7 Cool Room Divider Ideas to Carve Up Open Spaces
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Tiny studios and large, open-floor-plan homes don't have a ton in common, but they do present one basic conundrum: the desperate need for dividers. It's wonderful to be able to keep an eye on the kids watching TV while you're cooking dinner -- but without any separation, the space might feel like a confusing mess. So use these room divider ideas to divvy up any open space.
Art
Photo by SFAdesign
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Any slim, wide, freestanding piece of artwork can double as a room divider, especially if you don't need to entirely separate the two spaces. A tall ironwork piece with lots of visual interest, like twigs and leaves or an intricate pattern, can make your living room feel cozy and secluded -- and doesn't have to involve hammering drywall. Or create an intimate dining room with a series of slim statues.
Open bookshelves
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}IKEA's white, five-by-five Kallax is the classic choice for this simple, unobtrusive divider. If you want a slightly see-through option to let in more light, use bookshelves without a back panel -- a particularly elegant option for dividing a large room into a bedroom and an office.
Curtains
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Need some serious privacy? Hang hospital track curtains across a room to create two entirely separate spaces. Hide your messy, open-concept kitchen during a fancy dinner with your boss and her husband, or create a separate playroom for the kids when your closest pals come to watch the big game. Thick, opaque curtains are perfect for subdividing a studio, and thinner, sheer fabric can create a subtle effect.
Repurposed windows
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Add visual interest to a loftlike space by installing antique windows between two rooms. Flea markets and thrift stores are a goldmine for vintage glass, which often goes unnoticed by homeowners who are more concerned about their energy bills. If the windows are only dividing a room, there's no need to worry about single or double panes -- you're shopping just for looks, and can pick anything that strikes your fancy and fits your decor.
Folding doors
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Elegant folding or accordion doors are a perfect solution for small spaces. Entertainers can host large soirees without snooping guests peering into their cluttered bedroom, and freelancers who need to host clients can block off a pristine, professional space. Just make sure to pick a color that matches your apartment.
Twigs or greenery
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}We should all be looking for more opportunities to bring nature into our homes. Twigs, indoor shrubs, or hanging plants create an eco-friendly room divider -- and may even purify the air. No, they won't completely block your view of the dining room, but plant-based solutions are perfect for open-concept homes that can benefit from a little separation.
A partial wall
Photo by Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Some spaces need a bit of separation, but they don't need a weekend's worth of drywall.
Break up one room for multiple uses by installing half-walls, pressurized walls, or walls with wide spaces at the top, which are simple to construct and more cost-effective than a full wall.
Wide gaps by the ceiling don't simply look good -- they create two distinct areas without impeding the home's flow.