Room dividers are a beautiful way to break up a bedroom space with little cost and no building work involved – but the divider you choose has more bearing than just the way it looks.
It may seem unbelievable, but, as our Feng Shui experts warn, room dividers with shelves can actually disrupt your rest and sleep, leaving you tired, deflated, and groggy.
Here, they explain why this bedroom Feng Shui rule is so important, and what to use instead.
Why Room Dividers With Shelves Don't Belong In the Bedroom
We're big believers of using room divider ideas in the bedroom to zone off areas for sleeping, working, and getting ready – making your open-plan space work for you.
But, as Suzanne Roynon, Feng Shui expert, interiors therapist, and regular Homes & Gardens contributor, explains, bedroom divider ideas with shelves can be very disruptive to your rest and sleep from an energy perspective, thwarting efforts you make to sleep better and could leave you lethargic come morning.
'It's not just the sharp angles cutting into the energy of the room, known as 'poison arrows' in Feng Shui, but the contents of the shelves too, especially if they include books and brightly colored decor items,' she says. 'These can be overstimulating, prevent the mind from relaxing, and scatter thoughts, making it more difficult to wind down at night.'
For that reason, it's best to style your bookcase with neutral tones and keep it firmly to the edges of your space or even out of your bedroom altogether. For example, we're a huge fan of more modern bookshelf trends, like shelves that accentuate architecture in your living room or hallway, and, if you do want to keep them in your bedroom, backward-facing books.
'There is also a subconscious impact,' continues Suzanne, 'in that the divider effectively creates a place where something could hide, which some people, especially children, can equate with "monsters under the bed",' quickly becoming one of the things in your bedroom that could be ruining your sleep.
What to Use Instead
So, how can you design a bedroom for better sleep? The key, recommends Suzanne, is opting for sheer curtains for a softer way to zone your bedroom and avoid any bedroom layout mistakes.
'A better option for screening is sheer curtains or screens with soft edges, which offer a degree of separation whilst maintaining the sanctuary every bedroom deserves.'
For example, the Melodieux White Semi Sheer Curtains, available at Amazon, are available in 13 colors with an airy, semi-transparent look, while the 3-Panel Pine Wood Frame Room Divider, available at Wayfair, features rounded edges and a natural cane design that lets light filter through, providing a soft ambiance and added privacy.
What to Shop
Dive into more of Suzanne's expertise in her bestselling book, which covers how certain possessions impact love, why evaluating clutter is only part of the problem, and how to activate change in nine key parts of your life, among other enlightening topics.
These sheer white curtains filter light beautifully, yet still offer privacy and separation. They're also handily machine-washable in cold water on a gentle cycle, and can be tumble-dried and ironed if needed, for quick and convenient cleaning.
This folding room divider is available in seven natural tones, and you can customize each to fit your space between three and six panels. The lightweight design and flexible double-hinged panels also make it easy to move around and configure to suit your needs.
This gorgeous room divider from IKEA is made of natural fibers, for a versatile look that lets light through. It also folds flat for storage, so is easy to stow away when not needed or in use.
These clever tension rods separate your space and will not leave holes or damage in walls or ceilings, so they are perfect for renters. They're also rust-proof and durable, and just as easy to remove as they are to install.
These super affordable sheer curtains are sold as a pair and are available in different lengths to suit any space. They're also easy to install, and can hang or slide and fit on most curtain rods.
Meet the Expert
Having some of the best sleep hacks in your arsenal can also boost sleep quality and help you drift off more easily at night.
