How to build a temporary wall for your home (the EASY way)

temporary wall dividing kitchen & living space

Temporary walls can turn one bedroom into two and create privacy in shared spaces, yet they remain one of the most underutilized home design tools. 

 

This is because people only see them as a way of dividing space. But they don’t just divide space, they create it. So if you’re looking for the best way to create space with temporary walls in your home, here’s how to do it.

What is a temporary wall?

A temporary wall is a non-load-bearing, interior wall that does not have electrical wiring, plumbing, or insulation. They’re used to divide rooms, hide clutter, and create additional space without the need for traditional construction. 

 

Temporary walls are typically made from wood studs and drywall, among other materials. They’re built on the ground and then secured to the floor and ceiling with plates and screws. But there are other, easier ways to build a temporary wall for your home. 

cardboard room divider as a temporary wall in home

What’s the purpose of a temporary wall?

Temporary walls can be used in nearly every room of your home and serve a completely different purpose than other interior walls. Here are some reasons why you might need one: 

 

  • Turn a shared bedroom into two for individual privacy.

  • Hide long-lasting home renovations.

  • Create a laundry room to hide dirty clothes and dampen the sound from noisy washer and dryer machines.

  • Build a private home office to increase productivity and improve work-life balance.

  • Add a home workshop to your garage to work on DIY projects without disturbing your family. 

  • Divide a large living room in two to create separate sleeping, dining, and living areas.

 

How to build a temporary wall (the HARD way)

The main benefit of temporary walls is that they enable you to divide space without the need for general contractors. But if you’re not construction-savvy or lack the proper tools, building a temporary wall can be difficult. Here’s the simplified version:

Steps

  1. Determine a suitable place for the wall in between floor and ceiling joists that can safely support the weight.

  2. Cut the foam spacers that will serve as the interior insulation of the wall. 

  3. Build the wooden frame using 2x4s, accounting for ceiling height and necessary width. Most temporary walls are 5 inches thick and can support 20-30 pounds.

  4. Raise the wall into place with a partner and fasten it to the floor and ceiling. 

  5. Hang the drywall

 

Materials

  • Tape measure

  • Pencil and permanent marker

  • Electric saw

  • Cordless drill

  • Hammer

  • Drywall knife

  • Painting supplies

 

Equipment/Tools

  • Wood 2x4s

  • Foam insulation board

  • Drywall sheets

  • Nails and screws

  • Paint

  • Tape

  • Glue

 

How to build a temporary wall with room dividers (the EASY way)

Room dividers are the perfect alternative, enabling you to quickly divide a room without the cost and hassle of construction. And their lightweight frames can be placed in any space, meaning you won’t have to locate ceiling and floor joists to support the wall.

 

This is how easy it is to build a beautiful temporary wall with room dividers:

Steps

  1. Insert one module into the other along the central slot, creating an X-shaped assembly.

  2. Repeat this process and place the assemblies along the floor path of the desired wall. 

  3. Build subsequent rows, stacking them onto each other to reach the desired height. 

 cardboard wall divider setup

Materials

  • MIO Nomad System modules

Tools

  • No tools required

That’s it, just 3 steps! With Nomad System dividers, you can easily build inexpensive temporary walls that create visual privacy and absorb sound.

assembled cardboard room divider

Benefits of using modular walls to transform your home instead of temporary walls

  • Lightweight - You can quickly install the cardboard divider by yourself without the need for floor and ceiling joints or assistance from a partner. As an added bonus, it will be truly temporary – you can set it up, take it down, and move it around in just minutes.   

 

  • Low-cost - Instead of spending several hundreds of dollars on materials, tools, and labor, you can add a temporary wall for a couple hundred dollars.

 

  • Quick setup - Many homeowners build temporary walls to hide unsightly home renovations. But they still take time to build. And if you use cheap materials, leave it unfinished, or worse, develop a termite infestation, you’ll have another unsightly problem on your hands. Stylish room dividers quickly hide renovations at a moment's notice, so you can put them out of sight and out of mind.

 

  • Variable size - Room dividers can be assembled into any size or shape, serving multiple uses across your home. And if you decide that you need more or less privacy in your space, simply adjust the size of the temporary wall by adding or removing modules. If you opt to build a wooden frame with drywall, it won’t be so easy to change the size once it’s done.

 

  • Effortless removal - Temporary walls are meant to be just that, temporary. But once your needs change, you still have to remove the drywall, wooden frame, and floor and ceiling plates. Dividers are a truly short-term solution – you can disassemble the modular walls in just minutes, providing unlimited flexibility in your home space.

 

Ultimately, the design of your space should be based on your needs and budget. But if you’re looking to quickly build a temporary wall for your home that’s fashionable and functionable, room dividers are the perfect solution.

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