Have you ever wished you could conjure an extra room in your home – as a study, a TV room or a cosy den, perhaps? If you’ve resigned yourself to a small home with limited bedrooms, take heart in knowing that the key to creating multifunction in a compact home lies in creating zones within existing spaces. With a little inspiration, you can magic up an additional room without having to call in a builder. Here are some simple ideas to turn one room into two.

1. Go for a decorative screen

Screens with intricate carvings, trad jali (traditional Indian latticework) or contemporary metal designs can breathe oodles of character into a room, while serving as effortless dividers. If you prefer not to jar the aesthetic of your larger space, consider going for a screen with delicate fretwork, as pictured above, to channel light both ways.Alternatively, if you want to create two distinct zones within your room, go for a solid screen like the one on the left to maintain maximum privacy on both sides.A great way to partition your room into two while also giving it a modish dramatic edge is to get a metal room divider in a contemporary avatar. With a bold design, you don’t have to go big. Opt for a slim screen like the one here to symbolise the end of one zone and the beginning of another.

2. Bring in a shelving unit

A basic shelving unit – open or closed – is perfect for giving your room a multifunctional facelift. By placing your unit between your two spaces, you can create a sense of division while also maximising the space within the unit for storage and display. An open unit is a good option if you plan to keep a visual connection between your zones……On the other hand, if you prefer to close your zones off from each other, a closed unit can help morph each space into an independent, private retreat.

3. Install glass partitions

Glass doors like these are a good choice if you’re looking to create a division without robbing your larger space of light and volume. Install them floor to ceiling to merge them into the shell of your room and make them a luminous gateway between your spaces. For a look that spells visual continuity, go for sliding doors that can be swept all the way back.

4. Play with elevations

Instead of using dividers and screens to close off spaces, consider splitting your room into functional levels. In a kids’ bedroom, for instance, you can easily accommodate a split-level play room like this one. However, make safety a priority when planning such elevations in a kids’ space. Consider this option only if your kids are independent enough to handle being at a height unsupervised. A bed hoisted onto an elevated platform can visually signal a sleep zone, and relegate the lower level to other activities.

5. Split your space

Use walls, angles and levels to craft individual spaces that serve as custom cubbyholes. Let each space shine as an expression of your child’s personality.
In this attic, the designer has slotted two beds below the sloping ceiling to optimise every corner of available space. With a partition in between, both beds give their occupants a world of privacy. A long drawer occupies the space underneath each bed, making it an ideal store for bedsheets, pillows and covers.It’s amazing what an extra wall can do. Here, the designers have successfully zoned two separate kiddie spaces by adding a wall between the beds. Each wall comes with niches, ideal for holding trophies, knick knacks and toys. Similar bedsheets in contrasting colors are used to create a distinction between the sections.

6. Double up with a bunk bed

Vertical space is gold in a shared bedroom. By stacking your beds, you’re left with enough room for other things, like a study table or a play zone.
In this transitional Ahmedabad bedroom, Studiovistara casts the bunk bed against a panelled teal wall. Notice how complementary bed covers in blue and white display each bunk in its own light.Alternatively, if you have enough wall space, source a pair of bunk beds with study tables underneath. This way, you don’t need to set aside a separate study zone.

7. Keep a neutral palette

Whether you have a boy and girl, or two girls or two boys, keeping a neutral palette can lend to a canvas conducive to creativity as your kids get older. When you feel like a change, you can leave the walls alone and simply mix up accents within your neutral shell.A rainbow rug, a geometric bed throw and varied scatter cushions come together in this chic, twin-sharing bedroom. play to the contemporary decor but promise to remain versatile and open to change.