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Types of Room Dividers & Where to Use Them
Separate your space in style with any of these room dividers without constructing a permanent wall
Vinita Kunnath
17 March 2019
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny blogs and all things off-beat, with an eye for good taste and aesthetics. Home, not clothes, maketh a man.....or woman.
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny... More
A room divider can satisfy a number of purposes; whether it is to divide space, create privacy, hide a mess, redirect footfall or simply be decorative, it helps define distinct areas. In addition to the different types, room dividers also come in different types of materials – fabric, acrylic, glass, wood, resin and so on. The style of divider you choose would depend on the purpose you wish to use it for and in accordance with your decor style. Here, we elaborate on the types of room dividers, which should help you make an informed buying decision before installing one.
1. Foldable screens
Folding or accordion screens are one of the easiest ways to separate spaces, especially for rented homes, as they are free-standing and not attached to the floor or wall. There’s no installation of any kind required – just open and place; with the added advantage of being able to move them around wherever and whenever you please. Similarly, you can fold and stow them away when not required.
Folding or accordion screens are one of the easiest ways to separate spaces, especially for rented homes, as they are free-standing and not attached to the floor or wall. There’s no installation of any kind required – just open and place; with the added advantage of being able to move them around wherever and whenever you please. Similarly, you can fold and stow them away when not required.
While you can have as many panels as required, more than four can get a tad unwieldy to handle. Folding screens add depth and interest to any space, and can even come in sizes small enough to fit on top of a console. Japanese-style Shoji screens, fabric, lacquered or lattice panels are some of the common types of folding screens.
Where to use them: Foldable screens tend to have a wider footprint, placed as they are in a zig-zag fashion, and may not be ideal for small spaces. However, they are adaptable enough to be utilised in multiple applications and locations, be it to hide your work spot in the living room, or to create a private changing nook in the bedroom.
2. Hanging room dividers
Hanging room dividers are semi-permanent fixtures that are suspended from the ceiling to divide up a room. Depending on the material you are using, they can either be immovable, or can be pulled back, slid to the side, rolled up and re-arranged at will or left as is. Unlike foldable screens, they reach all the way from floor to ceiling, and can extend from one end of the room to the other.
Hanging room dividers are semi-permanent fixtures that are suspended from the ceiling to divide up a room. Depending on the material you are using, they can either be immovable, or can be pulled back, slid to the side, rolled up and re-arranged at will or left as is. Unlike foldable screens, they reach all the way from floor to ceiling, and can extend from one end of the room to the other.
Cloth and beaded curtains, panels in glass or acrylic (to let light through), blinds in fabric or bamboo, and stacked louvred doors are some examples.
Where to use them: Given their flexibility in terms of size and material used, a hanging divider is an excellent option to separate spaces in a large open-plan space, such as this one.
Where to use them: Given their flexibility in terms of size and material used, a hanging divider is an excellent option to separate spaces in a large open-plan space, such as this one.
Here a hanging divider sets aside a small corner in a living room, perfect for a day nap.
Tip: Add an attachable weight at the bottom of a swaying screen to stabilise it.
Tip: Add an attachable weight at the bottom of a swaying screen to stabilise it.
3. Permanent room dividers
Fixed room dividers attach to the ceiling, walls or floor, and are a permanent addition to your home. They are usually fixed on either the ceiling or floor (or both) using tracks or casters, or are built into the wall. These are hard to remove or replace at a whim.
Fixed room dividers attach to the ceiling, walls or floor, and are a permanent addition to your home. They are usually fixed on either the ceiling or floor (or both) using tracks or casters, or are built into the wall. These are hard to remove or replace at a whim.
Where to use them: Usually made of solid materials such as wood, glass or metal, these room dividers can be used to unambiguously separate space, for instance, to create a foyer where none existed before.
A permanent room divider separates the wet and dry areas in this bathroom.
Browse through creative designs for permanent room dividers
Browse through creative designs for permanent room dividers
4. Sliding room dividers
Sliding doors are extremely flexible in terms of providing the maximum degree of privacy – or not, if you so wish. They can be used as a stand-in door, effectively dividing a space while limiting disturbances.
Where to use them: Use them to completely segregate entire spaces, such as this dining space from the living room.
Sliding doors are extremely flexible in terms of providing the maximum degree of privacy – or not, if you so wish. They can be used as a stand-in door, effectively dividing a space while limiting disturbances.
Where to use them: Use them to completely segregate entire spaces, such as this dining space from the living room.
You can use sliding dividers partially, leaving a degree of communication between two distinct areas.
Read more:
How to Part a Room With 10 Quirky Dividers
How to Partition the Living Room From the Dining Area
Tell us:
If you have used a room divider in your home, do share pictures in the Comments section below.
Read more:
How to Part a Room With 10 Quirky Dividers
How to Partition the Living Room From the Dining Area
Tell us:
If you have used a room divider in your home, do share pictures in the Comments section below.
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