Not A Canopy: The Creative Way To Add Vintage Charm And Bedroom Privacy

Creating a more private feel in your bedroom is often a struggle, but it's important to ensure that the space is comfortable, cozy, and relaxing to give you a chance to unwind at the end of a long day. Whether you're creating a bedroom in a studio apartment with little division or simply have large windows to contend with, this task isn't quite as easy as it sounds. Canopies can provide a fairytale touch and help to turn your bed into a more secluded, personal space, but they're not for everyone — especially if your style leans more mid-century than medieval. So what's the solution? For some, a folding screen might be just what you're looking for.

Originally used in China in the 2nd century BCE, these screens often featured intricately painted panels that both added beauty to a space and created more division. They've come and gone in the trends throughout the years, seeing a boom in Europe in the 17th century, but one of the more common associations today is Old Hollywood. Thanks to strict censorship laws surrounding media in this era, nudity on camera was a big no-no. To get around this restriction and allow actors to change outfits within a scene, folding screens were common. Seeing them so frequently in movies has no doubt impacted our impression, and nowadays, they feel like an indisputably glamorous addition to decor.

Before you start hunting for a folding screen, you have to nail down both the aesthetic you're going for and its desired purpose. If you're into that Old Hollywood vibe, there are plenty of vintage folding screens out there that will help you create the glam room of your dreams. Shop for items secondhand and keep an eye out for ornately painted options or ones coated in luxe fabrics like velvet. Lovers of chinoiserie or classical aesthetics will also likely find plenty of pieces that strike their fancy — many vintage screens don't shy away from pattern or ornamentation, so the selection is far from limited.

Those with a more subdued eye shouldn't be deterred, however — bamboo, rattan, and wood options are all common finds, perfect for fans of neutral palettes. While they'll still act as a pop of texture and warmth in your space, they're a much simpler alternative that's better equipped for bringing bohemian style into your bedroom or finishing off an overall pared-back design.

In addition to your folding screen's appearance, you'll have to consider its functionality. Screens vary in height, shape, and opacity, making certain picks better for certain applications. If you're looking to fully section off your room and minimize disturbances to your sleep, a tall screen made of fully opaque material is the way to go — think solid wood or fabric. For a more free-flowing look that creates a feeling of coziness without closing things off, explore linen-backed or open designs that will let both air and light in.

Once you've found a folding screen you love, there are plenty of ways to put it to use. Functional ideas include using it to create a temporary bedroom wall in a studio apartment, blocking light from a nearby window, creating a segmented changing area, or obscuring the view of less-than stylish necessities. All of these applications will make your bedroom feel more cozy and polished, but folding screens can be used purely as a piece of decor, too.

Thanks to the vast array of styles on the market and their long history of detailed ornamentation, many folding screens can behave like free-standing, large scale art. Simply propping a screen up in the corner can add a dose of pattern and texture that rivals that of wallpaper, minus the stressful installation. Some clever decorators have even opted to place these screens against the wall in lieu of a traditional headboard, giving the sleeping area a more grand, styled feel.

However you decide to style your folding screen, adding a large piece of furniture like this can go a long way in upping the coziness of your bedroom. Breaking up bare walls and rounding out corners will make the space feel more enclosed, private, and comfortable, which is exactly what we crave as we doze off at night. Finish off the setup with some blackout curtains and cozy bedding — you'll be sure to get a deeper sleep.