Remodeling Ideas for a Den With a Half-Wall

Crown Molding and Trim

• Continue the trim work added around the ceiling, doorways and baseboards of the den around the top and base of the half-wall. Add more trim along the vertical edges of the half-wall to upgrade it into a detailed architectural feature of the room. The molding added around the horizontal edges of the half-wall’s top can be used as a decorative base to a countertop installed on top. With the added molding or trim, the half-wall becomes a cohesive, transitional element in the design of the den.

Seating

• Plan the seating in the remodeled den to be adjacent to the half-wall. The location of the half-wall may make it a good spot to align the back of a sectional sofa, a sofa or chairs. Since the height of the backs of most seating solutions almost matches the height of the half-wall, putting the two together frees up some of the room’s visual space. On the other side of the half-wall, the seating will seemingly disappear, since the half-wall hides it, while on the side of the seating, the half-wall will recede to the background.

Storage

• Used as an informal gathering space in a house, the den typically is a multifunctional room that requires some storage solutions. In the remodel design of the den, the half-wall can serve as the backdrop to a bookcase or cabinetry to store toys, games and items used regularly in the den. The top of the cabinetry or bookcase can be matched to the level of the half-wall to make one display surface. If shorter than the wall, the multilevel effect adds even more visual interest to the display surfaces.

Workspace

• Include a workspace in the remodeling plans for the den. This presents another opportunity for the half-wall, since it already functions as a divider or barrier within the space. A built-in work surface connected to the half-wall, or a desk unit positioned next to the half-wall, instantly adds a place to get tasks done. Another option is to raise the work surface out of the reach of smaller children. With bar stools, a countertop added to the top of the half-wall creates this solution, and older children may use it to work on projects or to get their homework done.