Room Dividers Blog

A Built In Room Divider is a great alternative to traditional folding room screens.

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.

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.

Fans of the Shoji Room Dividers Gather ‘Round!

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!

A Room Divider takes center stage as a home decor focal point!

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!

Should a Room Divider be a focal point or something more discreet?

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!

This week’s close up on room dividers focuses on the PVC Folding Door.

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            I don’t think it’d be possible to decorate, organize or store anything without shelving. So what a great idea it is to combine two functional and stylish pieces – room dividers and shelves!

           Whether you use your room divider as an actual divider or just an accent piece to your home decor, adding shelves is easy and a great way to double up on the functionality. 

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When living in an area so close you have to get vaccinated, space is an issue. Here are some of the top reasons to get a room divider for your dorm room. Not only can they be stylish, but very functional and efficient for a college student’s lifestyle.

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