Whether or not you are on the hunt for a classy accent to separate areas in an open structure or spruce up a colorless nook, room dividers are an intelligent accent that may remodel an inside.
This versatile design answer is sensible for small and enormous areas alike. Plus, past conventional folding screens, all the things from a pair of bookshelves to a glass wall can function room dividers.
For inspiration, we have rounded up a few of our favourite room divider concepts, that are game-changers for eating areas, residing areas, and extra.
Contents
- 1 1. Create an Entryway
- 2 2. Create a Makeshift Wadrobe
- 3 3. Opt for a Tall Bookcase
- 4 4. Use it to Set a Scene
- 5 5. Let It Dictate Color Scheme
- 6 6. Create a Vignette
- 7 7. Section Off Nooks
- 8 8. Introduce Texture
- 9 9. Use Wooden Slats
- 10 10. Create a Hint of Privacy
- 11 11. Hang Beads or Fabric
- 12 12. Hide Unsightly Essentials
- 13 13. Install Sliding Doors
- 14 14. Block Out the Light
- 15 15. GO FOR A TALL, NEUTRAL DESIGN elle decor
- 16 16.Incorporate a Sliding Glass Screen
- 17 17. Consider a Vintage Screen
- 18 18. OPT For a Japanese Screen
- 19 19. The Power of Two
- 20 20. Choose a Punchy Color
- 21 21. Try a Glass Wall
- 22 22. Inject Personality With a Korean Screen
- 23 23. Go Bold With a Chinese Screen
- 24 24. Install Wood Doors
- 25 25. Consider an Upholstered Style
- 26 26. Use a Bookshelf
- 27 27. DIY Geometric Room Divider
- 28 28. DIY Macrame Room Divider
- 29 29. Gold Fretwork Room Divider
- 30 30. Geometric Divider Room
- 31 31. DIY Marimekko Fabric Screen
- 32 32. DIY Twinkling Branches Room Divider
- 33 33. DIY Upholstered Room Divider
- 34 34. DIY Hexagon Folding Screen
- 35 35. DIY Beaded Curtain
1. Create an Entryway
If your front door opens right up into the living room—and if space allows—create a small makeshift entryway with a floor-to-ceiling folding screen.
Designer Juan Carretero used the textural intrigue of a screen inspired by a collage of found objects to create a small, intimate sitting area. It’s the perfect place to greet guests when they walk through the door.
2. Create a Makeshift Wadrobe
In a studio apartment, create a little wardrobe/ dressing room by folding the screen and sanctioning off a corner. You can hang your outfit for the following day there, too, to speed up your morning routine.
3. Opt for a Tall Bookcase
Customized or not, a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf can function as a room divider while also providing extra storage and display space.
In this open space designed by Hecker Guthrie, the sculptural wall unit speaks to the geometric motifs throughout, so even though it breaks up the room nicely, it doesn’t mess with the flow or feel out of place.
4. Use it to Set a Scene
In this space designed by Arent & Pyke, an average corner is elevated to gallery status thanks to the dreamy room divider with a silver-brushed ground and painted weeping willows.
Even the angles are well thought-out: the bends in the divider look like they’re embracing the chaise.
5. Let It Dictate Color Scheme
If you’re not sure how to start the decorating process, choose a large artwork or one statement piece of decor with multiple colors in it.
In this bedroom designed by Arent & Pyke, the elaborate room divider sets the tone for the color scheme. The designers pulled out the marigold, navy, and burnt orange-red hues, then softened things up with a cool white ceiling, gray carpet, and rattan accent chair.
6. Create a Vignette
Corners have a tendency to look awkward when empty, and folding screens are an easy way to liven them up.
Then add large plants. To make sure it’s not just your floors getting some love, hang a plant high up on the corner wall. It’s all about creating dimension.
7. Section Off Nooks
Installing curtains won’t just come in handy in a makeshift guest room. In this dining room designed by Sarah Richardson, the reading nook because it’s own cozy little space thanks to the whimsical curtains.
8. Introduce Texture
Just lean a carved-wood piece directly against the wall to bring more textural intrigue into the space.
In this bedroom designed by Cathy Kincaid, the wall divider drives home the Moroccan-inspired aesthetic. The designer actually cut the screen in half to flank each side of the bed for a symmetrical look.
9. Use Wooden Slats
Wooden slats that partially section off the room into two areas offers a more open effect than a solid screen. In this home designed by Ray Booth, it partitions the stairwell from the living area nicely—and there’s still a sense of flow and easy movement from section to section.
10. Create a Hint of Privacy
When you want to break up an open loft or studio apartment but don’t want or can’t install permanent dividers, just use a folding screen.
Designer Maureen Footer also accentuates the vertical space in this apartment, drawing our attention up with a super tall bed canopy. “There’s no room to be timid” in a small space, she reminds us.
11. Hang Beads or Fabric
When you want to block off a door-less frame without actually having to install a door, consider fabric, crochet, or beads, depending on the style of the space.
12. Hide Unsightly Essentials
Whether it’s random household supplies or an architectural quirk like a door to nowhere that throws off the layout, a strategically placed folding screen is a sneaky, stylish way to hide it.
13. Install Sliding Doors
If you don’t mind a bit of an investment, install sliding doors for a more effective sense of privacy in a studio apartment (or this guest house designed by Vern Yip).
Sliding doors don’t take up any space since they don’t swing open; leave them open for a more spacious feel when you’re not asleep.
14. Block Out the Light
Have we mentioned the infinite functional value of folding screens yet? Though this gorgeous bedroom (Sister Parish’s retreat at her family’s summer compound in Maine) has curtains to block out the morning light, the folding screen will guarantee beauty sleep. Plus, it adds to the nice cozy, layered style.
15. GO FOR A TALL, NEUTRAL DESIGN elle decor
Sometimes, a neutral space calls for a statement design accent to serve as the finishing touch.
16.Incorporate a Sliding Glass Screen
A frosted glass screen adds visual interest—and privacy—to a Beverly Hills dining space renovated by Jamie Bush and architect Dennis Gibbens.
17. Consider a Vintage Screen
The personality-packed Greenwich Village home of Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan features a striking Fornasetti screen. It’s the perfect backdrop for the white walls and a Vladimir Kagan settee in an ivory bouclé.
18. OPT For a Japanese Screen
An antique screen, positioned between a pair of gilt mirrors, inject personality into a dining room Ken Fulk designed for the American ambassador’s residence in Vienna.
19. The Power of Two
Believe it or not, a pair of bookshelves can work perfectly as room dividers, as seen in this SoHo loft designed by Richard Mishaan. The gold shelving units separate the living area from the family room.
20. Choose a Punchy Color
Looking for a decorative piece for a lackluster corner? A textured folding screen in a punchy color, like blue, is the perfect solution.
21. Try a Glass Wall
Model Natalie Lim Suarez settled on sleek glass doors to separate her bedroom from the living area in her Brooklyn loft. The custom sliding design plays up the apartment’s airy, zen-like feel.
22. Inject Personality With a Korean Screen
The sitting room of a London townhouse includes a statement Korean screen from the 19th-century, which was purchased at Christie’s. The black screen adds contrast to the teal sofa by Nicholas Haslam Ltd.
23. Go Bold With a Chinese Screen
“When I look at them, I see doors opening and knights setting off on horseback,” Chanel said of the beloved screens in her apartment. The Chinese screens, which she used in all of her homes, create an additional focal point in the eye-catching living space.
24. Install Wood Doors
Wood doors from Uruguay make a statement in the entryway of a spacious home of dealer and collector Benoist Drut of Maison Gerard.
25. Consider an Upholstered Style
Actor Ellen Pompeo’s Hollywood Hills home, which was designed by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, features his upholstered screen designs.
26. Use a Bookshelf
An eye-catching bookshelf pulled away from the wall library-style, divides an open space.
27. DIY Geometric Room Divider
This striking DIY room divider is made using only a stack of humble plywood and 1×2 lumber. Its six-foot-tall paravent design effectively partitions a space when needed and folds up in seconds for easy storage.
28. DIY Macrame Room Divider
Another genius Ikea hack uses parts of a popular pine storage system to craft a wooden folding screen. Dress it up with macrame for an on-trend, boho-chic look
29. Gold Fretwork Room Divider
This DIY fretwork screen features a geometric rectangular motif that is both classic and presently trending. Add instant glamour to your space by painting your screen a brilliant gold.
30. Geometric Divider Room
31. DIY Marimekko Fabric Screen
Put your old curtains or fabric scraps to work with a tutorial that’s both fun and easy to follow. This brightly patterned screen does double duty by dividing spaces and bringing color and personality to your home.
32. DIY Twinkling Branches Room Divider
This is the perfect project for hunter-gatherer types. Twinkle lights and natural branches come together for a magical look that will awe your guests.
33. DIY Upholstered Room Divider
This multifunctional room divider is padded and upholstered on one side for comfort and style. With one easy flip, it transforms into a chalkboard for jotting down notes and hanging fun pictures.
34. DIY Hexagon Folding Screen
This neutral geometric room divider is made from bi-fold doors and covered in hexagon patterned contact paper. Check your local Habitat for Humanity or other architectural salvage yard for salvaged bi-fold doors to make this a penny-saving project.
35. DIY Beaded Curtain
This simple, graphic beaded curtain gives a retro nod to the 60s and 70s while staying modern. It’s made using oversized Styrofoam balls and acrylic gesso for added texture.