Although it's ostensibly designed to separate space, a screen or room divider is really as much a sculptural object as a functional one. By definition, it's visible from all sides — it can hang from the ceiling, float on the floor, or stretch between the two planes. As a three-dimensional object that straddles the worlds of art and design, the screen invites contemporary creators to play with things like material composition, scale, and texture.

These 10 designs vary widely in style, size, and price, but they each feel like sculpture in their own way. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullecs' Algues are a modular kit that the owner can shape into the form of their choosing, while the Mio Nomad Tiles and Lerival Screen are also modular, but much more structured.

The Modwall and Sliding Door Company screens are more conservative, but their translucent panels and metal frames subtly allude to contemporary architecture.

Experimenting with flexible natural materials like paper and wool, the Molo Softwall and FilzFelt panels feel soft but substantial. The Coil Room Divider pays homage to the Eames' classic mid-century design, while the IKEA piece updates traditional Asian folding screens made from natural materials like seagrass and palm leaves.

SHOWN ABOVE

1. Algues by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec at Y Living, $225 for a 50-pack
2. Perforated Felt Panels at FilzFelt, $695 – $1,395
3. ModWall Modern Room Divider at iDivide, starting at $450
4. Custom Room Dividers at the Sliding Door Company, price on request
5. Tapered Kraft Paper Softwall at Molo, $910
6. Coil Room Divider in Chocolate at Chiasso, $398
7. Lerival Modular Screen at Bobby Berk Home, $990
8. Mio Nomad Architectural System at 2Modern, $56 for a 24-pack
9. Sotto Hanging Room Divider at Amazon.com, $157
10. PS Plank Room Divider at IKEA, $100

If you'd rather go the DIY route, see this post for some good ideas.