It's official: Amanda Seyfried's room divider is the most innovative feature I've ever seen – it's a totally unusual way to separate spaces

Amanda divides her kitchen and entryway with a smart and sleek wood panel, which features unique storage and a round mirror for a high-impact space

Amanda Seyfried
(Image credit: Getty Images / ANTHONY HARVEY / Contributor)

Coming up with design solutions for small spaces that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are effective can be challenging. All too often, storage solutions are clunky or industrial-looking, rather than streamlined. That's why when I saw Amanda Seyfried's kitchen, I did a double-take.

The actor's New York City apartment, designed by General Assembly, makes great use of a small space with its implementation of a wood divider in its entryway, which separates the kitchen from the hallway.

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The tray is arguably the most unique aspect of this custom build. Rather than place a credenza in the area (which would take up much more space) and keep a catch-all on top of that, the tray is highly functional in its storage capabilities for keys and trinkets, while adding a multi-dimensional element to the space.

The hooks have much of the same benefit: they are dainty and metallic, acting as both accentuating decor as well as necessary additions for hanging coats, scarves, and the like.

The inclusion of a round, decorative mirror is also striking, not only for its reflective properties, but the fact that it is mounted within the wood panel rather than hanging outside of it. This creates a more cohesive appearance while providing a focal point within the wood.

Finally, I love how the oak material seamlessly transitions into the neutral kitchen space, where a wood cutting board sits atop the white counters. It's modern, minimal, yet warm thanks to the abundance of natural materials.


Whether you're looking to implement a custom panel like Amanda's, or play around with enduringly popular screens, room dividers are a perfect way to zone a space and add some unexpected visual interest to your home.


Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivaled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.

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