Room Separator Ideas: 5 Ways to Create Room Dividers

A room divider is a mounted, hanging, or freestanding structure that divides a single room into separate spaces. Room dividers are a common addition to homes with open floor plans—such as studio apartments—where they serve as privacy screens or create designated sections with specific uses. For example, room dividers can transform a single multi-use space into a home office space, a dining room, and a living room.

There are many reasons to divide an open-plan living space. If you want to make your space feel more organized, modify your room design, or give your home a makeover, consider these décor ideas and reasons for separating a room:

1. 1. Adds visual appeal: Separating a room with objects like bookcases or houseplants can be a great way to add character and storage space to a room in a stylish way.
2. 2. Creates order in an open floor plan: Homes or apartments with lots of open space or large living rooms can benefit from partition walls that designate living areas, dining areas, or workspaces.
   
3. 3. Organizes a small living area: If you have a studio apartment or small living room, room separators can split up open-plan spaces and help distinguish between the living room and sleeping area.

Homeowners and interior designers have many options to split up a space with room separators. Here are five versatile room divider ideas:

1. 1. Hang curtains as room partitions. Use a curtain rod and fabric to create a hanging room divider to split up a space. Consider mounting chicken wire onto a wood frame or suspending rope or macramé from a set of hanging wooden boards. You can also use strings of beads or different fabrics to match your visual style.
2. 2. Repurpose and recycle materials. You can make recycled material dividers from various items you can find at thrift stores or scrapyards, such as an old barn door, window pane, wooden pallets, or a disused headboard. Once you source your material of choice, make a DIY divider by painting it or customizing it to match the surrounding home décor.
3. 3. Strategically place greenery or house plants. Try separating spaces by adding plants to create focal points. You can hang plants from the ceiling in the living room, place them on open shelves in the kitchen, or arrange large potted plants in an entryway or living space.
4. 4. Try folding panel dividers. You can purchase panel dividers and folding screens that come in different colors and materials, from sleek, minimalist designs to elaborate patterns. You can also make your own budget-friendly DIY room divider with window panels or simple wood frames wrapped with cloth.
5. 5. Use furniture to block out space. Strategically stage furniture or shelving units to act as wall dividers. With some creativity, you can turn a bookshelf or console table into a multifunctional décor element that separates the areas of a room. Furniture dividers have the added benefit of providing extra storage, which can benefit small spaces. A well-placed credenza or coffee table can visually divide space in a large living room.

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