How To Divide A Large Room Into Smaller Spaces And Increase Your Shelving

Room dividers are one of the best ways to separate spaces in your home, whether you are working with large open concept rooms or the tiniest of studio apartments. They are also ideal for dual use rooms or other places that could use some delineation to be more attractive and functional for your needs. While innovative room dividers that break up your space like curtains and dressing screens have worked wonders to fulfill this role, another approach may not have occurred to you that allows you to also add more shelving to your home. Using shelving in various heights and sizes can be a great technique to partition off spaces visually, giving you a lot more storage and display space wherever you desire.

This approach works equally great with more custom built shelving units or inexpensive models from retailers like Amazon or IKEA. You can even build a simple bookshelf with an open or closed back with inexpensive lumber to separate your space in style. If you want them to be as open and as functional as possible, use an option that doesn't have any backing. This will still allow light and airflow to pass through, which can make a space feel larger, while also giving you access to the items on the shelves from both sides. Lower shelves will also block less of the light, keeping your space airy and open.

To create your own room divider from shelving, the best shelving unit in style and size will depend on the space you are working with. In a large open concept room, a bank of taller shelves can work wonderfully to separate areas without a bulky wall. Tall shelves are also a great way to separate studio apartments to offer enclosure and a little more privacy in your bed area if you have guests over in the main space. Use these tall shelves as decorative pieces to house books, plants, vases, and other decorations that look great from all angles.

However, lower shelves can also work wonderfully to divide any space. If your front door opens into a large open room, use a low bank of shelves to create a more defined entry space. The shelves can store essentials near the door like bags or baskets of outerwear, while the top can give you a surface to set down keys and mail. If you have a large living room, use the shelves to break up the TV-watching space from the cozy conversation nook. In a kitchen, lower shelves can mark off a dining nook area and provide extra storage for dishware or pots and pans. If your bathroom is large and open, use a small set of shelves to partition off the commode area and add storage for towels and extra toilet paper. Finally, if you share your home office with someone else, use low shelves between the desks to create separate spaces.