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.

Not only does the oak panel zone the space wonderfully, but it also provides storage options with its hooks and attached tray, not to mention a practical mirror. All in all, I'm obsessed.

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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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