A Room Divided

Open floor plans: yes we all crave them, love them, need them, but they create unique design challenges. For example our living room, that I'm currently designing, is more like our 'everything' room.  It serves as our main living/tv/hangout room, our dining room, our entertaining room, our office and our main entry.  Phew, that's a lot for one, yes ONE room. My biggest challenges are the structural beam and the closed-in front porch area which has a lower ceiling and different flooring.  I need to make this space into a welcoming entry and a office without putting up walls. Here are my ideas thus far. Send me your ideas!   

HGTV.ca

The obvious choice is to use a shelving unit, such as the one pictured above. I'm just not sure if this would give enough privacy to the office area.  

ThisOldHouse.com

 I love this solution! It gives the office privacy while still being open, and getting extra storage is a bonus.

 



MarleyandLockyer.com

Here are two nice examples from Marley and Lockyer using a curtain and folding screen.

Better Homes & Garden, April 2010

My mom torn this out of last April's BHG Magazine. The room has nearly the identical layout to our living room. Right now, using a curtain in this manner is probably my first choice.  I might also add a folding screen to even further divide the space. I can't seem to figure out what kind of curtain rod they used though. Anyone know?