7 Steps to Create a DIY Cardboard Shoji Screen Room Divider

Crafting a Shoji screen from cardboard is an innovative, budget-friendly way to add style and functionality to any room.

This project is perfect for anyone, especially college students or those looking to save money while exercising their creativity.

By using materials already on hand, we can create a beautiful and practical room divider with minimal expense. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to make your very own Shoji screen room divider.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

For this project, I used the resources I had available, making it both economical and eco-friendly. If you need additional supplies, don’t worry—most items are easy to source for free or at a low cost.

Here’s what I used to make a two-panel, 36″ x 18″ Shoji screen:

• Cardboard Panels: Four pieces, each measuring 36″ x 18″. If you want a larger screen, aim for dimensions closer to 72″ x 18″ with three panels instead of two. I repurposed a moving box, which provided sturdy cardboard. For those living in the U.S., Craigslist often lists free cardboard from people eager to declutter after moving or unpacking furniture.
• Semi-Transparent Paper: I used 12 sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ onion-skin paper. Alternatives include rice paper, vellum, or any translucent paper. This paper diffuses light beautifully, giving the screen a soft glow.
• Cable Ties (Zip Ties): At least three ties to hold the panels together securely.
• Other Tools and Supplies:
  • Ruler
  • Fat color markers
  • Pen or pencil
  • Clear tape
  • Box cutter
  • Glue (Gorilla Glue is ideal, but any strong adhesive will work)

If you’re aiming for a larger screen, make sure to scale up your materials accordingly. A taller screen will also require more structural support for stability.

Step 2: Prepare Your Paper

Start by arranging your semi-transparent paper to create the “panels” of the screen. Here’s how:

1. Lay six sheets of paper flat and carefully tape them together. You don’t need to seal every edge—just use enough tape to hold them securely.
2. Repeat the process with another set of six sheets. Then connect the two sets with small pieces of tape to create one large sheet. Later, you’ll separate these two halves for assembly.

Step 3: Add Artistic Flair

This step is where your creativity shines! Use markers or any art supplies to design your paper panels. For my screen, I drew bamboo using green markers to create a natural, calming aesthetic. Feel free to experiment with designs that suit your style—florals, geometric patterns, or abstract art can all look stunning.

Pro Tip: Avoid drawing to the very edges of the paper. These areas will be covered by the cardboard borders, so focus on the central sections for your design.

Step 4: Measure and Mark the Cardboard

Now it’s time to prepare the cardboard for the paper panels. Follow these steps:

1. On the printed side of the cardboard (the side you don’t want to display), mark a 2-inch border along the top and sides of one panel.
2. For the bottom border, mark a larger section—approximately 6 inches. If your screen is taller, make the bottom border proportionally larger (e.g., at least 20 inches for a 72″ x 18″ screen) to enhance stability.
3. Lay one half of your paper design over the panel and mark where the seams between sheets are located. You’ll want to cover these seams with 1-inch borders for a clean, polished look.

Double-check your markings by placing the paper back over the cardboard to ensure the seams are fully covered. The semi-transparency of the paper will help you see through and align everything perfectly.

Step 5: Cut Out the Windows

Using a box cutter, carefully cut out the marked sections on your cardboard panels. These cutouts will act as windows for your paper panels.

• Work on a soft surface like carpet to avoid damaging your floors or dulling the blade.
• Use a ruler to guide your cuts for clean, straight edges.
• Once you’ve finished cutting one panel, use it as a template for the remaining panels to ensure uniformity.

Step 6: Assemble the Panels

With the cardboard windows cut out, it’s time to attach the paper and complete the panels.

1. Lay one half of your paper design over a cardboard panel, aligning it so the seams are covered by the borders. Carefully glue the paper onto the cardboard.
2. Place another cardboard panel on top, sandwiching the paper between the two layers. Apply glue evenly but sparingly to avoid wrinkling the paper.
3. Repeat the process for the second panel, ensuring consistency in your assembly.

Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 7: Connect the Panels

Now it’s time to bring the individual panels together to form the screen.

1. Lay the completed panels side by side, with the designed sides facing up.
2. Near the edges of each panel, cut small slits to thread the cable ties through. Place the ties close to the top and bottom edges for stability. If your screen is larger, add more ties for additional support.
3. Fasten the cable ties loosely, allowing the panels to pivot easily. This flexibility lets you adjust the angle of the screen for different configurations.

Final Thoughts

Making a Shoji screen from cardboard is not only an affordable project but also a rewarding way to exercise creativity and resourcefulness. By customizing the design and dimensions, you can adapt this project to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Whether you’re a college student decorating a dorm or someone looking to spruce up a small space, this DIY solution combines functionality and style in a way that’s uniquely yours.

Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here.