Posts Tagged ‘shoji screen’

Why Shoji Screens are a Decorator’s Secret Weapon

Friday, September 10th, 2010

shoji screensAccording 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.

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Divide your Space without shrinking it – Try a Low Panel Shoji Screen

Monday, January 18th, 2010
Low Profile Shoji Screen Room Divider

Low Profile Shoji Screen Room Divider

For many years, the solution to small-space living has been to get a Shoji screen room divider and make the room into a “multi-purpose” space.  This is an excellent idea for city dwellers who are trying to fit a bedroom, an office, a living room, and a kitchen into one studio apartment.  But one problem I’ve always had with room dividers is their tendency to make a space look smaller.  That’s why I was so struck by this simple innovation – a low-profile, 4-panel shoji screen.

This is one of those times when I can be found scratching my head and saying, “Why didn’t I think of this?”  Maybe I’m just not “Zen” enough.  The important thing is, somebody thought of it.

Now, with this Zen black hardwood Shoji Screen, you can still divide your room without dividing your “space.”  This is the type of room divider screen one might use to hide a desk or computer table, with all the wires and printer cords, while allowing the person sitting at the desk to converse with other people in the room.  It is also a great way to hide a pet’s crate, a set of dumbbells, or a private meditation space without totally cutting that part of the room off from the whole.  Many apartment dwellers use several of these low-slung Shoji screens to hide the bottom portion of tall windows.

At 48” tall, these 4-paneled Shoji screens extend to 68” wide when fully extended.  Each panel measures 17” wide by 48” tall.  On the bottom of each screen is a sturdy kickboard, and the top panels are beautifully styled.  Think like an interior designers and think of all the ways you could use a low-profile Shoji screen in your home, office or retail space.

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Zen and the Art of the Shoji Screen

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Shoji Four-Panel Screen

What can a Shoji screen do for your home décor?

Well, if you need a peaceful and meditative space within your home, away from the clutter and noise, a Japanese Shoji screen may be the answer.

What is a Shoji screen?

By creating a subtle division within a room, these decorative, unobtrusive room dividers can make any space more graceful, elegant and private. A Shoji screen makes an interesting and unusual accent in any room.

Also known as privacy screens, Shoji screens are constructed with a trellis-like wooden panel. Each square or rectangular opening is then covered in Shoji. Shoji is usually made from smooth, translucent, vinyl-coated fiberglass, which gives the appearance of rice paper.

How are they used?

A Shoji screen is portable and lightweight, easily folding into three panels. This can be helpful in creating a mobile, secluded workspace almost anywhere in the home. Using a Shoji screen will make a portion of a room private, while still a part of the main room.

Some people choose a Shoji screen to hide an unsightly closet, or cover a window which has an unpleasant view. It will also enhance the overall look of the space.

A Shoji screen can offer a certain degree of sun protection too, making them useful in south-facing rooms. By diffusing the light in an overly bright space, the screen creates more ambient lighting and improves the room’s appearance.

These Japanese screens are available in a variety of wood finishes, panel designs and sizes, so everyone should be able to find the perfect one for their home.

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