The terms "folding screen" and "room divider" tend to be interchangeable when you're shopping for a hinged, paneled screen to add to your home. We admit, however, to a preference the former—because folding screens do much more than just separate one side of the room from another (though they are very good at that, especially if you're a studio-dweller). Folding screens can be as impactful visually as a large piece of art, imparting both texture and a contrasting design to an otherwise lacking room. Plus, they're easier to move (no holes in the wall!). For that matter they canhideunsightly walls, or flatten intoa headboardbehind your pillow. They can even act as door if your space is lacking them, as evidenced byThom Browne's living room. Best of all, you don't have to pick—one folding screen can be used every which way you wish to use them—just pick it up and move it across the room.
The only reason not to get one is that they can be prohibitively expensive (as in, thousandsupon thousandsof dollars if you start snooping around antiques sites). So we've rounded up our favorite more affordable folding screens in all styles.
