Install a quick and easy room divider<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019ve watched Downton Abbey or The Crown recently, you\u2019ve probably seen the characters dressing behind a folding screen. These screens have a much older history and first made their way into the home decor scene during the Han dynasty in China. Throughout history they were often hand painted with beautiful works of art, many derived from nature scenes. In the 17th and 18th centuries, these screens spread across Europe and today are still used by interior designers across the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theinside.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/@ellewalish-1.png\")
The Inside\u2019s Modern Screen<\/a> in Emerald Zebra by Scalamandre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat does this have to do with dividing your living room and bedroom you ask? Quite a bit actually! One of our favorite ways to create two separate spaces in one room is the use of a room divider.<\/a> These screens are inexpensive and aren\u2019t permanent, which is especially great if you\u2019re renting or don\u2019t have the time or budget to undertake a larger design project. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDepending on your design needs you can quickly fold up your screen and move it on a daily basis. Need a better Zoom background for your workspace? Simply move your screen behind your desk for those important meetings when working from home. If you don\u2019t have a home office, this is also a great way to create one. Place a screen in your living room or bedroom, and you now have the perfect work-from-home office without having to break the bank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps you\u2019re looking to add a dining room to your living room. Many open floor plans have one large room that functions as your entire living area. A screen can help you create a space that\u2019s dedicated to entertaining to host as many dinner parties as desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Create a cozy space with curtains or sliding doors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you live in a small apartment, space-saving design ideas are your go-to. Rather than jumping on the temporary wall trend that many city dwellers are all too familiar with, create two separate spaces by throwing up a curtain or sliding doors. Both can be installed in a matter of hours (not days!) and will help you turn an open space into two clearly divided rooms. There are advantages to installing both of these, especially if you\u2019re creating a bedroom or sleeping area off of your living space.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another bedroom idea we love is the use of a curtain to create an instantly cozy feel and allows you the ability to customize to your design style. Lover of rich, deep colors? Try a navy velvet curtain. Prefer the minimalist approach with very few colors? Go for a white linen curtain. If you wanted to, you could even change out your curtains based on the season using patterned fabric by the yard <\/a>to create your ideal window accessory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theinside.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-22-at-4.29.22-PM-1024x641.png\")
Curtains in a Studio Apartment | Photo Credit: The Spruce<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSliding doors on the other hand give you a bit more privacy and is the closest thing to having separate rooms without needing to install a new wall. Installing a sliding door might be a bit more intensive compared to a curtain, but a quick trip to the hardware store and a tutorial should turn you into a pro DIYer in no time. If you\u2019re up to getting into the DIY mindset, we love a repurposed old barn door that\u2019s given a new life in your urban apartment. Want a more streamlined and modern design? Check out this wooden sliding door that not only hides the bedroom, but can slide across the room and cover the kitchen as needed. It also might be worth taking a look at the Ikea Hackers blog for clever ideas to turn inexpensive items into sought after design staples, such as a sliding door. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theinside.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sliding-door-3-1024x682.webp\")
Sliding Doors | Photo Credit: Architectural Digest<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nStock up on books and create a bookshelf your guests will envy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re the kind of person who browses used bookstores on Sunday mornings and knows the best flea markets to find those barely used coffee table books that look brand new, you\u2019re going to love this next design hack. Order a simple shelving unit or bookcase and place it between your bedroom and couch to create two unique spaces. The shelves create new storage space that\u2019s especially helpful in small spaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theinside.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-07-at-1.01.56-PM.png\")
Bookshelf in Studio Apartment | Photo Credit: Pinterest<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re truly looking to optimize space, we recommend taking a look at built-ins that create a loft bed space above. If heights don\u2019t scare you, the lofted space can become a cozy sleeping area for you or your guests. The bookshelf will create a little nook below that can easily be transformed into a home office and will make your apartment feel as though it’s a true one bedroom. With a loft, you not only add floor space to your home, you also create a small room that didn\u2019t exist before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theinside.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-22-at-4.35.33-PM-765x1024.png\")
Lofted Bed with Bookshelf | Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you want to keep as much natural light as possible flowing through your apartment, try something that\u2019s a bit more open like this studio apartment in Boston. The bookshelf is actually above and creates a natural barrier to prevent you from rolling off your lofted bed. We think this is a pretty ingenious interior design hack!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Divide space by what\u2019s on your walls<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What does this have to do with dividing your living room and bedroom you ask? Quite a bit actually! One of our favorite ways to create two separate spaces in one room is the use of a room divider.<\/a> These screens are inexpensive and aren\u2019t permanent, which is especially great if you\u2019re renting or don\u2019t have the time or budget to undertake a larger design project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on your design needs you can quickly fold up your screen and move it on a daily basis. Need a better Zoom background for your workspace? Simply move your screen behind your desk for those important meetings when working from home. If you don\u2019t have a home office, this is also a great way to create one. Place a screen in your living room or bedroom, and you now have the perfect work-from-home office without having to break the bank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps you\u2019re looking to add a dining room to your living room. Many open floor plans have one large room that functions as your entire living area. A screen can help you create a space that\u2019s dedicated to entertaining to host as many dinner parties as desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you live in a small apartment, space-saving design ideas are your go-to. Rather than jumping on the temporary wall trend that many city dwellers are all too familiar with, create two separate spaces by throwing up a curtain or sliding doors. Both can be installed in a matter of hours (not days!) and will help you turn an open space into two clearly divided rooms. There are advantages to installing both of these, especially if you\u2019re creating a bedroom or sleeping area off of your living space.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another bedroom idea we love is the use of a curtain to create an instantly cozy feel and allows you the ability to customize to your design style. Lover of rich, deep colors? Try a navy velvet curtain. Prefer the minimalist approach with very few colors? Go for a white linen curtain. If you wanted to, you could even change out your curtains based on the season using patterned fabric by the yard <\/a>to create your ideal window accessory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sliding doors on the other hand give you a bit more privacy and is the closest thing to having separate rooms without needing to install a new wall. Installing a sliding door might be a bit more intensive compared to a curtain, but a quick trip to the hardware store and a tutorial should turn you into a pro DIYer in no time. If you\u2019re up to getting into the DIY mindset, we love a repurposed old barn door that\u2019s given a new life in your urban apartment. Want a more streamlined and modern design? Check out this wooden sliding door that not only hides the bedroom, but can slide across the room and cover the kitchen as needed. It also might be worth taking a look at the Ikea Hackers blog for clever ideas to turn inexpensive items into sought after design staples, such as a sliding door. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re the kind of person who browses used bookstores on Sunday mornings and knows the best flea markets to find those barely used coffee table books that look brand new, you\u2019re going to love this next design hack. Order a simple shelving unit or bookcase and place it between your bedroom and couch to create two unique spaces. The shelves create new storage space that\u2019s especially helpful in small spaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re truly looking to optimize space, we recommend taking a look at built-ins that create a loft bed space above. If heights don\u2019t scare you, the lofted space can become a cozy sleeping area for you or your guests. The bookshelf will create a little nook below that can easily be transformed into a home office and will make your apartment feel as though it’s a true one bedroom. With a loft, you not only add floor space to your home, you also create a small room that didn\u2019t exist before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to keep as much natural light as possible flowing through your apartment, try something that\u2019s a bit more open like this studio apartment in Boston. The bookshelf is actually above and creates a natural barrier to prevent you from rolling off your lofted bed. We think this is a pretty ingenious interior design hack!<\/p>\n\n\n\nCreate a cozy space with curtains or sliding doors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stock up on books and create a bookshelf your guests will envy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Divide space by what\u2019s on your walls<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n