I’m Definitely Copying This Renter’s Hack for Turning 1 Room into 2 (It’s Budget-Friendly, Too)

Living in New York City has its pros and cons. Knowing you’ll probably be working with small spaces is key, and you might worry that you’ll have to compromise on square footage, style, or comfort. The great thing about this challenge, though, is that it often sparks creativity. 

For example, I was particularly inspired by Elizabeth Lai’s (who goes by Ze) 900-square-foot New York City condo. I was stunned not only by the beauty of the home, but also by an ingenious hack: She used curtains to create a chic divider between the living room and dining area. 

This setup is perfect for couples needing privacy in a shared space, or roommates wanting two separate areas for work and leisure. It’s a great hack that I will use in my studio apartment while hosting guests. 

Ze’s creativity is a great example of how one item can transform a small apartment into a multi-functional space. The couple shared that they occasionally use the dining room as an office, but they needed a way to separate the two areas without sacrificing the open, airy feel of the apartment. By doing this DIY hack, Ze was able to create a flexible space in her home, which she can now use for hosting or a workspace. The curtain rod also provides both functionality and style. 

“When we were doing the initial viewing, what blew us away was the large rectangular living room with a large window at the end of it,” Ze shared in the House Tour. “We viewed a lot of spaces that had very segmented living rooms that wouldn’t work for what we need it to. And this one just had the perfect dimensions for a workspace as well.” 

If you’re inspired by this idea and want to recreate the look in your own home, IKEA’s $25 BEKRÄFTA curtain rod, which comes in various colors, is a great option. While you’re at it, adding a neutral-colored curtain like IKEA’s $20 GINSTMOTT curtain could also be a great touch to brighten up the space.

If you plan to use this DIY hack, measure the walls of the room you want to transform before purchasing any products.

To see more on how Ze used this DIY hack in her apartment, be sure to check out the full House Tour.