Have your two kids–who share a bedroom–started clamoring for personal space? Do you have a room that does double duty, such as a guest room that serves as a home office, too? Or maybe you just need to corner off a little space temporarily for a new baby or a long-term visitor. Whatever the reason, there are many cases when you may need to find a way to divide one big room into two smaller spaces.
Although building a wall to split the room may sound like the best idea, it’s not always an option. A constructing a new wall is a fairly large expense! Moreover, the wall becomes a permanent addition in your home, making it a foolhardy solution if you only need the room divided temporarily.
Fortunately, there are plenty of inexpensive–and easy!–ways to divide one large room into two smaller spaces. Try one of these options:
A room divider: Many home décor stores and furniture stores offer room dividers. Most are three or four door-size pieces connected by hinges so the divider can freely stand in the middle of a room. There’s a huge variety available, so you can easily find one that fits your needs. Some are thin layers of paper or fabric stretched across foldable, wooden frames. Others are solid wood, bamboo or other materials. Some serve practical purposes, such as dividers that are also chalkboards, dry erase boards or bulletin boards. These types of room dividers are perfect for an office space or child’s room. Choose the room divider to suit your tastes, décor and preferences. Expect to spend at least $100–and possibly as much as $900–for a stand alone room divider.
A tall bookcase: A tall bookcase–generally one that has 4 or 5 shelves–can serve as a room divider. In some cases, depending on the size of the space you need to section off, you may need two or three bookcases to properly divide the room. These shelves can be used for more than just books, too! They can serve as storage space for office supplies, kids’ toys, clothing and more. A huge variety of style and sizes are available. You can choose from plain wood versions to metal and plastic styles. Choose ones with solid backs–instead of open backs–to offer privacy between the two sections of the room. Prices vary, but inexpensive bookcases can be found at discount stores for as little as $50.
A curtain: Curtains are inexpensive, practical and simple to install. You can make one from a piece of fabric, or purchase one that’s already made. Consider items like shower curtains or bed sheets as possible curtain dividers. You also have numerous options for hanging your curtain, such as rods or wires. A spring loaded pole–like the kind used for shower curtains–can be effective, as can some simple clothesline. In some rooms, you might even choose to tack the curtain to the ceiling. The curtain can be as thick or thin as you desire, and works best when you need something very temporary. A bed sheet or shower curtain can cost as little as $10, and a spring-loaded pole for hanging can be found for as little as $5.
No matter what room needs a makeover, it’s likely that there’s a temporary room divider that fits your needs and budget.
