Pro Tip: Use Fabric Panels to Break Up Your Open Floor Plan

From House Beautiful

Over the last several decades, open floor plans have swept the design world. Designers and builders alike have stepped away from the concept of distinct rooms and moved towards spaces that blur the lines of what a space is intended for. As any HGTV fan could tell you, ripping out walls to open up a space is just as common as shiplap in a home designed by Joanna Gaines. But the no walls look isn't for everyone.

For those mourning the walls they never had, we have good news for you: There's a fix that doesn't involve major construction! Before you call your contractor begging for a wall to separate your kitchen and living room, consider hanging fabric panels or long curtains to divide the spaces, like Mark Sikes did in this room.

While a panel or curtain might not offer the same privacy that a full wall might, it does give you the option to close off a space visually, which is definitely appealing if you're staring at a pile of dishes from your couch every nigh—talk about an eyesore. Plus, using either a panel or curtain allows you to change your mind, something neither walls nor an open concept allow. Though Sikes's room is full-on design fantasy, the method he uses is an ideal solution to separate areas in studio apartments or small spaces.

To install, simply hang a floor-length panel or curtain on the ceiling between two "rooms," just as you would hang a curtain over a window. Add curtain ties to allow the space to transform back and forth between an open and divided rooms—and maybe finish it all with a touch of trim for added detail. It's as easy as that!

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