To remain structurally sound and stable, some apartments and houses require supporting columns in the living room or other living areas. When people have to design such a column in the room, they rely on details that make it look beautiful, but implementing them can sometimes be a challenging task. So the need to have such an element in the middle of the room can often be unattractive. However, if you want to deal with this problem creatively, you can herediscover some suitable designs. Let this inspire you, for example, to add color to unsightly columns and transform them into a practical yet distinctive feature that fits perfectly into your home.
Good reasons for a column in the living room
Above all, columns are building structures that are essential for a home with two or more levels. Such a supporting column can hold the structure above itself and transfer the weight to the foundation. Often the architect designing a room can hide the column in the wall. However, sometimes he should plan these as a kind of layout for the middle of the room.
For this reason, many people believe that columns hinder interior design. However, in today's contemporary designs, even if they are traditionally styled living spaces, columns can be added in rooms as functional elements or just for decorative purposes. So instead of planning to remove your column, you can instead decorate the boring looking item and make it look beautiful. This way you can make your living space much more attractive and interesting.
You can also use the whole thing for some additional functions to give your rooms more flexibility. To better imagine something like this, here are some examples of design and decoration ideas in case you are wondering: What to do with a column in the living room? Then in the middle of the living room you can use these to make the room look big.
However, before you start, you should know that there are two different types of columns that are commonly used. There is a rectangular or a rounded version. A rounded column in the living room is usually used in classical architecture. Rectangular columns are often found in modern or minimalist designs.
Decorate the supporting column
The easiest, most efficient and cost-effective solution is to use wall art or wall decor. This is how you can quickly create a column in the house. This makes it look subtle yet better while adding more artistic effects to your room. However, before purchasing any wall decoration, it is important to measure the width of your column to ensure that you are purchasing these items in the correct size. After you determine the exact size of your column, you can look for wall decor items that you like. There are many decorative items that you can purchase and use for this. For example, if there is a niche or shelves, you can decorate a small area with small sculptures.
Another living room column decoration idea you can apply is using a mirror to cover the sides. This allows you to achieve many benefits instead of just making your column look beautiful and elegant. Using a mirror can also help any room look much more spacious. Because the mirror reflects light, a room can also appear much brighter.
The best approach is to use a custom-made real mirror and add an additional custom frame to it. Of course, this approach will cost you some money and minor renovations will be required to complete this task. The more cost-effective solution is to use a ready-made wall mirror available in the market. You can simply hang up a mirror like this yourself or drill the supporting column and have the element installed.
Use column in the living room as a room divider
So columns are a great yet easy way to add detail to your living room. However, these also provide a transition between the living room and the kitchen area or dining room, especially if you have an open kitchen. If a large open space has a concrete column in the middle, you could use this as a visual room divider. In such a case, the column can be painted white and serves as a support for any wooden beams and ceiling that rest on it. Such a design divides the room into mini areas, such as a foyer, living area, dining room or study. The wide range of color options can create a beautiful and colorful or a minimalist Scandinavian style ambience.
A column in the living room can therefore not only serve as a support, but also as a partition between two rooms. For example, the concrete column can be clad in stone to give the room a calming, natural touch. Designing a wall with a narrower width than the column allows you to create a recess to accommodate a piece of furniture without making the room feel cramped. For example, this could be a cabinet with a countertop on which you display a modern sculpture. Creating a piece of furniture that fits perfectly between the wall and column can also help draw attention from the placement of the support structure to the center of a room. For example, such a design can be combined with a glass partition wall so that the natural light in the room is not affected. The bottom half can be a practical storage space, ideal for storing items and adding clutter to the living room.
Cover the supporting column
A stone or wood-based element can be used as cladding to help create contrast or balance the space. This could also create some freshness as well as natural atmosphere in the living room. The texture of the wood or stone cladding also gives the column a bit of an artistic look. If you find that there are no natural elements in your space, using such a material to cover your column can be the perfect choice. In addition, this has a double effect: firstly, it gives your room a natural look. Secondly, cladding helps you cover a monotone look to make the column look fresher and more attractive. There are many different ways you can cover your living room column with stone or wood materials.
You can cover the entire surface with wood or bricks or cover parts of the column with wooden boards. Use your own creativity to find the best options that fit your current room design style. As for the wood materials, there are also many different options that you can use. Of course, real wood would be the perfect choice, but of course you can also use other options such as wood-textured vinyl or wooden floorboards.
Structural columns are often present at the main entrance to support the canopy or upper floor. You can get creative and break away from the traditional design of a single column by splitting it into two parts. For example, the stone-clad support columns with empty space in the middle are perfect for placing planters. This allows you to design the room on all levels and thereby create an inviting feeling.
Practical use of space with a column in the living room
You can make the most of the area around the column by installing a counter or folding dining table with chairs. Such an idea is perfect for anyone who has little space in their room and cannot have a dining or bar table. To create such a mini project, all you need to do is purchase a narrow table that can be placed right next to your column. For the best result, you can also use a folding wall dining/bar table.
If you use a folding table, you can easily fold it up when not in use so it doesn't take up space in your room. Use your column to anchor an island there, for example. Use this area as a pivot point where your built-in furniture, such as the kitchen island, can be located. However, keep in mind that the floor remains even, but the column in combination with the similarly sized beams marks the kitchen area.
Another way to make the most of a supporting column in the middle of such a social space is to use it as a base for a television or even a fireplace. The wall, like many contrasting elements in a living space, can be coated with rustic wallpaper or stone cladding. This gives the living area a cozy atmosphere.
Likewise, you can decorate the wall with a white finish that matches the style of your home. This design can be classic or modern. So if you have an open floor plan, such elements can be perfectly integrated. Even if you doTV in the living roomIf you don't want to set it up there straight away, it may make sense to plan for sockets near the column.
Minimalist design and rough concrete walls
Keep the column unfinished to create an industrial rustic look. If you want to give your living room a rustic or retro look, you can simply leave the surfaces rough and unfinished. The unfinished column still looks beautiful and is perfect for any rustic or industrial decor. And to make it more interesting you can then add some decorative items. However, make sure you choose the items that have a similar rustic, retro or industrial touch. An item that works well in such a variation is a wall sconce or rustic wooden wall art.