How to Divide a Room With a China Cabinet

Use a china cabinet to create two different rooms.

Whether the room you want to divide is large or small, you can create an entirely new look by dividing it with a china cabinet. China cabinets are large enough to give you a proper faux wall but small enough to not overwhelm smaller spaces. China cabinets also give you the benefit of easily removing your divider without having to take down a permanent wall.

Instructions

1. Place the china cabinet in the center of the room. The cabinet creates a barrier. Position the china cabinet so it become a focal point in one area of the room. For example, incorporate the front of the china cabinet into your dining area and use the back of the cabinet as a wall in your living room.

2. Position a sofa against the back of the china cabinet. When you place a chair or sofa against the back of the cabinet, it helps disguise the cabinet and incorporate it into your decor.

3. Put potted plants on either side of the back of the cabinet. Strategically placed plants help blend in oddly positioned furniture. You can also position a plant at the center of the back of the cabinet. This also helps disguise the cabinet.

4. Place a small table or desk against the back of the china cabinet. Put a light on the table or use the part above the desk as a place to hang a bulletin board for work notes.

5. Hang curtains on either side of the cabinet. While you may not want to divide your room with a curtain wall, you can still use the curtains to help separate it. Place curtains on either side of the china cabinet. Use curtains that work with the color of the cabinet. The curtains need to be ceiling-to-floor length to create the illusion of a wall. You can hang a picture from the back of the china cabinet to further create a wall illusion.

Tips & Warnings

• Only hang curtains if you have another entrance to the room on the other side. For example, if you are dividing a dining room into two separate rooms with two entrances, you can make a faux wall with the curtains and create two different rooms.

• While the back of the cabinet is the most important part to disguise, you must also focus on the front of the cabinet. Incorporate the front of your cabinet into your decor. Avoid making the area look overly busy.

• Avoid placing the china cabinet to one side of the room. You want the room to evenly divide, not look lopsided or unbalanced.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens: Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas
• Interior Design It Yourself: Practical and Stylish Furniture Arrangement Tips

Resources

• Homedit: How to Divide a Room Without a Wall
• Indo Base: Arranging Furniture In Multipurpose Room