crucial for the convenience of use and the safety of the occupants. In our article, you will find out how to distinguish between left and right-handed doors and which is the better choice. Find out why the direction of door opening has such a big impact on your comfort and security.

Table of contents

1. Door opening direction. How to tell the difference between left and right-handed doors

2. Doors that open inwards or doors that open outwards

3. Right vs. left-hand door. Direction of opening leaves in rooms

4. Entrance doors. Direction of exterior door opening

How to distinguish between right and left hand doors. How to choose interior doors for a flat

Door leaves can be divided into two main types: right-hand and left-hand doors, and their classification depends on the direction of opening. A right-hand door should open to the right when the user is facing it, while a left-hand door should open to the left. An important detail that can cause difficulty is the location of the handle. On a right-hand door, the handle is on the left, while on a left-hand door it is on the right, which is opposite to the direction of opening.

The easiest way to distinguish the type of door is to observe the position of the hinges. Standing in front of the door and opening it towards you, check on which side the hinges are visible. If the hinges are on the right, you are dealing with a right-hand door; if on the left, it is a left-hand door.

It is worth remembering this rule, especially when shopping in the shop, to avoid mistakes. Correctly selecting the opening direction of the door will not only make it easier to install, but will also affect the comfort of your interior.

REVES system leaf (left), right - opening inwards; DUO system leaf (right), left - opening outwards

The direction of door opening is a question that concerns not only the choice between left and right, but also the decision whether the leaf should open inwards or outwards. Each of these solutions has its advantages, and the choice often depends on the function of the room, its size and security considerations.

Inward opening - the standard solution

In most cases, both front and interior doors open inwards into the room. This is mainly due to safety issues. A leaf opening outwards could accidentally hit someone on the other side, which in busy areas such as corridors can lead to accidents. This is particularly important in homes where children or pets move around frequently.

In addition, inward-opening doors make it easier to maintain order in communal areas, such as corridors, where the lack of outward-opening leaves provides greater freedom of movement.

PASSO doors , design W03 (door on left), W02 (door on right), DIN DUO SOLID adjustable frame

When do doors open outwards? Doors for small rooms

However, there are situations in which opening the door outwards is more practical or even recommended:

• Small rooms: In small interiors, such as pantries, cellars or storage rooms, opening the entrance door inwards could significantly restrict the available space. In such cases, alternatives such as folding or sliding doors can also be considered.
• Bathrooms and toilets: Bathroom doors usually open outwards. The main reason for this is safety considerations - in the event of a person inside fainting or falling, doors that open outwards allow quick access to the injured person without the risk of being blocked by a body lying on the floor.

Right and left-hand doors and harmony in the interior

The choice of right or left-hand door not only affects the functionality of a room, but also its aesthetics. It is worth remembering that appropriately matched doors can optically enlarge a space, improve its proportions and facilitate daily use of the interior.

Planning the layout of rooms and their direction of opening

A popular solution is to place the entrance to a room near a corner, where two walls meet. In such cases, the door should open towards the blank wall adjacent to the entrance. Why? A leaf that opens in this direction minimises the space taken up and allows better use of the remaining walls, which is particularly important in smaller rooms.

For example, if you are looking from inside the room and the blank wall is to the left of the entrance, a left-hand door would be the best choice . When they are opened, the leaf will stick to the wall without blocking the usable space.

Alternatives to classic doors

If you want to make the most of your space, you can opt for non-standard solutions such as sliding, folding or bifolding doors. With such doors, the direction of opening is no longer an issue and convenience becomes a key factor.

• Sliding doors: They move along the wall or retract into a cassette mounted in the centre of the wall, completely eliminating the problem of the leaf opening.
• Bifold doors: They fold in half, which allows them to be used conveniently in very small rooms, such as wardrobes or pantries.

Room ergonomics

If you choose a non-standard solution such as sliding doors, it is worth considering the dominant hand of the occupants. A handle mounted on the right-hand side of the leaf will be more comfortable for right-handed people and on the left-hand side for left-handed people. A small detail, but one that significantly increases comfort in everyday use.

Exterior and front doors

As standard, flat doors open inwards to avoid the risk of hitting someone standing outside, such as in a stairwell or on the pavement. This is also a practical solution when additional security features such as chains or locks need to be installed. In some situations, such as in public buildings or homes with limited vestibule space, an outward-opening door is used. This solution saves space inside, but requires proper planning to ensure that the door does not interfere with passers-by or obstruct the outside of the entrance. The final choice of door and opening direction should be adapted to the specifics of the space, local regulations and the needs of the users.

Summary

The choice of right or left-hand door, as well as alternative models such as sliding or folding doors, should be adapted to the layout of the interior and the needs of the occupants. The right choice of opening direction will not only save space, but will also emphasise the harmony of the interior, making it more functional and aesthetically pleasing.