When we think of room dividers, we usually think of a three or four panel screen with a wooden frame.  Some are shoji screens, some are made of metal, some fabric, some painted, and some not.  But, I came across a nice alternative to these traditional screens, it’s sort of a hybrid between room dividers and sliding doors.  The Jamaica folding door is a room divider that can be built into a large door opening.  This is the place where you would put in French doors to separate the living room from the dining room, or bedroom from the kitchen in smaller spaces, but a folding screen is much more affordable than a costly remodel.  It fits a variety of door sizes, since it is folding, and is easy to install – simply lay the track and voila!  It also gives a bit more privacy than French doors (unless you put curtains over them), because it is a solid panel.  It is available in several colors and features a magnetic closure, so even children can seal it.  This is a great way to separate a small or large home, giving privacy and solitude to any space, while still allowing the flow of the home to exist.  It can keep some sound out, great for the opening to a TV or family room, yet still allows the family to come in and out without much interruption.  If you have a small area that you would like to use as an office, but it is too near the traffic of the home, this is also a great way to give you that privacy you need.

I know, you’re thinking What?  A fireplace in the middle of the room?  That doesn’t sound right.   But, actually, it’s not a terrible idea.  Many of us are constantly looking for ways to divide up large rooms into smaller spaces, and I certainly can’t think of a more unique way to do so than with a little fire ambiance.  This fireplace is portable, and thus can be placed anywhere in the room, it doesn’t need to remain hooked into the wall for a chimney, electricity, or any other reason.  A great place to put this room divider would be in a transition area.  For example, if you have a long, open style floor plan in the living area of your home, which is so popular in new construction these days, a small portable fireplace can be placed in between the dining area and living room to create a small divider, perfect for entertaining.  The kids can do their homework on the dining room table while the grown ups watch TV in the next space.  They have thought of everything with this little fireplace, too.  It is finished on both sides and has a glass viewing area.  Guess what?  That makes it ideal for placement in any part of the room.  I know it’s not a traditional room divider, but it could make a real style statement in your home.  And, since it is relatively small, it is also very affordable, even more so than some folding screens.  And, best of all, it provides just the right amount of warmth and ambiance for your home.  Simply place two cans of gel fuel in the fireplace and watch them glow and warm up your home.  And in the summer, you can move it outside as patio decor, a simple, easy way to add style to your home.

A new type of room divider is becoming ever more popular.  These room screens differ from the traditional styles in a few ways, yet still offer many of the same benefits. Instead of a three or four panel solid room screen that folds, this new room divider option features a shelving design. This is a great choice for many areas of the home.  Obviously, it doesn’t offer the same amount of privacy as a shoji screen, so it shouldn’t be used to create a dressing area or to block out a door less bathroom.  But, these Room Divider Shelves offer something that traditional folding screens don’t: storage.  They are available in different forms, sizes and styles.  Most are designed, though, to display books and collectibles.  The difference between these and bookcases, however, is that they don’t have a back on them, so they can be placed anywhere in the room, they are not limited to the walls.  Use these unique room dividers to add maximum visual appeal to any space, with added storage as a bonus.  In the main living area, a bookshelf style room screen can separate a large living room into a conversation area and entertainment area.  Or use it to separate the dining room from the living room.  The benefit is that you can actually see through the screen, creating a more seamless separation of the spaces.  Another benefit is that you get the style and decor on both sides of the divider.  Whether you are sitting in the dining room or the living room, you can still see your collectible items stacked neatly on the shelves.  Use this beautiful modern Room Divider Shelving Unit to display your favorite vases, bowls of potpourri, framed photographs and coffee table books.

I’ve found a new room divider, the Coco Room Divider, which looks much like traditional shoji screens, but with a different design to spice up your style!  So, whether this is your first room divider or you are looking to replace the one your cat has torn up, give these new Shoji Screens a whirl in your home!  The Coco Room Divider has vertical lines all the way across, with some grid work, just like traditional Japanese shoji screens, in the center, top and bottom.  This is a fresh take on the old room dividers, but still with the beautiful Asian theme going on.  A cherry wood frame is complemented by white rice paper inlay with wooden cross panes to make the shoji design.  Another new screen that is similar to this but with a totally different design is the Reno room divider.  I’m not sure why it’s called Reno but it’s beautiful, nonetheless.   The Reno Room Divider takes the shoji design to the next level, with no small grids, just longer grids basically.  It almost reminds me a little bit of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs, giving it a modern twist!  Both screens come in three or four panel designs to customize to your needs.  Use room dividers all over the house for functional and stylish purposes.  In large rooms and small rooms alike, a folding room screen can divide and define a space, perfect for studio apartments and creating a home office within the living room.  For the master bed and bath, a room divider can offer privacy between the two rooms, or be used as a dressing area in the corner of the bedroom.  So whatever your current home decor style is, consider giving one of these new shoji screen designs a chance!

Room Screens perform many functions in the home or office environment.  First and foremost, they are most often used for privacy.  They are great in the bedroom to create a dressing area or in the master bathroom for privacy around the bathtub when the master bath and bedroom are connected without a door.  Another function they perform is to define a large (or small) area.  For example, in a large open style home living area, a room divider can be placed in between the dining room and living room to create a nice sitting area.  In smaller areas, like condos and apartments, you may need to create an office, but you don’t have a separate room devoted to this.  A simple way to achieve a small home office in a small home is with a room screen.  But, a third function is becoming more and more important to home decorators:  room dividers as focal points in the home decor.  For one thing, room dividers themselves are getting fancier and more bold.  You can now find them in very bold colors and styles, from bright red modern art styled room screens to heavy folding screens made of bark and wood for a cabin feel.  Even a traditional shoji screen can create an instant facelift for your living room, bedroom or dining room decor.  To get this effect, use the room divider away from the walls, and complement it with another large piece, like a large house plant set in a pot on the floor.  I saw these new shoji lamps, very beautiful and a great complement to the shoji screens, old and new.  Wow visitors with your great sense of style by using a room divider as your center focal piece in any room of the home!

Of course this is a question of individual style and needs. A room divider can either be a very bold design element, or it can simply perform a needed task, say to cover up a messy desk, act as a window shade, or divide a large room into separate, defined spaces.  So, what should you look for when you want your room divider to be noticeable?  And what should you look for when you want your room divider to blend in?  Here are some tips on choosing the right room divider for your style and needs.
First,  a Room Divider as a  Design Statement.  There are many ways to go with this.  Obviously color is a great place to start.  But, you don’t have to choose a floor screen that is bright red, orange or blue all over (although those certainly have a place in the right decor, too).  This cherry blossom shoji screen is really the best of both worlds.  With four panels, it’s wide enough for even the largest hiding jobs, and most of the colors are plain, black and white.  However, this screen has added a twist with beautiful bright pink cherry blossoms.  This splash of color is sure to draw the eyes of guests when they arrive, a great way to add a touch of Asian themed decor to the home. 
Second, a Discreet Room Divider.  This is a little bit trickier, since a floor screen, by definition, is a large piece of home decor.  If you want your room divider to blend in with your decor rather than stand out, I would stick with very muted, single palette color themes.  A natural screen with white panels is a great idea – it is unlikely to draw attention to the area you wish to hide.  Another option is a fully wooden screen, as long as the screen is all the same color, and the color is mellow (light and medium browns work very well).  Enjoy!

As summer comes to an end, many of us are reluctant to let go of warm weather and sun, and the happy feelings that come along with it!  We know that fall and winter have their “charm”, with rain and falling leaves, then crisp mornings and snow, and eventually, a beautiful winter wonderland!.  But, what we are all really living for is a year-round tropical paradise.  (think Caribbean, Hawaii, your choice!)  Well, if you can’t beat the weather in the coming months, why not just create a summery, island feel indoors!  One great way to do that is with the right room divider.  And, remember, room dividers are easy to change in and out, so you can swap room screens with the seasons as fast as they come and go – a great, affordable way to adjust your home decor without costly remodeling or home decorator bills.  For a summery feel in your home, an island themed room divider is a must, perfect for the bedroom, bathroom or living areas. 

I have outlined three of my favorites below, along with tropical benefits and more! 

1. The tall shutter screen, pictured, is a great place to start.  Since it doesn’t have a very bold pattern, it can fit into almost any decor, and has many colors from which to choose.   For the most beach resort feel, I like the honey or rosewood – they look just like something you would see at a spa! 
2. This bamboo shoji screen room divider is great because it is a classic asian style screen, but updated with the beautiful double cross frame. 
3. And, finally, a bamboo room divider that is actually made of bamboo, the ultimate in tropical themes, and very earth friendly. 

Choose one of these beautiful screens for year-round good weather indoors!

With summer in full bloom, many of us find ourselves wanting to escape the heat and get indoors, ironically.  But to still have that summery, outdoor feel indoors and out, what do we do?  A great solution to this is an outdoor themed room divider!  These can take any form you like, and can provide either a very subtle outdoor feel, or make you feel like you are sipping champagne on the French Riviera! 

For a more subtle way to bring the outside in during the summer, or year round, try a room screen made of natural materials.  For a beachy tropical theme, a bamboo room divider is a great choice.  Bamboo is an eco friendly material, and makes you feel like you are relaxing outside in a tropical resort.  Another great choice is canvas.  A tight canvas room divider is reminiscent of beach chairs - an important summer place for everyone. 

For a more obvious dose of outdoors brought inside, a painted room divider does the trick.  This Outdoor Patio Themed Room Divider is affordable, and painted beautifully to look like a patio of a mediterranean castle, or somewhere just as beautiful.  The soothing design and colors are applied to a wooden frame, perfect for dividing spaces or giving privacy where needed indoors.  Use it in the living room during the summer to make yourself feel like you are dining outside, minus the humidity and mosquitoes.  Use it in your bedroom to bring a smile to your face each morning.  Or use it in the guest room to make your visitors feel like they are traveling abroad for the summer, when they are really just enjoying the comfort of your home and hospitality, at a fraction of the cost! 

This screen is designed to be used indoors, not out.  Check back with me on my next post for outdoor room dividers!

This is one of the most functional yet attractive room dividers I’ve focused on. From the Kathy Ireland Collection, this room divider cubby piece is a wonderful way to divide an area and increase your storage space tremendously.

I love the whole idea of this room divider. Because it has the look of a shelving unit, but it is designed as a room divider, it will look great in any room, with almost any decor style. It has a very modern and sleek design, allowing it to be a timeless and long lasting piece.

The large cubbies are my favorite part of the room divider. They are the perfect size to display picture frames, collectibles and even decorative books. The three slide-out drawers are great for spicing up the look of the divider but also offering a little privacy to the storage.

There are lots of ways you can make book shelves or display shelves into room dividers. I think the best option is display shelves because they are usually finished on both sides of the piece. The only reason that is important is because each side will be visible.

Shelves used as room dividers don’t always have to be tall either. You can easily divide and separate areas with smaller shelving units or wood pieces.

I was browsing the Internet and I came across this really cool room divider that would be perfect for dividing off a space in an open area such as a loft. It is a very artistic and unique design and I thought it was really cool…until I saw the price tag. To purchase this room divider you are looking at spending from $8,000 to $18,000.

You can imagine my surprise when I realized how insane the thought of spending 18k on a room divider is. In fact, I thought it was so ridiculous I had to figure up that you could buy 85 room dividers at about 200 bucks a pop for 18k.

So I found a few replacements that are talking my kind of money.

This birch room divider is also really cool looking and would be great to help break up an open space. It is constructed of birch bark and birch twig so it has a really fun rustic look to it.

For something a little more cleanly cut and classic this is a great option. Still a natural look, with wood and bamboo, this has a conservative yet fun design to it. And to top it off, it’s on sale at Stacksandstacks.com for about 100 bucks. Sure sounds like a better deal to me!