This DIY Room Divider Takes Up Zero Floor Space, Creates a Cozy Nook, and Lets in Light

One common challenge studio apartment renters or owners face is a lack of privacy. Marina Percevic, who lives in a 375-square-foot studio apartment in Belgrade, Serbia, understands this dilemma. While her apartment had some walls, there wasn’t a designated sleeping area with the option for privacy. That is, until she DIYed one. 

Room dividers are a great alternative to homes without walls, and they come in a range of options. From using IKEA BILLY bookcases to creating a canopy bed, the list of solutions is seemingly endless. But what makes Marina’s so special is that she captured her dream industrial aesthetic while using cheaper materials without sacrificing privacy or sunlight. 

Fortunately for Marina, her bed fit perfectly snug into the room’s corner, and the foot of the bed stops just when the closet begins. Immediately, it proved to be the ideal place to create a sort of sleeping nook. Marina wanted a divider that was industrial-looking, offered privacy, and didn’t limit the natural light from coming in. So, she took matters into her own hands.

“My proudest DIY project is definitely the room divider. The idea was to give it an industrial vibe, but it’s made completely out of wood,” Marina explains in the video above. “The original piece that I wanted to have was supposed to have glass, but because it’s right near my bed, I was worried about it getting broken. So I added a curtain, and now it’s much safer and also blocks a little bit of light when I sleep.”

Although the room divider is made of wood, its black paint makes it look much heavier than it likely is. Unfortunately, Marina didn’t exactly specify how she created the piece, but she nailed the industrial aesthetic because, at first glance, it mirrors metal. Plus, without the glass addition, it’s likely much lighter, and the transparent cut-outs let natural light in whenever she wants. Fluted glass might’ve allowed for more privacy, but Marina solved that problem by installing a curtain that can be closed and opened whenever she chooses.

Marina’s solution proves that you can separate your space — and capture the industrial look — without taking up too much space or spending tons of money. Check out the full House Tour to learn more about this wonderful home.