The IKEA Store Convinced Me to Hang Room Dividers from the Ceiling

I know some people would rather skip the trip to IKEA and just order online; the Swedish retailer is famously an all-day sort of shopping experience. But isn’t that why they have a food court … and bathrooms … and beds? Oh my! 

If you ask me, the in-store shopping experience at IKEA is an invaluable exercise — one that tests your patience, relationships, and everything you thought you knew about furniture and decor. Such was the case on my last trip, when I stumbled upon a space in the showroom with an ingenious design feature I’d never seen before. What looked like a wall of plants was actually a makeshift room divider made from hanging planters! It was ingenious. 

The first thing I noticed about this unusual setup was obviously the abundance of greenery, which is always welcome. My favorite part, however, was the sculptural look of the planters, which made this makeshift “wall” of plants look like an expensive, architectural installation. I’ve always liked IKEA’s CHILISTRÅN hanging planters, but seeing them used in such an innovative way made me realize just how versatile they are. And at just $12.99 each, they’re a steal.  

IKEA’s merchandising team seemingly created this masterpiece by simply attaching the CHILISTRÅN planters to each other with the very hooks they came with. There’s no complicated DIY here, other than making sure each chain of planters is securely attached to the ceiling (and perhaps potting the plants, although these ones are faux). Either way, the result is a lush-looking, eye-catching, conversation-starting piece that serves not only as a style moment, but also a practical purpose. 

In a small open-concept studio like this one, it’s important to maintain the feeling of different “zones” for different activities. Placed next to the desk and behind the couch, this DIY indoor trellis creates the perfect room divider. Hanging the planters there makes the workspace feel completely separate from the living space, allowing you to more easily leave work behind and transition into relaxation mode. 

It also allows light to filter through much more easily than your average screen or traditional divider does. Blocking light from the rest of the space can make a studio like this feel much smaller. IKEA’s ingenious planter hack, however, allows light to pass through while still clearly defining a separation between the two “rooms.” But honestly, this living wall doesn’t even need to be used as a room divider. It could be installed almost anywhere that gets natural light, turning your plant collection into a bona fide design feature. 

So next time you find yourself shopping at IKEA, don’t skip the showrooms — and definitely don’t skip the garden section, either. These CHILISTRÅN hanging planters might just be the design MVP you didn’t know you needed.