While humans are social creatures, once in a while, we need our privacy. A wall has its benefits, and if a permanent structure cannot be raised, a room divider can be a valuable addition.
In case you are one of those individuals who live in an open floor plan home and don’t have a bedroom or living room door, it’s easy to understand how transformative a room divider can get.
Dividers are ideal for any living condition. No matter if it’s in studio apartments, or 1 and 2 bedroom apartments for rent, people all over the country are seeking such customizations.
Why use a room divider?
Apart from offering privacy and transformation, a room divider can enhance the appearance of your living room and also provide storage. Room dividers are also simple to install and can be an ideal DIY project for renters and homeowners as well.
Before enhancing your home with a room divider, it is essential to make adjustments to spaces within so they are easily distinguishable. Apart from just offering a touch of design, it separates the areas per task to be conducted.
2021 room divider trends to lookout for
Fewer walls offer many benefits, including light, spaciousness feeling or erase, and informality. There are unlimited ideas you can use to get the best out of a room divider, depending on what you are looking to achieve at the end.
The following are popular trends you could use to enhance your space.
Sliding panels or sliding doors (pricy but functional)
In case you do not mind a little bit of investment, a sliding door or panel offers a more compelling sense of privacy in an open floor plan or living room. Sliding panels provide both the simplicity of a room divider and the privacy of a door.
There are several designs you can adopt, with perhaps the most popular being the barn door design.
A barn door divider is ideal since individuals enjoy the benefits of an actual door, with the versatility of an open living concept they desire. A good thing about sliding panels is they do not take up a lot of space since they do not swing open.
Folding screen room divider
With a folding screen divider, you can be able to block up to 7 feet. There are several kinds of these folding screen dividers with different designs for variable tastes for privacy, aesthetics, and appeal.
This type of divider makes it easy to customize the amount of space you wish to divide.
Open and closed shelves (artsy and sophisticated appeal)
Shelves offer much more than a distinguishing factor when it comes to dividing your room. They give you a chance to showcase your art, books, collectibles, and ideas. They also offer storage for items that would otherwise clutter your room. There are several types of shelve ideas you could use, from open to closed shelved designs.
Glass panel screen for lighting and visual separation
In case only one part of your room has a window, and you don’t have a privacy issue, try using a glass panel screen instead. Glass panel screen adds the right amount of visual separation to your living areas while still allowing plenty of light to get in.
Hanging wooden or metal panels
There are several types of panels you could use instead of a wall —they are only limited to how creative you can get. Hanging panel dividers are ideal for situations where you don’t wish to block light.
Ensure you get hanging panels that come with mounting hardware for connection to your ceiling to avoid the extra cost of installation.
Good old curtain fabric design (affordable and effective)
Perhaps the most popular and easily accessible dividers are fabric curtains. Curtains are an affordable method you could use to distinguish your rooms. They also offer flexibility when it comes to customization of length and quality. Curtains are perfect for blocking light, privacy, noise reduction, and insulation from elements.
Floating art panels (Ropes, Wiremesh, Art)
This is a creative concept and can only be limited by imagination. Perhaps the most common types include hanging ropes, wire mesh, hanging records, among others. It is essential to note that this kind of divider specifically works for aesthetic reasons and wouldn’t be ideal for; noise reduction, light blocking, and sometimes privacy.
Wooden or metal slats (ideal for sectioning)
They are ideal for individuals who feel like sectioning off their spaces into two areas while at the same time offering an open effect compared to a solid screen. Slats offer flow and a sense of easy movement from one area to another.
Tips For Room Dividers
Enhance your home for an appealing look
The perfect room setup is having all elements in one area. The following are essential DIY tips you could use to enhance your space, bringing style, décor, and a good feel to your rooms.
Choose the correct type of room divider
Before picking out a type of room divider, consider the desired style that’s most appropriate for your space. Make a final picture in your head to be able to source and get a custom-made feel.
Also, ensure you get the proper materials that would bring the overall theme of your home to offer a finished look at the end. At this point, you would want to choose whether you wish the finished appearance to be artsy or basic with a touch of class.
Ensure the spaces are distinguishable
Part of the reason anyone gets a divider is to distinguish your space — You want to distinguish your living room from your kitchenette.
Contrasting makes your rooms look organized, giving both you and other individuals in your house the perfect atmosphere and looks for a specific task that would help avoid distractions.
Use other elements to act as a divider
It is essential to note that your room divider may not just be a vertical element within your space, like a wall. You can get creative and use other elements such as bookshelf, bed headrest, ropes, drapes, lighting, among others.
However, make sure that these are elements you would wish to have in your home. Additionally, try to arrange those elements in a specific way that would create some sort of distinction within your space.
Make maximum use of your room divider
A room divider offers much more than a distinguishing factor. For an added advantage, it can be used as part of a room element.
For maximum benefit, play with the divider for increased usage value. Make sure it acts as a multi-purpose serving element.
Maximize on the decorative aspect
If possible, do not just use your room divider for utilitarian purposes as you would use a wall. A room divider can be used to add some personality to your rooms. For instance, a divider can be used to add some style and elegance.
Explore aesthetic ideas that you could pick or, if possible, custom-make your room divider.
Conceal unnecessary elements in your spaces
A home is your sanctuary and perhaps each person’s personal space. But from time to time, other people, including close family and friends, often get limited access to your space for different reasons.
If you live in a situation where you need a divider to distinguish spaces, you’ll at least want a section of your home not exposed at first sight. You will want to conceal a specific area within your house, just for yourself and a partner. A Room divider can come pretty handily in such situations.
Get an artsy appeal out of your set-up
As stated, a room divider can be used for added advantage in case you can’t invest in a wall. Your spaces reflect your personality.
While room dividers can offer a distinguishing factor within your house, they can also be used to showcase your ideas, book collections, and art pieces. If cleverly used, they can act as art pieces themselves within your spaces.
Bottom line – before you begin your project
Constructing a wall in a room could cost anywhere between $2,000 to $10,000. However, walling is perhaps the most effective and permanent option when it comes to distinguishing your house.
Not everyone has a flexible budget (we are thinking of you, renters, and DIY-ers), and especially if you are searching for “interior customization concepts for renovated 1 bedroom apartments near me.” Therefore, whether you are saving up for a natural wall or trying to be creative, a room divider could offer the satisfaction you need.
In case you are not sure what room divider design works for you, and you are not looking to start a DIY project, consult a professional to get the best insights for your living spaces.