15 Clever Ways to Partition a Room and Keep the Light
When you want just the right amount of space and light, get creative with glass, slats, beads, exposed framing and more
Bryan Anthony
September 1, 2018
Room dividers can help direct foot traffic, define spaces, create a sense of privacy and hide unsightly areas. While solid room dividers such as folding screens create privacy and hide things, they can also block out light and make a smaller space feel confining. If you want to divide a room without losing too much light and depth, consider these 15 ideas.
1. Vertical Wood Slats
The design team at Z+ Interiors added floor-to-ceiling vertical wood slats to separate the family room from the gym in this New Jersey home. The evenly spaced slats let sunlight from the gym windows wash into the family room, repeating the vertical pattern found in the blinds.
The design team at Z+ Interiors added floor-to-ceiling vertical wood slats to separate the family room from the gym in this New Jersey home. The evenly spaced slats let sunlight from the gym windows wash into the family room, repeating the vertical pattern found in the blinds.
2. Horizontal Wood Slats
A screen of horizontal slats provides a great spot for hanging the flat-screen TV while gently masking the closet in this Seattle bedroom built by Ainslie-Davis Construction.
A screen of horizontal slats provides a great spot for hanging the flat-screen TV while gently masking the closet in this Seattle bedroom built by Ainslie-Davis Construction.
3. Glass Partition
This elegant house in Brooklyn designed by Tamara Eaton Design features a large master bathroom with an adjacent sitting room. The glass-and-black-steel partition separates the two areas physically but not visually. Its industrial grid pattern provides a stylish juxtaposition to the room’s traditional design.
This elegant house in Brooklyn designed by Tamara Eaton Design features a large master bathroom with an adjacent sitting room. The glass-and-black-steel partition separates the two areas physically but not visually. Its industrial grid pattern provides a stylish juxtaposition to the room’s traditional design.
4. Perforated Partition
A perforated wall separates the bedroom from the living area in this small Moscow apartment. Spots of sunlight break through, filling the windowless living area with diffused light.
A perforated wall separates the bedroom from the living area in this small Moscow apartment. Spots of sunlight break through, filling the windowless living area with diffused light.
5. Tree Trunks
Five birch tree trunks placed vertically from the floor to the ceiling provide a visual divider between the hallway and the living area in this German home.
Five birch tree trunks placed vertically from the floor to the ceiling provide a visual divider between the hallway and the living area in this German home.
6. Glass Fireplace Surround
A glass fireplace surround in the middle of this Boston great room designed by SK+I Architecture provides both a sense of separation and a view across the room.
Find gas fireplace inserts
A glass fireplace surround in the middle of this Boston great room designed by SK+I Architecture provides both a sense of separation and a view across the room.
Find gas fireplace inserts
7. Art Installation
The room divider in this New York City loft is an art piece by a Cuban artist, designer Eddie Lee says. The piece is made of phone books with holes cut in the middle so they could be attached to floor-to-ceiling metal rods.
The room divider in this New York City loft is an art piece by a Cuban artist, designer Eddie Lee says. The piece is made of phone books with holes cut in the middle so they could be attached to floor-to-ceiling metal rods.
8. Glass Wine Cellar
For dedicated oenophiles, there may not be a better way to divide a room than with a wine cellar. This Las Vegas condo features floor-to-ceiling wine storage that uses glass to stylishly separate the dining room from the living room.
For dedicated oenophiles, there may not be a better way to divide a room than with a wine cellar. This Las Vegas condo features floor-to-ceiling wine storage that uses glass to stylishly separate the dining room from the living room.
9. Pillars
Though they’re often there to make a house structurally sound, a row of pillars (structural or cosmetic) also can create separation between spaces. In this German home designed by Theo Strobl, a row of five square pillars separates the dining area from the living room.
Though they’re often there to make a house structurally sound, a row of pillars (structural or cosmetic) also can create separation between spaces. In this German home designed by Theo Strobl, a row of five square pillars separates the dining area from the living room.
10. Gauzy Curtains
Curtains aren’t just for windows. A curtain can also be a good way to close off one space from another. Gauzy curtains or sheers can separate two areas while letting light filter through.
Browse gauzy curtains
Curtains aren’t just for windows. A curtain can also be a good way to close off one space from another. Gauzy curtains or sheers can separate two areas while letting light filter through.
Browse gauzy curtains
11. Window Frames
If curtains aren’t necessarily for windows, then it stands to reason that windows don’t always need walls. The designer of this industrial loft in Atlanta used an array of individual windows to separate the dining area from the living room.
If curtains aren’t necessarily for windows, then it stands to reason that windows don’t always need walls. The designer of this industrial loft in Atlanta used an array of individual windows to separate the dining area from the living room.
12. Glass Blocks
Glass blocks are a staple in many midcentury homes, but they’re most commonly used in windows as an alternative to panes. However, glass blocks can also make a great room divider that filters light and creates separation.
Glass blocks are a staple in many midcentury homes, but they’re most commonly used in windows as an alternative to panes. However, glass blocks can also make a great room divider that filters light and creates separation.
13. Metal Beads
Strings of beads hung from the ceiling might conjure up a groovy ’70s vibe, but as this New York City loft shows, metal beads make for a chic room divider.
Strings of beads hung from the ceiling might conjure up a groovy ’70s vibe, but as this New York City loft shows, metal beads make for a chic room divider.
14. Decorative Partitions
A patterned wood divider adds a sense of privacy with a bit of old-school glamour to a large room. This Toronto master bedroom designed by Kimberley Seldon Design Group features an Art Deco-inspired partition that separates the bedroom from the ensuite bath.
A patterned wood divider adds a sense of privacy with a bit of old-school glamour to a large room. This Toronto master bedroom designed by Kimberley Seldon Design Group features an Art Deco-inspired partition that separates the bedroom from the ensuite bath.
15. Door Frame and Studs
If you’re ever having a hard time deciding between knocking down a wall or keeping it up, this apartment in Germany might inspire you to a happy middle ground. By leaving the original door frame and studs standing and just removing the drywall, the designer created a sense of separation without losing any light.
Show us your clever room divider. Did you use an unusual material or design to define a space while letting in the light? Please upload a photo in the Comments.
More
12 Ways to Divide Space in an Open Floor Plan
The Great Divide: Structures and Panels Shape Spaces
If you’re ever having a hard time deciding between knocking down a wall or keeping it up, this apartment in Germany might inspire you to a happy middle ground. By leaving the original door frame and studs standing and just removing the drywall, the designer created a sense of separation without losing any light.
Show us your clever room divider. Did you use an unusual material or design to define a space while letting in the light? Please upload a photo in the Comments.
More
12 Ways to Divide Space in an Open Floor Plan
The Great Divide: Structures and Panels Shape Spaces
Related Stories
Organizing
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Home Office
Follow these steps to get rid of the paper piles and make room for beauty and better organization
Full Story
Remodeling Guides
15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
By tidgboutique
Use these pro tips to minimize noise, delineate space and establish personal boundaries in an open layout
Full Story
White
Design Pros Share 10 Favorite Creamy White Paints
By Becky Harris
These off-white color choices include versatile tones, warming hues and pleasingly soft shades
Full Story
Entryways
4 Designer Tips for a Fashionable Entry
By tidgboutique
A pro shows how adding color, statement pieces and more to a foyer can set the right tone for the rest of the home
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Major Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By tidgboutique
Gain confidence to start your interior design project with this advice from a professional designer
Full Story
Living Rooms
4 Must-Have Features for a Small Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer shares important ways to live large in a tight space and make it look stylish
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid
Pros share solutions to design problems they often find in people’s living spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Decorate a Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer offers tips for creating a comfortable space that reflects your style
Full Story
Budget Decorating
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
By tidgboutique
See where it makes sense to invest in durable essentials and focal pieces, and where to economize on other things
Full Story
Lighting
Pro Tips for Lighting 10 Rooms and Outdoor Areas
Get professional advice for lighting your kitchen, bathroom, living room, office, patio and more
Full Story
Love all of these designs! Very nice! Especially the birch trees, those wispy white curtain panels and aquamarine chairs! Just Sweeeet!!!
I love #1,3 and 7. Beautiful and creative.
I like the tree trunks, but the first thing I envisioned was toddlers holding on and swinging themselves around, and around, and around, and . . . .