Screens are handy items to have around the home. You can use them to hide untidy corners, create private retreats and divide a multi-purpose room into dedicated sections. These three original screens are simple to make and will provide privacy without blocking the natural light coming through the windows.
Modern-day miracle
These contemporary Polyblock dividers are simple to assemble and work well as a screen as they diffuse light. They’re a great solution where light is a problem or if the space is limited, and can divide without overpowering the space.
Made of polycarbonate blocks which have been manufactured to resemble expensive glass blocks, they can be arranged in any configuration you like. Each block has an innovative, patented tongue-and-groove design so when you join the blocks they lock together. To assemble them, all you have to do is tap them together with a rubber mallet. For dramatic appeal, you could add a bold stripe of glass paint on the outer row of each tower. The result will be a slightly streaky, stained-glass effect.
Room with a view
Here’s a solution that might already be right under your nose. This open-backed storage unit was going to waste pressed flush up against a wall. By pulling it away from the wall and giving it castor wheels, hey presto, you have a mobile display unit cum divider. It’s a nifty way to turn up the privacy while retaining a view into the adjacent room.
To add interest, have some 3mm-thick perspex, both coloured and opaque, cut to size to cover some of the cubes. Just screw the panels on randomly and add accessories.
Step back in time
This period-style screen creates a beautiful backdrop for the existing furniture. To make it, you’ll need three timber-framed screen doors to form a folding divider. First, remove the fly mesh by undoing the timber beading that holds it in place. Then, if your doors are made of raw timber, you’ll need to paint them to match the decor. Simply brush the paint over the timber doors and beading, then wipe off excess paint with a soft cloth. You can achieve various shades, from black to light oak, by diluting the mix. Test a small area under the door before you start.
When the stain is dry, line the doors up against the wall and butt them together to make sure the hinges will be fixed on the correct sides. Rebate the door frames to hold the brass hinges (you’ll need hinges top, bottom and centre).
Now for the fabric inserts. Choose a semi-transparent fabric. Measure the open panel and add 10cm at each end. Multiply this measurement by three to determine the quantity of fabric you’ll need. Trim the fabric to size for each panel, then staple it to the door frame. Restore the beading so the staples are hidden. Repeat for the other two doors. Finally, attach all three screens to the door frames with the brass hinges.