Originating in the Victorian era, pocket doors are experiencing a renaissance. A pocket door, like the name suggests, slides in and out of a pocket built into a wall. They’re like a barn door, but when open, the door slab is mostly or entirely invisible, being housed inside the pocket. And this door type is becoming more popular for its space saving and design versatility.

But what might surprise you is, when choosing a pocket door, the handle is one of the most important design choices of the entire system. Yes, the door design matters, but the handle is the part of the door you actually interact with several times a day, so its quality and functionality influence your day to day experience.  

And the handle of a pocket door also affects the look of your home, too. Think of your hardware like the jewelry of a room. It has the power to greatly influence the feel of the whole space while being a comparatively small element.  

Besides the pocket door frame and track, the handle is the key way to make a pocket door system more functional. Customizing it to your needs really is as simple as changing the handle. Here are the seven main types of pocket door pulls and handles, plus the pros and cons of each. Plus, discover the emerging design trend you’ll want to be on top of if you’re looking to refresh your home.  

Standard pull handle 

These handles are up to 18” in length and come in a wide array of designs. You may see them styled as bar pulls, more traditional-looking curved handles, or offset handles.

Pros: This style boasts the largest selection and availability. It’s also the easiest to install of any pocket door handle type, since it consists of two fasteners (one at the top and another at the bottom).  

Cons: It’s important to select the right mounting type. A surface mount handle won’t show caps or screws on the opposite side like a thru-bolt handle. But the thickness of your door influences which mounting type will work.  

Edge pull 

An edge pull for pocket doors is a pull that is set into the edge of the door. It has a finger grip that lies flush until you need to use it. This handle type is often, but not always, paired with a flush pull (see below) for the best functionality.  

Pros: Discreet and minimalist, the edge pull creates an extremely polished look. This handle type is also ideal for narrow pocket doors, since they tend to be slender in proportion.  

Cons: Edge pulls are much harder to operate for anyone with limited dexterity--they’re not optimal for little kids, either. And it takes some know-how to install one into the door edge.  

Flush pull handle  

A flush pull is recessed into the surface of the door so that it lies flush with the door. If you want your pocket door to fully recede into the pocket when open, you’ll need a flush pull or an edge pull.  

Pros: The flushness of the handle allows the door to slide all the way into the pocket, if you so desire. We recommend pairing with an edge pull if that’s what you’re after. People also commonly pair a flush pull on one side of the pocket door with a bar pull on the other side, as shown below. 

Cons: This handle type is hard to operate for anyone with dexterity issues. Depending on the shape of the pull, it can be more difficult to install.  

Pocket Door Privacy Locks

 
A privacy lock for a pocket door works with a bolt that’s engaged by a button as opposed to turning a key. It’s not as robust as a keyed lock, but it’s optimal for commercial bathrooms, office buildings, and home offices. 

Pros: Highly versatile and adaptable, a privacy lock has broad applications both in residential or commercial spaces.  

Cons: This handle type has more complex installation requirements. You’ll need to install the handle as well as the strike and ensure they align flawlessly in order to be functional.

Keyed Pocket Door Locks

A keyed pocket door lock provides an additional layer of security. They tend to look very similar to privacy locks. 

Pros: The most secure pocket door handle, this kind of lock is ideal for commercial applications or home offices. 

Cons: Similarly complex installation requirements as privacy locks.

 
Pocket Door Long Bar Pull  

This style of pocket door handle has up to now been an unusual choice—but we’re seeing it become more popular. A long bar pull is anything longer than 24 inches, more commonly seen on barn doors or pivot doors. Used on a pocket door, a long pull provides more drama and is ideal for modern and contemporary design styles. We also love them for taller, wider pocket doors, so they more closely match the door’s scale.  

Pros: Especially when rendered in a finish like brass or stainless steel, it makes the door seem more luxurious. This simple detail changes the entire look and feel of the door. Like standard pulls, these are also the easiest to install.  

Cons: A long pull prevents the door from fully recessing into the pocket.  

ADA-compliant pocket door handles 

One thing you may not expect about sliding doors (like pocket doors) is that they’re often more accessible than swinging doors. For a person with limited mobility, or someone who uses a wheelchair, swinging doors are challenging because they have to be held open to pass through. Pocket doors on the other hand are more accessible because they simply need to be pushed in one direction to pass through.  

The hardware on your pocket door can further enhance accessibility if it requires no grasping or twisting. ADA-compliant pocket door handles are ideal for commercial applications, schools, hospitals, and medical offices. We offer ADA compliant handles and locksets for pocket doors from Cavity Sliders.

Pros: this hardware type makes pocket doors accessible to a wider range of people, and is suitable for commercial applications.

Cons: not as stylish or directional of a design. Fewer finish options. Best suited to commercial spaces.