How to Build a Knee Wall Room Divider

A knee wall room divider is generally constructed as a slim, half-height wall that defines the line of a doorway. A knee wall room divider helps add visual separation between rooms that would otherwise run together. Trim and other decoration can help add formality to the space, if desired. Here is how to build a knee wall room divider.

Instructions

1. Measures the size for your knee wall room divider. Create a mock-up of your wall using cardboard or scrap wood, or use a digital editing program to draw the knee wall room divider into a digital picture of the doorway.

2. Frame each section of knee wall with an open block made of 2x4 boards. If your knee wall is wider than 20", add internal beams for strengthening. Screw the frame tightly to the existing wall.

3. Cut sections of drywall and cover the frame on all three sides. Attach metal corner strengtheners to the outside corners. Use joint compound to disguise the joint between the new knee wall room divider and original wall.

4. Decorate the knee wall room divider and doorway by adding woodwork and trim. Cut a wooden board and attach to the top of the knee wall room divider to protect the top surface, and add base trim to match the original walls.

5. Add a column between the knee wall room divider and add trim around the doorway for a more formal look.

6. Paint the knee wall room divider and trim. If painting with multiple colors, paint one color at a time while using painter's tape to protect surfaces painted a different color.