How to Design a Versatile Wall Partition

Double-sided shelf

Wall partitions are useful for organization, can divide large rooms into practical spaces, and can also transform everyday objects around your house into beautiful pieces of art. They are perfect for hiding unsightly areas of your home, and if designed well, can provide useful storage. Wall partitions can be as simple as a panel curtain or as complicated as a dry wall construction. One of the simplest, most utilitarian designs however, is a double-sided shelf. These are sold at many furniture stores and are very versatile.

Things You'll Need

• Double-sided shelf
• Decorative boxes
• Cabinet spotlights

Instructions

1. Set up your double-sided shelf so that it is dividing the room in question into the right proportions. Make sure that the shelf is accessible on either side to add to its versatility.

2. Fill your shelf with useful items, leaving room for a few decorative pieces. If you are using your shelf to store books, leave gaps for decoration using book ends. If you have small items to store, use decorative boxes to organize them.

3. Attach spotlights to the tops of the shelves in the spaces you saved for decoration. This highlights the decorations, draws the eye towards the area of interest, and adds drama to the shelf.

4. Choose decorations that are connected by shape, color or size, and place the items beneath the spotlights. By picking decoration of a similar look, you make the partition look cohesive.

5. Examine the shelf from the other side. Because your self is double-sided, the decorative items should be visible on either side of it.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that your shelf is finished on both sides. Some shelves look double-sided, but are intended to be placed against a wall.

• Mount your wall partition to an actual wall if it is tall and heavy.

References

• Serveice Magic: Room Dividers and Partitions: Home Additions without the Addition

Resources

• Design Sponge: Room Divider Roundup