Room Divider Ideas: Best Ways to Divide a Room
Homes with open living spaces are becoming increasingly popular. While that’s generally great, it can be hard to get some privacy when your home lacks doors. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to divide the space in your home for more privacy. Certain strategies and elements can help achieve a great aesthetic and make your space appear to have multiple rooms instead of one large area.
Divide open spaces
Open spaces are great for making homes feel bigger, but dividing them into functional areas can be tricky. Here are some good options to consider:
Simple dividers
Room dividers are already incredibly popular and come in many different styles. Bamboo dividers are stylish and offer homes a stylish way to differentiate spaces while leaving a sense of openness. These dividers are usually transparent, so they don’t offer much privacy. However, they add an extra touch to any space without making too much of a splash.
If good privacy is what you are looking for, try a divider with elegant design. Beautiful pictures don’t need to be hung on the walls. They can be the walls! These sturdy dividers are perfect for designating changing rooms, office spaces, and sleeping areas. While it’s not the same as having another room, it’s pretty darn close and can make your home flow nicely with a heightened sense of elegance.
Use Shelves
Shelves are usually placed against walls, as that’s where people generally think they have the most impact. However, a shelf is a great way to do this if you want to divide a larger room, such as for a private office or reading area. Get a bookcase that has no back for the best aesthetics. This way you’ll see through the shelves, which will make decorating even more fun. Throw plants next to your books for eye-catching decor. Alternatively, consider setting up a temporary library wall!
Partial dividing walls
Partition walls take a lot more work to install and will require your landlord’s permission. You will also need a professional to install the wall for you. However, even with all these difficulties, it can be one of the best and most versatile ways to divide large rooms. These walls can be extremely stylish, even transparent, or a bit more functional, like a peninsula separating the living space from the kitchen or a built-in bookcase. Many people even add a partial room divider with a decorative fireplace. You can do whatever you want when adding a partial wall.
Add a living wall
A green wall is a separation space composed mainly of plants. These may be on a section of shelving, but many of the lavish ones grow out of the wall itself. Either way, the greenery will add a splash of color and a pleasant smell to your home while providing extra privacy. It’s also a great way to feel a sense of connection to your decor.
Get creative with furniture
If you don’t want to buy anything new for your home, fear not. There are still ways to make larger open spaces look like they are divided into separate rooms. The easiest way to do this is to have a sofa and chairs face a focal point in the room, such as a TV or fireplace. This sitting area will make the space intimate and leave everything behind open for other things, like a library or a dining room. Additionally, large rugs can set boundaries for spaces such as offices, play areas for children or pets, or anything else.
Set up a bar or an island
Concretely, to separate a kitchen and a living room, simple solutions such as a bar table or an island will do wonders. An island will provide a ton of extra counter space and storage options for your cookware. Many of these items also come with moveable options, so you can move them around if you start to dislike their original location. It’s also a phenomenal way to add extra seating to your kitchen, as these tables can be a great place to gather in the morning.
arch of separation
Some houses have beautiful and large arcades which open onto bedrooms, libraries and offices. Doors wouldn’t quite match the aesthetic of these entryways, but there are plenty of ways to maintain privacy without sacrificing style. Some of the best include:
chic curtains
Curtains may seem tacky, but they can be a great way to get some privacy while still leaving you open to the rest of your home. If you get the right high-quality curtains, your home’s style won’t be sacrificed either. There are even curtains made specifically for dividing roomsand you can easily find colors and patterns that match the mood of your home.
Sliding doors
Sliding or barn doors are a great way to divide rooms while still having the option of leaving the room in question open to the rest of the house. They’re a little trickier to install, but these stylish additions to your home will be a huge conversation starter. Artistic and functional, these doors are perfect for arcades.
Folding screens
Closer to doorways, folding screens are usually see-through, made from sleek materials to help the arch breathe and be seen. Most come with wheels, so they can be placed anywhere in your home if you don’t like where you originally put them. These elegant options divide rooms in elegant ways.
Specifically for sleeping areas
Studio apartments and large bedrooms can be tricky to decorate, especially if you want to divide living, working and sleeping areas. However, when it comes to bedrooms, there are plenty of options to use your space wisely, such as:
Play with height
If you feel comfortable, build a platform to rest your bed or desk on. This will provide a separate space for sleeping and/or working and can add additional storage options. Placing cabinets in these raised platforms is a great space saver, especially for those in a studio apartment. Installing a platform takes some work, but the design possibilities will be endless if you go this route.
furniture walls
This concept uses furniture you already own to create a dedicated sleeping space. Surrounding your bed with shelves, couches, and even a desk at the end of your bed creates a barrier. This functional barrier works on all levels, and the sleeping space you create for yourself can be as big or small as you need it to be. It’s a great option for those who live in studio apartments and need to put space to good use.
Recycle old furniture
One of the most economical ways to divide up a sleeping and living space is to recycle old furniture or accessories. Do you have shutters from an old house? Create a stylish wall with them! Do you have an old clothes rack or storage shelf? Throw plants and clothes up there for a cool barrier. There are many ways to use your stuff for a new purpose. Stylish and functional, it’s one of the best ways to spice up your home.
General advice on separators
No matter what space you are dividing, there are general rules. For instance:
Know what you want
Nothing is worse than buying a ton of stuff without a plan. Before you shop, you need to know what you want in your space. Do you want a living room? Library? The dining room? Dining area? Make a list of everything your apartment or room can serve. Then you can decide where to place these areas in the room you want to divide. Once you figure that out, the rest will be easy.
Checklist for large projects
Larger projects, such as adding walls, new shelves and sliding doors, will be more difficult to fit into a rental apartment. You’ll need permission from your landlord or your co-op’s board, who can recommend someone they trust to do the job. Note that big projects will cost a lot of money, so make sure you can afford these changes.
Consider consulting a designer
Interior designers are a resource that few people use these days. They’ll stick to your budget and show you ideas you never thought of. They will do all the heavy lifting to make your home look great and divide your large rooms into spaces that are both comfortable and functional. Having a designer is one of the best choices you can make. However, there is a cost associated with hiring their services, so if this is important to you, be sure to include the services of a designer in your budget.
Have fun with it!
Ultimately, you want your space to be comfortable and functional for you. Whether you want to divide the space with curtains, shelves or living walls, the most important thing is that your design works for you. This is your space to do whatever you want, so get creative and have fun! Your guests will love your style and attention.
Dividing larger spaces can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Designing can be fun if you prepare your home properly and know your options. If you understand that, you have all the creative license in the world. You don’t have to divide your spaces if that’s your prerogative. However, dividing studios and large rooms into smaller areas will make your home more complete and functional. So step up your design game with these fun ideas.
