I found a [semi-related post](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/184406/barn-door-with-no-header) about this, but it doesn't really answer my question. It basically claims a horizontal, wall-mounted barn door could work in a space like below (see images). However, all horizontal, wall-mounted barn doors I have found seem to need to connect to the wall above the door when closed to keep it supported.

In my case, there is no wall above the opening above the door. The options I am considering:

* Add some sort of supporting wood board that connects to the wall on each side of the opening, then allows for a horizontal barn door to be connected to above the door when it's closed. The con to this is it will not look great.
* I have also researched and found some ceiling hanging barn door options. This seems like a great option, however, I don't know if there are any drawbacks to hanging a door to the ceiling. I have never attempted anything like that. I am not sure what to consider there.

[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/77AiL.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/77AiL.jpg)[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/zhLdL.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/zhLdL.jpg)[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/eh7Qb.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/eh7Qb.jpg)

My question is: **Are there any other solutions or ideas I could or should consider for this space?**

**The goal here is to stop sound from traveling up the stairwell, as it currently does**. Maybe there is a door type or covering I am not aware of that would work just as easily.
['https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/260160', 'https://diy.stackexchange.com', 'https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/158563/']
Perhaps an accordion door (note: the accordion will not contribute to noise).

[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/uYArV.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/uYArV.png)
One option could be free-swinging **French doors**; while ideally you want more space between the bottom step and the door than you've got, French doors wouldn't feel like as much of an obstacle. Obviously, they would need to swing out into the room, away from the stairs.

However, if the goal is to *reduce* noise, a better solution might be **sound baffles**. Empty stairs like that tend to collect and amplify noise; since there is nothing to absorb the sound inside, it bounces right back out just as loud as when it started. While there's not a lot you can do about the large window, the walls to the left and right could be draped with soft blankets or tapestries, or fitted with acoustic panels. You may even be able to fit the area over the stairs with something. Obviously, you could combine those with a door for even better sound-proofing.