Room Dividers Blog

It’s that time of year where we find the most Unique Room Dividers out there, something new and fresh, something that doesn’t fall into the traditional folding screen categories.  I have a few to share here and I want to hear from you - what new and interesting room screens have you seen on the market lately.  OR, what is the whackiest room divider idea you have ever seen?  Topping my list this week has to be the Titanic Mirror Room Divider.  That’s right, the Titanic, as in the boat that sunk tragically so many years ago.  I’m not entirely sure why it is called this, but I’m guessing that it has to do with the port hole window style mirrors that you would see on cruise ship like the titanic, built into the room screen panels.  So this room screen would be a great choice for those going for a nautical or seaside theme in their living room, bedroom, office, or wherever else one might need some privacy!  Another style this would work well with is, quite simply, antique decor.  The beautiful wood panels have a very deep antique style finish and very subtle distressing.  That combined with the dark wood and throwback cruise ship window style accents makes this a sure fit for antique styled home decors.  Antique not your thing?  On the opposite end of the spectrum we have the Geometric Screen Room Divider.  This folding screen is a piece of modern art all on its own, with a retro flair.  Accent your home with the right room divider for the right space for privacy, decorative purposes and to define a certain space.

Lovers of Nature will be very happy to see this new line of photo print room dividers!  Cat lovers, wildlife lovers and those who enjoy soothing scenes from the wild - there’s truly something for everyone.  These room screens are so bold, with huge printed photographs on canvas in the richest of colors - they look like a giant poster but are mounted to a folding screen.  So they can perform multiple functions in the home.  First, they provide a focal point that is often much needed in today’s bland decorating.  For example, set in the corner of the room, the Paradise Screen will provide a colorful backdrop for you to play with - choose accessories that will complement this beautiful beach screen room divider.  For a subtle approach, allowing the screen to really stand out on its own as a design focal point, scatter blue, green and sand colored throws and pillows about the room on furniture to tie in the look.  For a more bold look, a hurricane vase filled with sea shells, sea glass and candles is the way to go!  Another great use for these room dividers is in homes where decorating on the walls simply isn’t possible.  If you are a renter, then you know how finicky owners can be about putting holes in walls and worse, painting them! It’s very difficult to have a colorful apartment when you can’t paint the walls.  These room screens are bright, bold and vibrant, a wonderful way to add a splash of color to bland rooms.  And finally, the same old room divider benefits apply here as well - they are great for granting privacy to areas of the home where there are no doors or partitions, and the number one way to break up a large floor space into “rooms” or “conversation areas”.

A new room divider has caught my eye this week - it has sort of a Frank Lloyd Wright vibe going on, and reminds me of the inspired stained glass silk scarves that were popular during a certain decade (not to be mentioned here), but this version is more elegant and does not have the cheesy colors.  I love the Greenwich Folding Screen because it is a totally new style of room divider that I have not yet seen.  It breaks free of the Asian inspired themed room screens that we are so used to seeing, whether they are shoji screens or rice paper with flower shadows on them, let’s face it, there are a lot of Asian room dividers out there so it’s nice to see something new.  It’s also different from all of the contemporary folding screens that are so popular these days, the ones with bright colors and modern art painted on both sides.  This room divider makes a statement of its own, but it does so with its architectural details, not with bright colors.  This screen has three panels which is the most versatile size, what most people need for use at home or the office.  The wooden frame features a very dark, black finish, a great contrast to the off white fiber paper panels on the insides.  Additional structural elements are added at the bottom and top using thin rectangular wood frames, giving it that stained glass look minus the color.  I can only imagine how beautiful this room divider would look with a light behind it, casting a soft glow through the fiber paper  - I think the rectangular designs would almost look like a city skyline when used this way!  Have fun with this elegant new room divider by Adesso!

When you hear the term Room Divider, what do you think of? Do you automatically picture a Japanese inspired shoji screen, a wooden grid style frame with rice paper inserts? Or perhaps you remember a shutter room divider that was in your home or that of a friend or neighbor when you were growing up? Well, a room divider lives up to its name in many instances, literally dividing a large room into separate pieces. And, we’ve talked about some of the other functions that a room divider can serve around the home. To recap: A folding screen can provide privacy, also called a privacy screen a great option for studio apartments, or large bedrooms. Two shoji screens set up side by side can offer privacy in front of a sliding glass door at nighttime, and then, during the day, they simply fold away a fun alternative to drapes and curtains. And, a very beautiful, painted screen can be a decorative focal point in the bedroom, living room or office. But some room dividers are designed with multiple uses in mind, and this is what I am focusing on today. For example, a bookcase style room divider is just as effective as a traditional room screen, but has the added bonus of holding books, and displaying collectibles. Similarly, a full size dressing screen with a mirror is a great alternative its counterparts, with three full-length mirrors and angles that allow you to see your outfit from all sides. A room divider with pockets takes storage a step further, and is a great choice for the bedroom. The simple metal frame is complemented and softened by a canvas panel with pockets that are great for holding everything from scarves and accessories to magazines and writing materials! Whatever your home needs in terms of functional and stylish storage, a multi purpose room divider can help!

Just as we have folding screens for the interior of our homes, we can also benefit by them when used outside in the garden, deck or patio!  Here are some tips on why and how to use them, and how to pick them. 

Outside, you may want to use a room divider for separating spaces, just like inside, creating different themed spaces.  For example, you may divide a large (or medium sized) patio into two separate areas for entertaining, sectioning off a space just for your outdoor dining set.  Another reason for an outdoor room divider is for privacy.  This could be privacy for you, or for your gardening tools.  For example, if you live very close to neighbors and they can see into your yard or patio, you may want to have a place where no one can see you, where you can just relax in peace without having to make small talk.  Or, if you have an old potting bench that has seen better days but the rest of your yard looks great, an outdoor screen can hide the unsightly mess!  Outdoor room dividers can also provide some shade.  Especially for apartment patios and balconies that face the sun, a room divider up against a short fence can cool your patio, while still providing privacy and décor. 

Tips for shopping:  Obviously, you need a room screen that has materials that can be outside.  Unfinished woods are not a good idea because they can rot and deteriorate.  Stainless steel, on the other hand, would be a good idea!  For the fabric, look for natural materials like bamboo, or vinyl and plastic models that are specifically designed for outdoor use.  As you can see, there are a multitude of options, and many reasons to invest in an outdoor privacy screen.

An unlikely room divider takes shape as a portable fireplace.

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.