This Wall Divider Trend Is Absolutely Genius for Splitting Up Small Spaces

published Oct 9, 2021

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Living room with cream sofa, pink cushions, wooden partition, and exposed brick wall leading to a bedroom with soft lighting. — Credit: Etsy

You definitely have at least one friend/coworker/relative in your life who’s just so all around effortlessly cool, it’s a little soul-crushing. For me, it’s one of my college BFFs, Althea, whose mom also shares the covetable eternally-stylish gene. They recently teamed up to decorate Althea’s new studio apartment, and I knew even before seeing it that I’d have major decor envy. Sure enough, the first time I set foot in the space, I went full-on fangirl — I’m not ashamed to admit I started taking pictures because, yes, it just looked that good.

One standout feature (and photo) from her studio that I keep coming back to? A genius block of modular wall dividers that she hung from the ceiling — with just Command Hooks, no less — to section off her bed from the living room area. I know, I know: Room dividers aren’t that revolutionary. Truthfully though, I’d never come across a small space solution IRL quite like this one before. And I’m not alone in my adoration: I showed a photo to the AT Style team, and they were instantly awed, too.

Credit: Althea Perley

Especially perfect for studios, these sets of hanging panels check all the boxes (geometry pun very much intended!). They’re easy to install, renter-friendly, fairly affordable, and genuinely alluring. To that end, I also really like how the whole piece functions as a built-in privacy provider but still leaves little pockets of the area it’s obscuring peeking through. It helps break up the room without making it appear completely closed off, an effect you might not get with a backed bookcase or solid screen doing the same job.

Equally obsessed with this arrangement and want to shop the look? One word: Etsy. Your favorite handmade hub is a hidden treasure trove of pretty partitions for any nook or cranny (and where Althea sourced hers, pictured above). You can browse by color, motif, panel length, and as one unit or with individual tiles. I picked out a few favorites for inspo below, whether you want something to tuck away your sleeping space, a laundry corner, or even an exercise bike.

White Modular Wall Panels Screen

$117

I couldn’t find the exact panels my friend used, but these come pretty dang close. Etsy seller Home Art Stickers actually specializes in decorative divider sets like this, which include 15 panels, 40 rings to piece them together, and six rings to hang the finished product from the ceiling any way you want. Check out the reviews for some cool configuration ideas, and note you can also choose white, black, or gray color options.

$117 at Etsy

Room Divider Privacy Screens

$76

A slightly more modern design, this set of 12 screens takes on a cool crosshatched look, either in a wood finish or made from white, black, or gray plastic. Prices vary based on material and size — bring home either 11.4 x 11.4-inch or 15 x 15-inch square panels.

$76 at Etsy

Wood Room Divider

$139$70

If you’re looking for a bit more seclusion, you can’t go wrong with this wood version, available in six hues with 12 panels and mounting hooks. There’s something about the wave-like stripes, too, that bring a soft, soothing touch. Bonus: it’s currently 50 percent off.

$70 at Etsy

Modern Partitions Panel Screen Hanging

$117

Another from Home Art Stickers, these riff on a timeless trellis shape that pairs well with any design style. The kit features 15 panels, each 11.81 x 11.81 inches square, but you can buy an additional set (if needed) to fill a larger area.

$117 at Etsy

Room Divider Partition Hanging

$158

This partition really puts the mod in modular dividers. Unlike the previous finds, it comes as one 3-foot x 7-foot piece — that means you can't play with arrangements, but it’s especially perfect for smaller, narrow areas. Measure your space first to see if it’s compatible, then take your pick from a handful of tones and materials, starting at $128.

$158 at Etsy

3D Room Wall Tiles

$15

This is probably your best bet in terms of size and color customization — the cost refers to individual panels, which range from 12 x 12 inches square to 24 x 24 inches square. Order as many (or as few) as you want, keeping in mind that there’s about 0.5 inches of space between each square.

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This Wall Divider Trend Is Absolutely Genius for Splitting Up Small Spaces

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