How to Use a Room Divider in Small Spaces

If you currently live, or are about to move to a studio or efficiency apartment, there are a few things you should take into consideration. First, you realize that since there is only one room, you need to create a way of defining your function of living.  Since your living space and sleeping space are in the same room, it becomes an aesthetic and psychological necessity to conceal your bed from the rest of your space.

(studio floor plan square shape)

There's nothing more "college dorm like" than to walk into your own apartment and see a bed in your living room next to a chair or sofa.  So what is the most inexpensive solution?

An inexpensive solution is a simple folding screen room divider.  There is always an option to put up a temporary high pressurized wall, however this can get quite costly and it will also make the room feel even smaller than it already is.  There are a number of ways you can section off your bed from the rest of the room.

(this appears to be a king size bed..again with a bed in the living area with no separation)

Depending on the shape of your room, you can either use a 3 or 4 panel room divider.  A 3 panel room divider will full extend to under 50" wide.  A full size bed is 54" wide and a queen size is 60" wide.  Keep in mind that the bed doesn't have to be completely hidden, it just has to be separated.  If you purchase a three panel room divider to section off the bed, it is recommended to get the floor stand.  The floor stand will hold the screen in place so it fully extends to its maximum length, as well as preventing it from getting knocked over.  A 4 panel room divider should stand up well on its own and it should be long enough to cover the width of a queen size bed.

(this is a decorating no-no..fully exposed bed)

Let's say your room is more square rather than rectangular shape.  This means that you really can only conceal either the front or side of the bed.  The easy solution to this problem is getting a 6 panel screen which can wrap around the front and part of the side of the bed.  Remember that your bed doesn't have to be completely hidden, and it is not an aesthetic faux pas to have a little of it exposed.  The room divider folding screen is perfect and inexpensive for defining your space in a studio apartment.

(Helsinki room divider concealing a bed)

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