26 Room Divider Ideas: Find Your Style & Function
Discover how a divider can tie your room together.
A room divider creates separate zones and makes distinctive living areas in open-concept spaces. Whether you use a standard room divider or want to get creative with a bookcase – there are so many ways you can use room dividers in the home! Keep reading to discover a variety of room divider ideas that will elevate both the function and aesthetic of your home interior.
1. Give Your Bed Some Extra Privacy
Whether you share a room or just like having a small space for yourself, a room divider can be a great way to give your bed more privacy. You can also use it to block light and get some extra sleep! Match it to your bed frame or contrast it with your comforter.
Room divider ideas help define zones within studio apartments, which makes them a must for small-space living. We recommend opting for a folding room divider (or multiple) to give you flexibility with how you place them. Above, a four-panel room divider evenly splits the kitchen area from the living room lounge. However, you could also orient the room divider at a right angle to create a corner shape.
Create your own entry hall using a room divider. This is especially helpful in open-concept homes where there isn't a designated entryway. Position an entryway bench directly along the room divider along with a coat rack or shoe storage. The makeshift entryway helps create a space where you can take a pause before leaving or entering your home, and it allows you to tuck bulky jackets and shoe collections out of view from the living area.
Tip!
Want another idea for creating an entryway? Use a hall tree! These versatile pieces of furniture make great make-shift walls and include all the storage you need for your handcrafted entryway.
Instantly eliminate clutter with room divider ideas like this one. If you have a pipe, vent, electrical wires, or other home feature you hate to look at, a room divider may be your perfect solution. In the above image, the whitewashed wood room divider covers a cluttered corner and possible electrical cords/outlets. Where you once had an unattractive mess, you now have a beautiful room divider that you love.
Make small spaces feel open and bright by opting for a white room divider to separate open-concept spaces. The white panels also help to reflect natural light and make the space appear fresh and new.
Instantly breathe new life into any room with artful room divider ideas. The above room divider is just one example of the wide range of beautiful mural designs you can choose from. Art-inspired room dividers instantly add color and personality to the space. They also work well as art when you don't want to damage walls in rented spaces.
Tip!
Determine whether a mural room divider features the design on one or both sides of the divider by reviewing the information under the product overview on a product's page.
7. Opt for Warm Wood Texture
Achieve the appearance of wood-paneled walls without the hassle of installing paneling when you opt for a wood room divider. Wood room dividers go in any aesthetic and add warm, natural texture to any space they go in. Opt for a wood tone that matches existing wood furnishings in your home.
Elevate your self-care routine using ideas for room dividers that encourage the at-home spa treatment. Position a room divider around your bathtub to create the ultimate space to pamper yourself. Complete the at-home spa feel with a quaint side table, floral arrangements, luxe bath rug, and a few candles.
Make it easy to focus on personal time after work by using a room divider to cordon off your at-home work space. This is a great example of small room divider ideas that help you compartmentalize your daily routine and put work out of your mind. Not to mention, you can also use a room divider as a background for webcam meetings so you don't have to clean your entire space in preparation.
If you want something wider or taller than most standing room dividers, a hanging divider may be the way to go. This hanging divider makes the bed a private area separate from the rest of the room. Hanging dividers work well in wide entrances, effectively separating the spaces.
A single-panel divider is useful for smaller spaces since it does not fold like a traditional divider. Since they do not fold, many single-panel dividers are made of a sturdy material like wood. You can use these dividers to dress up a neutral wall or to cordon off a small living space while allowing natural light through.
Creative room divider ideas utilize unlikely pieces to section of rooms and define open-concept living areas – while fulfilling important functions. The image above showcases how a small-space dining table helps separate the kitchen/dining space from the living room lounge. To add to its functionality, it has storage compartments to store plates and glassware for dining while also storing books for quick access from the sofa.
This elegant room divider highlights the surrounding space by… well, reflecting it! A mirrored divider serves as a practical function, but it also reflects and amplifies the space. This gilded mirror matches the cream curtains on the windows, the gold handles on the dresser, and even the flowers in the vase. Try to match the frame of your divider to other details in your room for a cohesive look.
An open bookcase is a great way to create a DIY room divider and add extra storage. The openness of the bookcase feels airy and modern, maintaining the spaciousness of the room. You can decorate the bookcase any way you like – in this image, the books and objects are all white or pastel. You could follow a color scheme or simply keep your favorite books on the shelf and within easy reach of your couch.
Gather inspiration for your bedroom using wall divider ideas like this one. Room dividers can make excellent freestanding headboards, whether you want to cordon off a bedroom in a studio apartment or want to level up your bed frame design. The glam room divider pictured above makes the perfect headboard, thanks to its striking faux-velvet paneling. Boho room dividers also make great headboards because they come in a range of intricate openwork designs. The best part about this idea is you can recreate this look with any room divider you like! Just be sure to measure the width of your bed to make sure a room divider is wide enough to frame it.
Create a functional living space with the help of slidable barn doors in place of stationary room dividers. Barn door room dividers are perfect for open-concept living spaces or studio apartments with open-framed doorways. You can open a barn door without the door itself jutting into the space and slide it shut when you want to cordon off a room. Sliding closet doors are another great way to divide rooms with open doorways.
Tip!
Check out our guide on How to Install Barn Doors for Beginners to help guide you through the process.
17. Create a Cool Kids Hangout Area
Kids love to have a space they can call their own. For this room separation idea, set up a divider, some comfy beanbags and chairs, and a TV video game area to give kids a hangout spot they’ll love. Try to experiment with fun and colorful patterns for your divider. Cleanup will be easier because your kids’ mess will be contained to a small area!
Do you have two kids who desperately want their own room, but you don’t have the space? Give them some privacy with a divider between their beds. This will be just enough to give them their own space while they’re sharing the rest of the room. You could use an open bookshelf as shown in the image above so the kids can see each other and talk, or you could get a hanging divider for more privacy.
If you have a small sitting area in a large room, it will feel cozier and more private if you add a divider to separate the area. This woven-palm divider fits right in with the greenery and the floral-patterned chair, creating a cohesive space. The overall feeling is relaxing but sophisticated due to the natural materials mixed with ornate detail.
Do you share a room with a roommate? Want a little privacy? Well, an easy room divider solution can serve as a handy and fashionable changing room. When you’re not using it, you can fold it up so it doesn’t take up too much space, or leave it out as the statement piece of the room.
Create a DIY walk-in closet by setting up a divider to separate a section of your room. Put your dressers, clothes and garment racks, and a mirror on one side of the divider, and place a makeup vanity on the other side of the divider for a chic look. You can drape your towels over the side of the divider, or get a divider with shelves for extra storage. Now you have the spacious walk-in closet of your dreams!
Room dividers with open designs are super important in studios and other open-concept spaces that have limited natural light. This is because they allow natural light through to darker spots in the home without being completely transparent. This divider features open framework panels, which allow light from the window to filter through to the other side, all while still creating a feel of privacy. You can also use open-frame room dividers in front of windows to create privacy (perfect for first floor living on busy streets) while still allowing in natural light.
Get creative with room division ideas that allow you to display your go-to decor pieces. This simple divider gives you the chance to dress it up! You can put books, plants, picture frames, and more on its shelves. This versatility allows you to personalize the divider any way you like, whether you want to match accessories to the rest of the room or make the divider a stand-alone piece.
Everyone deserves to feel like they're at the beach, and a coastal inspired room divider can help you get one step closer. Opt for white room dividers with woven wicker/rattan panels to cultivate an earthy, relaxed vibe while promoting natural light. With a coastal room divider, you'll have yourself guessing whether you're at home or in a beach-side cabana.
Complement modern interiors with a room divider that sports a refreshing abstract design. Separate a low-profile bed from a contemporary seating area with a bubble-patterned canvas room divider. Not only does this look quintessentially modern, but it also adds a pop of personality to an otherwise neutral space.
Get an outdoor divider to separate parts of your patio and create shade. On a hot summer day, a divider like this one may be exactly what you need to block the bright sun while allowing some warm light to filter through. A divider can also be a tasteful piece of lawn decor and will boost your backyard decor game. Not to mention, if you live in close proximity to neighbors, an outdoor room divider can give you the privacy you need to enjoy your outdoor space.
Tip!
Make sure you check the material of your room divider before you order. There is a wide range of materials to choose from, including wood, canvas, bamboo, cotton, leather, glass, and even paper. Make sure you’re getting exactly what you want before you order!
Check out our guide on The Best Dividers for Rooms: Bring Structure to Small-Space Living for some of our top picks for room dividers.
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