Homes with open living spaces are on the rise in popularity. While it’s generally great, it can be hard to get some privacy when doors are missing from your home. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to divide up the space in your home for extra privacy. Certain strategies and items can help achieve a beautiful aesthetic and make your space feel like it has many rooms instead of one large area.
Dividing Open Spaces
Open spaces are great for making homes feel larger, but it can be hard to section them off into functional areas. Some good options to think about include:
Simple Dividers
Room dividers are already incredibly popular and come in many different styles. Bamboo dividers are stylish and provide homes with an elegant way to differentiate between spaces while still leaving a sense of openness. These dividers are usually see-through, so they don’t offer much privacy. However, they add an extra flair to any space without being too loud about it.
If proper privacy is what you’re seeking, try a divider with a stylish design. Beautiful images don’t have to hang off the walls. They can be the walls! These solid dividers are perfect for designating changing areas, office spaces, and sleeping spaces. While it’s not the same as having another room, it’s pretty darn close and can make your home flow well with a heightened sense of elegance.
Utilize Bookshelves
Bookshelves are generally placed up against walls, as that’s where people usually think they make their biggest impact. However, a bookshelf is a great way to do it if you want to divide a larger room – say for a private office or reading space. Get a bookcase that doesn’t have a back for the best aesthetic. That way, you’ll see through the shelves, making decorating even more fun. Throw some plants next to your books for some eye-catching decor. Alternatively, consider putting up a temporary bookshelf wall!
Partial Dividing Walls
Dividing walls takes much more work to install and will require permission from your landlord. You’ll also need a professional to install the wall for you. However, even with all those difficulties, this can be one of the best and most versatile ways to divide large rooms. These walls can be extremely stylized, even see-through, or a bit more functional, like a peninsula separating living space from the kitchen or a built-in bookshelf. Many people even add a partial dividing wall with a decorative fireplace. You can do anything you want when you add a partial wall.
Add a Living Wall
A living wall is a dividing space mostly made up of plants. These can be on a section of shelves, but many of the more lavish ones grow right out of the wall itself. Either way, the greenery will add a pop of color and a pleasant smell to your home while also providing some extra privacy. It’s also a great way to feel a sense of connection to your decor.
Get Creative With Furniture
If you don’t want to purchase anything new for your home, never fear. There are still ways to make larger, open spaces feel like they are divided into separate rooms. The easiest way to do this is by making a couch and chairs face a focal point in the room, like a TV or a fireplace. This seating area will make the space feel intimate and leave everything behind it open for other things, like a library or dining room. Additionally, large carpets can set up boundaries for spaces like offices, play areas for kids or pets, or anything else.
Set Up a Bar or Island
Specifically, to separate a kitchen and living room, simple solutions like a bar table or island will work wonders. An island will provide a ton of extra counter space and storage options for your cooking supplies. Many of these items also come with mobile options, so you can move them around if you start to dislike their initial placement. This is also a phenomenal way to add extra seating for your kitchen area, as these tables can be a great place to congregate in the mornings.
Dividing Archways
Some homes have beautiful, large archways that open into bedrooms, libraries, and offices. Doors wouldn’t quite fit the aesthetic of these entryways, but there are plenty of great ways to still get privacy without sacrificing style. Some of the best include:
Classy Curtains
Curtains might seem tacky, but they can be a great way to get some privacy while still leaving yourself open to the rest of your home. If you get the right, high-quality curtains, then the style of your home won’t be sacrificed either. There are even curtains made specifically to divide rooms, and you can easily find colors and designs to match the vibe of your home.
Sliding Doors
Sliding or barn doors are a great way to divide rooms while still having the option to leave the room in question open to the rest of the home. They are a bit more difficult to install, but these classy additions to your home will be a huge conversation starter. Artistic and functional, these doors are perfect for archways.
Folding Screens
The closest you can get to doors, folding screens are usually see-through, made from stylish materials to help the archway breathe and be seen. Most come with wheels, so they can be placed anywhere in your home if you dislike where you originally put them. These stylish options divide rooms in a classy way.
Specifically For Sleeping Areas
Studio apartments and larger bedrooms can be hard to decorate, especially if you want to divide living, working, and sleeping spaces. However, when it comes to bedrooms, there are plenty of options to use your space smartly, like:
Play With Height
If you’re feeling handy, build a platform for your bed or desk to rest on. This will provide a distinct space for sleeping and/or working and can add some extra storage options. Placing cabinets in these elevated platforms is a great way to save space, especially for those in a studio apartment. Installing a platform requires work, but the design possibilities will be endless if you go this route.
Furniture Walls
This concept utilizes furniture you already have to create a dedicated sleeping space. Surrounding your bed with bookshelves, couches, and even a desk at the end of your bed creates a barrier. This functional barrier works on all levels, and the sleeping space you create for yourself can be as large or small as you need it to be. This is a terrific option for those in studio apartments that need to use space wisely.
Recycle Old Furniture
One of the thriftiest ways to divide a sleeping and living space is by recycling old furniture or accessories. Have some shutters from an old home? Create a stylish wall with them! Have an old clothing rack or storage shelf? Throw some plants and some clothes up there for a cool barrier. There are many ways to use your stuff for a new purpose. Stylish and functional, this is one of the best ways to spice up your home.
General Divider Advice
No matter what space you’re dividing, there are general rules. For example:
Know What You Want
Nothing is worse than buying a ton of stuff without a plan. Before shopping, you need to know what you want in your space. Do you want a sitting room? Library? Family room? Dining space? Make a list of everything your apartment or room can be used for. Then you can decide where to place these areas in the room you want to divide. Once you’ve figured that out, the rest will be easy.
Checklist For Bigger Projects
Bigger projects, like adding walls, new shelving, and sliding doors, will be more difficult to incorporate in a rental apartment. You will need permission from your landlord or co-op board, who may recommend someone they trust to do the job. Note that larger projects will cost a lot of money, so make sure you can afford these changes.
Consider Consulting a Designer
Interior designers are a resource that not enough people use these days. They will work within your budget and show you ideas you would’ve never considered. They will do all the heavy lifting to make your home look amazing and divide your larger rooms into spaces that will be both comfortable and functional. Having a designer is one of the best choices you can make. However, there is a cost associated with hiring their services, so if this is important to you, make sure to include a designer’s services in your budget.
Have Fun With It!
At the end of the day, you want your space to be comfortable and functional for you. Whether you want to divide the space with curtains, bookshelves, or living walls, the most important thing is that your design works for you. This is your space to do as you please, so get creative and have fun! Your guests will love your added style and thoughtfulness.
Dividing larger spaces can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Designing can be fun if you properly prepare your home and know your options. If you figure that out, you have all the creative licenses in the world. You don’t have to divide your spaces if that’s your prerogative. However, dividing studio apartments and large rooms into smaller areas will make your home feel more complete and functional. So level up your design game with these fun ideas.
