How to Make Room Divider Screens

Room divider screens can create a dramatic effect in a room besides providing privacy or concealment. They can be easily assembled and personalized to reflect your style or decor. This project can be done by just about anyone with a little woodworking skill and will only take a couple of hours. Once you see what you can create, you will be amazed and more than happy to show off your handiwork.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-2-inch boards 1/2-inch dowels Drill Wood glue Measuring tape Heavy grit sandpaper Screws 6 hinges Fabric Paint or stain and sealer Sewing machine Thread Self-stick Velcro or fabric glue

Instructions

1. Cut 2-by-2-inch boards into 6-foot lengths. You will need eight for four panels. You can make as many panels as you want. Each panel will be 24 inches across, so four panels will create an 8-foot room divider. Cut eight sections of 2-by-2-inch boards 20 inches long. Cut eight dowels 22 inches long and sand the ends down with some rough sandpaper.

2. Lay the 2-by-2s down and measure 3 inches down from the top and 3 inches up from the bottom on one side and make a mark to drill for your dowels. Make sure you drill in exactly the same place on each 2-by-2 so the dowels will be straight. Drill the holes.

3. Paint or stain and seal all of your pieces. It will be easier to touch up in a couple or places than to try to paint or stain them when they are assembled. Allow them to dry thoroughly.

4. Place wood glue on one end of the dowel and place it in the hole. Repeat with second dowel. Put glue on the other ends of the dowels and push the other post on. Slip the two short pieces of 2-by-2s in the top and bottom and screw on from the outside of the post. Repeat for each panel.

5. Cut your fabric to 5 feet 11 inches long by 21 inches wide. Sew both ends and up the sides with a double-fold 1/4-inch hem. Place over the dowels and stick self-stick Velcro on the ends and where it meets on the other side of the dowel if you want to be able to remove them to wash them, or you can use a fabric glue if you want it permanent.

6. Place hinges 1 foot from the top and bottom and hinge the panels together.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use fabric paint to create pictures or lettering on your screens. You can also make them wider than 20 inches and gather them for a more dramatic effect.