| In the past 15 to 20 years, the trend for house design, | | | | Many individuals may remember room dividers as |
| as well as restaurant floor plans, has had a huge | | | | those tacky accordion-styled sliders used in |
| emphasis towards an open floor plan. An open floor | | | | elementary schools and high schools. Forget about the |
| plan lends itself well to entertaining and creating a | | | | tacky. Options available today have left those |
| spacious and airy feeling. Unfortunately, an open floor | | | | unimaginative and boring dividers behind. Whether the |
| plan does not necessarily fulfill the need for a private | | | | home owner or restaurant owner has a modern, |
| room which can be dedicated to a home theater set | | | | industrial, or vintage decor, there is a style of room |
| up with a controlled acoustic environment, game room, | | | | divider which will complement the interior space. |
| or private dining. | | | | Room dividers, much like extra large pocket doors, |
| The most recent trends in custom built homes have | | | | help to break up an open and airy space into a more |
| been to dedicate a room to a home theater setup or | | | | intimate and cozy environment. By installing room |
| game room. If the home is already built, building an | | | | dividers, it can allow for multiple groups to make use of |
| addition can be cost prohibitive to which any builder | | | | an area without distracting or bothering another. |
| can attest. With the economy still in a recession and | | | | Sectioning off a portion of the living quarters or family |
| real estate values diminished, it may not make financial | | | | room of a home can add to an individual's privacy |
| sense to add onto a home at this time. Should the | | | | while at the same time creating a whole new look to |
| home owner live in a loft-style abode in New York or | | | | an otherwise stagnant floor plan. In a restaurant setting, |
| similar city, building an addition is not usually an option. | | | | private parties or business luncheons can be |
| However, there are creative and tasteful alternatives | | | | accommodated. |
| which are inexpensive. | | | | There are a variety of styles and materials on the |
| Restaurants, much like apartments, are not usually able | | | | market from which to choose. A transparent or |
| to receive a building addition due to property space | | | | frosted separation will lend itself nicely to a modern or |
| constraints and other buildings already attached. The | | | | industrial setting, while a more conservative and toned |
| only answer is to make use of existing space in a | | | | down tan or darker finish will be more appropriate for |
| manner to maximize flexibility. Room dividers are the | | | | the traditional decor. |
| answer. | | | | |