How to Use a Bookshelf as a Room Divider
You can easily divide one large room into two just by adding a bookshelf room divider in a strategic spot.
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Open concept spaces have been having quite a moment over the last few years, but what happens when you’re looking for a space to become less open? Maybe you’re dealing with a room that’s a little too big to be functional, or maybe you’d like a cozy spot for reading, studying, or painting. Apartment living, in particular, often calls for rooms to be divided in creative ways to make the most of the small space.
Enter a bookcase room divider! That’s right—all it takes to turn a large room into two perfect spaces is a bookshelf. Whether your design aesthetic leans grand, minimalist, or somewhere in between, a strategically placed shelf can offer both style and function. Read on for bookshelf room divider ideas that have the potential to totally transform the way you move through your home.
Quick Links
- Use Open Shelving
- Style Your Shelves
- Position Books on Both Sides of the Shelves
- Keep It Neutral
- Don’t Hold Back With Greenery
Bookshelf Room Divider Ideas
If you want a quick fix for a too-big space, you can simply set up a bookshelf down the center and leave it alone. But while a basic bookshelf room divider will do the trick, there’s no reason not to level up and incorporate some interior design principles into your approach. Check out these cool ideas for bookcase room dividers for some inspiration.
Use Open Shelving
Not ready to entirely give up the open-air feel you get from a large space? Selecting an open shelving unit as a divider will allow light to flow freely between your two quasi-rooms while still establishing the separation you’re looking for. Plus, the open shelves will make your decor visible from both sides.
Style Your Shelves
If you use a bookcase to divide your room, the shelves on that bookcase are bound to become a focal point of the space. Make a real statement with that focal point by styling your books and other items accordingly. You might opt to colorblock your books or add your favorite decorative pieces into nooks and crannies. Keep your shelves tidy over time so that when your bookshelf room divider draws eyes, it’s still looking its best.

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Position Books on Both Sides of the Shelves
Assuming you’re using a bookshelf to split a larger space into two rooms where you might want to cozy up with a book, it will be more functional as a divider if you can grab books from both sides. Choose a shelving unit with shelves wide enough to accommodate two rows of books—one that’s accessible from one side and another that’s accessible from, well, the other. This is a great trick if you’re using a bookcase to divide a reading nook or family room from a kitchen, where you might want to grab cookbooks.
Keep It Neutral
If you’d prefer to have your bookshelf room divider blend seamlessly into your space, aim to make that divider as neutral as possible. Select a white bookcase and fill it with items in shades of white, cream, beige, brown, and gray. As the rest of the decor in your home evolves, you won’t have to make any big changes to the shelving of your bookcase. You can’t go wrong with a neutral palette!
Don’t Hold Back With Greenery
Breathe a little extra life into both of your spaces by filling your bookcases with plants. Incorporating greenery is an easy way to add color and warm up a space. If you choose especially full greenery, it can even give your spaces some additional privacy.
Divide and Conquer
When you use a bookcase to divide a large space into smaller rooms, you do more than just shake up your floor plan. You can also add more color, depth, and styling. It might just give your home the facelift and revamp it needs.

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