5 Modern Room Dividers For the Studio Apartment

Studio apartments are a tricky beast - in the growing number of cities where living without roommates is considered a luxury, the studio apartment is often the best place to start the roommate-free chapter of your life. 

The lack of walls in a studio means you're eating, working, sleeping, and relaxing in the same space. This is unfortunate, because if you're also working from home, the lack of separation between work, sleep, eat and play can make it feel as though you're always "on", and your body can struggle to tell the difference between "focus time", "relax time", and "sleep time". 

Creating separation between the different areas of your space can make a huge difference in creating a healthy balance between work, play, and everything in between.

Luckily, the rent you save on, well, not having a bedroom (or a roommate), can be put towards some new furniture to break up your space in a way that is functional AND looks great. 

If you’re like me, the term “room divider” reminds you of the shoji screens with parchment paper from our aunts house in 2003. But don’t worry, room dividers have evolved and progressed and there are some beautiful, modern and minimalist options available, right here in the US.

Okay, let’s get the white elephant out of the way. IKEA’s trademark shelving unit seems to be the mother of all affordable room dividers, for its function and affordability.

While it doesn’t provide total privacy, it’s great for combining storage and shelf space, while also dividing up your room. For a beginner studio-er with a burgeoning plant family, it’s always a good choice.

With its minimalist, modern appearance and simple assembly, DIYversify’s Pony Wall collection has gained a ton of popularity throughout 2020 and into 2021.

While it doesn’t provide 16 cubicles to place books and objects, people have been loving it for its modularity and sleek design.

Its 4' panels can be configured in different ways to create separation for your “bedroom” without blocking off the whole space, keeping it open but also creating much needed divide between work, eat, sleep, etc. Bonus points if you pair it with peel n’ stick wallpaper!

Yeah, okay, I bashed the classic screen-style divider in the intro. But, as promised, there’s still some good options for screens that don’t bring us back to the days when we were finding sewing gear in the cookie tin at grandma Gayle’s. 

Urban outfitter’s rattan divider has a beautiful boho elegance to it, and will definitely fit perfectly in any modern, California-inspired studio. Obviously, there’s not a ton of privacy, but that’s why you live alone, isn’t it?

The Ria Room Divider Screen breaks things up beautifully without making a big deal of it.

With all the talented people in this country, it’s no surprise that Etsy has some pretty creative solutions to breaking up your space. The divider that particularly caught my attention was the laser cut privacy screens found on this store.

The panels are hung by included hardware from the ceiling (renters beware), and while not providing any structural separation, really help to break up the atmosphere of the space. Very affordable too!

Although on the pricier side, the Crate & Barrel Austin Room Divider is a beautiful option that will add function, design and beauty all at once.

The Walnut shelves matched with the matt black frame create a beautiful modern industrial aesthetic that compliments any loft-style apartment.