Everyone and their sister’s dog have been opting for room dividers. I first want to take this moment to pray for everyone in 2015 who praised open-plan apartments and deemed them superior (because I know all of your upholstery now smells like fajitas). Now that we’re in a collective redemption arch, I can repeat my stance: there is great merit to compartmentalising a home.
If you want to know the why, I recently wrote about this in an article for Trulery. The pandemic has had a sustained impact on the way we work and live—remote working is now the new normal and many employers have no intention of going back. Without separation between work and rest, there are serious psychological impacts *cue the Microsoft Teams music*.
This shouldn’t be news since dividers have been in since open plan homes have been in. However, it’s not the fact that people are splitting up rooms that has caught our attention. It’s how.
Using drapery as a room divider
A trend I’m currently seeing and liking is using curtains as dividers. It’s easy, renter friendly and somewhat romantic? I just think of a renaissance lady, half asleep in her chambers as her lover rides out at the break of dawn to get her some flowers. Although, if done wrong, I also imagine her lover tripping on the way back in and pulling the whole show down with him (trust a man to kill a vibe.)
On a serious note, they’re seriously gorgeous to look at when done right. I think that they’re perfect for someone who loves detail and European style. I’d personally go Spanish revival with it and have wrought iron wall lights and ceiling pendants to add to the archaic charm.
A translucent wall
How very 70s of me to make this an honourable mention. But there’s something quite special about it. Nothing to see here! Or is there?
I think what is so amazing about this trend for there is that it doesn’t rely on a budget, but your craftiness and ability to hunt for cool things in vintage shops or car boot sales. If you’re nervous about using glass for fear of breaking it, make resin or perspex translucent tiles and put them together in the same way as the video above. It’ll look just as good without the fear of internet fury.
upgrading a basic room divider
Sometimes it’s good to stick to what you know.
IKEA’s Kallax divider is popular for a reason—it’s cheap, it does the job and the simple design allows for some customisation. If you’re trying to do something different on a budget, consider either priming and painting a Kallax unit or covering it in a peel and stick or veneer. For those of us who are poor in skill and money, I actually wrote an article about IKEA Kallax alternatives not too long ago, listing alternatives at varying price points (do what you must.)
It can be hard to create distinct zones in your home. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure that it’s something that reflects your needs and personality.
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