14 Ways to Partition a Room Without Blocking Light
When you want just the right amount of space and light, get creative with glass, slats, beads, exposed framing and more
Room dividers can help direct foot traffic, define spaces, create a sense of privacy and hide unsightly areas. But while solid room dividers, such as folding screens, can create privacy and hide unsightly objects, they can also block out light and make a smaller space feel confining. If you want to divide a room without losing light and depth, consider these 14 ideas.
2. Horizontal timber slats
A screen of horizontal slats provides a clever place for hanging the flat-screen TV while gently masking the closet.
See these wall mounted TV ideas
A screen of horizontal slats provides a clever place for hanging the flat-screen TV while gently masking the closet.
See these wall mounted TV ideas
3. Glass partition
This elegant house features a large master bathroom with an adjacent living area. The glass and black-steel partition separates the two areas physically but not visually. Its industrial-grid pattern provides a stylish juxtaposition to the room’s traditional design.
This elegant house features a large master bathroom with an adjacent living area. The glass and black-steel partition separates the two areas physically but not visually. Its industrial-grid pattern provides a stylish juxtaposition to the room’s traditional design.
4. Perforated partition
A perforated wall separates the bedroom from the living area in this small apartment. Spots of sunlight break through, filling the windowless living area with diffused light.
A perforated wall separates the bedroom from the living area in this small apartment. Spots of sunlight break through, filling the windowless living area with diffused light.
5. Tree trunks
Five tree trunks placed vertically from the floor to the ceiling provide a visual divider between the hallway and the living area in this home.
Here’s how to partition spaces without building walls
Five tree trunks placed vertically from the floor to the ceiling provide a visual divider between the hallway and the living area in this home.
Here’s how to partition spaces without building walls
6. Art installation
The room divider in this apartment is an art installation by a Cuban artist, says designer Eddie Lee. The piece is made from phone books with holes cut in the middle, allowing them to be attached by floor-to-ceiling metal rods.
The room divider in this apartment is an art installation by a Cuban artist, says designer Eddie Lee. The piece is made from phone books with holes cut in the middle, allowing them to be attached by floor-to-ceiling metal rods.
7. Glass wine cellar
For dedicated oenophiles, there may not be a better way to divide a room than with a wine cellar. This home features floor-to-ceiling wine storage that uses glass to separate the dining area from the living room.
For dedicated oenophiles, there may not be a better way to divide a room than with a wine cellar. This home features floor-to-ceiling wine storage that uses glass to separate the dining area from the living room.
8. Pillars
Though they’re often there to make a house structurally sound, a row of pillars (structural or cosmetic) can also create separation between spaces. In this home, a row of five square pillars – and a change in levels – separates the living and dining areas.
Though they’re often there to make a house structurally sound, a row of pillars (structural or cosmetic) can also create separation between spaces. In this home, a row of five square pillars – and a change in levels – separates the living and dining areas.
9. Gauzy curtains
Curtains aren’t just for windows. A curtain can also be a good way to close-off one space from another. Here, sheer curtains separate two areas in this home, while letting light filter through.
Curtains aren’t just for windows. A curtain can also be a good way to close-off one space from another. Here, sheer curtains separate two areas in this home, while letting light filter through.
11. Glass block bricks
Glass blocks are a staple in many mid-century homes, but they’re most commonly used in windows as an alternative to panes. However, glass blocks can also make a great room divider that filters light and creates separation and privacy.
See these ways to bring in glass partitions
Glass blocks are a staple in many mid-century homes, but they’re most commonly used in windows as an alternative to panes. However, glass blocks can also make a great room divider that filters light and creates separation and privacy.
See these ways to bring in glass partitions
12. Metal beads
Strings of beads hung from the ceiling might conjure up a groovy ’70s vibe, but as this loft shows, a metal-bead curtain makes for a chic room divider.
Strings of beads hung from the ceiling might conjure up a groovy ’70s vibe, but as this loft shows, a metal-bead curtain makes for a chic room divider.
13. Decorative partitions
A patterned wood divider adds a sense of privacy with a bit of old-school glamour to a large room. This master bedroom features an Art Deco-inspired partition that separates the bedroom from the ensuite.
A patterned wood divider adds a sense of privacy with a bit of old-school glamour to a large room. This master bedroom features an Art Deco-inspired partition that separates the bedroom from the ensuite.
14. Door frame and studs
If you’re ever having a hard time deciding between knocking down a wall or keeping it, this apartment might inspire you to find a happy middle ground. By leaving the original door frame and studs standing and removing the plasterboard, the designer created a sense of separation without losing any light.
Read more:
How to Partition the Living Room From the Dining Area
Tell us:
Have you seen or used an unusual material to divide a space without blocking-out light? Tell us in the Comments below.
If you’re ever having a hard time deciding between knocking down a wall or keeping it, this apartment might inspire you to find a happy middle ground. By leaving the original door frame and studs standing and removing the plasterboard, the designer created a sense of separation without losing any light.
Read more:
How to Partition the Living Room From the Dining Area
Tell us:
Have you seen or used an unusual material to divide a space without blocking-out light? Tell us in the Comments below.
Floor-to-ceiling vertical timber slats separate this living room from the home gym. The evenly spaced slats let sunlight from the gym’s windows wash into the living room, echoing the vertical pattern in the adjacent blinds.