There are so many ways to make a room divider. The type of divider you choose will ultimately depend on its primary purpose. For instance, it may be to provide an extra storage area, or perhaps you need some privacy for doing your writing or setting up a home office.

If it's a large space you may wish to divide it into different functional areas to make better use of the space. You may even think that the only answer to minimizing the children's arguments is by separating their play or bedroom space. Or your intention may be simply to enhance the decor with something decorative.

Each of these examples requires a different approach to making a room divider. Apart from actually building a wall, room dividers generally fall into four main categories. These are shelving, folding screens, flat panels, and some form of curtaining.

SHELVING

Bookshelves make an effective and substantial way of dividing up living space. However, since they will be heavy once they are filled with books the shelves will be virtually permanent as you won't want to move them around very often.

If the back of the shelving isn't particularly attractive you can add some interest with pictures or stencils, or paint it to match the existing decor.

Open shelving is also a possibility if you want to divide the room but don't want to lose contact with what is on the other side altogether. For instance, you may want to keep an eye on the children or watch television in the living area while you're busy in the kitchen.

FOLDING SCREEN

A portable folding screen usually has three or four panels which connect to each other with hinges. These are very handy for screening off untidy corners or providing a private space, say, for changing your clothes.

You may have existing material for the framework, such as old shutters. If that's the case, just hinge them together. Otherwise, make new wooden frames and hinge these together. Staple fabric to the frames or fix other material such as plywood inside the framework.

FLAT PANEL

This portable room divider is just one panel, standing on two or more feet. Again, build the panel frame and put whatever material you want inside the framework. Then add some feet on the bottom to make the whole thing stable.

You might try this type of divider to create a home office space in the corner of your living room.

CURTAINING

You can use curtains or other fabric to divide a room. This is perhaps the easiest way to divide a room, and the one giving greatest adaptability. Just fix a pole or track on the ceiling so you can draw the curtaining back and forth.

You can use ready-made curtains, hanging beaded or bamboo curtains, or make your own out of a fabric that matches the existing decor. If you are particularly skilled at needlecraft, make your divider in a roman blind style that can be pulled up and down as required. Ready-made blinds will also work in this way.

This way of dividing a space is often to provide some extra decorative interest.

Before you finally decide on the type of room divider that best suits your purpose, there are a couple of other issues to think about. The type you choose will ultimately depend on whether it is to be a semi-permanent or temporary fixture, and whether you need it to be portable or fixed in place.

Once you have the answers to these questions you will know what type of divider you need and can set about making it. The right type of room divider ensures the best use of your available space.

Learn more about this author, Lesley Allen.
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