How do you divide a room quickly?

To quickly divide a room, you can use a freestanding room divider. If you wish to leave the room open but visually divide it, try placing accent rugs under the furniture in different areas. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of room dividers.

What do you call a room divider?

Room dividers can also be referred to as screens or panels.

What are room dividers called?

What room dividers are called depends on their style. Large collapsible walls are partition walls, while sectioned panels with hinges are screens. Japanese-style room dividers are known as shoji blinds. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of room dividers from some of the world's top dealers.

What can be used as room dividers?

The simplest things that can be used as room dividers are room divider furnishings that stand up on their own. You can also use folding screens, pocket doors, bookcases, curtains, trellises, hanging shelves and other objects and furniture pieces as room dividers. On 1stDibs, find a variety of room dividers.

What is the cheapest way to divide a room?

Lightweight Japanese paper lattice screens known as shōji are a versatile way to define a living space and block drafts. Painted folding screens known as byōbu are also used as decorative elements, often featuring landscapes, animals, and flowering plants. Chinese folding screens were traditionally comprised of monumental hinged panels, intricately carved and decorated with panoramic landscapes or stone inlay.

What is the Carlton room divider made of?

The Carlton room divider is a Memphis-style icon made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and plastic laminate. A highly sculptural piece, it features a bookcase, drawers and shelves painted in lovely muted primary colors. Shop Carlton room dividers from top sellers on 1stDibs.

Do room dividers fall easily?

Whether room dividers fall easily depends on a few factors. Generally, the heavier the room divider is, the less likely it is to tip over. Dividers are also less likely to fall if they are properly adjusted. With an accordion-style divider, try bending the panels at a wider angle to create a more sturdy base. Some people choose to install stabilizing brackets on the floor to keep their room dividers upright. Depending on the style of your space, you may also be able to hang a divider from the ceiling or attach one end to a wall. Shop a variety of room dividers on 1stDibs.

Are room dividers a good idea?

Yes, room dividers are a good idea. The right room divider can make large spaces feel more intimate. Dividers can also make it easier for a space to serve two functions, such as a dining room and a living room. Room dividers can additionally help to ensure privacy when placed in offices, bathrooms and bedrooms. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of room dividers.

What can I use instead of a room divider?

There are many things that you can use instead of a room divider. If you want to be able to open up the room or quickly create more privacy, curtains suspended from the ceiling can be a good choice. Folding screens are another option that give you the flexibility to change your room easily. For a more permanent solution, you can divide the room with case goods like bookcases. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of furniture from some of the world's top dealers.

What are those Chinese room dividers called?

Chinese room dividers are also called pingfengs. The term pingfeng in traditional Chinese literally means “wind blocker” or “wind wall.” Some people also refer to these room dividers as folding screens because they consist of hinged panels that allow them to fold up when not in use. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of folding screens from some of the world's top dealers.

How do I keep my room dividers from falling down

For standing room dividers, make sure you set them up in an accordion or or zig zag fold pattern to keep them from falling down.

Can you use curtains as a room divider?

Yes, you can use curtains as a room divider. To do so, you will need to mount hanging hardware on the ceiling. One of the biggest benefits of using curtains to divide rooms is that they are easy to maneuver when you want to open up a space or close off an area. Shop a range of curtains on 1stDibs.

Can you attach a room divider to the wall?

Yes, you can attach a room divider to a wall using nails or adhesive. However, making holes or using strong chemical glues may damage some room divider materials. If you do choose to anchor a divider, use care when removing it in the future. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of room dividers.

Who did Ettore Sottsass design the Carlton room divider for?

Ettore Sottsass did not design the Carlton room divider for a specific patron or client. He created the piece while working with the Memphis Group, an art collective that held joint shows from 1981 to 1987. Find a selection of Ettore Sottsass furniture on 1stDibs.

Folding Room Dividers

3 Panel Folding Screen

Art Deco Folding Screen

Wood Paneled Room

Antique Leather Screen

Mid Century Modern Style Room Screens

20th Century Folding Screen

Category

2010s Canadian Organic Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Fir

Douglas Fir Folding Room Divider - Handcrafted by Le Tenon et la Mortaise

$1,017 / item

Douglas Fir Folding Room Divider - Handcrafted by Le Tenon et la Mortaise

By Le Tenon & la Mortaise

Located in Saint-André-de-Kamouraska, CA

Elegant Three-Panel Folding Screen - LILAC VERSION DOUGLAS is a three panels room divider, geometric solid-wood folding screen, joined by hinges that fold in both directions, config...

Category

2010s Canadian Minimalist Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Fir

Neoclassic Four Fold Room Divider Screen by Maitland Smith c 1970/1980s

$1,695

$3,206

$895

$6,275

Postmodern folding aluminium screen / room divider on castors

Located in London, England

Special commission for an ethnographic antique dealership in Munich, this aluminium folding screen / room divider was designed and made in collaboration by Wildgruber (Architect) &am...

Category

Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Mahogany & Straw Marquetry Veneer Folding Screen / Room Divider.

$3,800

$1,150Sale Price|20% Off

$8,465

$2,200 / item

Vintage c1970s Blond Bamboo Rattan tri Fold Screen Room Divider MINT!

By McGuire, Ficks Reed

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Vintage c1970s Blond Bamboo Rattan tri Fold Screen Room Divider MINT!

Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Bamboo

Folding Screen Room Divider Classicon Brick Screen - Eileen Gray LIMITED EDITION

$72,627 / item

Folding Screen Room Divider Classicon Brick Screen - Eileen Gray LIMITED EDITION

By Eileen Gray

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Brand: Classicon Model: Brick Screen Designer: Eileen Gray (1922–1925) Type: Folding Screen / Room Divider The Brick Screen by Eileen Gray is an iconic folding screen that exemplifi...

Category

2010s German Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Unavailable

H 70.87 in W 92.13 in D 9.06 in

Folding Screen 'Separe' Room Divider in Sottsass Grey Veneer

By Daniel Nikolovski and Danu Chirinciuc

Located in Concordia Sagittaria, Veneto

Imperfections and irregularity are the most highly regarded form of beauty at KABINET. The designer duo are mesmerised by the almost-deformed-looking grains of elm burl - commonly fo...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Bentwood

Folding Screen 'Separe' Room Divider in Terracotta Elm burl Veneer

Unavailable

Unavailable

Unavailable

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 70.87 in W 63 in D 1.19 in

Vonnie Separè by Ilaria Ferraro

By Ilaria Ferraro

Located in Milan, Lombardy

This decorative room divider folding screen adds a splash of vibrant color to any living space.

Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Metal

Sold

Sold

Sold

H 66 in W 53 in D 2.5 in

Jacques Callot Battle Scene Room Divider of The Siege of La Rochelle

By Jacques Callot

Located in New Windsor, NY

Three panel folding room divider depicting "The Siege of La Rochelle" by Jacques Callot (1592-1635).

Category

Early 20th Century American Baroque Revival Screens and Room Dividers

Fabric, Wood

French Three Panel Folding Screen Room Divider

Sold

H 64 in W 52.25 in D 1.25 in

French Three Panel Folding Screen Room Divider

Located in Stamford, CT

A fine French Painted and Gilt Decorated Folding Screen or Room Divider. This late 19 century screen is finely carved and detailed.

$5,250

H 39.18 in W 86.23 in D 11.03 in

Metal Room Divider by Salvatore Messina

By Salvatore Messina

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Salvatore Messina, room divider or wall unit, aluminum, Italy, 1960s Salvatore Messina (1916–1982) explored the themes of movement and spatial concepts through his innovative metal ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Aluminum

Asian Modern Room Divider Screen

$2,950

H 79.07 in W 60 in D 1 in

Asian Modern Room Divider Screen

Located in Houston, TX

Asian Modern Room Divider Screen. Offered is a beautiful three panel black Hollywood Regency or Asian Modern three panel room divider screen with a Greek key design. Perfect where yo...

Category

20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood

Folding Screen Room Divider in the Style of Clar Porset

$10,000

H 70.87 in W 122.05 in D 1.19 in

Folding Screen Room Divider in the Style of Clar Porset

By Clara Porset

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Circa 1950, we offer this fantastic folding screen room divider in the style of Clara Porset, made in mahogany wood and palm cords, fantastic vintage conditions.

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Panelling

Materials

Pine

People Also Browsed

Organic Modern Table Lamp Sculptural Parota Wood Base

Sold|~~$2,500 / item~~

H 29 in Dm 19 in

Organic Modern Table Lamp Sculptural Parota Wood Base

By Isabel Moncada

Located in San Antonio, TX

Pata de Elefante Small Table Lamp — Atomic Collection by Isabel Moncada Named ""Elephant's Foot"" for its bold, bulbous base, the Pata de Elefante Small is one of Isabel Moncada's m...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass

Baleri Italia Cartoons Screen in Havana Paper by Luigi Baroli

$1,437 / item

$14,000Sale Price|60% Off

H 79.5 in W 84 in D 108.5 in

Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Lafayette, IN

This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The ...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Small Brass and Tobacco Glass Globe Table Lamps

$4,049 / set

H 13 in Dm 11.82 in

Pair of Small Brass and Tobacco Glass Globe Table Lamps

Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF

Pair of small table lamps, made of a brass cylinder foot topped with an opened top glass globe tinted in a tobacco colour. Ideal for a bedside use thanks to their small size and dimm...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Folding Room Dividers", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Folding Room Dividers For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of folding room dividers for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct folding room dividers — often made from wood, hardwood and fabric — can elevate any home. Find 105 antique and vintage folding room dividers at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 9 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. There are all kinds of folding room dividers available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Folding room dividers are generally popular furniture pieces, but Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Scandinavian Modern styles are often sought at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made folding room dividers over the years, but those made by Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller and Atlas Industries are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

Finding the Right Screens-room-dividers for You

Whether they are implemented as decorative accents or makeshift partitions to ensure privacy, antique and vintage folding screens and room dividers easily introduce sophistication and depth to any space in your home.

The earliest examples of folding screens are said to have originated in China and go back at least as far as the Han dynasty. Screens of the era were heavy structures made of wood and had hinges of cloth or leather. They were adorned with elaborate landscape paintings that were typically created on silk or paper canvases and applied directly to the screen’s panels afterward. Just as they had been in the 20th century and today, the folding screens then were recognized for both their practical and purely decorative properties.

Japanese room-divider screens were also decorated with paintings but constructed to be lightweight and mobile. They took on considerable event-based importance when the structures gained popularity in the East Asian country, as the folding screens were used in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. Later, artists elsewhere warmed to folding screens and sought to create their own.

In European countries such as France, where they were known as paravent, folding screens began to materialize in apartments in Paris, gaining favor with the likes of pioneering couturier Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who is said to have accrued more than 30 and used them as a precursor to what we now know as wallpaper.

On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique and vintage folding screens and room dividers, which, given their history, may do a better job of bringing people and cultures together in your home than sectioning off a space. Search by material to find options in metal, fabric or wood, or browse by style for mid-century modern designs and examples from the Art Deco era.

Questions About Folding Room Dividers

How do you divide a room quickly?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
To quickly divide a room, you can use a freestanding room divider. If you wish to leave the room open but visually divide it, try placing accent rugs under the furniture in different areas. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of room dividers.
What do you call a room divider?
1 Answer
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
Room dividers can also be referred to as screens or panels.
What are room dividers called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023
What room dividers are called depends on their style. Large collapsible walls are partition walls, while sectioned panels with hinges are screens. Japanese-style room dividers are known as shoji blinds. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of room dividers from some of the world's top dealers.
What can be used as room dividers?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
The simplest things that can be used as room dividers are room divider furnishings that stand up on their own. You can also use folding screens, pocket doors, bookcases, curtains, trellises, hanging shelves and other objects and furniture pieces as room dividers. On 1stDibs, find a variety of room dividers.
What is the cheapest way to divide a room?
1 Answer
PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020
Lightweight Japanese paper lattice screens known as shōji are a versatile way to define a living space and block drafts. Painted folding screens known as byōbu are also used as decorative elements, often featuring landscapes, animals, and flowering plants. Chinese folding screens were traditionally comprised of monumental hinged panels, intricately carved and decorated with panoramic landscapes or stone inlay.
What is the Carlton room divider made of?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The Carlton room divider is a Memphis-style icon made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and plastic laminate. A highly sculptural piece, it features a bookcase, drawers and shelves painted in lovely muted primary colors. Shop Carlton room dividers from top sellers on 1stDibs.
Do room dividers fall easily?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023
Whether room dividers fall easily depends on a few factors. Generally, the heavier the room divider is, the less likely it is to tip over. Dividers are also less likely to fall if they are properly adjusted. With an accordion-style divider, try bending the panels at a wider angle to create a more sturdy base. Some people choose to install stabilizing brackets on the floor to keep their room dividers upright. Depending on the style of your space, you may also be able to hang a divider from the ceiling or attach one end to a wall. Shop a variety of room dividers on 1stDibs.
Are room dividers a good idea?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023
Yes, room dividers are a good idea. The right room divider can make large spaces feel more intimate. Dividers can also make it easier for a space to serve two functions, such as a dining room and a living room. Room dividers can additionally help to ensure privacy when placed in offices, bathrooms and bedrooms. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of room dividers.
What can I use instead of a room divider?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023
There are many things that you can use instead of a room divider. If you want to be able to open up the room or quickly create more privacy, curtains suspended from the ceiling can be a good choice. Folding screens are another option that give you the flexibility to change your room easily. For a more permanent solution, you can divide the room with case goods like bookcases. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of furniture from some of the world's top dealers.
What are those paper room dividers called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
Paper room dividers are often called decorative screens or merely room dividers depending on the design. The earliest examples of folding screens are said to have originated in China and go back at least as far as the Han dynasty. Screens of the era were heavy structures made of wood and had hinges of cloth or leather. They were adorned with elaborate landscape paintings that were typically created on silk or paper canvases and applied directly to the screen’s panels afterward. Just as they had been in the 20th century and today, the folding screens then were recognized for both their practical and purely decorative properties. Japanese room-divider screens were also decorated with paintings but constructed to be lightweight and mobile. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of room dividers and decorative screens.
What are those Chinese room dividers called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023
Chinese room dividers are also called pingfengs. The term pingfeng in traditional Chinese literally means “wind blocker” or “wind wall.” Some people also refer to these room dividers as folding screens because they consist of hinged panels that allow them to fold up when not in use. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of folding screens from some of the world's top dealers.
How do I keep my room dividers from falling down
1 Answer
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
For standing room dividers, make sure you set them up in an accordion or or zig zag fold pattern to keep them from falling down.
Can you use curtains as a room divider?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023
Yes, you can use curtains as a room divider. To do so, you will need to mount hanging hardware on the ceiling. One of the biggest benefits of using curtains to divide rooms is that they are easy to maneuver when you want to open up a space or close off an area. Shop a range of curtains on 1stDibs.
Can you attach a room divider to the wall?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
Yes, you can attach a room divider to a wall using nails or adhesive. However, making holes or using strong chemical glues may damage some room divider materials. If you do choose to anchor a divider, use care when removing it in the future. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of room dividers.
Who did Ettore Sottsass design the Carlton room divider for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Ettore Sottsass did not design the Carlton room divider for a specific patron or client. He created the piece while working with the Memphis Group, an art collective that held joint shows from 1981 to 1987. Find a selection of Ettore Sottsass furniture on 1stDibs.

47 Inspiring Swimming Pools by Top Designers

It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.

28 Kids’ Rooms That Are Too Cool for School

It’s never too early for good design. These interiors combine elevated furnishings and a youthful spirit, resulting in spaces that are at once elegant and whimsical.

Dickens Fan on Your List? This First Edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ Is a Treasure

Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.

Patchwork Quilts Are the Latest Nostalgic Design Trend

New or old, the coverlets add old-time charm to any space.

Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games

Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.

Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This

French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.

Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors

The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.