According to most interior designers, working with a small space can be one of the most challenging aspects of their job, especially in a home environment that has multiple uses. When faced with the task of making a relatively small New York apartment into a livable multi-use space, there are only so many “tricks” a decorator can use. The strategic use of shoji screens is one of them.
Shoji screens are more than just a backdrop for a Japanese tatami room; they are widely used throughout Western cultures as a way to divide up space in a graceful and unobtrusive way. Made from durable and lightweight solid wood frames, they also let in diffused light through fiber reinforced rice paper. What is really nice about shoji paper screens is how they can carve out a private space for an office or dressing area without blocking light and sound from traveling through.