Cheap Ways
to Use Room Dividers
If you want to create a new look in a room, consider using a room divider. Room dividers offer decorating options limited only by your imagination, such as art pieces, headboards or to hide clutter. Furniture items you may already have can double as room dividers. Look into purchasing a Japanese folding screen called a Shoji, which adds beauty and class to any decor, plus you can use one in a wide variety of ways to divide your rooms inexpensively.
Bookcase Dividers
Use a tall, free-standing bookcase as a room divider. With an open back, you can decorate it with a variety of items such as plants, photos, art work, knick-knacks and of course, books. The open back also allows light to flow through. If you desire privacy on one side of the bookcase, hang an inexpensive window shade on that side, which you can pull down for privacy or leave up as needed.
For enclosed bookcases in a child's room, for example, hang a bulletin board on the solid bookcase side. Arrange the bookcases side by side or back to back.
Curtains and Fabric
Hang sheer drapes from the ceiling by mounting a ceiling track for an inexpensive room divider. Use any sheer fabric of your choice to allow light to flow through while still offering privacy. This also makes an effective room divider for young children sharing a room since they can open and close it safely without cords.
If you have a deep bay window, hang curtains in front of it as a divider to create a nook for relaxing or reading.
Create New Rooms
Make yourself a home office using a room divider, such as a folding screen, if you do not have an actual room for an office. Simply surround your computer desk and chair with the screen.
Divide your large living room with a room divider to make a separate dining area. A divider in this room can also create a play area for your children.
Make two furniture groupings in a long room to divide it. For example, Megan Connelly, author of "The Smart Approach to Kids' Rooms, 3rd Edition," suggests, "One way is to make a sleeping space apart from the play and work zone. Use area rugs to anchor each group in the divided space. You can also use square shapes, such as area rugs, to 'widen' the space."
Room dividers become especially useful for studio apartments where you can create a separate kitchen and bedroom easily and inexpensively.
Headboard Ideas
Create a headboard for your bed by placing a folding screen room divider behind your bed or a bookcase the same width as your bed. Hang fabric or draperies behind the head of your bed for another inexpensive headboard.
Hide Clutter
Place a folding screen across a corner and create a small storage area. Hide clutter, storage boxes, laundry hampers or your children's toys behind the screen.
Tags: room divider, folding screen, area rugs, Cheap Ways, Cheap Ways Room