14 Stunning Ways To Upcycle An Old Or Thrifted Room Divider

Room dividers are a very versatile element to add to any space in your home, fulfilling a variety of functions from creating zones and blocking views to simply adding interest to a boring corner. You can often find them in thrift stores or garage sales, sold secondhand in various levels of condition. If a room divider you stumble upon or already have in your home needs some repair or a cosmetic upgrade, there are a number of amazing upcycling techniques to make it look as good as new, including everything from simply painting or covering it in fabric to turning it into an entirely new rack for your ceiling. 

Most of these techniques require minimal materials and can be done at a budget-friendly price point. You can use the finished projects in their original function as a divider or privacy screen or use them to add decorative texture to walls and interest to dead spaces in your home. You can also improve functionality by adding elements like pegboards and shelves to dividers for extra storage.

One of the best ways to upcycle an old divider screen with personality is to make it your own with original art. This works well for wood dividers, which you can paint directly onto. For more open decorative room dividers, just replace the existing fabric or material with canvas or plywood you have painted on. Not only do you have a new room divider, but a one-of-a-kind art piece.

Sometimes, the best way to clean up an old divider is to remove the damaged or faded portions. You can give a fresh and contemporary look to a battered woven divider by removing some pieces and leaving others for a more open look. This approach is especially great if you want to use the screen more as a decorative piece that adds texture and dimension rather than for blocked views or privacy. 

You might consider upcycling an old divider, using the framework for an entirely different function. Turn a solid wood frame into a hanging rack for pots, utensils, dried flowers, or greenery. It looks especially stunning above an island and is a perfect way to upcycle your divider if its construction is sound, but you have to remove the inner material. Just tie or zip-tie the ends of the frame together to form a triangular shape before hanging it from the ceiling with a rope or chain.

Remove the material of your divider from the frame and replace it with sheets of pegboard. You can use the screen as additional hanging space in a craft room, workshop, or home office, adding things like bins and plants to it. Leave the frame and board natural for a more industrial look, or paint your new innovative room divider entirely one color to match your décor.

Turn portions or the entirety of a room divider into the backing for a unique set of slender shelves held up by brackets posed underneath. This fun furniture piece can rest against something or be mounted on the wall. The shelves are a perfect place for adding plants, books, and other décor to a tight space like a corner, hallway, or entryway. Paint the shelves and the divider panel all in one color for a cohesive look. 

If you have the framework for a divider whose screening material has seen better days, replace it with your favorite fabric. Just use a staple gun on the backside of the divider to attach the fabric around each panel. You can even wrap the fabric around the wood to cover up a damaged or ugly frame. For an even more dramatic transformation, add some trim molding around the edges to hide any seams or staples.

Plexiglass can be a stylish way to upgrade a divider screen that still allows light to pass through. For privacy, you can even add some window film that gives it a stylish look resembling fluted, frosted, or etched glass. For a more vintage-inspired vibe, use some stained glass window paints and faux lead lines to create a beautiful stained glass look, or use a faux stained glass window film on its entirety.

Cover a basic grid divider with a host of small air plants to create a living wall perfect for biophilic interior décor. Alternatively, cover a divider screen in faux greenery for a similar look that doesn't require specific growing conditions. If you place or attach planters at the bottom of the divider screen, you can also use the supports as a trellis for real climbing vines. 

Strip out the panels and add some additional horizontal planks and metal drying hardware to the front of a divider to create a rack perfect for drying out shoes, scarves, mittens, snow gear, sportswear, and other items in your garage or mudroom. The divider will stand away from the wall and remain upright, allowing better circulation and swifter drying time than wall racks. It's also portable and can be moved wherever you need it.

One way to upcycle an old divider is to make the frame look luxurious with the addition of millwork details on top or along the sides. You can buy scrollwork or floral cutouts and use wood glue to attach them along the frame for a hand-carved look. You can also add details like pretty hinges, knobs, or decorative details like braided trim for a luxe feel. 

The chic look of rattan caning creates French country and old European vibes aplenty. Use a staple gun to attach rolled caning to your divider screen for an instant upgrade. Or opt for other woven materials like bamboo, sisal, or jute, which you can buy in mat or roll form and add to the divider for a natural aesthetic.

Strip your divider down to the framework and replace the interior material with chicken wire. The wire will allow you to easily add binder and clothespin clips with mementos, ephemera, photos, and reminders, creating a giant memory board. Leave it natural, or add some white paint for a rustic farmhouse style. You can also use the wire to add clip-on baskets or bins for holding important items.

Add some wooden dowels to any divider screen and use it as a blanket ladder anywhere you want to add coziness to your home. Just drape the rungs with your favorite blankets. Not only will they be easy to grab and put away, it saves you closet and cabinet space for storing them when not in use. This upcycled divider format can also make a stylish way to organize items like scarves, handbags, ties, or belts in a wardrobe room or walk-in closet. 

Use the frame of an old divider to create a unique macrame woven screen. Create beautiful patterns on each panel for a unique piece that fits well in boho and eclectic style homes. Choose a simple knotted pattern or learn how to master a more complicated woven design. The lightweight material not only adds texture to the space but allows light and airflow while blocking some views.