Need ideas for temporary walls

5 years ago

We have an upstairs family room. We recently added a new first floor family room. The upstairs family room is now the “classroom” for the kids and actually want to keep it that way. With current life, we are using our guest room as a home office, so we want the classroom to serve double duty as a guest room with a pullout couch. Space wise everything is fine, it is just that there is no privacy for guests when sleeping. We do not want to put up permanent walls since we like the open feel most of the time. We are looking for some kind of temporary wall solution. The “red lines” in the drawing are where the temps should be. They are each about 13’ long. Anyone do something similar and are willing to share what they did?

Featured Answer

mindshift

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

@HU, The drapery or folding screen options are the easiest and probably least expensive. You don't have to choose heavy fabric just tightly woven fabric to get visual privacy, but obviously a long run requires sturdy hardware. Here is one company's SITE. Multiple SLIDING DOORS are another possibility, but these all seem to require a track. The REST of what I've seen is intended for businesses, schools, and such.

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Comments (10)

mindshift
5 years ago
In my opinion, the best method is drapery. Curtains on hardware attached to the ceiling/walls.
My Houzz: Walls of Art and Glass in a Brooklyn Loft · More Info

You can also consider folding screens such as the one below.
6' Tall Double Cross Shoji Screen, Walnut, 8 Panels · More Info

These solutions can be pushed aside or folded so they don't take up space when not in use.
Loyda DIY
5 years ago
I completely agree with the drapery method.
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HU-908434052
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The problem I have drapery is that it will 26’ x 8’. Seems like a lot of weight for the ceiling ( I know it can handle it, just seems like a lot. The folding screens wouldn’t be great based on the size
Kaitlin
5 years ago
We have a similar need so was hoping to find advice on Houzz. A bit disappointed by the unoriginal idea of curtains, that doesn’t help with noise or privacy.

I’m sure there are options that are more creative out there...
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
IMO you get no privacy with curtains but honestly there will be no privacy with any type of makeshift wall so I think this is not different than a guest sleeping in your LR not ideal but then I guess they go to a hotel. You can certainly get folding screens but not really for any real privacy.
User
5 years ago
i would build 2 tall narrow cabinets on each side of the “entramce” to the area you want to make private and use folding doors that can be folded into the cabinets when not in use.
apple_pie_order
5 years ago
Look at walls designed to created office cubicles. They are basically cardboard/mdf covered with fabric. Some are easy to assemble and disassemble. Consider safety for kids, too, when making a decision.

Google "cubicle walls".
txandmt
5 years ago
Don’t think anyone expects total sound privacy from any type of temporary moveable “wall.” Visual privacy is often all that’s needed for guests to feel less “exposed” and more comfortable. To that end, mindshift’s idea for curtains is ideal — and sarcasmich’s dismissal of it as unoriginal and “not creative” is just silly. Voice of experience: When we visit my mom in her one-bedroom condo, we sleep on the pullout couch in her living room. The long hallway from her bedroom to her kitchen has two 36” openings (without doors) into the living room. The first visit/first night felt a tad awkward so the next day I bought inexpensive tension rods and simple, heavy-ish room-darkening curtains that fill the entire openings. The added privacy is remarkable; both we AND mom feel more comfortable. When our stay is over, we take them down and store them for the next overnight guests. Easy peasy. And mindshift, the ideas on RoomDividersNow.com are fabulous. 👏🏻
Joe Macker
5 years ago
What did you end up choosing. How is the noise control?