This whole idea of subdividing an already small space with bookcases and curtains baffles me to no end: If you're single and living in a studio or loft and feel the need to divide the sleeping area from the living area from the kitchen from the office, etc - You're just creating a rabbit-warren of tiny boxes: Who exactly are you seeking privacy from?

Putting up partitions isn't going to make your urban studio into a 3 bedroom McMansion in the 'burbs - The most successful small spaces are ones where the occupant embraces the limitations of the space by not pretending to be something they're not.

First solution is, again, expedit, even if it's being used as a headboard....

Well, I think sometimes the use of dividers isn't necessarily to separate a box into several boxes, but to create structure. Sometimes it's used to form an entryway, or to make a room appear less cluttered. Wardrobe systems like the PAX are a good storage solution, especially for those with a single closet.

I realize the point of the article is to address room dividers, but it helps that the dividers often serve a double purpose.

For those of us who choose to live in studios, dividing the space properly can be the difference between functional and fabulous. Some are happy with functional; however, I was uncomfortable having any but my closest friends into my apartment when my bed was openly displayed.

Openly displayed? It was by the windows... taking up the most valuable real estate in the apartment. With only 275 sqare feet, options were severly limited. I was doing the cure when I had an 'aha' moment - the bed could be moved to the other side of the room (right inside the front door) if I used a divider. I finally found a sliding door to create a little hallway, and the transformation is amazing. My couch now faces those fabulous windows, and I even have room for a chair. A couple more weeks of the cure and then you're all invited for drinks!

Peahen, thanks for asking! I'm in the mid-cure and have everything heaped in the middle of the apartment as I paint. It is such an ungodly mess that Osha would condemn, my landlady would evict, and my mother would have a stroke!

I should be done in 3 weeks and promise to post a link to pictures then. :) I'll post it here, but you'll probably also be able to see them in the spring cure section/flikr group. Wish me luck! :)

@anastasia--

When you stay in a hotel and a visitor comes in - Are you uncomfortable then?

And why would you have anyone but your closest friends into your home? Why not just meet at the local coffee shop or have group dinners in the local restaurant?

Bepst-

In some studios having the bed as an open part of the decor is optimal. However, no space plan, organizing or decorating solution will work for every space... which is why we're all addicted to AT! :)

I urge you to review my pictures in a few weeks before making up your mind, but I will attempt to explain here why dividing the space is right for me. I have a good space with fabulous natural light in a great part of town; unfortunatelly, it also has some features that make space planning a bit awkward. The placement of the heating vent, closet, front door, fireplace, and kitchen all conspire to make one place logical for the bed, in front of the windows. Seriously, if I could just move one door or half wall or get rid of that firplace (gasp! sacrilege!) i'd be all set. No divider necessary. I've been here a couple of years now and it still really bothers me. Every time I glance towards the windows, I see the stupid bed... move it, you say? Well, the only other place for it is right inside the front door... as in within an inch of hitting the bed as you enter. Not good feng shui, and a rather odd first impression to boot.

So a couple of months ago I was reading Maxwell's book and I took his advice and sat in every section of the room. I had an epiphany. If I used a divider to create a small hallway, I would actually gain useable space. My couch will finally face towards the windows! I will have the best light in my living space instead of my sleeping space Envisioning myself sitting with a book and glancing down at the gardens is what is keeping me sane through the cure process.

Lastly, I am not one to limit myself to only inviting my closest friends into my home. I invited everyone over for drinks when I'm done. Seriously, if you're ever in Boston, the offer is open. :)

While I love the idea of a studio, I completely understand wanting to define the space and keep my bedroom area separate. In part because I wouldn't want guests seeing my bedroom and also I'm a firm believer in creating a relaxing bedroom environment that promotes sleep. I would want some sort of visual barrier between my bed and the kitchen/work area/tv.

Anastasia - I can't wait to see your pics, it sounds great!

Bepst,

I don't invite people i do not know to my hotel room. I too like to keep my bedroom private, not for all to see, only the chosen few...
Meeting outside is a great idea. I show a show on apts in Japan. THey are so small & modular that they are an Ikea catalog creator dream. They emphasized that the culture spent more time outside. 1. cause the living spaces were small & 2. because outside was viewed as another room. I llive in a studio that has become a combo of open space and defined spaces. I think the key to any type of living is keeping what you got from looking like a mess.

Suspend a curtain rod and floor-length curtains.

When I want privacy, my mom lets me use the couch cushions to build a fort. I'm awesome at it.

Floor to ceiling cream fringe panels. They divide but you can tie them off and you can still kind of see through them so it doesn't become too dark. You can also cut them to go perfectly on top of say one of those ikea two way book cases for examples making a room on each side that is semi visible but definitively separate. A different colored wall on each side would further define the spaces. Mirrored dividers, or attaching mirror to dividers is another good alternative that you can move around as much as you like but you have to kind of leave them curved or they could topple.. at any given time people are giving away or selling mirrored closet doors that they don't want anymore and I've felt as though those would make cool dividers and cheap. Mirrors are totally opaque but anything reflective will serve to add depth somehow and open things up.

Just saw this great video on how to create a room divider in minutes. I keep hearing about these room divider kits blowing up in New York... Gonna get one soon for my studio! Here is a link to the How To Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNN59D3_F6Q