Introduction: Room Divider From Louvered Bi-Fold Doors
This house is small, and from the entrance, and living area, one can see the entire (albeit tiny) kitchen, as well as the side of the giant fridge, and the food on top of it. I had some old louvered bi-fold doors in my garage, so I decided to turn them into a room divider.
Step 1: Not Much to It
There's really not. The doors had a thick shiny varnish, so I sanded it off. I removed the knobs and patched the holes with sheetrock putty. I took the middle hinge from each door, and put them in the middle to connect them all. (Make sure to do it on the opposite side, so it zig-zags, instead of making a box.) I painted the doors, and put it together.
Step 2: Before and After
Here are a few before and after shots of the area.
I hope this inspires someone.
As always, thanks for any comments, ratings etc.,
and thanks for looking.
11 Comments
14 years ago on Step 2
good idea. But r they free standing? I have carpeting so could be wobbly any suggestions for making them stay upright?
Reply 3 years ago
Add feet on the bottom of some of the panels by attaching wood that sticks out at a 90-degree angle and is flush with the bottom of the panel itself.
13 years ago on Step 2
I would like to know the answer to that question too! My ceilings are 9 ft and I want to do a project like this. But how are they attached. And not just to each other. That's a no-brainer. How do they stand on their own and be sturdy?
Reply 3 years ago
Take a piece of paper and fold it in a zigzag; it'll stand up. Ditto these.
It CAN be tipped over if you bump it.
You can put feet on the bottom by attaching a piece of wood that goes perpendicularly to each panel for greater stability; they might bump into each other, so you'd want to plan for that.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Well since the floor is hardwood, they just balance on their own as long as they're kept in a zig-zag formation. They haven't wobbled or fallen yet. I suppose one could put l brackets on the bottom against the floor for added support, or if you were really worried attach on end or the top to the wall or ceiling.
12 years ago on Introduction
Excellent look, and very cost-effective. Adds a lot of architectural interest. Well done!
We used wider versions of these doors to make a door/window "treatment." Our screen looks just like this only it has "feet" to slide across the floor and is attached to the wall on one side.
My son's new bedroom faces the street and includes a glass door with door-sized sidelites. I just knew if we put blinds or curtains, there would be many times he would not bother to close them for privacy.
We hinged together three sets of 32" louvered bi-folds just like this, and hinged the whole set to the wall in the corner. Along the bottom we used several white simple cabinet door knobs as feet. They are just screwed into each stile n the screen. We stuck on the felt discs used for furniture feet. The felt slides along the wooden floor. (I admit the feet do tend to collect dust bunnies as they slide.)
We attached a nicer cabinet handle. To close the screen, he just grabs the handle and pulls the whole screen out to cover the wall of glass doors/windows.
The doors we bought were already painted white, labor-saving. From Lowe's, and in-stock. It all looks super and matches the look of his room.
Reply 3 years ago
"hinged the whole set to the wall in the corner."
Thank you so much for sharing this! I need to create some sort of privacy screen so my son can commandeer the living room, and I've worried about it falling over. There's an archway into the room, and I could probably persuade my husband to let me anchor the folding screen to one side of the opening. And maybe a hook on the other side.
12 years ago on Introduction
this is what i want! i am extended my living room hopefully by building out out the porch. i want this where the wall used to be so i can still close it off as a semi-bedroom when i have guests...
13 years ago on Introduction
These louvered doors really help to add sophistication to the room. They are also convenient.
13 years ago on Introduction
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14 years ago on Introduction
This is a great idea. I have been looking for a way to "hide" my hot water tank in the corner of my bathroom. I had been looking for a folding privacy screen/room divider, but they cost well over $100 on the internet. This could easily be built for way cheaper, even if buying new doors.