How to Build a Simple Screen Divider

by The Johnston Group 12/17/2024

There are a plethora of creative ways to divide a room. There are also many room dividers you can DIY to save money while building something completely custom. One simple and convenient way to divide a room is with a folding screen. Here is all of the info you'll need to make your own screen room divider.

Materials Needed

This list contains materials for making a folding screen that's approximately 4 feet wide and 6 feet tall. Feel free to adjust measurements as needed.

  • 3 pieces of 6mm plywood (16x64)
  • 12 pieces of 3/4x2 lumber (6 that are 16 inches long; 6 that are 6 feet long)
  • hinges and screws
  • paint and paintbrush
  • wood varnish
  • hammer and nails
  • wood glue
  • drill
  • screwdriver

How to Build

  1. Paint the plywood boards on both sides in your choice of color.
  2. Build the frames out of the lumber pieces by using the 6ft pieces as vertical posts and the 16 inch pieces between them horizontally.
  3. There will be extra space on one end of the frame. This will be at the bottom of the screen.
  4. Once the wood glue on the frame is dry, add some more glue to the edges of the plywood board.
  5. Wedge the plywood board into the frame. Use clamps for extra stability while it dries.
  6. Repeat these steps 3 times to create 3 panels.
  7. To connect the panels, lay two of them up on their side to attach a metal hinge.
  8. Once you add the hinges to connect the two panels, flip them over to add the third.
  9. Add any additional paint or decoration to your screen and place wherever you want to divide the room.

Now you can enjoy a convenient and mobile folding screen suitable for any room of your home.