How to Frame an Interior Divider Wall With High Ceilings

Use graph paper to draw the room dimensions. Sketch the divider wall approximately 8 feet tall. Plan to build the wall with solid materials that enhance woodwork and furnishings in the room. Design framing with wood veneer over it, as a good choice. Leave a foot or two at the top of the wall for glass blocks to fit seamlessly from the top of the wall to the ceiling. Plan upper divider for allowing some light to come through the divider.

Remove flooring material, if needed, to install framework at the floor level. Use screws and an electric screwdriver to install the bottom plate of the wall footprint. Build a wall floor perimeter of 2-by-4-inch boards that cover a wall space 10 feet long by 2 feet wide, for example.

Secure framing boards to existing wall studs on one side. Stabilize this skeleton structure with 4-inch wood screws. Add room divider wall studs on 16-inch centers across the entire width of the new structure. Nail on a top plate and a vertical end to enclose the framework shape. Be sure to miter the top plate and vertical board at the top and bottom, so that any covering materials will fit smoother.

Run electrical wiring for outlets or wiring needed for wall sconces. Route the wiring while walls are open, so you can drill holes through the studs to run the wiring vertically, if needed. Add light sconces on the divider to provide light for reading or working, especially if the tall ceiling has no overhead lights.

Build a plywood covering for the wall using ½-inch plywood. Cut out any spaces needed for outlets or wiring that will fit light fixtures. Nail all plywood in a smooth, finished fashion to support an overlay of wood veneer sheets.

Glue veneer sheets stained a dark cherry color directly onto the plywood. Cover any edges with wood molding stained this same shade of cherry.

Nail baseboard material around the bottom of the wall on both sides and the end cap. Pre-stain the baseboards before securing them in place.

Add rows of glass blocks on the very top of the wall to fill space all the way to the ceiling. Rent scaffolding to support you or another worker to lay the glass blocks' section.

Hook up wall lighting and electrical outlets. Install outlet plate covers in a shade of brown to harmonize with the walls.