Sliding or Hinged Door Cabinets?

When furnishing a company space, a locker room, or any type of workplace, several factors must be considered: material quality, ease of surface cleaning and, where applicable, food-contact compliance.

More specifically, when choosing a cabinet, the first feature that often comes to mind is capacity. Being able to store a large number of items, whether bulky or valuable, is unquestionably a key requirement.

However, there is another important aspect to consider when selecting a cabinet for a specific environment: the door opening system.

There are two main options: hinged doors or sliding doors. Let’s explore the pros and cons of both.

Hinged Door Cabinets

Cabinets with hinged doors are generally more cost-effective than those with sliding doors, as their opening and fastening mechanism is simpler, both in design and maintenance. Another advantage is greater visibility of the cabinet’s interior: when the doors are opened outward, there is no obstruction and both sides can be viewed simultaneously, making it easier to reach or reposition items without removing them entirely.

Additionally, the inner side of hinged doors can be equipped on many of our models with coat hooks for hanging garments and accessories. This feature is highly practical, as it significantly increases usable space by making efficient use of a surface that would otherwise remain underutilised.

On the downside, the main drawback of hinged doors is the space they require when opened, which increases the overall footprint of the cabinet. Even when not opened to the full 180°, the length of each door, especially on larger cabinets, can be considerable. This added bulk may not only take up valuable room but also pose a greater safety risk for workers moving around the unit in confined spaces.

Sliding Door Cabinets

The main benefit of sliding door cabinets is the spatial efficiency they offer.

When opened, the doors slide along the cabinet rather than protruding outward, making them ideal for compact workspaces or environments with limited clearance. Additionally, these cabinets tend to offer greater storage capacity, as there is no need to account for door swing space, allowing for larger internal volumes.

The main disadvantages include reduced visibility, since only one side can be accessed at a time and a higher average cost due to the more complex sliding mechanism.
Also, unlike hinged models, the interior side of the doors cannot be fitted with hooks or accessories, limiting space optimisation.