19 Subtle, Sleek and Stylish Ways to Partition Spaces
Break up areas and divide spaces without making them look smaller or boxed in, with these simple solutions
Looking to segregate spaces in your open-plan home or create private nooks in your compact house? Consider these 19 options that subtly do the job and don’t require you to build a wall or install a door.
2. Etched glass panes
Consider etched glass not just to partition areas but also to add a decorative touch to the space. Plus, plain glass can be nearly invisible – etched glass will ensure that people do not bang into it when walking through the room!
Tip: In small rooms, glass is an ideal partition to use, as it does not block light and ensures all areas are bright.
See how these etched screens zone out spaces
Consider etched glass not just to partition areas but also to add a decorative touch to the space. Plus, plain glass can be nearly invisible – etched glass will ensure that people do not bang into it when walking through the room!
Tip: In small rooms, glass is an ideal partition to use, as it does not block light and ensures all areas are bright.
See how these etched screens zone out spaces
4. Plants
Tall leafy plants not only help create subtle partitions but also add a punch of colour to a space. Plus, these are easily movable elements and can be used anywhere around the house.
Tip: If you have a screen or jali divider, consider growing a creeper on it. Not only will it make the screen look striking, the added foliage will ensure more privacy and bring a bit of nature into the home.
Tall leafy plants not only help create subtle partitions but also add a punch of colour to a space. Plus, these are easily movable elements and can be used anywhere around the house.
Tip: If you have a screen or jali divider, consider growing a creeper on it. Not only will it make the screen look striking, the added foliage will ensure more privacy and bring a bit of nature into the home.
5. Headboards (yes, you read it right)
In case partitions (screens, curtains, plants) seem to take up space, experiment with furniture layout and placement tricks. In this example, the tall headboard gives height to the bed and helps create a subtle distinction between the bed and the work desk without the need for a wall or a door.
Check out these 10 head-turning headboards
In case partitions (screens, curtains, plants) seem to take up space, experiment with furniture layout and placement tricks. In this example, the tall headboard gives height to the bed and helps create a subtle distinction between the bed and the work desk without the need for a wall or a door.
Check out these 10 head-turning headboards
6. Elevated zones
Although a structural intervention, elevating certain sections of the room can lead to visual divisions. In this example, the elevated library area is instantly set apart from the rest of the house.
Although a structural intervention, elevating certain sections of the room can lead to visual divisions. In this example, the elevated library area is instantly set apart from the rest of the house.
Tip: Another way to architecturally create partitions is by creating a sunken space. This helps divide different areas in an open-plan living area and creates a cosy and inviting place to hang out with friends.
7. Pillars
Columns are useful in creating just the slightest sense of division between spaces, without sticking out into the larger design scheme of the room. Here, the grey column chimes an antique note in a modern space.
Columns are useful in creating just the slightest sense of division between spaces, without sticking out into the larger design scheme of the room. Here, the grey column chimes an antique note in a modern space.
8. Beads
The cascading beads subtly indicate a distinction between the bed and the rest of the room, and give the bed a dramatic edge.
The cascading beads subtly indicate a distinction between the bed and the rest of the room, and give the bed a dramatic edge.
9. Half-height door
A small half-door like this one is a useful addition when you have small children or dogs at home. They make the separate parts of an open-plan space feel visually connected, yet keep the mischief-makers at bay.
A small half-door like this one is a useful addition when you have small children or dogs at home. They make the separate parts of an open-plan space feel visually connected, yet keep the mischief-makers at bay.
10. Metal grid
The metal grid looks almost like a sketch in the air – the long slender metal lines have a light impact, yet help demarcate the living room from the rest of the house.
The metal grid looks almost like a sketch in the air – the long slender metal lines have a light impact, yet help demarcate the living room from the rest of the house.
11. Sectional sofa
When placed in an open-plan space like in this image, one end of an L-shaped or sectional sofa can create a tangible but unobtrusive partition.
Tip: In an open-plan room, keep the sight lines unobstructed and seamless by accentuating your sectional with other low-profile pieces of furniture, such as a chaise. It balances the arrangement while maintaining visual openness.
Keep these points in mind before buying a sectional sofa
When placed in an open-plan space like in this image, one end of an L-shaped or sectional sofa can create a tangible but unobtrusive partition.
Tip: In an open-plan room, keep the sight lines unobstructed and seamless by accentuating your sectional with other low-profile pieces of furniture, such as a chaise. It balances the arrangement while maintaining visual openness.
Keep these points in mind before buying a sectional sofa
12. A long bench
To create a separation between two seating areas, consider a long backless piece of furniture like this one. The wooden bench is multifunctional, because it offers seating for both sections of the room, acts as a partition and can be moved around in the house.
To create a separation between two seating areas, consider a long backless piece of furniture like this one. The wooden bench is multifunctional, because it offers seating for both sections of the room, acts as a partition and can be moved around in the house.
13. Floor tiles and ceiling
Another way to create a distinction between spaces is through flooring and ceiling designs. Here, the beige strip of marble marks the passageway and creates a separation between the two seating areas. Adding to that, the wooden ceiling design that runs parallel overhead further demarcates the two sections.
Another way to create a distinction between spaces is through flooring and ceiling designs. Here, the beige strip of marble marks the passageway and creates a separation between the two seating areas. Adding to that, the wooden ceiling design that runs parallel overhead further demarcates the two sections.
14. Pocket doors
The beauty about pocket doors is that they can be tucked completely out of sight into walls. When shut, they can segregate spaces and create private areas.
Take a look at these varied uses of pocket doors
The beauty about pocket doors is that they can be tucked completely out of sight into walls. When shut, they can segregate spaces and create private areas.
Take a look at these varied uses of pocket doors
15. Suspended shelves
Shelf partitions are useful options if you prefer privacy and want extra storage space. The open suspended shelves here work as a subtle screen between the kitchen and the living room.
Shelf partitions are useful options if you prefer privacy and want extra storage space. The open suspended shelves here work as a subtle screen between the kitchen and the living room.
16. Internal windows
Interior windows not only add a whimsical touch to a space and create a subtle sense of the outdoors, but also help separate two rooms. Also, the grille design brings an ornamental flourish to the room.
Tip: Consider using internal glazed windows instead of a wall in a room that has no access to an external window for light. Glazed windows borrow light from other rooms and transmit it, giving the illusion that the room has natural sunlight streaming in.
Check out these window grilles that are decorative and functional
Interior windows not only add a whimsical touch to a space and create a subtle sense of the outdoors, but also help separate two rooms. Also, the grille design brings an ornamental flourish to the room.
Tip: Consider using internal glazed windows instead of a wall in a room that has no access to an external window for light. Glazed windows borrow light from other rooms and transmit it, giving the illusion that the room has natural sunlight streaming in.
Check out these window grilles that are decorative and functional
17. Carpets
In this open-plan space, where both the dining and the living room have round tables and surrounding chairs, a slight distinction is created with the use of different carpets. Also notice that the colour palettes of the two spaces are different, where the dining sports grey and the living shows deep blue and white.
In this open-plan space, where both the dining and the living room have round tables and surrounding chairs, a slight distinction is created with the use of different carpets. Also notice that the colour palettes of the two spaces are different, where the dining sports grey and the living shows deep blue and white.
18. Branches
These tall branches look like an artistic arrangement and double as a privacy screen for this open-plan room.
These tall branches look like an artistic arrangement and double as a privacy screen for this open-plan room.
19. Swivelling units
The wooden rotating TV unit here is a functional and flexible piece that helps segregate the sleeping area from the sitting area. Since it swivels, the TV can be viewed from either side.
Read more:
7 Ways to Partition Your Home Without Building Walls
Tell us:
How have you partitioned spaces in your home? Share your images and ideas in Comments below.
The wooden rotating TV unit here is a functional and flexible piece that helps segregate the sleeping area from the sitting area. Since it swivels, the TV can be viewed from either side.
Read more:
7 Ways to Partition Your Home Without Building Walls
Tell us:
How have you partitioned spaces in your home? Share your images and ideas in Comments below.
Metal, fibre, wood or fabric screens – whether textured or with jali work – can subtly divide a space and add a bit of design, too.
Tip: Lightweight screens that can be moved around and are visually pleasing can double as design elements. When not in use for dividing spaces, consider placing them in empty corners or against walls to add daintiness to rooms.