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Create Chic New Activity Zones with Shelves, Screens, Glass and Furniture
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
Live in a loft or studio space? Trying to figure out how to define different areas? It can be a tricky feat to master, but have no fear: room dividers are here to make the mission all the more attainable. And, lucky for us, they’ve surpassed the lackluster wall partition; nowadays there are a variety of pieces that can easily act as dividers, while still fitting stylishly into your overall scheme. Take a gander through these ideas and you’ll be separating spaces in no time.
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| A shelving unit is one of the easiest pieces to use as a divider. It allows the eye to travel through and see the other side, while still giving the sense of separation. Plus, it becomes decorative when filled with unique and personal items. |
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Glass dividers give the impression of a break between spaces without feeling overpowering. This particular textured glass gives a little more privacy than a completely transparent option.
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| Don’t feel like dividers need to take up a lot of space: This low-level shelf with floor-to-ceiling poles gets the job done in a contemporary and unique fashion. |
| Think about how your furniture can double as a divider. The solid backing on this banquette instantly separate the kitchen from the living area. |
| Take a look from the living-room view. You’d never know you were looking at the back of a banquette! Sneaky, sneaky. |
by Living2Design
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I love that this divider is created from distressed window panes. It’s unique and adds visual interest. And, let’s face it; a home can never have enough windows.
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by Diego Bortolato
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| In the bedroom, maximize your divider by turning it into a closet space. In this instance, it provides privacy to the bed area, while creating a separate hallway for dressing. Mirror the doors and you've got a makeshift dressing room! |
Feeling cramped on width space where you’d like to place the divide? A wall screen will solve that problem. Choose one in a fun shade for an enticing pop of color, slap a framed piece of artwork on it, and boom — a super chic and inexpensive divide is yours.
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This geometric wall partition doubles as an artistic piece.
| There’s truly no height requirement for a divider. These shorter bookshelves separate this long and narrow room just as well. Plus, it gives the space a cozy bookish feel. |
by Birdseye Design
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These cupboards likely already acted as a divider, but the designer enhanced the look with this super-cool branch motif. Who’s looking into the next space when this catches your eye?
by Ilija Mirceski
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Always think function with a divider. This piece separates the living space from a home office, and is used as an organizer. You can never have enough storage.
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by Axis Mundi
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| Run dividers parallel to a stairwell to create an instant hallway. This will help living areas feel that much more private. |
by Birdseye Design
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Dying for a built-in eating area? Place it between kitchen and living area and guess what, a divider has been created. Plus, it separates the spaces while still allowing those eating to be involved with whatever action might be happening in the living room. The ultimate balance.
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| When you have an unusual space that’s too small for a primary room yet too large for an entry, it's time to think divider. This curved built-in creates both a niche for the piano and a hallway that will lead visitors directly into the remainder of the home. |
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| By now it’s old news that shelving units are a great answer to the divider, but I had to throw this picture in here anyway. This bookshelf not only separates the living area from the kitchen, but the designer created a little reading nook by including a chaise lounge directly in front of the shelves. |
| China cabinets can be a pricey investment, so why not create and customize one yourself within your divider? Include open shelving so prized pieces can be on display year-round. |
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| Like shelves, fireplaces are another great option for dividers. The benefit is twofold: Spaces are separated, yet both the dining and living areas get use of the fire. There will be no cold feet in this home. |
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| Same room, different shot. I love how this space feels open, yet clearly broken into distinct areas. |
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| Divide a space in high style with an oversized curved wall. Complement with a contemporary sofa that matches the curve. Guests will be so impressed with this chic statement they’ll never even think to see what’s hiding behind the wall! |
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| Dividers are also great spots to stick a flat-screen TV. It’s nice that the TV is unseen from the kitchen and dining area; it also keeps those sitting in the living room faced toward the middle of the space and involved in any activity. |
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| If it works with your space, a kitchen island can also double as a divider. Sneak one of our favorite shelving units onto the end for additional visual interest. |
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| I like that this divider can be used to store all the dining room necessities, and that it used artwork to heighten its presence. This makes it all the more interesting! |
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| Not so sure on the permanence of a shelf, partition or built-in wall? Curtains will do the trick. Pull them back when you want open space, pull them closed for privacy. You've achieved the best of both worlds.
Next: Browse more photos of room dividers |
Comments
Danielle Some great ideas here, thanks for sharing!
2 years ago · Like
Denise Vilim I've been trying to figure out a way to divide our office wall from the rest of our living area in a compact space and now I have some ideas! Thanks!!
2 years ago · Like
sarah waldin oooh nice collection of photos around the topic - love it!
2 years ago · Like
Gail I saw several ideas that I liked for this job in decorating. Thanks for pulling these together.
2 years ago · Like
Jean Corey Great article! We keep adding more and more built ins and movable shelving. It is really true that you can never have enough storage!!
2 years ago · Like
tdonn Where is a good place to get moveable shelving? We want to do something like that for a room divider, but are not sure where to look.
2 years ago · Like
Peter Medvin When I lived in NYC I needed to both separate the living room and dining room - and find space for a guest bed! The problem was solved with Zoom-Room, the electronic, remote controlled, retractable bed (www.Zoom-Room.com). It worked perfectly in the living room (you can put a flat screen TV in front), and pocket doors on both sides actually amplified the appearance of space (especially along the windows) by drawing the eye into the other rooms. Opaque smoked glass panels offered privacy yet kept the room light and airy. Best of all, no one knew the bed was there. I just pressed the button, and WOW! - everyone loved it - and it was amazingly comfortable as well. 
2 years ago · Like
A & D Glass Inc. You can use Lumicor panels with different patterns to create an obscure but interesting divider.
2 years ago · Like
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Ideabook published on April 28, 2011.
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