Divide Room To Create Office

"An easier solution is to divide the room using folding screens, which are attractive and easy to move. Folding screens can be made to match your living area just like a wall, with paints, fabrics and wallpapers. Using shutters from a home improvement center, you can create any look you want with little work. The problem with using folding screens is you may not get as much peace and quiet as you wanted."

"If you do decide to build a real partition wall, first mark the area using a framing square to make sure the measurements are perpendicular to the walls. After you determine the location of the wall, you will have to consider how to attach it to the ceiling. For a wall that runs perpendicular to the ceiling joists, it will be nailed through the wall top plate into each joist."

A non-load-bearing partition wall can be built by a homeowner without a contractor. Folding screens or shutters offer an easier, movable division but provide less sound insulation. For a built partition, first mark the layout with a framing square to ensure perpendicular measurements. Determine attachment to the ceiling: nail the top plate into ceiling joists for perpendicular walls; install 2x4 nailing blocks between joists and nail every 16 inches if the wall is parallel and not under a joist. Anchor the new wall to adjoining walls by nailing to existing studs or adding nailing blocks where studs are absent. Measure floor-to-ceiling to cut plates and studs to fit.

Read at Miami Herald