Columns in interior design

The desire to emphasize the elegance and sophistication of the interior makes some owners use such a decorative element of decoration as columns. Despite the fact that they evoke associations with the familiar classics and antiquity, such an architectural detail is quite successfully used in the design of modern houses and apartments.

The first columns appeared in ancient Egypt. They were used to build pyramids. More widely, these designs have become known since the days of Ancient Greece, where they were often used to build temples to the gods. Several millennia have passed, and the columns have still not lost their relevance. They symbolize greatness, prosperity, embody the spirit of aristocracy.

The semi-columns are in the wall and protrude half from it. May be decorative or bearing... Pilasters are very similar to classic designs, but they do not taper upwards. In addition, experts distinguish paired columns and colonnades.

Any column consists of three parts. The bottom is called the base. This is the foundation of the entire structure, supporting its weight. Most often, the base is in the shape of a square or rectangle. The trunk is the main part, and it can be presented in completely different forms. The surface of the barrel can also be different: both smooth and carved. The upper part of the column is a capital. They pay special attention to it, so they decorate it rather carefully.

In a dwelling, columns can perform several useful functions at once.

• Support... When redeveloping an apartment and repairing it, sometimes it becomes necessary to demolish interior partitions. This is fraught with consequences and collapse of structures, so they need to be strengthened. Columns are ideal. They will support the ceiling, preventing it from collapsing. However, it must be borne in mind that the structures must be made of strong and durable materials.

• Decoration... Columns can also be used for room decor. They will relieve and diversify the interior. Double columns look very nice, especially if they are united by an arch. It should be remembered that designs, in any case, must represent a single stylistic direction.

• Zoning... The delimitation of zones is relevant for large rooms, as well as for studio apartments. For zoning, as a rule, neat and lightweight colonnades are used. They are a series of columns in the same style. With the help of the colonnade, it turns out to make the interior light and unusual.

• Disguise the flaws in the interior. In modern apartments there is always something that you want to hide from the eyes, for example, wires, extension cords, cables. If this problem is relevant, then decorative hollow false columns should be chosen. It will be convenient to place all unwanted elements in their cavity.

Decorative and supporting columns for an apartment or house are made of different materials.

Some of the most durable - brick structures. Brick can be used for load-bearing columns, but it is very heavy, so the weight must be carefully calculated to ensure that there is no heavy load on the floor. Brick columns can be of different colors, but the most popular are classic red, beige and gray.

If you just need to decorate the room, then the stone can only be used as a decoration, having laid out the column in part with it.

The same goes for metal. Metal structures that look cool and strict can be either solid or sheathed with a sheet of this material.

Wooden models have unique grace. The tree was popular at all times, it is still relevant today. The abundance of wood species, various methods of their processing, textured surface, carefully carved capitals - all this ennobles the design and speaks of the taste of the owner of the apartment. Finished wooden columns can be coated with paint or varnish.

Some interior styles are suitable concrete structures. Most often, they support the overlap, being load-bearing. Plasterboard models look interesting. They are cheap, flexible to work with, and can be decorated with different types of materials. With skillful finishing, such columns cannot be distinguished from those made, for example, of stone or marble. Variants with decorative plaster are also popular.

Models polyurethane will look great in different stylistic directions. It is a plastic material that allows for unique column shapes. Polyurethane structures can be produced with different options for caps, as well as bases.

In addition to the standard design, the columns can be finished in other, more unusual ways.

• Mosaic... This type of cladding has been popular for many years. It can be made from different materials, for example, stone, glass, marble. Mirror mosaic is considered incredibly popular. As a rule, such a cladding is produced ready-made, on a flexible basis.

• Flexible stone. This is one of the design novelties, made especially for those who do not want to clutter up the space with stone massifs. The decoration is a kind of wallpaper, since it is rolled into a roll. Interestingly, flexible stone is really based on natural. During production, the stone undergoes special processing, and then textiles are applied to it. Such a finish is good in that it completely repeats the appearance and texture of a natural material.

• Panels... This type of finish is made of different materials: wood, plastic, glass, aluminum and others. The most expensive panels are made of wood, the cheapest will be plastic. Recently, acrylic glass panels have been widely used, since thanks to them one of the most chic compositions is created.

• Stucco... Plaster moldings are a good solution for classic interior design. It can be located both on the pillar itself and on the capitals. You can decorate it with a pattern in the form of leaves - this is the most popular trend of the classics. To add impressions, stucco is often painted. The most popular option is gold paint.

Columns can be used in different interior styles. Most popular, of course, classical... Here you need to choose natural materials, and of course wood is the best option. The style maintains strict and regular forms, smooth lines. Products can be either smooth or patterned. Carved bas-reliefs and richly decorated capitals look very interesting.

In addition to the proven classics, the columns have found their place in many stylistic directions.

Most modern styles suggest minimalism and functionality... Columns should not stand out from the overall interior design. The best materials will be drywall, polyurethane, mirror finish, acrylic glass. Pretentiousness must be completely removed: such columns should be strict, laconic.

This is a style in which antiquity is successfully combined with modern trends, as well as baroque... Therefore, the columns in this direction must be strict, restrained, preferably white or ivory, but decorated. In most cases, plaster stucco molding is used as decoration.

Baroque is a pretentious, somewhat pretentious style that implies wealth and luxury. For it, you should select spectacular columns made of expensive materials, for example, stone or marble. In addition, the structures should have a beautiful decor, and the capital should be especially richly decorated. The use of patterns and gold paint is encouraged.

This style involves the use of contrasting shades that protest against the gray and dull everyday life. In this case, the most common colors are black, white and red.

The best options are rhombus, square, rectangle, herringbone pattern.

The direction of high-tech with its chrome cool shine has recently been chosen by more and more apartment owners. If we talk about columns that are suitable for this style, then it is important to note metal structures or models sheathed with metal panels. They will successfully complement the overall design of the room. In addition, acrylic glass will look good.

In the loft style, columns will be one of the most interesting solutions. It is here that concrete structures will be appropriate, creating the impression of incompleteness, which is characteristic of the style. Brick pillars look no less creative. The main thing is to create the illusion of carelessness, easy abandonment. From the colors it is better to choose restrained tones: gray, beige, but brown colors are also welcome.

Columns in the Provencal style should be light, airy. Of the shades, white or ivory is suitable.

There should be few adornments, but they can take place. For example, Provence-style columns can be beautifully decorated with flowers.

In addition to the directions already described, columns can be used in other styles:

• antique;
• Egyptian;
• modern;
• country;
• empire

In an apartment or a private house, columns can be used to decorate almost any room... Most often, such structures are located in living room, where they can play the role of both load-bearing and decorative pillars. A popular idea is paired columns, between which you can install partitions, where books, magazines, souvenirs, and photos will be located. It is advisable to place hollow columns near a TV or computer.

In the bedroom the columns can also be installed in pairs or protrude from the wall (half columns). An interesting solution would be to create an accent column that will contrast with other interior details. It is also worth noting that backlit structures look incredibly impressive in both bedrooms and living rooms. These light columns create a feeling of relaxation, give your eyes a rest. And with the help of illumination, you can highlight patterns on a column or a niche where souvenirs or other things are located that you would like to show to others.

And you can also use paired columns, united by an arch. In addition, in kitchens, the column can act as a pivot point. Furniture, such as a table, will be attached to it. Such a solution will save space well and will look unique.You can also replace doors with columns by installing them on the sides of the doorway.

In some cases, columns are decorated Bathrooms... This is a rare solution, but the result looks great. Columns are suitable for classic rich bathrooms - as a rule, they highlight the mirror area with the dressing table or can frame the bath.

Consider a few good examples of an interior with columns:

• marble columns in the interior of a snow-white bathroom;

• a beautiful arch with antique motifs, emphasizing the classic style;

• an interesting and "warm" Art Deco style will favorably complement the almost imperceptible strict columns;

• thin and airy columns at the entrance to the kitchen;

• wooden structures in a modern bright style;

• in spacious and light rooms with an abundance of wood, massive load-bearing columns will look favorably.

How to beat the columns in the interior, see below.