Add a Half Wall

A half wall creates a distinction between areas in a home without completely closing off a space. This half-wall shown in the photo from Instagram user, @MazeConcept, features wooden slats that effortlessly blend into any modern house decor without being an eyesore.

What We Like About It: Zakheim shares that a benefit of half-walls is that they provide privacy while allowing light and air to flow through making them popular and a suitable option for homeowners.

Use Decorative Dividers

Foldable dividers are arguably the most popular way people usually try to create separation in a space. These dividers posted by Instagram user, @MWD_Interiors, are decorated with artwork to give the space personality while simultaneously offering privacy. Plus, if you want to take them down simply fold them up and put them away.

What We Like About It: Instead of traditional dividers, these decorative ones are more whimsical and can accent a space without feeling too stuffy.

Incorporate House Plants

The inclusion of plants in a home can bring new life to a space and depending on size and placement it can help create privacy similar to the one Instagram user, @DublinPlantGal has in her home. “Incorporating plants in varying heights adds a green privacy barrier while maintaining an airy feel,” says Zakheim.

What We Like About It: Whether it’s a large house plant or a few small house plants hanging from the ceiling or on a shelf they can create barriers in a space to create privacy.

Put Up Curtains

According to Todd Harmon, principal interior designer and co-founder of Patio Productions, soundproof curtains aren’t just for windows and can be mounted on a ceiling track to create a sense of enclosure without making a space feel heavy. TikTok user, @AlexandraGrater posted a video using curtains next to her bed to create the illusion of privacy.

What We Like About It: It’s an affordable way to establish privacy in essentially any space that has a ceiling.

Add a Bookshelf

Adding a bookshelf to a space can not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also create a more clear separation of different areas in a space. Harmon suggests adding a large bookcase and filling it with books to create a creative type of wall similar to that shown in this video from TikTok user @LeighAnnDaugherty.

What We Like About It: This method is not only easy, but costomizable. You can use multiple book cases to change the look and feel of any open space.

Add a Two Way Fireplace

Aside from providing warmth during the cold winter months, a two way fireplace can be used to create division. Instagram user, @Shane_Nicholas_Design, posted this image that highlights the fireplace that serves as a focal point of the space while also offering privacy between sides.

What We Like About It: A two-way fireplace creates a visual barrier that helps section off areas that can be beneficial in an open floor plan to create the feeling of separation.

Hang Floating Artwork

Having floating artwork is another way to create privacy in an open space, especially if you have a large piece hanging in mid air like Instagram user, @Wyethrayinteriors. The size of the artwork can vary based on personal preference and how well it’s reinforced to the ceiling.

What We Like About It: Floating artwork offers a two-for-one benefit serving has both home decor and a privacy piece in some regard.

Add a Sliding Door

When thinking about privacy ideas for an open floor plan, a sliding door, like this one in a video posted by Instagram user, @wallpanels_com, probably comes to mind almost instantly. According to Taylor, sliding doors or barn doors can be a great solution for areas that need occasional privacy, like home offices or bedrooms in an open floor plan.

What We Like About It: This type of door can create separation and privacy in seconds as shown and revert back to its open state when necessary.

Have a Staircase

A staircase doesn’t necessarily provide privacy in the traditional sense, however, it creates the illusion of separation, especially if it’s in the middle of a space. Instagram user, @Ronazizi, has a glass railing for their staircase which creates the feeling of privacy.

What We Like About It: Multi-level houses or apartments need a staircase so why not utilize it to help create privacy. If you already need it anyway, then you might as well have it serve another function.

Use Frosted Glass

Frosted glass can be used for a wall partition or for part of a railing as mentioned in the slide above. Instagram user, @melange_interiors_p_ltd, has a frosted glass partition in the middle of their space to create separation and privacy while still serving as a stylistic choice.

What We Like About It: Frosted glass can create the illusion of privacy while still allowing light to pass through to brighten up a space.

About The Experts

• Bar Zakheim is a licensed general contractor and CEO of Better Place Design & Build in San Diego, CA.
• Alecia Taylor is an interior designer at CabinetNow.com who specializes in custom cabinetry, open floor plan designs, and creating multifunctional spaces.
• Todd Harmon is the principal interior designer and co-founder of Patio Productions.