Folding Room Dividers
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Screens and Room Dividers
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Screens and Room Dividers
Plywood
20th Century American Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Mirror, Paint
Early 2000s Italian Bauhaus Screens and Room Dividers
Lacquer
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Folding Room Dividers For Sale on 1stDibs
Finding the Right Screens-room-dividers for You
Whether they are implemented as decorative accents or makeshift partitions to ensure privacy, antique and vintage folding screens and room dividers easily introduce sophistication and depth to any space in your home.
The earliest examples of folding screens are said to have originated in China and go back at least as far as the Han dynasty. Screens of the era were heavy structures made of wood and had hinges of cloth or leather. They were adorned with elaborate landscape paintings that were typically created on silk or paper canvases and applied directly to the screen’s panels afterward. Just as they had been in the 20th century and today, the folding screens then were recognized for both their practical and purely decorative properties.
Japanese room-divider screens were also decorated with paintings but constructed to be lightweight and mobile. They took on considerable event-based importance when the structures gained popularity in the East Asian country, as the folding screens were used in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. Later, artists elsewhere warmed to folding screens and sought to create their own.
In European countries such as France, where they were known as paravent, folding screens began to materialize in apartments in Paris, gaining favor with the likes of pioneering couturier Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who is said to have accrued more than 30 and used them as a precursor to what we now know as wallpaper.
On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique and vintage folding screens and room dividers, which, given their history, may do a better job of bringing people and cultures together in your home than sectioning off a space. Search by material to find options in metal, fabric or wood, or browse by style for mid-century modern designs and examples from the Art Deco era.
- What are room dividers called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023What room dividers are called depends on their style. Large collapsible walls are partition walls, while sectioned panels with hinges are screens. Japanese-style room dividers are known as shoji blinds. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of room dividers from some of the world's top dealers.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023The simplest things that can be used as room dividers are room divider furnishings that stand up on their own. You can also use folding screens, pocket doors, bookcases, curtains, trellises, hanging shelves and other objects and furniture pieces as room dividers. On 1stDibs, find a variety of room dividers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023To quickly divide a room, you can use a freestanding room divider. If you wish to leave the room open but visually divide it, try placing accent rugs under the furniture in different areas. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of room dividers.
- What do you call a room divider?1 Answer
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020Room dividers can also be referred to as screens or panels.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023There are many things that you can use instead of a room divider. If you want to be able to open up the room or quickly create more privacy, curtains suspended from the ceiling can be a good choice. Folding screens are another option that give you the flexibility to change your room easily. For a more permanent solution, you can divide the room with case goods like bookcases. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of furniture from some of the world's top dealers.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Paper room dividers are often called decorative screens or merely room dividers depending on the design. The earliest examples of folding screens are said to have originated in China and go back at least as far as the Han dynasty. Screens of the era were heavy structures made of wood and had hinges of cloth or leather. They were adorned with elaborate landscape paintings that were typically created on silk or paper canvases and applied directly to the screen’s panels afterward. Just as they had been in the 20th century and today, the folding screens then were recognized for both their practical and purely decorative properties. Japanese room-divider screens were also decorated with paintings but constructed to be lightweight and mobile. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of room dividers and decorative screens.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023Chinese room dividers are also called pingfengs. The term pingfeng in traditional Chinese literally means “wind blocker” or “wind wall.” Some people also refer to these room dividers as folding screens because they consist of hinged panels that allow them to fold up when not in use. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of folding screens from some of the world's top dealers.
- Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
For standing room dividers, make sure you set them up in an accordion or or zig zag fold pattern to keep them from falling down.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Yes, you can use curtains as a room divider. To do so, you will need to mount hanging hardware on the ceiling. One of the biggest benefits of using curtains to divide rooms is that they are easy to maneuver when you want to open up a space or close off an area. Shop a range of curtains on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Yes, you can attach a room divider to a wall using nails or adhesive. However, making holes or using strong chemical glues may damage some room divider materials. If you do choose to anchor a divider, use care when removing it in the future. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of room dividers.
PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020Lightweight Japanese paper lattice screens known as shōji are a versatile way to define a living space and block drafts. Painted folding screens known as byōbu are also used as decorative elements, often featuring landscapes, animals, and flowering plants. Chinese folding screens were traditionally comprised of monumental hinged panels, intricately carved and decorated with panoramic landscapes or stone inlay.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Carlton room divider is a Memphis-style icon made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and plastic laminate. A highly sculptural piece, it features a bookcase, drawers and shelves painted in lovely muted primary colors. Shop Carlton room dividers from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Do room dividers fall easily?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023Whether room dividers fall easily depends on a few factors. Generally, the heavier the room divider is, the less likely it is to tip over. Dividers are also less likely to fall if they are properly adjusted. With an accordion-style divider, try bending the panels at a wider angle to create a more sturdy base. Some people choose to install stabilizing brackets on the floor to keep their room dividers upright. Depending on the style of your space, you may also be able to hang a divider from the ceiling or attach one end to a wall. Shop a variety of room dividers on 1stDibs.
- Are room dividers a good idea?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023Yes, room dividers are a good idea. The right room divider can make large spaces feel more intimate. Dividers can also make it easier for a space to serve two functions, such as a dining room and a living room. Room dividers can additionally help to ensure privacy when placed in offices, bathrooms and bedrooms. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of room dividers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Ettore Sottsass did not design the Carlton room divider for a specific patron or client. He created the piece while working with the Memphis Group, an art collective that held joint shows from 1981 to 1987. Find a selection of Ettore Sottsass furniture on 1stDibs.
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