12 examples of how to easily zone an apartment

Not always there is time, opportunity, or desire to do a full renovation. We've collected 12 ideas specially for these cases.

Glass partition

An impressive and functional solution is to install a sliding glass partition. It doesn't have to be lofts-style — see the elegant option chosen by Alla Polenova and Natalya Lavrik for this bright apartment.

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Design: Alla Polenova, Natalya Lavrik

Rail system

This type of partition also lets in light and doesn't weigh down the space, so it's perfect for small apartments. It also fits perfectly into an eco-style interior.

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Design: Andrey Rybakov

Furniture

You can even use a sofa for zoning. For example, this is what Manana Khuchua did in this Moscow two-room flat. The designer arranged the furniture so that the sofa back became a boundary between the living room and dining area.

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Design: Manana Khuchua

Different colors / materials

In this kitchen-living room, designed by Anastasia Shabelskaya, different zones were separated using floor coverings: parquet was laid in the living room area, and ceramic granite in the kitchen.

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Design: Anastasia Shabelskaya

Lighting scenarios

Different functional zones were marked with lights: spotlights were installed in the kitchen, wall sconces in the dining area, and a designer chandelier with solid shades in the living room.

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Design: Artpartner

Low partition

If you have a one-room flat, note this idea — create a full bedroom zone without dividing the already small apartment into tiny rooms.

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Design: Anna Bagrova

Niche

If your apartment has a niche — use it! You can set up a relaxation zone, bedroom, or workspace there, especially if the niche has a window.

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Design: Varvara Shabelnikova

Curtaions

If there is no niche, create the illusion of one with curtains — separate part of the room to set up a bedroom, for example. The main advantages of this solution are that it is very easy and fast to implement, and if desired, you can refresh the interior by replacing the curtains.

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Design: Zhanna Studentsova

Load-bearing structures

Many perceive the presence of load-bearing structures as a disadvantage of an apartment — because they limit renovation possibilities. But even a column in the center of the flat can easily be turned into an advantage by solving the zoning issue with it.

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Design: We Create Studio

Bar counter

The most obvious and functional way to separate the kitchen zone from other rooms is to install a bar counter, as Marina Svetlova did in this minimalist project.

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Design: Marina Svetlova

Platform

You can also highlight a bedroom zone using a platform. Just be careful: building a platform requires approval as a renovation.

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Design: Ruetemple

Multiple techniques at once

In this two-room flat, Olga Artemova used several zoning techniques at once. There are different lighting scenarios, a glass partition, and furniture-based zoning — a small shelf and sofa. The interior is not overloaded.

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Design: Olga Artemova