In the world of apartment living, it can be a challenge to create distinct spaces. This especially applies to studios, lofts, and other apartments with limited square footage. Even in large apartments, it can be a challenge to create delineation between living areas. Whether you’re working with an open floor plan or a smaller space, the strategic use of room dividers helps separate living areas.
Whether you opt for ready-made options or embark on a DIY project, the key is to tailor your choices to fit the unique needs and aesthetic of your living space. With these tips, you can transform your apartment into a functional and visually appealing haven that maximizes every inch of available space.
Step #1: Define Your Zones
Before deciding between room dividers, take a moment to analyze your space. Identify the different functions each area serves such as living, dining, working, and sleeping. Then, determine the level of separation you wish to achieve. This initial step will guide your decision-making when choosing room dividers and help you create a cohesive design.
Step #2: Assess Room Divider Options
There are so many great room divider options to choose from, but renters can’t use many since they involve installing dividers on the walls.
Here are some great options for renters:
- Screens and Panels
Folding screens and panels offer an easy and quick way to create delineation in a space. To ensure light flows evenly throughout the room, consider wicker or rattan panels. Folding screens and sliding panels also make great backdrops for video calls and can help block noise as needed. Screens and panels also move easily, creating versatility within your space. - Bookshelves
Bookshelves are ideal because they not only help separate a room but also provide storage for books, decor, plants, and other items. To fully separate spaces and make bookshelves feel like a wall, fill each shelf fully with books and other items.
Alternatively, place a few small items on each shelf to create breathing room between spaces. This helps maintain an open layout while creating separation between the living areas. - Plant Walls
A plant wall is the perfect way to bring energy and life to your space while also creating a partition. Selecting plants with thick, lush greenery helps fully enclose the area and creates a true wall-like feel. - Clothing Racks
If you have an extra clothing rack, try repurposing it by using it as a room divider. If the clothing rack has a shelving component in addition to the rack, fill the shelves with books, candles, and other decorative elements and use the rack to hang planters. - Headboards
If you live in a studio, a headboard with shelving on each side can help designate your sleeping area while also doubling as useful storage space. - Rugs
Rugs are another great way to break up space, especially in studios and smaller spaces. Color also helps outline specific areas when defining a space. For example, use an olive green rug to designate the kitchen and dining areas, a cream-colored rug in the living area, and a yellow rug in the area around your bed.
Match your decor to the rug as well by incorporating cream-colored throw pillows in the living area and yellow tones in the bedroom space. This helps distinguish the areas while creating cohesion in an open space. By utilizing differing colors that work in unison with one another, you can help separate the space while simultaneously creating cohesion.
In addition to experimenting with various color patterns, try incorporating different patterns and textures to create separation between spaces as well. Pay attention to the size of your rug, as this will help create a boundary between areas.
Step #3: Consider the Height of the Room Dividers
When selecting or designing room dividers, consider the height of the divider. Taller dividers are excellent for creating a more defined separation of space while shorter ones can maintain an open and airy feel. Finding the right balance helps maximize privacy without making your apartment feel cramped.
Step #4: Incorporate Color and Texture
Incorporating color and texture into your room dividers can enhance the overall design of your apartment. Opt for dividers with vibrant colors and interesting patterns or choose textures that complement your existing decor to create a unified look and feel.
Step #5: Utilize Multi-Functional Furniture
Multi-functional furniture can also serve as a great room divider. For example, a sofa with a built-in console or a dining table with storage compartments can help delineate space while serving its purpose as a practical piece.
Step #6: Use Lighting to Delineate Space
Integrate lighting into your room dividers to highlight specific areas. For example, if you’re in a studio, the lamps on the nightstands next to your bed should be different than the lamps in your living area to help break up the space.
Step #7: Add Mirrors to Expand the Space
In addition to separating space, adding mirrors and reflective decor helps make space appear larger than it is by reflecting light. This is especially beneficial in smaller apartments where maximizing natural light is important.
Step #8: Maintain Flow
To prevent your divided spaces from feeling too enclosed, consider incorporating openings or pass-throughs in your room dividers. This maintains a sense of flow while still providing separation.
Things to Consider
As a renter, it’s important to note that room dividers should not be used if they involve installation on the ceilings or walls. This helps protect the space from damage while also ensuring you don’t lose your security deposit. If you are unsure about a room divider idea, we always recommend speaking with your landlord before making any new changes to ensure they’re on board with your new addition.
If you’re in the market for a new apartment, Draper and Kramer’s spacious and luxurious apartments offer plenty of space to experiment with room dividers. Our homes are so spacious that you most likely won’t even need to separate the space! Visit our website to browse our full selection of luxury apartments today.
