Separating Rooms With Columns

Measure the length between your floor and your ceiling so you know what size columns to buy. If you cannot purchase columns in the proper height, you can add pieces of wood in the same shape and size as the column to the very top and bottom, painting the edges of the wood in the same color as the base and top of the column so they blend in.

Purchase two tall, thick columns. You usually can buy these at garden centers and stores that sell home decor. The thicker the better, because they will be separating the rooms.

Paint the columns if they are unfinished or in a color that doesn't match your space. You can paint them the same color as the walls or the color of the trim. Painting them the same color as your walls makes them seem more integrated with the room, while painting them in the trim color draws more attention to them.

Place the columns where you want the rooms to be separated. Put one column on each side of the room, next to but not touching the wall. When you step back, they should create a sort of archway effect, creating a clear boundary between the rooms. Because these columns are quite heavy, there's usually no need to attach them to the floor and ceiling. Additionally, the pieces of wood mentioned in Step 1 can serve as anchors. Simply have the wood cut so that they can be tightly wedged between the top and bottom of the columns and the floor and ceiling. This prevents the columns from moving if you bump into them.