ᐅ How can Ikea Platsa be effectively used as a room divider?

Created on: 15 May 2019 08:23
K
kelsey0
Hello everyone, I am currently considering how to best use the Ikea Platsa system as a room divider in a small open-plan apartment. My apartment is about 35 sqm (375 sq ft), and I want to cleverly separate areas like living, dining, and sleeping with a room divider without making the space feel cramped. I imagine that Platsa could serve as storage on one hand, while also allowing enough openness for light to pass through so it doesn’t feel like sitting in a closed-off box. Does anyone have experience using Platsa as a room divider? How did you choose, combine, or possibly customize the modules? I am especially interested in the best approach regarding stability and appearance. Thanks in advance!
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botibo
16 May 2019 08:55
Hey! I really like the idea of upgrading a piece of furniture to serve as a room divider. For me, the balance between lighting and storage was the main focus. I left the back panels of my Platsa room divider open and placed a few plants inside – it looks great and still gives a sense of spatial separation. A small tip from me: depending on how you arrange the modules, you can even create natural pathways through the room, not just a right-angled division. This adds dynamism and makes the whole setup much more interesting.
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Laukau5
16 May 2019 11:29
siri47 schrieb:
Additionally, I stacked some of the modules on top of each other and secured them to the wall for extra stability, so everything is very solid.

This is an important point because Platsa modules are designed to be placed against walls rather than used as freestanding room dividers. Therefore, proper screwing or anchoring is essential to prevent tipping hazards. I recommend the following steps when building a room divider:

- Choose wide modules as a base for better stability
- Connect the modules not only horizontally but also vertically
- Use additional stabilizers or brackets attached to the wall and preferably to the floor
- Ensure the floor is level to avoid leaning or tipping

Additionally, I want to highlight acoustic considerations: closed modules dampen sound better than open shelves. For aesthetics, a combination of open and closed modules often works best. As kelsey0 mentioned, the goal is also to allow light to pass through. A compromise can be half-height modules, which provide visual separation without completely blocking light.

Does this help with your planning? If you have exact measurements, I could even create sketches or layout suggestions.
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NISAN
16 May 2019 13:43
I can fully understand how important this room divider with Platsa is to you, as I often face the challenge of combining functionality and atmosphere, especially in smaller apartments. I have tried to look at it not only practically but also emotionally: a room divider shouldn’t just separate spaces but also create a feeling of “home.” That’s why I recommend considering materials, colors, and personal items that you incorporate into the shelving system. This way, the divider becomes a barrier that doesn’t feel cold but provides a sense of comfort. Platsa, in particular, offers many combination options, allowing you to change the look according to your mood. Good luck with your project!
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kelsey0
17 May 2019 09:12
Laukau5 schrieb:
A compromise is half-height modules; they provide visual separation but don’t fully block off.

This appeals to me especially because I might want to welcome guests later without completely shutting them off. If you have sketches or specific module combinations for me, I would really appreciate it!

I can already say that I like the balance between openness and storage very much. I still need to research wall mounting because the wall structure in my apartment is borderline for screwing. Therefore, one option would be to connect the modules securely to each other and maybe stabilize them with a heavy floor stopper.

Does anyone have practical experience with how to replace or supplement wall mounting when drilling into the wall is difficult? Thanks so much to everyone for the great ideas here!