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5 Creative and Functional Room Divider Ideas

Caylin Harris

By Caylin Harris
Updated January 5, 2023

The rise of open-concept floor plans means plenty of room, but fewer walls. The result — sometimes your space feels too open. Room dividers can help you solve space problems in your home by hiding messes and offering privacy wherever it’s needed. Here are five clever ways to break up your space.

Hang Curtains

A bedroom with a vanity in the corner and sheer curtains over a glass wall.

Curtains are a smart and inexpensive way to section off different areas of a room. You can use an opaque curtain to hide an open closet, helping to reduce clutter and bring focus to other parts of the room. Use a sheer curtain against a sliding glass door to create privacy while still allowing natural light into the room. Overall, curtains can help you divide a room into distinct areas that serve different purposes and make a small space feel larger.  

Add Architectural Details

An open-concept living room divided by a wooden beam on the ceiling.

Doorways aren’t the only way to mark divisions between rooms. Other types of architectural details can also help divide a space. Decorative beams, moulding or wall paneling all work to create zones within a room. They offer a visual focal point and make areas of a room feel noticeably different, even in an open-concept space. To create more of a visual identity, make these features stand out by using a contrasting color. For instance, use black accents in a white room or choose a bold color that complements your décor.

Use a Bookcase

A shelf that's sitting between two rooms as a room divider.

Think of a large bookcase as a miniature wall. Use a bookcase for privacy and separation between important living spaces, like a bedroom and a living room or a living room and dining room. An open bookshelf can make a room feel spacious by allowing light to flow through, depending on how many items you place on the shelves. A tightly packed shelf offers more privacy, while a more sparse styling job lets you peek through to the space on the other side. A bookcase is especially useful where you need more storage and can help you add personality to a room through the items you choose to showcase on it.

Set Up a Folding Panel Divider

A wooden room divider set up in a living room.

No assembly is required with convenient paneled dividers. These room dividers come in a myriad of styles, colors and textures, which makes it easy to coordinate them with the rest of your décor. Place one in a bedroom for added privacy while dressing or use it to hide clutter in a living room. This is a low-commitment option that gives you flexibility as your needs, or home, change. Even the width of the divider adjusts to suit your specific space. A paneled divider doesn’t need to fade into the background. Try a vibrant color or playful pattern, instead of a neutral option, to add to the overall personality of your home.

Try a Sliding Barn Door

A sliding barn door opens to reveal an organized pantry.

If your room doesn’t have a door frame, try a barn door. A sliding barn-style door offers privacy without the need for a door frame or enough interior wall space for a pocket door. Ideal for use in a small bedroom with an en suite bathroom or to cover an open storage area, a sliding door streamlines a space. Thanks to easy-to-access hardware and straightforward assembly, installing a barn door is easy enough for a weekend do-it-yourself project. The casual, rustic style of a barn door also adds charm and interesting details to any room.

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