Divide small room
21 Creative Ways to Create Space Using a Room Divider
Home Projects
DIY
New Home
Roundup
by Melissa Epifano
updated Jul 11, 2022
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
SavePin ItSee More Images
Whether you have a studio apartment or a five-bedroom home, sometimes there just aren’t walls where you need them to be. But going for a full-on reno is pricey to say the least, or if you’re renting, not an option at all.
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. You can use them to change up the layout of a room, provide extra privacy, maximize storage space, or just create a change of scenery.
For more content like this follow
So ahead, 21 room divider ideas you can use to create a customized space that’s rental- and budget-friendly.
SavePin ItSee More Images
1. Use a bamboo divider.
If you’re lucky enough to find one, a bamboo screen makes a perfect room divider idea, since it can provide some sense of privacy without blocking light. We love this vintage find from @opshopgirlsvintage.
SavePin ItSee More Images
2. Feature a dramatic image.
If you have a space that requires complete privacy, consider using a screen like the one here by @crindelbohemian. This one features gorgeous, Asian-inspired art that’s so enticing to look at, you’ll hardly notice it blocks a bit of light from the windows.
SavePin ItSee More Images
3. Incorporate a partial divider.
Sometimes, a room divider isn’t for privacy, but rather just to visually break up a space.
In those cases, try adding just a partial divider, like the one shown here by @bhhcarpentry. This custom-made shelving system allows for extra storage while expertly separating the dining room from the living room.
See More Images
4. Go modern minimalist.
We’re in love with this stunning room divider by @lebanorge. This custom piece uses glass framed with black window panes to completely divide the space. If you have the budget and you’re looking for room divider ideas, this is one of our favorites.
SavePin ItSee More Images
5. Add a fireplace divider.
Looking for room divider ideas to make things more private and cozy? You can’t beat a divider with a built-in fireplace, like the one shown here by @eurofireplacesadelaide. This relatively simple upgrade gives you the added bonus of having a fireplace in both spaces. And we’ll call that a win-win!
SavePin ItSee More Images
6.
Repurpose a clothing rack.This studio apartment separates a bed from the rest of the space with a clothing rack that houses décor rather than clothes.
SavePin ItSee More Images
7. Bring in some curtains
The bedroom in this NYC home doesn’t have a door, so curtains get the job done in a snap. We love how their color contrasts against the printed wallpaper in the living room.
SavePin ItSee More Images
8. Repurpose shutters.
The room divider separating the bed from the front door of this NYC studio apartment is actually custom window shutters. They offer privacy when closed and natural light when opened.
SavePin ItSee More Images
9. Line up a bookshelf.
Bookworm or not, a bookshelf can be a stylish and effective way of breaking up a space and separating out different “rooms” or areas. This Pennsylvania loft in an old textile factory shows how a piece like this can look like it was almost built into the space.
See More Images
10. Create a wall of plants.
A wall of plants is the perfect thing to section off a space and make for more privacy. This crafty loft uses a shelving unit to close off the bedroom area while also providing a statement piece and a workspace. Talk about resourceful!
SavePin ItSee More Images
11. Use curtains to section of a sleeping area.
For ultra tiny living, you have to get creative. Curtains are usually a great option to turn to, as demonstrated in this itty bitty trailer.
SavePin ItSee More Images
12. Add a barn door.
For a bigger project, you can install a barn door to break up space. This home in Valencia shows how you can easily break up an open floor plan with a sliding door.
SavePin ItSee More Images
13. Get folding screens.
These pretty folding screens with cutouts are on casters, which makes them easy to move around.
SavePin ItSee More Images
14. Strategically place your furniture.
You don’t always have to go shopping for brand new dividers to split up a space. This Los Angeles studio shows how you can break up a room with furniture you already have—in this case a couch—making your sleeping space feel more separate from your living room.
SavePin ItSee More Images
15. Create a shelf wall.
Stacked shelves from IKEA were framed with millwork in this Chelsea apartment to create a barrier between a functional entryway and a bedroom. Not only does it serve as a wall, but it comes with plenty of extra storage space, too.
SavePin ItSee More Images
16. Play with levels.
Splitting up a room doesn’t mean you have to create a “wall.
” Instead of visually closing things off, play with different levels within a room instead. This kids’ room, with its elevated bed, was created by Studio Oink.
See More Images
17. Section off an area with a rug.
While the chairs, couch, and tables make this area in a Detroit loft look like its own separate room, the rug is what really pulls it together. Using a color that deeply contrasts against your floor can help create “boundaries” in a space.
SavePin ItSee More Images
18. Craft temporary dividers.
How about a temporary wall? The owners of this Dutch home got creative and made two wooden partitions to separate their kids’ beds, allowing for a little more privacy and a small entryway.
SavePin ItSee More Images
19. Separate a multipurpose space.
A desk, bookshelf, and area rug in this Miami apartment shows how the right pieces can make a studio feel like it actually has rooms, or at least designated areas.
You’ve got a place to eat, sleep, and work—no doors necessary.
See More Images
20. Incorporate a bar table.
Extra storage and a room divider? It’s a win-win. The underside of this rolling cart table in an Oakland apartment serves as a movable form of kitchen organization. Plus, it breaks up the space between the kitchen and rest of the house, creating a mini dining area.
SavePin ItSee More Images
21. Pick up beads or a wall hanging.
If it’s simply a doorway that’s preventing you from really separating your spaces, a curtain of beads is one of the easiest solutions, as seen in this Brooklyn apartment.
Additional reporting by Carolin Lehmann
Room Divider Ideas - 12 Expert Ways To Divide A Room
From a living wall of plants to a structural broken-plan arrangement, there are plenty of room divider ideas for every home – and budget.
Dividing up a room means your space works twice as hard. It’s the ideal solution if you’re looking to create privacy to work from home or section off a bedroom into a sleeping/dressing area.
Take a look at these room divider solutions for your space.
1. Room divider shelvesAn achievable room divider idea is to use open furniture, such as cabinets, bookcases or shelving to create different zones, without cutting out light or making the space feel closed in, says Martin Waller, founder of interior design company Andrew Martin.
Ed O’Donnell, founder of design house Angel O’Donnell, suggests using open shelving to place scented diffusers and candles, or succulents and other plants to enhance the air quality of the room.
You should consider furniture and colours carefully to ensure they complement the scheme well. Too bold a contrast between different areas will look jagged, so choose a palette which runs through both sides of the space with subtle highlights to indicate the shift in mood, says Ben Stokes, founder and interior designer for KAGU Interiors, an interiors shop in Tenterden, Kent.
The quickest and easiest way to divide a room is with a folding screen. 'Glamorous upholstered folding screens are a perfect pick if you're looking to zone a self-care area for rest and relaxation,' says Nadia McCowan Hill, resident style advisor at Wayfair.
If you're planning to keep your screen folded out, choose a perforated or woven design – such as wicker or rattan – to ensure light still flows evenly around the room. 'Screen dividers are predicted to be really popular this winter as people continue to look for simple, flexible solutions for zoning home spaces,' says Rachael Fell, furniture buying manager at Habitat. 'Ideal for home workers, screens provide a stylish backdrop for video calls whilst also minimising noise levels.'
Room dividers are more solid than a folding screen, but easier to reconfigure than permanent structural work such as adding a wall.
'A room divider is a great and cost-effective way to achieve "broken-plan", and it negates the need to commit to a fixed wall, which will cost more money, and is there for the long haul,' says Andy Briggs, resident interior designer at Spaceslide. 'Room dividers are simply set on a floor and ceiling track, and if you no longer have the need for the room divider, or want to open up your space again, it's easy to take them down.'
Spaceslide do room dividers with a different finish on either side. Andy says this works particularly well when sectioning larger bedrooms to create a dressing room, with coloured glass on one side to complement the bedroom's decor, and a mirrored finish on the reverse.
For maximum flexibility, B&Q has Alara, a new range of customisable modular room dividers, which can be added and subtracted as your needs change. Lightweight sturdy panels simply click into place and can be painted to match your décor.
4. Broken plan wallHuge expanses of open-plan living were already falling out of favour, but the pandemic has hastened our interest in dividing up space to fulfil certain functions, says Daniel Bowler, director of kitchen design company Eggersmann: 'However, rather than re-erecting walls and creating visual obstacles that block out light and restrict movement, the idea of broken-plan living is instead coming to the fore.
'
This might mean bringing a half-wall out into the room to create a useful working or reading nook behind, or bringing in a large built-in storage cupboard to create a natural 'break' in a room.
Take care to ensure enough light still flows into the area, says James Bernard, director of London design-build company, Plus Rooms. 'Always remember that roofs can be completely glazed with good structural glass available nowadays, enabling homeowners to have all the benefits of broken-plan without the drawbacks of less light.'
5. Flexible room divider
Looking for a completely flexible room divider idea? Utilise vertical space to create zones. For example, IKEA's ODDLAUG sound absorbing panel can help you zone out background noise, which is useful for busy and noisy open-plan spaces. But, it also acts as an ideal room divider too, helping you to create a focused environment.
'Wonderfully practical, this adaptable panel will dampen the general sound level in your room, helping you maintain your focus and concentration whilst the kids practice their keyboard skills or recite their work,' explain IKEA.
'As well as sound, it also acts as a flexible room divider. Simply hang it to create different work zones and take it down at the end of the day when ready for an evening of relaxation.'
It's simple to customise with a different colour on the front and back – you simply clip these sound absorbing panels together to your desired length. The absorbing frequency varies depending on how many pieces you put together and how you hang them. IKEA recommends at least four packages and to hang the panels 10cm from the wall for maximum impact.
6. Room divider doors
Various kinds of internal doors can divide up a space; traditional folding doors, which fold back on themselves and are good for period homes, a bi-fold door which can open as fully as you like, a sliding door, or a space-saving pocket sliding door, which fits into a wall cavity when opened.
'We did a beautiful kitchen, where the utility room can be closed off from the main kitchen with a pocket door to create a calm haven during the evenings, or be opened up to provide quick and easy access into the utility and back door access during the day,' says Helena Myers, owner of kitchen company The Myers Touch.
Toughened plain or Crittall-style black-framed glass doors are a good choice in busy family homes.
'The advantage of using glass to create divisions between internal spaces is that it does not impact the light moving through a space and keeps the visual design of the room open, even when it is divided,' says Rebecca Clayton, spokesperson for IQ Glass.
Glass works well between a kitchen and living room, allowing meal preparation to take place in one half of the space without compromising other household members who may be watching television or working.
7. RugsAnother easy room divider idea is to divide a space with rugs; a great option for smaller homes. A rug can tuck neatly under furniture and won't take up valuable space, but will still help to break up an open-plan area. You could, for instance, lay one rug in your dining area and another in your living area, to delineate each space.
'Use different colours, patterns and textures,' says Nick Acaster, group managing director of Rugs Direct.
'But look for rugs that match the furnishings in each area to draw the space together and make it feel like one.'
It’s important to pay close attention to the size of your rug. Decide where you want the boundary of each zone and ensure your rug extends no further than one foot beyond this. Consider furniture too. 'In open-plan spaces, you'll usually want all the legs of your furniture on each rug,' adds Nick. 'In your dining area, your rug should be large enough for your chairs to sit on it even when they're pulled out.'
8. Wall and floor: colour and texture
Colour is a quick and relatively easy way to delineate the functions of two spaces. You could paint the walls behind your kitchen cupboards in a strong shade to define a kitchen from a dining area, for example. Or create the illusion of infinite space by painting a dressing room or en-suite in a complementary deeper shade than the bedroom walls. 'Or perhaps now as we are all trying to squeeze a makeshift workspace into an alcove somewhere in the house, paint this a vibrant or complementary colour to define the space as well as lift your mood,' suggests Ed O'Donnell.
You can apply the same principles to flooring. A shift in floor covering will signal a transition between two areas. It is particularly useful in a functional space, such as a kitchen/dining room. This is known as 'segmentation', says Beth Halliday, head of marketing and design at Flooring Superstore. 'You may want a cosy vibe in the living room, choosing a soft carpet for that added element of comfort, but you won't want to spend your evenings cleaning a carpet under your dining table from those inevitable drops and spills. Transition strips – which create a join between different flooring types of equal height – join the space seamlessly.'
9. Room divider curtains
Curtains are quick and easy to put up, and a budget-friendly option too, enabling you to conceal and screen off certain areas in the home. These room separators are perfect for zoning open-plan layouts or compact spaces, and can add some much-needed colour and texture to your space.
You could use a curtain to separate your workspace from your bedroom, enabling you to conceal your study space at the end of the working day, or use a curtain as a door to conceal a storage nook.
All you'll need is either curtain wire or a curtain rail to divide your space.
'For a soft but stylish divider between a bedroom and dressing room, you could install a ceiling-mounted curtain rack and hang fabric which will billow gently and allow you to pass through from one side to the other,' adds Nadia McCowan Hill.
IKEA
10. Kitchen island
A kitchen island is the perfect way to section off the 'working' part of the kitchen from areas for eating, homework and socialising.
'Not only does an island provide a central focal point in the room, it also serves a useful purpose, providing a fixed spot for informal dining, a workspace, a culinary prep station and storage,' says Mar Esteve Cortes, chief social media officer at Neolith, a specialist sintered-stone company.
Kitchen designers are quickly catching on to the multi-purpose function of an island. 'Look for versatile furniture solutions that can be used on both sides – kitchen and living – to make the style transition seamless,' says Sophie Devonald, designer at kitchen company Crown Imperial.
She suggests using different heights or configurations to create a 'living kitchen' bespoke to your lifestyle. This might involve mid-height units, drawers and open storage within a kitchen unit.
A double-sided wood-burning stove and installation is a long-term investment, costing several thousand pounds (depending on the stove chosen and structural work required). But it makes a stunning way to divide a room, whether it's crackling away for cosy hygge-style comfort or standing alone as a striking centrepiece.
'It is essential to seek professional advice and guidance from your architect or stove dealer at the design stage,' says Mark Ryan, head of sales and marketing at Jøtul UK Ltd. 'Locating the flue system, air intake requirements and safety aspects of the stove are all vital and should be your first consideration at the early stages of planning.'
Before you site your stove, you need to know if the flue will run vertically or need to be dog-legged or staggered. Seeking professional help should take priority before deciding on your new stove's design and size, adds Mark.
12
. PlantsA living wall packed with plants to divide two spaces is a desirable feature but will be expensive and slightly difficult to maintain. You can achieve a similar look with a simple DIY project. Online furniture retailers, Furniture and Choice, suggests taking a free-standing oblong clothes rail on wheels – for maximum manoeuvrability – and attaching trailing plants such as devil's ivy, silver vine and senecio with hangers such as butcher’s hooks and macrame holders.
Or you could simply plant up a row of large standout pots with tall plants such as bamboo, suggests Kimberley Hornby, spokesperson for Lechuza.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
SIGN UP
In need of some positivity or not able to make it to the shops? Subscribe to House Beautiful magazine today and get each issue delivered directly to your door.
How to divide a room into two zones: 12 ways and 25 original examples
1 Partition wall
Dividing a room with a partition is one of the most popular ways of zoning. In fact, in this way you designate a wall, but do not erect it. Partitions can be low, transparent or openwork. Five amazing options - in our video. nine0005
2 Bookcase
Shelving is a functional alternative to a partition wall. It can occupy an impressive area, or it can be narrow or low.
Photo: Instagram otdelkavtomske.ru
Photo: Instagram remont_ruki_iz_plech
Photo: Instagram shirma_msk
Photo: Instagram zhkmedoviy
In the far part of the room, you can arrange a sleeping or working area. nine0005
Photo: Instagram mp_more_design
The opening can be left empty or equipped with sliding doors - as you wish.
4 Niche
Niches often form a sleeping area. The reception can be used in the nursery, where it is also necessary to organize a workplace, or in a studio apartment, where there is simply no space for a separate bedroom.
Photo: Instagram planirovochka_ru
Suitable as a finished niche in the room, and made independently, with the help of a partition. nine0005
5 Curtain
Another popular solution for zoning a bed is curtains. They can curtain both a bed in a niche and a free-standing bed. During the reception of guests and at night, the bed can be curtained, the rest of the time it can be kept open.
Photo: Instagram vse_prodecor
6 Podium
The area moved to the podium already seems to be a separate space. But you can complement the zoning with color or even a partition to enhance the visual effect. nine0005
Photo: Instagram knimfa
Photo: Instagram knimfa
Traditionally, a sleeping place (usually with storage space) and a work area are placed on the podium. Although it is possible to equip a game room, a library, and even a dining room there.
7 Color
Highlighting zones with different colors is a smart design move. However, you need to think over the right combinations of shades so that the interior looks whole and harmonious. nine0005
Photo: Instagram 2hbdesign
The color can also be used to decorate an accent wall in one of the zones. See how the designers coped with this task for zoning the bedroom and kitchen.
Photo: Instagram magazinvit
Photo: Instagram marisweethome
8 Wall decor
"Wall" zoning is not limited to color - you can safely use decor for this purpose. nine0005
Photo: Instagram idea.decor.home
In this case, the living room area was marked with wallpaper with geometric patterns, and the bedroom was highlighted with an original lamp. Color, however, was also used a little - but not on the walls, but in textiles.
9 Furniture
It is known that the back of a sofa can already separate one zone from another. This technique is often used in the kitchen-living room.
Photo: Instagram idea.decor.home
More non-standard solutions are also acceptable. For example, in this room, the desktop was “continued” to the wall and ceiling, and thus outlined the boundary of the two zones. nine0005
Photo: Instagram mebel.mebel.com.ua
And in this studio space, the dining table was fitted into a frame. It turned out to be a kind of barrier.
Photo: Instagram reliz.designe
10 Light
Thoughtful lighting scenarios are not only a guarantee of a comfortable life, but also a smart zoning technique. Try to choose lighting for different areas. For example, here a floor lamp was placed in the living room, pendants were placed above the dining area, and the kitchen was accentuated with LED strip. nine0005
Photo: Instagram best_design_interior_ideas
Another option is to mark the working area with hangings, and table lamps placed by the bed.
Photo: Instagram pillows.almaty
11 Carpet
A sofa group is often combined with a carpet and outlines the living area. In this example, the colors are correctly chosen: the shades of the carpet are combined with bed linen. As a result, the living area is separated from the bedroom, but there is no dissonance in the design.
Photo: Instagram ideidlyaremonta
Can be used for zoning and multiple carpets. For example, put the same in different zones, as in the photo below.
Photo: Instagram pillows.almaty
12 Different flooring
We often see this technique in the projects of hallways and kitchen-living rooms: easy-to-clean tiles are laid in a more “branded” area, for the rest of the space, wood or materials imitating it are used.
However, this zoning option can be used in other rooms. So, in this bathroom, with the help of flooring, even three zones were outlined: the wet zone was marked with tiles, the rest of the space with wood, and an additional carpet was laid in the rest area.
nine0005
Photo: Instagram design_artkolesnikova
Material prepared by
Yulia Sedova
lots of spaces. Often you need to separate a place to sleep in a one-room apartment, or in a large living room, you need to arrange for each person your own recreation area or work area. Or you just need to divide the room into two zones. Zoning a room with a partition creates a special light room design without heavy clutter. nine0005
Aesthetics, dynamics and practicality the motto under which the transformation of the premises takes place. If you decide to share room for children's and adult areas, partitions will also be an excellent solution, in this case, children can safely play or do their homework. If there are two children then over time, each of them will need its own territory, with the help of zoning and partitions, one room is divided into two. When in one an adult and a child live in the same room, besides, a different sex arises the need to make partitions for zoning the space of the room. nine0005
Insulated rooms
with partitions Drywall partition for room zoning performs a radical function, it may well replace a brick wall if you don't really care about soundproofing. Such a partition can be installed on a metal frame, wallpapered, painted, hung picture. It is worth noting that, if necessary, it is enough to remove such a wall easy. For a permanent wall, it is better to use various blocks, bricks, which are placed on the solution, but in this case, full-fledged rooms. nine0005
When there is no possibility or desire to do something solid, portable structures will come to the rescue. They can consist of several sections fastened together. They are easy to carry move and disassemble. Sliding doors, partitions successfully separate the kitchen or a bar from the living room, a bedroom from the office or from the rest room, a dining room from living room.
Mobile partition options
Zone partition options rooms are different, they can be glass or made of laminate.
They are functional and beautiful. Their convenience is that the zones, if necessary, can be to make open, creating the right atmosphere in the house. nine0005
Shelving
Shelves for dividing a room into zones look good in a modern interior. Open shelves for place various souvenirs and necessary things, create lightness, not clutter up the space. For small spaces, this is just a godsend. Having done the bottom is closed, certain things are removed there, replacing the cabinet, saving area.
Shelving for room zoning not be sure to do high, to the ceiling. The lower one separates the zones, and at the same time time leaves a sense of space. When a room has only one window, you can separate the zone with a translucent rack equipped with lighting. This type of partition is universal, made of metal or wood, bamboo, rattan or rice paper, suitable for any style of room. It is available at price and easy to maintain, assemble. nine0005
Furniture
Having arranged the furniture in a certain way, the space is perceived differently.
Putting a sofa and a table on the side at the entrance or in front of the fireplace, TV, a cozy atmosphere of relaxation is created. Separation rooms into zones is possible with the help of consoles, bar counters, chests of drawers. sofa and a table placed behind it, the places for rest and work are well separated. This option is convenient and does not require cash costs, the rearrangement can be done Anytime.
Screen
An excellent option - a screen that makes dividing the room into zones. It is not very difficult to make it with your own hands, you will need:
- Reiki;
- Nails;
- Hammer;
- Corners;
- Cloth.
We connect the rails to each other in the form frames, we stretch the material on them, fixing with small carnations, panels are obtained, we fasten them with the help of corners. The screen can be made with legs and without. The fabric is selected according to the style of the room, suitable for linen, silk, cotton with various colors and patterns.
Such a partition will be enough to separate the armchair and floor lamp, getting a place for relaxation, reading books. Other part of the room will look solid. If necessary, the screen is removed, moved to another place, it is mobile. nine0005
Curtains
Curtains for dividing a room into zones have the same function. Dividing with curtains saves space, creates romantic atmosphere. You can realize the idea on your own and for little money. To attach curtains, you will need a curtain rod installed in place zoning. With their help, the room is divided completely or partially, with a hint, that this is a different zone.
Canopied in the living room bed, creating the effect of fabulousness. Every room creates workspace, options can be temporary and permanent, there are many of them. By changing the curtains, the appearance is updated easily and quickly. Double curtain, different material colors on each side indicate, for example, a bedroom with more delicate shades and living room - bright color.
nine0005
In addition to traditional curtains, the following are used:
- beads;
- muslin;
- wooden;
- glass;
- crystal;
- bamboo.
functional zoning without architectural elements.
Other separation options
In addition to the above, there are also other types of partitions for zoning the space in the room. With the help of color decorative plaster or painting can be distinguished functional area. Using wallpaper different shades and textures, you can clearly delimit the space. light or dark shades are accents. In the kitchen-dining room, a bright wall near dining area will add comfort and warmth. The wall with drawings in the nursery will indicate play area. nine0005
Is there a niche in the room? Let's put a table there and with the help of the right selected color of the wallpaper we get an office. AT zoning light plays a huge role. Spotlights, floor lamps, artificial and natural lighting avoids global redevelopment.
