How to Decorate the Pony Wall

Advertisements

As architectural elements, kitchen half walls are not a new idea. More commonly known as pony walls, but called half walls or knee walls, the use of half wall ideas within interior design is popular again. They used the short walls in horse stables, as it was the easiest way for stalls to have an unrestricted view.

A pony wall is usually a three-foot-high freestanding wall, traditionally made of wood. Half walls appear in residential homes but also in commercial buildings. The common characteristic of a half wall in modern interior design is that it does not reach the ceiling regardless of height or width. The short wall is perfect for an open plan space feel.

Advertisements

A pony wall serves the purpose of creating a functional space and aesthetic barrier between two equally sized areas of a large room. Open floor plans are almost a must these days, and half walls offer the flexibility to separate different spaces without completely dividing them. Half walls also preserve the appearance of an open floor plan but also create individual rooms, when required.

Table of Contents

• The Elegance of Pony Walls
• 1. White Oak Half Wall Divider for a Bright, Clean, Contemporary Kitchen
• 2. Open Kitchen and Dining Room Design
• 3. Half Wall with Built-in Shelf
• 4. Half Wall As a Partition
• 5. Small Kitchen / Dining Area with a Freestanding Walnut Wood Wall
• 6. Table Attached to Half Wall
• 7. Grand Fireplace with Black Tiles and Dramatic Half-Wall Structure
• How to Build a Half Wall
  • Building Half Walls
  • Instructions (power tools required)
• In the Kitchen
• Common Locations
• Modifying Half Walls
• Pony Wall Pros and Cons
  • Pros
  • Cons

The Elegance of Pony Walls

Typically found in homes constructed in the Traditional and Craftsman style homes, pony walls often frame an entryway. I used them as storage space in living rooms or as a room divider between the kitchen and dining. Modern interior design uses them as room dividers for the family room or for an open plan kitchen, since they serve the same function, providing clear separation. Compared to other types of partitions, half walls offer the advantages of adding additional features. If the design allows, you can use the area above the half wall for display shelving for your family photos and other collections.

Home developers commonly use stainless steel half walls in modern apartments and condo balconies for style and safety. This is a common style in Miami and California.

Pony walls have become more popular because they define and zone functional areas while preserving views and light and creating visual lines. If you are looking for privacy, for instance, in the kitchen, a studio apartment, or a small apartment, these qualities are necessary.

Advertisements

Whether a half wall has columns for decoration, a pony wall has built-in cabinets or bookcases, or a half wall room divider; diverse design options provide many creative ways to use the space. The aesthetic appeal of half walls with columns takes you back to olden times while shelves, cubbies, and drawers make them more functional to cater to today's lifestyle.

A significant point to note is that pony walls might not work in every situation. The home's architectural style, the materials used for the finishing, and the concept of the space are critical decisions before choosing. A designer or an architect who has experience in such matters can only provide a competent opinion.

Because pony walls don't support any loads, you can use them for almost any purpose. But that doesn't mean that half walls should be weak. They should be strong enough to support columns (if any), firmly anchor, and prevent leaning (or movement) if they already are leaning. Like the rest of the interior walls, there will be a final finish. You can paint them with a different color or cover them with wallpaper, clad with wainscoting, even tiled, if placed in a bathroom to provide privacy during a shower or toilet visit or as a partition wall. Pony walls are easily recognizable as a focal point when painted in contrasting or complementary colors. What a great way to create a focal point in a room! According to the overall design concept of the room, cap tops commonly use hardwood, slate, marble, or another natural stone.

Glass walls are popular with interior designers in contemporary homes. Besides offering a fresh look, they are a great idea, since they create a feeling of separation on stairways or in elevated kitchen spaces. The design elements help create the illusion of a feature wall that is unassuming yet open for a little space. Glass pony walls give an entire space, a functional barrier, which is an easy way to make an accent wall too.

Advertisements

Below are seven kitchen half wall ideas that can help you give your kitchen a classy look.

1. White Oak Half Wall Divider for a Bright, Clean, Contemporary Kitchen

The idea behind half kitchen walls like this is simple. It will create an open concept villa interior in a contemporary style that gives you an oasis of calm in your home. It's perfect for large spaces. A simple and sleek white oak kitchen divider separates the living area from the kitchen.

A whitewashed finish gives the kitchen flooring a bright, spacious feel while retaining the natural elements of the oak wood. You can also ensure that all the furniture in the living room is in these wood tones, from the light brown sofa to the brown or white cabinets.

I am trying to help you visualize this, so there is a feeling of connection. Imagine white kitchens, with a popular choice of luxurious lighting fixtures, high ceilings, and glass doors that lead out to outdoor dining furniture in your backyard patio deck. The dining table itself has clean, horizontal lines, and your outdoor bar furniture would have matching designs and accent chairs that make your whole family and guests swoon. I have seen some amazing outdoor lounge furniture with the appropriate spot lights positioned for perfect lighting conditions. Sounds amazing, huh?

Placing an enormous carpet in the living or seating area would also be a brilliant idea. Source a carpet like Home Dynamix Premium Sakary, but ensure it matches your curtains or furniture for a classy look.

Meanwhile, an open doorway into the separate dining area evokes an interesting and sophisticated sense of class with its bold colors and metals.

Remember, you can always combine different style elements to keep your entire home looking cohesive even though you mix different styles.

2. Open Kitchen and Dining Room Design

With a Breakfast Bar Along a Half Wall

A top that's wider than the width of your open-style kitchen wall will make it even more functional if you already have a half wall. Having such a bar will make the space unique for your home kitchen. If you are looking for an alternative place to enjoy breakfast in your house, this is a good idea.

You can't just make the breakfast bar by adding tops only on the upper part of the wall. The stools will also need to match the half wall height, so make sure they're the right height.

3. Half Wall with Built-in Shelf

Advertisements To deal with space limitations, some people even get creative in designing the half wall to separate the dining room and the kitchen area. One of the most extraordinary examples that we found is this one.

As you can see, the half wall becomes a part of the small eclectic kitchen. Instead of being a separator only, it has another function.

Thanks to the unique design with a built-in three-tier shelf, it allows the homeowner to store different spices for cooking.

A design like this is not only space-friendly. It also gives easy access to all the homeowners' spices in cooking delicious meals every day. It creates a time-efficient value too.

4. Half Wall As a Partition

Some people design and use half walls as a barrier between the dining room and the kitchen area, depending on the space. We found this example to be impressive.

A small eclectic kitchen becomes a part of the half-wall. Besides acting as a partition, it also performs a function of its own.

With its unique design and a built-in three-tier shelf, it stands out from the crowd. Homeowners can use this for storing a variety of cooking spices.

Such a design is both space-saving and appealing. Also, the homeowner has quick access to everything they need to prepare delicious meals every day. Therefore, it offers a valuable timesaving advantage as well.

5. Small Kitchen / Dining Area with a Freestanding Walnut Wood Wall

Advertisements Several designs and variations of half walls are currently available to separate the kitchen and the dining area. It is worth sharing some of the unique details of this half wall with you. As a standalone structure, it has the advantage of existing in a freestanding area. In the open space, it means this half wall has no connection with any surrounding walls.

I would like to discuss the materials. The walnut veneer matches the kitchen cabinets perfectly. The walnut veneer complements the contemporary interior design perfectly.

A third purpose is to emphasize that this element is not simply an ordinary wall. Also, it appears to cover something more behind it, which is probably the kitchen prep area.

The half wall in the kitchen and dining room does not appear cramped, which is another crucial aspect. It doesn't even alter the open feeling that gives the space an air of spaciousness.

Advertisements

6. Table Attached to Half Wall

You can use this unique idea for a half-wall design in a small kitchen. To enhance wall functionality, you must add the wall with a table attachment.

Sometimes, you cannot place a table on top of a half wall that is too tall for this type of design. Or this can be an excellent choice for the bar or breakfast area if you prefer a rather large table.

Advertisements You can choose a folded style of the table instead of a regular one if you don't want it to take up a lot of space in your interior. Items like these are helpful for environments that are tight on space.

7. Grand Fireplace with Black Tiles and Dramatic Half-Wall Structure

Evokes a Sense of Simplicity and Elegance

Here's another way to divide your home into two spaces using a fireplace as a half wall. A dramatic structure like this can evoke both grandeur and simplicity simultaneously, elevating the space.

Sunroofs and large windows can let in natural light, making the room feel more prominent, brighter, and airier. A modern black tile design adorns the fireplace, which blends well with the house's white concrete posts.

Combined with the white color scheme and wood-dominated ambiance in the living space, this dark color scheme provides a beautifully harmonious balance. If you want to differentiate the areas, you might mix materials or colors.

Advertisements For the paint, you can use Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte to cover most of the walls. Incorporate some wood cabinets and matching countertops in the kitchen.

However, you can install a two-sided fireplace as a classic fixture to help maintain your real estate and contemporary look.

The room is stylish by dividing the living area from the landing area with this two-sided plaster fireplace.

Watch the fire go up in this peninsula-style fireplace while the orange flames dance. In the same vein, you can hang monochromatic paintings or portraits on the side for a cohesive look, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your house.

Beige walls and porcelain tiles, and a light grey or dark grey floor create a neutral but charming living area.

You can make an L-shaped sofa even more comfortable by adding a wooden window bench. A pleasant view from the window and additional seating would be nice in this area.

How to Build a Half Wall

A half wall may be the best way to transform your home interior than an entire wall. However, nothing will provide you with the privacy that a regular wall does. In contrast, nothing else offers a half wall's array of design possibilities or an impressive range of uses. Think of examples from Pinterest that show a great room in modern homes with a brick wall. You'll see images of family members having a good time.

Let your imagination run wild when designing and building your half wall. Get an idea of how you want the wall to look when you've done — what you hope to accomplish with the wall. Ceramic tile half walls are common in bathrooms and cost will depend on square footage and the available space.

Half walls are more commonplace with the popularity of remote work. You can find the right place to create a study room or a home office in a small space.

Building Half Walls

The height of a half wall — sometimes called a knee wall – makes it different from a regular wall. It is technically possible to build a half wall that is whatever height its purpose and location permit; in reality, most half walls are between 3 and 4 feet tall. As far as building the half wall goes, it is the same as any other wall: Cut framing lumber to the length of the half wall, and then attach the plates to the wall.

Instructions (power tools required)

Start by placing studs every 16 to 24 inches on the center (meaning that they should be centered over the measurements) between the plates, with one to the left of the beginning and one to the right of the end.

You will complete wall framing when the vertical studs attach between the plates and are nailed together.

In the Kitchen

By adding a half wall in the kitchen, you can change the entire look with a final design and layout that does not require a lot of money to be spent on kitchen remodel projects. Instead of a room divider, imagine your new kitchen with a breakfast bar or a kitchen island instead. Having either built with cabinetry and a countertop is an option, although half walls are less expensive and don't require you to match your existing cabinets.

Common Locations

While half walls create the impression of separation, they also convey a feeling of connectedness. Natural and artificial light and air can still pass through even the tallest half walls, besides sound. Half walls are popular home dividers for all these reasons and many others. They separate the entryway from the living quarters nicely when placed near the front door. By dividing a living room from a kitchen, they highlight the separation between the two while allowing their occupants to take part in each other's activities.

A half wall in the bathroom provides privacy between the bathing area and the bathroom, protecting from accidental falls. Bathroom designers always find unique ways to add an interesting feature for a space that has far less foot traffic than your kitchen.

Modifying Half Walls

Your wall is customizable in countless ways. When installing shelves between the studs in the kitchen, whether they are on an island or a bar, run them horizontally. If desired, you can add drawers as well. Wrap the wall in plywood, then mount the hinges to the side that is least exposed. Half walls throughout the home look great with a shelving unit. Place books and other decorations on the shelves and leave the exposed sides exposed. You can also decorate the walls by painting or using stencils. Perhaps You can add columns on the outside, or libraries, positioned on either side and extending to ceiling level.

An above solid or sheer curtain will separate a child's half wall in a bedroom that's divided for privacy.

Pony Wall Pros and Cons

Are you having trouble deciding if they're suitable for your house? A pony wall might be the perfect solution for one home, but a terrible one for another. Here are a few pros and cons you should know about pony walls.

Pros

You can customize pony walls to your specific needs.

You can make them your own. You can choose exactly where you want them, the height, the material, and how they're styled.

If you have a small bathroom, build a tiny section between the sink and the toilet to separate the toilet from the sink. For additional storage, you can build shelves into the wall.

It is possible to design pony walls in virtually any style to fit the style of any house, so they will seamlessly break up open spaces without losing their light and airy feel.

It is easy to install pony walls.

You do not have to be a professional to install a pony wall. It isn't tricky to construct a wall yourself if you know where it will go and which materials you will use.

A pony wall offers the best of both worlds.

Adding a pony wall here or there will give you a barrier between rooms or sections without closing the house in or making it feel darker. If you have an open floor plan, you may love the openness and the natural light, but you may dislike how all the rooms seem to blend.

Cons

A floor plan with pony walls may become cluttered.

Pony walls can reduce the size of a house by separating it into smaller spaces, which is why some people don't like them so much. A smaller home or a less open house from the beginning is susceptible to this problem.

You may feel confined to have pony walls around you.

Even though pony walls don't entirely close off areas, they may not suit your style if you like your spaces open. A pony wall may seem less of an improvement to privacy than a confined box, particularly in a small, cramped place like the bathroom.

How to Decorate the Pony Wall

Source: https://www.evolutdesign.com/kitchen-half-wall-ideas/

Share this post