Room dividers are great for breaking up rooms. The following are my top recommended storage pieces that work well as room dividers . They're perfect for small spaces since they satisfy multiple needs simultaneously. Please note that I ranked them based on both design for small spaces and function. I have not tested any of these products personally. If you have any personal experience with any of these room dividers, I invite you to write your own review.

1. Scaffold Bookcase
This bookshelf comes from Crate and Barrel's sister company, CB2. In addition to being sturdy (a must for a freestanding bookshelf), it has a very clean, but unique design to its shelving—staggered to suggest a brick pattern. In addition to its striking design, the bookcase has a smooth chocolate brown surface that matches many design themes. Stand two or three next to each other to create the illusion of a wall.
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2. Expedit
This bookcase, from Ikea, measures approximately 73" x 73", making it large enough and imposing enough to act as a room divider—though you do need to have one end attached to a wall (it comes with the necessary hardware), so that it won't tip over. The bookcase also comes in a smaller size of 56" x 56". In addition, Ikea sells drawers or cabinet doors that can be attaches to the various compartments formed by the shelves, making it a very versatile storage piece. Double plusses for that!
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3. Index Three Bookcase
From Design Within Reach, this oak veneer bookcase, which is finished on both sides, would make an excellent room divider. At 77" tall and 70.5" wide, this bookcase has the mass to resemble a wall. It has a simple design, so it won't add visual clutter to small spaces already stretching to accommodate all our belongings.

On the flip side, there is no backside to the bookcase, so objects that aren't meant to be seen from both sides&mdashlike books and DVDs—will be visible from the other side. To get around this, you can place the bookshelf against other furniture. The shelves above the height of the furniture would hold items, such as vases and art, that look good from both sides. The shelves below could hold your books, DVDs and CDs.
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4. Current Bookcase
This white bookcase from CB2 is for those looking for a designed room divider. It's quite amazing and unusual: the entire bookcase is curved, so you can place multiples side by side to create a "wavy" bookcase. This will certainly break up that boxy apartment look and create interestingly shaped nooks. There are four shelves, but with the curved design, it may not be the ideal storage piece for books. Instead, fill the shelves with vases, sculptures or plants.
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5. Elements Reversible Bookcase
This bookcase, from Crate and Barrel, has a clean, simple design. But, to truly work as a room divider, it must be bought in multiples. There are many creative ways to arrange the bookcases, which could allow you to tailor it to your specific room shape. Also, half of the case has backing and half doesn't, giving you both the sense of open space and the option of storing items that look good from only one side.
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6. Cubix Stacker
This modern-looking unit, also from Crate and Barrel, is meant to be purchased in multiples and stacked one on top of the other. Some of the compartments have backs and some don't, giving you flexibility in storing items that look good from both sides, such as vases, and items that don't, such as stereos or books.
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7. Hudson Geo Shelf
From Target, this ash veneer bookcase holds less storage than the others, since it has only two real shelves. The rest of the "shelves" are decorative, making it an attractive room divider with quasi usefulness as storage. Still, the two shelves have backs to it.