Columns as an element of interior design

Finishing options and materials

Whatever the column is made of, it consists of 3 parts:

• Base. The foundation, the lower part. It has to support the total weight, so reliability is more important than decor.
• Steel. The main part. It comes in various shapes and sections: circle, square, polygon.
• Capital. The upper element. It is the most expressive part, the main decor is usually placed on it.

The photo shows a way to decorate a column with mirrors

Load-bearing and decorative columns are made of many materials.

Natural stone. In classical interiors of the 18-19th centuries and ancient architecture, marble, granite, and malachite were most often used. But stone is rarely used to make modern structures. This is due to the high cost and complexity of the work. Recommended for spacious rooms and rich furnishings, a stone column in a small room will look defiant.

Concrete. A universal material is often used to create supporting structures both outside and inside the premises. The design is usually laconic, without frills. The shape is most often simple: round, rectangular. Monolithic concrete structures are erected during the construction of houses, or prefabricated ones are ordered from manufacturing plants.

Brick. One of the options for modern columns, popular in industrial interior styles. It is erected quickly, simply, and will last a long time. Plaster and finish with any materials or leave bare brick as a design element.

Wood. Columns in private houses often correspond to the material from which it is erected – therefore, a wooden column is the most appropriate place in a log house. Although in an apartment decorated in eco, Provence or country style, such a design will also be appropriate. They can even perform a load-bearing function, reducing the load on the floors.

Metal. If you need practical, reliable and simple – choose this option. Metal columns will decorate interiors in the loft, high-tech, modern and any other modern style.

Drywall. You can easily create such a structure in your apartment yourself, without spending a lot of time and money on the process. Decorate the surface in any suitable way: wallpaper, plaster, paint, stone, wood panels, tiles. The interior element will withstand not only finishing materials, but also a TV, photo frames, paintings, and other decorations.

Gypsum. Products made from this natural mineral are inexpensive but durable. The plasticity of the material and ease of processing allow you to create unusual shapes with an amazing design – from simple chamfers and patterns to complex volumetric bas-reliefs. Another advantage of gypsum structures is the possibility of repair. Cracks, abrasions and chips are easily eliminated.

Polyurethane. Lightweight and cheap, but absolutely fragile. An ideal option for decorative models, because the appearance is not inferior to more expensive gypsum ones. Products are resistant to painting, so they can be of any shade. You can choose a ready-made one, assemble it yourself from several parts or make it to order.

The photo shows a column by the wall in the living room

What style can it be used in?

Columns in the interior of an apartment are used in many styles – from classical to ultra-modern.

Classic. The epithets that characterize this style are elegance, wealth, sophistication. Stands made of natural or artificial stone, plaster, polyurethane are suitable. Decorative plaster finishing and stucco decor look appropriate. With the help of flexible stone, you can create an imitation on any original material, this will help save on decor.

Eastern. More often, they put not a separate column in the room, but several at once, uniting them with arches. Such a colonnade replaces missing partitions in studios and other open spaces. In the East, they love luxury, so you should not save on decoration. Decorate with mosaics, fancy patterns, flowers, gold.

Loft. High ceilings, large open spaces – columns just ask to be in the interior. To make the room look as industrial as possible, the structures are made of concrete, brick or metal, without finishing with any decor on top. The shapes and lines are also simple, the section is square or round. A black I-beam made of thick metal looks original as a rack.

The photo shows a modern dining room in an apartment

High-tech. In the traditional sense of the style, there are no columns in the apartment, but if they have already been provided by the architect, decorate with modern materials. Chrome metal is best, but glass, backlit panels or futuristic “aquariums” with air bubbles will also do. Lava panels that look like a large lava lamp can be made to order.

Country. The rustic style prefers wooden decorative elements, and column finishing is no exception. The columns look different: a neat cylindrical beam, a rough trunk of irregular shape, a half-column made of painted boards.

Baroque. Pompous, luxurious antique design does not accept half measures, so columns in the room are preferable from natural stone, mahogany and other expensive materials. Uniqueness is emphasized by the complex decor of the capital; to highlight this element, add lighting from below.

Modern. This direction is distinguished by asymmetrical shapes and curved lines. The custom-made structure will become the hypnotic center of the entire house. Floral patterns and repeating ornaments are welcome as decor.

How beat?

To prevent the column from looking like a thorn in the interior, you need to find the right use for it.

Equipment. Install the TV on a slightly wider structure or hide the wires inside it (if made of plasterboard). There will be space above or below for placing the audio system.

Shelves. It is convenient when two columns in an apartment are located at a short distance from each other. Then shelves are hung between them and used for open storage.

Countertop. The design of a kitchen with a column in the interior is simplified due to the ability to use the column as a support for an island, peninsula, bar counter.

Cabinet. Install shelves and dividers inside the column in a modern interior and you will get a spacious additional storage. It is used to place a bar with wine, books, souvenirs and any other things.

Soft corner. Place several seats around the column in the hallway and solve the problem of where to sit while getting ready or put your bag when you get home.

If you don’t want to give the structure any functionality, there are several ways to “dissolve” it in space:

• Hide it in furniture. That is, place a couple of cabinets so that the column is inside them.
• Disguise as walls. Use the same finishing materials for the walls and the column.
• Facing with mirrors. The room will become more spacious, the mirror structure will be invisible.
• Combine with photo wallpaper. Choose a suitable print so that the semi-columns become part of the wall picture.

The photo shows a way to play up a column using a TV

How do they look in the interior?

In the modern interior of apartments and houses, columns are not often found. But if you are the lucky owner of high ceilings and a large area, be sure to add this decorative element to the design.

In small rooms, false columns will come in handy. Thanks to the verticality, they will make the room visually higher, plus they will replace bulky partitions and zone the space.

The use of architectural elements depends on where they are placed:

• Living room. Hang a TV, pictures, install shelves. An electric fireplace will fit inside the wide structure, and the air duct of a classic stove is hidden in it.
• Bedroom. Hang a TV, use it to separate the sleeping and other areas. Place a pair on either side of the bed to highlight the headboard.
• Hallway. Install mirrors or hooks for clothes.
• Kitchen. Use as a support under the countertop, hide between the cabinets. Paint with chalkboard paint to use as a decorative element.
• Children’s. Decorate with a fairy-tale tree, place shelves, hooks for climbing.

The photo shows the design of the hall in a blue palette