Room dividers are a contemporary option for both small and large rooms. They can help make living spaces more functional, bring privacy to open-plan living, and often can be useful pieces of furniture themselves. On top of that, room dividers are often stylish and attractive additions to any home.

So whether you’re looking to divide rooms for more efficient use of space, create an accent piece that will add character to a room, or hide areas and enhance privacy, room dividers may be the solution you’re looking for. From permanent to temporary, functional to decorative, here are various ways to visually separate spaces without losing that sense of open-plan living.

1. Sliding doors
If you want the option to keep your room as one large open space or to divide it depending on privacy circumstances, then sliding doors provide a flexible solution. From thick doors that fully obscure the view to more transparent gates, sliding doors offer versatility. And in a range of budgets and styles, there is always an option to suit.

2. Functional furniture
This great furniture item offers three times the functionality – it’s storage, decoration and a room divider. This bookshelf unit visually divides the large open area while maintaining the flow of space and light. Additionally, it’s a great place to display your ornamental favourites, while also storing other items.

3. Floating panels
In a master bedroom or guest house, a room divider can split a large space into a sleeping area and lounging area. These floating panels create a simple and effective privacy wall, secured by wire at the ceiling and floor. Silver strips keep it bright, and at only three quarters of the height of the wall, light and space still flood the room.a neat and comfortable living area is created. In fact, you wouldn’t even know a bed is on the other side.

4. Vintage pieces
Here’s an innovative use of an old window frame, if we ever saw one.

5. Figure 5 installation
Fittingly, at number five we have a Figure 5 divider. This innovative wood structure houses an ethanol burning fireplace below and a rotatable television above. It separates an open-plan kitchen-dining-living area without obscuring space and allows the occupants to enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and to view the television no matter where they’re sitting or working in the room.

6. Material screens
This budget-friendly, temporary and moveable room divider brings colour to a large open space while hiding areas from view. Adding privacy to an adjacent study or office area, this material divider – simply hanging from a rod at the ceiling – is simple, effective and very easy to live with.

7. Decorative partitions
For a bit of old-school glamour, patterned wood dividers add a sense of privacy in a master bedroom, and bring decorative interest to a large room.

8. Wood panels
Recycled Australian hardwood is used here to divide the dining room from the living area, bringing a little more privacy to both. Air, space and light still flow through the open panels, while plants complement the organic aesthetic.

9. Shelving units
You can create transparent walls with shelving units that maintain open space but divide rooms by purpose. Built into the home or as moveable furniture, they give you a great place to show off your most loved possessions.

10. Green wall
And finally, something a little different. Get creative with a green wall or plant installation. Perfect for indoors or out, it will bring fresh air, colour, and a conversation starter to any home. This one screens a backyard shower.