How to Build Movable Room Dividers

Choose a fabric that coordinates with your room decor.

Room dividers are used to separate a large room into smaller sections, provide privacy or as a decorative element. Bifold closet doors are a popular material choice for do-it-yourself room dividers and can be used in place of the plywood and patterned fabric recommended here. Using fabric allows you to coordinate the divider with the rest of the room's decor, creating a piece that either stands out or blends in, depending on your preferences.

Things You'll Need

• 3 plywood sheets, 2 by 6 feet, 1/2 inch wide
• Decorative fabric, 6 1/4 yards, 60 inches wide
• Plain upholstery tacks
• Decorative upholstery tacks
• Electric drill
• Screwdriver bit
• 6 hinges, two-way

Instructions

1. Cut the fabric into three strips, each 60 by 75 inches.

2. Press the edge of the fabric to the 1/2-inch edge of a panel and secure it every 6 inches with plain upholstery tacks. Wrap the fabric tightly across the front and around the other 1/2-inch edge.

3. Hammer decorative upholstery tacks through the fabric and into the second 1/2-inch edge. Wrap the fabric tightly across the back of the panel and around to the first 1/2-inch edge. Trim the fabric and hammer decorative upholstery tacks through both layers of fabric and into the wood. Fold the fabric along the top of each panel and hammer decorative upholstery tacks through all layers to secure. Repeat along the bottom edges using plain upholstery tacks.

4. Connect the middle panel to the side panels with two-way hinges. Mark a spot an equal distance from the top and bottom of the right edge of the left panel, the left edge of the right panel and both sides of the middle panel. Screw a hinge into place over each mark.

References

• Mark Montano; Divide and Conquer! Fantastic Fabric Room Divider; Mark Montano; July 2010