Room Divider Part 2 of 3

Overview

A room divider, like a partition wall, separates one large room into two usable spaces, each with its own specific function. But unlike a partition wall, a room divider adds storage space to your home, while letting you retain the open feeling of a larger room.
Room dividers commonly are used to separate a large kitchen/dining area into two different “rooms.” Adding a pass-through and overhanging countertop, as in the project shown here, creates a casual dining area.
In the design featured here, the room divider is built in two main sections: the base cabinet with countertop, and the upper shelf unit. The two sections are joined by a floor-to-ceiling plywood framework to create one attractive built-in.
A room divider lends itself to personal touches, like mounting a wine rack and stemware racks on the underside of the shelf unit to make a convenient dry bar.
The overhanging countertop gives this room divider an added dimension as a convenient dining surface located near the food preparation area of the kitchen. The cabinets on the kitchen side of the room divider also provide accessible storage space for pots, pans, and kitchenware. The open shelves in the upper half of the room divider are ideal for displaying glassware or collectibles.
We designed this room divider with a built-up plywood countertop that has a polyurethane varnish finish. This is an economical and perfectly appropriate solution. But if you’re looking to spice up the design a bit, consider replacing the countertop with a higher-end countertop material, such as granite or solid-surfacing. You’ll be amazed at how much difference a few well-chosen design highlights can make in the overall appearance of the project.
From: Complete Guide to Custom Shelves & Built-Ins, 978-1-58923-303-4