Transform A Home With An Open Layout With This Simple Design Tip (But There's A Catch)

As homeowners are experimenting with bolder ideas and even embracing some nostalgic comebacks, the assumed rules of what makes for a stylish home design are feeling less rigid. This opens the opportunity for some big home transformations. In many cases, trying out an unexpected design feature can have a big payoff, but without the right approach it might end up just feeling like a big mistake. This includes one item you may not have seen for a while: room dividers. Room dividers have found new relevance in modern homes, offering endless design possibilities – but with the wrong approach, they can end up looking like a lazy coverup for clutter rather than an intentional style choice.

Although it may require some thoughtful planning, a room divider can be an exciting addition to a room, especially open concept spaces that need a little more separation or privacy. There are plenty of innovative room dividers to break up your space, from antique designs for that '90s rom-com aesthetic, to structural styles that elevate homes with an artistic appeal. But as you explore all the possibilities for implementing a room divider in your space, it's important to create balance between flair and function.

Room dividers are hardly a new concept, but with the popularity of open floor plan over the last few years, it makes sense that they might reappear on many people's design radar. Some designers are noticing there are more homeowners gravitating towards the privacy of closed-concept layouts than there have been in recent years. As many wonder if open-concept floor plans are going out of style, more defined layouts are being considered, and this is where a statement room divider can step in. 

Introducing a room divider can help to define a specific zone in your space, making it feel cozy and purposeful. It can also limit distractions by providing a visual barrier between areas in your home. For instance, you might be less annoyed by dirty dishes in your sink if you can't see them directly from your living room. That said, a room divider might lose some appeal if its only focus is breaking up a space visually .

Interior designer Phoenix Grey shared his thoughts on how to play with this feature. "In my opinion, they can be used quite well if you're using them appropriately as a room divider," Grey stated on TikTok, "But people are putting these in open concept spaces that just create a visual divide between what's behind it, and it makes me just think you're hiding a mess." If you want your room divider to land stylishly, it helps incorporate something with a daring visual appeal, while also being intentional with your placement.

The best room dividers should expand on practicality with statement styles that contribute to the overall look of your space. That said, custom designs may help you achieve this balance, and you can even explore ways to create your own room divider. Look for unexpected shapes, patterns, or bold materials. A classic folding screen room divider offers flexibility both in design and function, since it can easily be repositioned to shape your space, but to avoid the pitfall mentioned by Phoenix Grey, it's best to place it in an area that makes sense — not against a wall or shielding clutter. Folding styles are also renter-friendly and often available in antique or thrift stores, with many designs featuring different textures or artistic panels.

For a similar approach with a softer silhouette, using drapery as a room divider can help to define rooms when needed with a tasteful pattern and shape, minus the starkness of a hard visual barrier. On the other hand, glass partitions may not be as flexible with positioning, but they can be customized with unique details like fluted glass for privacy or contrast framing for a bold look. Choose a glass with enough transparency to avoid feeling like you're simply hiding an unsightly mess on the other side. You can also embrace transparency with a design that features a distinctive, open structure like steel framing or wooden slats, which can bring a layer of dimension without feeling abrupt or suspicious.