How to Make a Functional Room Divider

People often find themselves with a large room that they wish to subdivide but don’t want to spend the money required to build a permanent wall. The solution is to buy or make a room divider. Room dividers come in three variations: Folding screen, straight panel and hanging. For most people, the folding screen option is best simply because it is the easiest and cheapest to make and can be easily moved or adjusted.

Things You'll Need

• 16 cut pine wood boards, 16 by-2 by ½-inch
• Portable drill with ¼-inch wood bit
• Wood glue
• 48 wood dowels, 1/8 inch
• 16 pine wood boards, 72-by 2-by ½-inch
• 4 pieces of artist canvas fabric, 65 by 73 inches
• Staple gun
• 4 wood clamps
• Vise
• Phillips screwdriver with ¼-inch head
• 6 metal hinges with ¼-inch screws

Instructions

1. Drill holes in the center of both ends of each of the 16-inch-long boards on the cut sides, using the vise to hold the board as you drill. Make the holes ½ inch deep. Put one drop of wood glue in each of the holes. Insert a dowel and let dry for an hour.

2. Lay two of the longer, 72-inch boards parallel on a table, narrow side up. Place two of the shorter boards with the dowels between them, wide side up, at the top and bottom, forming 90-degree angles. Mark on the longer boards where the dowels meet the wood. Drill holes ½ inch deep on the marks. Apply wood glue to boards near the dowels and holes. Join the boards at the dowels. Let dry overnight.

3. Repeat Step 3 seven more times, making seven exact duplicate frames. Let all of them dry overnight.

4. Lay one of the frames on a table. Drape one of the pieces of canvas fabric over the frame covering the entire empty expanse. Staple the fabric to one side of the frame, then stretch it tight to the other side and staple. Staple at the top and bottom also, such that all sides are stapled down. Trim any excess fabric.

5. Apply wood glue to the top surface of the frame with the canvas on it, all the way around. Lay one of the other frames on top of the frame with the canvas. Press together and secure with wood clamps on each side.

6. Repeat Step 6 to make the other three panels.

7. Fasten the hinges to the sides of the panels, making sure to align them at the same level as the panel they will be hinged with. Connect the panels together, using the hinges.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint or dye the canvas to suit your taste. Also, you can stain or lacquer the frame.

• Make sure dowels fit in the holes before applying glue

References

• Room Divider Guide: Room Divider Basics
• Woodworkers Workshop: Room Dividers and Screens