How to Use Columns in Interior Design
Columns are a necessity in building construction, but sometimes their locations aren't ideal. That doesn't mean a poorly placed column can ruin the design of a room. If you use the right design strategies, you can incorporate a column into the room's decor by either minimizing it, making it stand out or utilizing it for extra storage. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Paint the column the same color as the rest of the walls in the room if you want the column to disappear. If it isn't near any of the walls, try painting it a neutral color, which will help it to blend with the context of the room.
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Cover the surfaces of the column with floor-to-ceiling mirrors. It will reflect the surroundings, making the column itself seem to disappear. This is an especially useful strategy if the column is in a walk-in closet or bedroom.
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Add detail to the column. Depending on the room decor, you can add a cornice and base to accentuate the column. Match the existing trim of the walls, or use something more ornate. If the room has wainscoting, add it to the column as well.
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Hang decorative items on its surfaces, depending on the size of the column. Avoid large paintings or photographs, and only hang items on one or two sides. Wall sconces are a nice option, whether they contain candles or cast light up or down the surface of the column.
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Make the column stand out. If the walls of the room are painted a solid color, cover the column with wallpaper. Choose a pattern that is eye-catching, such as a bold black and white geometrical design, or one that uses colors that are incorporated with the room's decor. Consider a textured paper, such as a velour finish, to create a tactile experience as you circulate around the column.
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Cover it with wood panels to draw attention and make the column a special element in your decor. The effect can be traditional or very modern: the seams can establish datum lines for the room.
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Use the column as a display area. Wrap wooden shelves around the column to hold books or showcase art objects or collections. To conceal the column entirely and gain more storage, add a false column a few feet away and span the space between with shelves and trim.
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