7 Room Partition Ideas Using Budget-Friendly Room Dividers



There are numerous room partition ideas that you can use as room dividers to create interior zones within a room. This is particularly important for studio-type flats and open plan apartments. These partition ideas also work well for rooms in bigger homes where the occupants wish to create distinctly different styles within a large space.

For instance, in most of today’s open-plan interiors, there is always a space that has segmented areas within itself. Generally, these areas or zones serve living, dining, and kitchen functions. Some even flow out into outdoor rooms or patio decks.

With today’s downsized-living trend, many modern homes come built like this. They not only come with open layouts, but they come also come with new interior features where rooms serve more than one function. These multipurpose rooms help homeowners make the most out of their square footage.

The Challenges of Small Apartments


One of the biggest challenges of small apartments like studio flats is deciding on how to create privacy when you only have one space (minus the bathroom). But one good thing is that you don’t need to employ the services of a designer to achieve a stylish and functional interior. You can DIY

So, how can you effectively separate one area from the other in a stylish and aesthetically pleasing manner without breaking the bank and how do you create rooms within a room without installing boring partition walls?

It is true that creating two or more distinct living spaces within a single room, without closing each area off can be a bit of a challenge. Luckily there are a good number of ways to do this, and all the solutions mentioned below are not only attractive and easy to implement, but most of them will also cost you next to nothing. The rest are quite affordable too.

7 Affordable Room Partition and Divider Ideas


Before you think about room dividers, you must know the space you want to create. You must also know how the room will function. You must decide which corners and areas of your room will become your workstation, private sitting area, the living room, dining room, and kitchen.

Different zones can be created decoratively, not with brick, dry walls, or wood paneling, but with features and forms that will add style, purpose, and aesthetics to the entire room. There are many ways to achieve this. They include the following:
  1. Privacy Screens
  2. Plants
  3. Bookcases
  4. Display units
  5. Fish tank
  6. Storage cabinets
  7. Consoles

 

Folding Screen Room Divider


Folding screen room dividers are trending again. Though they are traditional and first originated in China around the 4th century BC, they function as both room divider and décor elements. They are great for dividing up areas within a room instead of closing it them up with walls and come in a number of modern and classic styles ranging from 2 to 6 foldable panels for home interiors.

They are also made from inexpensive diverse materials like wood, metal, or PVC framed decorative textiles while the more expensive partition screens come with framed heavy embroidery or ornate works of art.


Three-panel foldable room dividing screen


Plants – Natural or Faux Foliage


A line-up of potted natural or faux plants is a great room partition idea and will serve well as a space divider. A cluster of tall plants can also serve the same purpose. As long as the foliage is a minimum of 140cm high, it can create zones that are distinct and unique in their own way. Natural or artificial bamboo plants work well because bamboo plants are tidy and uniform, and their leaves don’t stick out all over the place.

For a stylish arrangement, try to use nice pots or planters that will enhance and compliment the room’s décor.

 
Potted faux bamboo plants act a space divider, partitioning the dining area from the walkway.


Open and Multi-Purpose Bookcases


Once you have determined the boundary that demarcates room zones, you can split the two areas with a multi-purpose bookcase where the two faces are functional. You can display anything from books to objects of art and family memorabilia on the living area side, and have storage solutions, a workstation or a gallery of artworks on the other.

Shelves and uprights may be configured symmetrically or asymmetrically. You can also use an open open-back shelving unit which will work as a 'visual’ room divider where you can see through but can't pass through. Remember to leave ample space for movement from one zone to another.

Notice how this room is split in two with just two simple open triangular shape shelves. Place decorations like flower vases, tabletop décor pieces, books, etc...

Display Units and Decorative Stands


Display stands and rectangular, square, or cylindrical columns of varying heights can be arranged in a line or cluster to serve as a room divider that demarcates areas within an open-plan room. You can display items on each unit, but the number of pieces required will depend on the available space you intend to use. You can have a line-up of 3, 5, or 7 units. Remember, using odd numbers is best.

You can display anything from artworks like carvings, statues, ceramic ware, metal art, flowers or dried plant placed in unique vases. You can also showcase your personal collections, driftwood, and your prized trophies.

Decorative display units and pedestal stand. A group of any of these will be a stylish addition to any interior space and serve as space dividers too.

Fish Tanks and Terrariums


You can bring nature into your interior space to form room partitions. Custom-built aquariums make one of the best space dividers because your guests will never tire of watching swimming fish and listening to the gentle sounds of moving water.

If you are not someone that loves the idea of caring for fish and maintaining an aquarium, you can use an ‘aqua-scape’ which is an underwater garden without fish. You can also opt for a standalone terrarium (a glass tank with plants, beach sand, seashells, rocks and/or driftwood) instead. Terrariums barely require much attention, except for the occasional dusting and misting.




Storage Units


A custom-built storage cabinet will not only serve as a partition of sorts, but it will also be a smart, functional, and versatile item of furniture. This is another great idea for a room divider; a unit with a two-faced multi-functional cabinet. This is your storage solution for anything from old boxes and important papers to kitchen utensils, cutlery, and crockery.

A storage unit can hold a library of books on one face and a storage section with doors on the other face and should be deep enough to serve both functions comfortably. You can use the top surface as you would a mantelpiece.


Console Tables


Tall console tables with storage do not always have to be placed against a hallway’s wall. They can be used as a floating freestanding room divider to separate areas stylishly. Depending on the invisible boundary line you’ve drawn between spaces, you can use a short or a long console to act as a room divider.

Ensure it’s a bit tall (min 100cm and max 120cm) and display nice decorative items like framed family photos on pretty stands, objet d’art, or souvenirs.






Even with physical room dividers such as the ones mentioned above, every zone in your open space needs tonal separation. There should be some distinction between areas and choosing colour accents can do the trick. For each separate zone, you can choose subtle colours and themes to make each area expressively distinct, but they should all still flow together seamlessly.


Fish Tank Coffee Table - Aquarium Furniture




The fish tank coffee table is a stunning piece of aquarium furniture that’s brimming with life. With swimming fish in a natural underwater setting, this piece of furniture is nothing short of exotic.

A piece of captivating ornamental furniture, it makes a wonderful conversation piece and a centre of attraction in the living room. Being a versatile item, it can be used in many more ways asides as a centre table in the living room. It can serve as a display unit to hold small collectables, set in a niche as a side table for an accent chair, or as a part of outdoor living space or patio furniture.

This aquarium coffee table, the perfect pick for contemporary and modern homes desirous of a more unusual piece of furniture, is a 25-gallon (100 pounds) fish tank with a sleek removable top made from chip-resistant shatterproof glass. The tank is crafted from UV-resistant acrylic casing that sits on a base that features a fluorescent light that illuminates the fish tank from beneath.

The fish tank that can contain any breed of freshwater fish has some therapeutic benefits. It is soothing, great if you meditate, it is captivating enough to renew your energy, and has the ability to make you happy.

The aquarium coffee table comes with heating, rocks, a pumping machine, lighting, some plants, and a plug-in power source. It, however, comes without freshwater fish. Those you will have to buy to complete the tanks function.

This piece of furniture will become the centre of attraction in your living room. A great interior decorating idea that is a real show stopper.


Further reading:



Halloween Fabrics - Create DIY Apparel and Home Décor Mystery

Halloween fabrics are the best materials to use if you plan to create awesome Halloween themed apparel or eerie interior decor. If you are looking for the best ways to create that mysterious ‘monstrous’ spooky theme, something creepy, whimsical, or magical for the night of 31st of October, there is no better way to create this than with these themed materials. And you can re-use them again and again for many more Halloween nights to come.

With Halloween themed textiles, if you can imagine it, you can create it. From “frightening to fun”, you can create your own DIY crafts with Halloween fabrics by the yard, or cheaply, by the bundle.


Halloween themed fabric you can drape on your living room, hallway, or foyer wall

Here are a few examples of DIY apparel and home décor stuff you can make with Halloween themed fabrics. You will find that most of the materials you find here are very versatile and can be used for any of your All Hallow’s Eve creatives.

DIY Halloween apparel and costume party clothing, you can make with fabrics:

  • Ghoul scarves, capes, and shawls.
  • Witch hats.
  • Scary face masks.
  • Trick-or-treat bags.
  • Regalia of robes and flowing cloaks.
  • Bandanas.
  • Bat-wing dresses.
  • Candy corn outfits.
  • Skeleton costumes.

 

Home decor items you can make with Halloween themed fabrics:


  • Front door ghoulish drapes.
  • Halloween sofa throws and pillow covers.
  • Wall-hung drapery to create a scary (or pleasing) interior zone.
  • Screens and fabric partitions.
  • Ceiling fabric canopies.
  • Stuffed pumpkin cushions and footstools.
  • Shower curtains.
  • Ceiling suspended cheesecloth ghosts, black cats, and floating witch hats.
  • Lamp shades and covers, and Jack-o-lanterns.
  • Placemats, table runners, and tablecloths.
  • Halloween wreaths
  • Buntings, ribbons, and other streamers.
  • Patchwork mystery quilts.
  • Floating shadows in the garden




Discover Halloween fabric selections featuring ghosts, witches, Jack-o-lanterns and more for home décor, apparel, and quilting.


Further reading:
Plus Size Vintage Inspired Halloween Costumes
Rent a Costume for Halloween - 13 Top Women Costumes
Luxury Fabrics Online

How to Decorate Your Home with Accent Chairs

When you decorate a room with accent chairs, it is usually for one of these reasons. You want to style a neglected space in a room, want to create a second seating area, you want to use them as a zone separating feature, or you simply wish to add some style and charm into furnished areas that appear bland and uninviting.


There are a number of spaces that may need styling with accent chairs. For instance, it may be any of these:
  • An empty section along a hallway.
  • A reading corner in the family room.
  • A space across from the 3-seater leather sofa in the living room.
  • In the bedroom by the nightstand.
  • By the foot of your bed.
  • By the fireplace.
  • On the patio attached to the house.
Can they be placed directly in front of your sofa, to its left or to its right side? Is it better to place a bench-style accent chair against the long hallway wall or use two small ornamental chairs? The thing is that wherever you place an accent chair or two in an interior space, you can be assured that it will always accentuate and spotlight the area in an aesthetically pleasing way.

So, rather than see an accent chair as just an extra seat, it must be appreciated as an additional décor element that enhances any furniture setup it is being placed by. And when you use two accent chairs, you create a functional zone that can serve as a private conversation zone or as a second seating area.

What ways can you use accent chairs and how do you know the best style chair to choose? Also, how do you know whether to use a single accent chair or a pair and how do you use them to complement an interior concept?

9 Ways to Use Accent Chairs


How you decorate with accent chairs depends on a combination of the overall look you wish to achieve and where you intend to place them. It also depends on the theme and style of the interior space. Is the decor modern, traditional, contemporary, eclectic, etc…? Whichever style chair you decide on must either fit in with the general theme or complement it in a pleasant way.

Seating area for 2 using accent furniture. The above image shows the set up at the foot of the bed. This arrangement using 2 chairs can be also be placed in the living room to create a second seating area, a foyer, if you have one spacious enough, or by a fireplace.


It is also good to note that you must choose a size that's the right scale with the other furniture within the room. The size of the area within which it will be placed must also be considered. Below, you will find some of the ways you can use accent chairs.

1. Use a pair of accent furniture to create a cosy nook in the corner of a room.

2. As a single decorative element that serves as an enhancing companion for the sofa.

3. Create a second seating area with two accent chairs, a round coffee table, and a table lamp.

4. A seating area in the bedroom using a bench-style accent chair at the foot of a bed. Storage bench seats are great to store linen and the like.

5. To avoid reading, working, or watching TV in bed, create a nook in the bedroom with an accent chair and table. You can pair the accent chair with an ottoman or poufs.

6. Use an accent chair as a fireplace seat by creating a tranquil place to curl up with a book.

7. Use them as interior décor items that give other furniture pieces a sense of balance.

8. Great as a lone chair in the hallway, or as a pair of seating in a wide empty passageway.

9. Your balcony will look visually appealing when you furnish them with unique accent chairs.

Just as the style you select must be complementary to space, so must the color, and the fabric pattern and texture. However, most times, you can always go with your gut feeling as there is no hard and fast rule about how furniture accents should be chosen and placed.
      Beautiful Accent Chairs

      Popular Accent Chair Styles


      1. Slipper chairs (armless)

      2. Wing-back chair (winged sides, tall backs)

      3. Recliner

      4. Tub chairs

      5. Bergère (wood frame surround, upholstered seat, and back)

      6. Club chair (deep armchair)

      7. Chaise longue

      8. Rocking chairs

      9. Occasional chair (usually arm-less, easy to move around)

       

      Best Upholstery Fabrics to Make Occasional Chairs


      The best kinds of upholstery materials to use for occasional seats vary but the best are natural fabrics like heavyweight cotton, brocade, wool, and silk damask. The only problem with these fabrics is that if the chair is used heavily, the pressure parts wear with time. Fabrics with a combination of natural and synthetic fibres are sturdier, more durable, and longer lasting.

      Most designers' and decorators' preferred choice for accent chairs’ upholstery is natural fibres which are often selected for their attractiveness and luxurious comfort. Having said that, man-made synthetic fabrics are harder wearing. So, for whatever purpose the chair is meant for, durability is generally a top concern for most individuals.

      Popular fabrics you can use (and you don’t have to be a designer to make an informed decision) include:
      • Cotton blends
      • Polished cotton
      • Velvet
      • Damask
      • Linen
      • Wool
      • Leather
      • Brocade
      • Vinyl
      • Denim

          Best rules to follow are:
          • Choose the right fabric patterns. If your sofa is a solid colour you can enhance it with accent chairs with bold patterns and prints. A room that is lack-lustre will need some spicing up and the best way to ‘zing-up’ a dull room is by adding patterned accent chairs.
          • The chair’s style should not be too divergent from the general theme of the room. Your choice must compliment the other furniture pieces in the room. You’ll need to decide whether it should be a recliner which works well in a contemporary setting or a wing chairs if you have a traditional theme.
          • You must choose a complimentary fabric texture. If, for instance, your sofa is upholstered in leather, your accent chairs can be colour coordinated velvet, damask, boldly patterned cotton, or wool.


          Further Reading:
          Klismos Style Chairs - Ancient Greek Chair Designs
          Fish Tank Coffee Table

          How to Design a Great Kitchen


          Did you know that you too can have a stylish kitchen design, just like you see in magazines, brochures, and on TV? But what does it really require to create a great kitchen design?

          Are you one of us who enjoy flipping through magazines, brochures, and the like, all for the love of images of beautiful kitchens?


          Do you also admire their fine cabinetry with classic or modern finishes, gleaming fittings, nice looking hardware, wonderful kitchen counter-tops, snugly fitted appliances, and great mood lighting?

          If you do, then welcome to the “club” of millions of home-owners that are either looking for great kitchen design ideas, or simply savouring the beauty of images of dream kitchens.

          But did you know that you can have similar beautiful kitchens in your own home too, if you so desire?

          Kitchen spaces come in all sizes and shapes, and anyone can make the best use of the space they have, just as you can too. This is especially true about kitchens of smaller houses and down-sized homes.
            You want a design that is:
            • Aesthetically pleasing enough to make you the envy of your friends
            • Comfortable but functional
            • Easy to work in, and “flow through”
            But the golden question is “how can I put my kitchen design together in a unique manner, and how do I associate all aspects together to work harmoniously with each other?”