23 creative room divider ideas

Best Room Dividers for Salvagers and Upcyclers

If you’re always ready to remake found objects or yard-sale steals, consider these space-sculpting projects:

Folding Screen Made from Doors or Shutters

GAP Photos/Johnny Bouchier

DIY a folding screen using discarded doors or shutters as panels. Stain, paint, or keep in as-found condition depending on your decor, then install hinges to connect panels.

Tree Branches

Courtesy Annie Schlechter/INC Architecture & Design

Bring a sense of the outdoors in with a room divider fashioned from fallen tree branches. Insert branches (birch looks particularly beautiful) to a secure base, adding stones at the bottom to enhance the natural look, or twine with twinkling lights for a fairytale forest feel.

Best Room Dividers to Let in Light

Some spaces—an exercise or meditation area, say—call for a floor-to-ceiling partition that also lets in light.

Macramé

Courtesy A Beautiful Mess

Tie one on! Create a hanging room divider with the macramé, the art of knotting rope to produce textiles. (Check out this blog for a how-to using 700 feet of cotton rope.)

Linen Fabric

Courtesy Andrea Dibner & Gerard Orozco/Tobin Parnes Design

For simplicity and elegance in one fell swoop, suspend a piece of sheer linen fabric. Go with a barely there neutral to suit any décor or choose a bold shade, like this red, to make more of a statement.

Stitch a hem top and bottom and insert a rod in each, one to hang the divider from the ceiling and the other to add just enough heft so it won’t waft too much in a breeze.

Wooden Slats

Whit Preston/Tim Cuppett Architects

Slat’s the ticket! If you’ve got a pile of wooden boards in your workshop, why not turn them into a slatted partition—simply a row of boards with gaps every few inches. Straight, high-quality lumber yields sturdy results, but imperfections can be part of the partition’s charm. Tip: Make gaps caused by bowed or warped lumber less obvious by spacing them wider apart.

Wooden Blocks

Courtesy Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors

Let the building blocks of style set your place apart—literally and metaphorically. This designer used chunky beech squares and rectangles to fashion a double-sided partition to separate a den from a dining room. The effect is warm and organic, yet modern and chic, and with solid construction it’s a lot more stable than the Jenga game it channels!

Room Divider Ideas For Storage and Display

Using the living room divider to add a wonderful display or even additional storage options is a great way to make the most of the available space in your small urban apartment or modest modern home. The idea here is to separate the living room from the kitchen or dining room next to it without disturbing the style of each of the rooms and allowing for an effortless transition between both spaces.

A combination of closed units for the base and open shelves at the top is a practical choice that allows for the unobstructed flow of light and a visual connection between the living area and the rooms next to it.

Make the most out of your room divider by using it as a display and storage unit [Design: Join Constructions / Andrew Benn]Room divider offers storage space both for the living room and the kitchen Imaginative room divider elevates the style quotient of the living room
Bookshelf room divider with half wall offers ample display space Cupboard and bookshelf unit offers storage and display space even while doubling as a room divider Expedit bookshelf from IKEA used as a room divider in the shabby chic home
Half walls and bookcases help define space without using walls

Kiev Flat Lera Katasonova 6

Best Living Room Divider Wall
from Kiev Flat Lera Katasonova 6

Area makeovers consist of lots of components. From furniture, to wall surface color, to lighting, it’s very easy to fail to remember something. Bare wall surfaces can leave the room sensation bland as well as boring. Wall d cor is the ideal option to create a focal point in the room, all while adding a completing touch to the room’s style. Wall d cor – consisting of wall art, wall surface accents, and wall mirrors – can brighten and also bring life to an area. Here at Wayfair, we’re inspired by wall d cor transformations. That’s why we asked eleven interior designers to share their recent room makeovers including wall d cor. And also look out for our suggestions to aid you use wall decorations in your very own house!

Considerations Before Purchasing a Room Divider

Size

The first order of business is to determine the right size divider for your room. Most contemporary and modern room dividers measure just under six feet tall, but lengths differ depending on the number of panels and their particular widths. If you’re looking for something that’s more cosmetic, a smaller three-panel divider is likely all you need. If you’re trying to section off different areas in your home or you need a divider for privacy, there are choices that go up to eight panels wide.

Function

If you live in a studio apartment, a room divider can change the entire flow of your space, giving you separate areas instead of one open room. There are also storage room dividers, including ones with built-in shelves and others that double as bookcases, that offer even more functionality and practical uses for small spaces. If you’re just looking for something decorative, you have more flexibility in selecting a divider for its aesthetics. Numerous options today are upholstered in colorful fabrics or finished in trendy materials like rattan.

Price

Room dividers can be quite costly, and you should expect to spend at least $50 on a free-standing one—although most are close to $100. Prices increase based on the construction and size, with six-paneled options costing more than three-paneled models. If you really can’t spend more than $25, consider buying a tension rod and curtain instead to create a similar yet airier effect, or take a look at the DIY ideas we have at the end of this article.

Photo Credit: Sugar and Cloth

Smart home dividers deliver exactly what you need – free passage of light but clear boundaries between rooms. The best part of it all is that you have a wide array of room dividers to pick from that venture beyond just glass walls! From DIY room dividers to designer ones, today’s roundup of 61 creative room dividers for the living room will force you to look at decorating your home in an entirely new light!

When All Other Room Divider Ideas Fail, Turn to Custom Solutions

What works for one might not for others, and your need for a room divider, both in terms of size and style, could be very different from what is currently available in stores. Do not shy away from custom solutions that deliver exactly what you need. Living room dividers in metal and glass can be created by your local artisan with ease, and often they are far less expensive than dividers in furniture shops. A simple television stand and entertainment unit, a lovely bookshelf or even a series of twigs that you could easily collect this fall –only your imagination limits the style and form of a room divider!

Awesome room divider holds turn-able TV and two-sided fireplace Pattern of the room divider brings a hint of Mediterranean charm to the contemporary living space Room divider for the modern living space crafted from wooden slats is a popular choice Soundproof your room in style when needed with folding doors Turn the trendy media unit into room divider in the open plan living A perfect way to create a room within a room Hallway separated from the media room using simple screens

Add Texture

Bring the outdoors in; this trellis is the perfect example of how to do that correctly. This New York City dining room, designed by Shawn Henderson, introduces texture and dimension. Down the line, it could also be used as a folding screen room divider.

Photo Credit: Shawn Henderson

Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ

What is the purpose of room dividers?

Houses, and other residences, use a room divider to divide the space more effectively or as a decorating focus point. There are many uses for a room divider, including dividing the room, adding privacy to any space, hiding clutter, and increasing storage and accents to the room.

Are room dividers a good idea?

Room dividers are a great way to break up your space and can also double as décor, even in a small bedroom or small living room. Your options include folding dividers, curtains, large bookcases as room dividers, and more.

Do I need to attach my room divider to the floor?

If you are worried about your room divider tipping over, you can most certainly attach it to the floor with some L brackets but most room dividers are designed and constructed to be stable enough on their own.

Can you use curtains as a room divider?

You can most certainly use curtains as a room divider in fact, it is becoming trendy to use curtains throughout the home rather than just on windows. You can suspend a rod from your ceiling to section off space in one large room.

How long should a room divider be?

It’s important to find sizes that are at least six feet long, to provide privacy down to usually two feet from the floor for an eight-foot ceiling.

How tall should a room divider be?

Most modern room dividers measure just under six feet tall, but lengths vary depending on the number of panels and their individual widths. If you’re looking for something that’s more decorative, a smaller three-panel divider is probably all you need.

DIY Options

If you’re of the mind that you want to make your own DIY room divider, there are plenty of options floating around on the web. Here are some of our favorites, complete with tutorials.

The options for personality-filled materials to use in your room divider are unlimited, from salvaged windows and thrift-store folding doors to fabric, rope, chicken wire, plywood, and even macrame and succulents. A simple coat of paint can even make such a huge difference to a room divider, so for those that like to take matters into their own hands, here are some ideas for you.

Photo Credit: Sugar and ClothPhoto Credit: Skinny laMinxPhoto Credit: Design Love FestPhoto Credit: The Handyman’s DaughterPhoto Credit: Confessions of a Serial DIYerPhoto Credit: All Things Heart and HomePhoto Credit: H2O BungalowPhoto Credit: Mark MontanoPhoto Credit: Effortless StylePhoto Credit: RemodelaholicPhoto Credit: Ohoh DecoPhoto Credit: My French TwistPhoto Credit: H2O BungalowPhoto Credit: Kootut MurutPhoto Credit: The Brick House

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A World of Glass!

Adding a translucent glass wall or sliding and folding glass doors to create a partition between the living area and the bedroom in the small studio apartment is a trendy option. If you are veering towards glass walls, then it is best to add a layer of drapes that gives you more privacy when needed. Etched and chemically treated glass panes coupled with sleek metallic pipes give the living room an industrial touch, while colorful glass partitions and those with intricate patterns and designs enliven the room instantly.

Custom glass wall room divider with drapes encloses the bedroom Frosted glass room divider separates the modern living room from the beautiful home office Steel beams and glass panes make for practical and fun room dividers Custom doors used as room dividers can be folded away when not needed

Room Divider Ideas That Bring Textural Beauty

Maybe all you want is a lovely room divider that just separates two spaces and multitasking is not really a priority. If that is the case, then think of adding another unique texture or finish to the living room with the help of this nifty divider.

Since most modern living rooms are covered in sleek, polished surfaces and a touch of metal, the glint of glass or even the warmth of wood is a welcome change. A simple and stylish screen or even a metal mesh works well in certain homes, and these ultra-sleek dividers also take up minimal foot space.

Simple and colorful screen acts as a room divider even while allowing free passage of light Unique room divider using wooden boxes separates the living and dining spaces
Wire mesh used as room divider in the contemporary living room of New York home Woodsy room divider also allows you to showcase wall art [Design: Cornerstone Architects / Photography by Andrew Pogue]Bronze plates, glass and mirrors shape a stunning room divider Custom crafted room divider brings a hint of artistic beauty to the living room

Storage Room Divider Ideas

Some spaces—like a shared children’s bedroom or makeshift home office—will benefit from a partition with places to put things. These ideas fill the bill:

Bookcase

Any bookcase, set perpendicular to a wall instead of flush against it, becomes an instant room divider. Just be sure to secure it for safety: Attach metal L brackets to the top of the bookcase and a wall stud, then drive a few screws through the side of the unit into the same stud. For further insurance against tipping, anchor the bottom.

Bookcase with locking wheels

Courtesy Amy Gardner

A bookcase with locking wheels affords utmost flexibility, especially in larger spaces like a loft or basement. Just roll and lock where you want to separate the space today, and move it to a new location tomorrow.

Tall, Wide Bookcases

Courtesy Room & Board

The bigger the bookcase, the greater the privacy. Set up a tall, wide pair, back to back, to create storage on both sides of the divided space for books, toys, knickknacks, etc.

Cubbies

Alamy

Go low with cubbies (a.k.a. cube storage) to delineate a border on the floor while maintaining open space above. This eight-cube organizer got raves from a reviewer who bought two—one placed horizontally for toys, the other vertically for display items.

Prefer to build your own cubbies? This Old House’s Kevin O’Connor shows how in an easy family project tutorial using simple square cuts and basic assembly and finishing.

Headboard

Rob Karosis/Smith & Vansant Architects

A high-profile headboard with shelving on both sides can delineate a sleeping area while offering useful storage.

Open Shelving

Courtesy Nancy Bulhon ASID, Bulhon Design Associates, Inc.

Open shelving physically divides a space while allowing in some light and offering lots of versatility. Depending on shelf size, you may even be able to install a flat screen TV on a swiveling base.

Columned Room Divider

Ryan Benyi

DIY a columned room divider for your home’s entranceway to direct incoming traffic toward a particular area. While you’ll need some solid mitering skills to build this attractive piece, our tutorial takes you through the process step by step.

Open-and-close room divider ideas

These room dividers are ideal for situations where you want to simply and quickly transition between sectioning off and opening up your space.

Folding Screen

Rikki Snyder

A hallmark of Asian design for centuries, folding screens are simple, lightweight, and attractive. These room dividers hinge together three, four, or more panels that may be translucent (known as shoji in Japanese) or opaque (fusuma). A basic four-panel shoji screen can be had for about $100.

DIY Folding Screen

Courtesy Helen Hou-Sandí

DIY a folding screen by stapling a favorite fabric onto panel frames. Tip: When attaching panels, mount hinges on alternating sides so the screen can fold up. (Check out this blogger’s supply list for specifics.)

Curtain

Courtesy Antoine Bootz/Brian Boyle/BNO Design/Rusk Renovations

For instant space partitioning, call on a curtain. Suspend a rod from the ceiling and use rings or hooks to attach drapery panels. Think velvet for drama or go gauzy for a lighter look. Pull closed for privacy, open for spaciousness. Perfect for sectioning off a sleeping area in a studio apartment or mother-in-law suite.

Barn Door

John Moery

If a curtain feels too flimsy, jump on the trendy barn door bandwagon, for under $200. Or build your own with guidance from This Old House’s Mark Powers.

Simple Sliding Door

Courtesy Architecture Workshop PC/Studio Garneau

For a simpler sliding door project, make a frame out of 2x2s, nail or glue on Masonite sheets, add wheels to the bottom and hinged loops to the top, then hang from plumbing pipe attached to the wall.

Often used in commercial or professional settings like meeting rooms, accordion doors suspend from an overhead track but eschew a floor track to avoid a tripping hazard. They’re typically manufactured from vinyl, laminates, wood, aluminum, or acrylic.

Wood Divider Screen

Courtesy Ohoh Deco

Wood divider screens start at around $200, but you can DIY one for less with three sheets of 16″ x 64″ plywood and, for the frame, a dozen pieces of 3/4″x 2″ lumber — half of them 16 inches long and the rest 6 feet long.

Build the frame, attach the plywood boards (painted in your preferred shade), and hinge together. Tip: High quality hinges add stability and look nicer too, so don’t skimp! (Go here for full instructions.)