Do you want to add notes of sublimity, spirituality, and aristocracy to your interior? Complete the interior decoration with columns. The result will surprise and delight you. Once you use columns at home, you will never want to part with them again. What functions does this interior element perform? In what styles is it used? What is it made of? Is it possible to use columns in small apartments? How can you “hide” a load-bearing column? An ambiguous design element raises many questions. The attitude towards columns in the interior as elements of only a palace style is becoming a thing of the past. Their use in home, office and public spaces is becoming increasingly widespread. And for good reason. Columns in the interior are worthy of decorating our lives every day.
Columns in modern rooms
In ancient times, columns served as supporting structures, and only later began to play a decorative role in the interior. The classic column consists of three parts:
- base - or base (lower part);
- trunk (central part);
- capitals (top part).
The bottom and top parts may sometimes be missing. The capital is the most decorative element of the column, decorated with elegant ornaments and regal bas-reliefs.
Modern columns can have the following design options:
- colonnades;
- paired columns (or united by one arch);
- semi-columns.
Paired columns are a classic option. They are usually located on both sides of the fireplace, window or staircase. Installation to opposite walls makes it possible to delimit the space, dividing it into functional zones. If they are united by an arch, this effect is enhanced.
Most often, paired columns have only a decorative function, participating in the design as an element that unites the space into a single zone, emphasizing the overall style.
Colonnades. This type of column is a great way to unobtrusively zone a space. If their location is determined at the construction stage, they can become a supporting structure, also carrying a functional load.
Half-columns - imitate columns protruding from the walls. The role in the interior is actually the same - creating a visual accent, zoning the room. It is very easy to frame a fireplace or window with them, fixing them against the wall, since they do not carry any functional load. They look no less expressive in the interior than traditional ones.
Interior design using columns can dramatically transform a room. With their help, it is easy to make a spectacular accent where it is needed.
Keep in mind that the shapes and sizes of columns significantly affect the perception of space. Tall, thin designs bring more grace to the interior, visually expand the space and increase the height of the room.
Thick ones, on the contrary, can visually make the room smaller. However, they give it fundamentality and create a feeling of strength and reliability.
Materials for construction
Now let’s move on to the question of what materials these elements are built from.
In practice, a house with columns has many options for implementation.
The material must be selected based on:
- general style of the house or building;
- material used to build the house;
- load expected to be applied to the support.
This gives rise to several potential options.
- Reinforced concrete
. Such supports are also called monolithic. Sounds nicer. But the point is important. This is a structure based on a reinforcement frame. Filled with concrete. Construction takes minimal time. Plus it’s financially beneficial. Withstand high loads due to the combination of metal and concrete. An ideal solution for large private houses in a classic style. They have increased vertical rigidity. This allows the structures to be used as the main supports for two-story houses with large, wide balconies. But without additional decor they look dull. It needs to be painted, puttied, etc.; - Metal
. Usually this is a solid pipe, which can have a rectangular, square, or round cross-section. Installation requires a minimum of time. But the material is very expensive. Transportation and installation involve the use of equipment. Suitable for houses with a maximum of 2 floors. Simple metal does not have high strength to hold massive elements like reinforced concrete. It is necessary to treat with anti-corrosion agents. Suitable for loft and high-tech style; - Brick
. A popular option for creating columns in private low-rise modern houses. The material is durable and can withstand heavy loads. Metal pipes are used for reinforcement. And the brickwork is already being done around them. Additional decor is not necessary; - Wood
. An ideal choice to build a house with columns, built of wood. It is based on a rounded log or timber. Eco-friendly material. Easy to process. You can apply carvings, ornaments, and designs. Or leave it in its natural form, treating it with products like Pinotex for wood. Looks impressive. But protection from moisture is required. The wood must be moisture resistant and not subject to rapid rotting.
We can also talk about stone supports. But usually the stone is used as a decorative element. And the base is built from reinforced concrete.
Art Deco
A style that combines features of baroque and antiquity, sometimes modern. The shape of the columns must be strict and the lines must be clear.
In the upper and lower parts they can be decorated with gypsum stucco (gypsum will successfully replace polyurethane). If we talk about color, white, the classic version, is preferable.
Features of the classic style of houses
The characteristic features of this direction are as follows:
- Simplicity of design without frills (unlike the same Victorian style, which is more demonstrative in nature);
- Strictness of forms;
- Clear symmetry of the building (no detail can be out of pair, so as not to disturb the harmony);
- Presence of columns.
Although the building does not amaze the eye with the abundance of decor, it is very majestic and monumental.
Retro
In this case, the finish will be rough, not luxurious. It can be natural stone or imitation, aged wood.
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ADVANTAGES OF CLINKER TILES
- It is used both for interior decoration and for facade work;
- Has a high strength;
- Durability;
- Low water absorption;
- Frost resistance;
- Resistant to aggressive substances;
- Waterproof;
- Clinker tiles do not fade in the sun;
- Fireproof.
Installation of clinker tiles is slightly different from installation of artificial or natural stone. However, if you follow the necessary measures, the work can be completed quickly without compromising quality. As in any other case of external work, the surface must be carefully prepared, cleaned of dirt, dust, primed, reinforced, and only after well-prepared walls can you begin installing clinker tiles. When performing external work, the adhesive solution must be intended for facade work, frost-resistant. Clinker tiles have few disadvantages. Since it is still ceramic, clinker tiles are fragile. And its biggest drawback is its high cost. A fence finished with clinker tiles will add elegance to the entire area. With the help of clinker tiles, you can refine even an old fence, giving it a noble, sophisticated look. Decorating fences around a house with artificial stone is a great way to decorate the area around a house. Artificial stone is much cheaper than natural stone. Using imitation natural stone to decorate the fence, you can tidy up the area adjacent to the house and save the family budget.
Finishing the fence with decorative artificial stone
Before lining fences with artificial stone, the surface must be cleaned, primed and reinforced. Only after the reinforcing layer has dried can you begin to decorate the surface with artificial stone. A fence finished with natural stone strengthens its walls. Its strength increases and its service life is extended. Finishing the fence with natural stone will help “hide” some “irregularities” on the surface of the fence.
Finishing the fence with natural stone
Sawed stone
looks like a brick.
Cut stone -
comes in different shapes and sizes. When facing a fence with hewn stone, it looks brutal. Before installing the stone, the wall must be reinforced with fiberglass mesh and dowel-nails or self-tapping screws. Only then is a layer of plaster applied, which must dry completely. When the height of the fence is up to 1.5 meters, the wall does not need to be strengthened. But if the fence is more than half a meter high, you need to install additional fasteners. By attaching hooks to the fence wall on one side and drilling a “hole” in the stone on the other side. The adhesive solution is applied to the stone, but not to the wall of the fence being finished, leaving gaps between the stones of one and a half centimeters, after installation which must be rubbed with specialized solutions. After grouting, clean the stone from residual glue, etc. Plaster for finishing the fence can only be used of high quality, which is not afraid of temperature changes and moisture. The use of Venetian plaster on the fence will create a surface that imitates natural marble. The surface will be smooth. For a more saturated color, the walls can be pre-painted
Finishing the fence with Venetian plaster
The main advantage of Venetian plaster
is its resistance to precipitation, fire safety and resistance to moisture.
The applied plaster dries quickly. The disadvantage of Venetian plaster
is that it is a very labor-intensive and long process. Venetian plaster is applied in 5 - 12 layers.
The main disadvantage of PVC products is their low frost resistance - at temperatures below -15 degrees the panel may crack.
High tech
This style requires unexpected and original ideas. For example, futuristic ones: illuminated glass columns that are filled with liquid with air bubbles moving upward.
The main recommendations are to use metal, create shiny surfaces that reflect light.
Interesting design ideas
In order for the column to successfully blend into the setting, becoming part of the whole picture, sometimes creative solutions are needed
- current technique is a combination of rough stone finishing with soft materials;
- columns installed nearby can easily be converted into a homemade shelving unit;
- using columns, you can create a niche to place a TV or music center;
- with properly equipped lighting, you can highlight a decorative niche inside where a painting, antique dishes or sculpture will be located;
- You can delimit the space even more effectively by placing a cabinet or rack between the columns.
Use your imagination to use this interior detail as profitably as possible. Modern possibilities allow you to decorate your home based on any taste preferences.
Disguise
This technique will help when the columns in the interior of the room occupy an inappropriate place, that is, it cannot be used for another purpose (dividing the space, displaying it as an elegant element that emphasizes the stylistic direction, using it for another purpose). In this case, there is only one way out - to make it as less noticeable as possible against the general background. There can be several methods for this:
- Lined with mirrors, it will blend in with the rest of the interior and will not be so conspicuous.
- Finish with the material used for the walls.
- Hide behind a curtain, curtain, screen. This can be easily accomplished by choosing a volumetric material suitable for the interior.
Advice! The technique is most often used to “hide” one column. Carrying out a similar procedure with two or more can be problematic.
Zoning
If positioned well, a decorative column can be used as a space delimiter into zones with different functional characteristics. This method will have an additional number of advantages , which were already mentioned earlier:
- The columns do not obstruct the light coming from the windows.
- They do not occupy free space in the room.
- They free the space from the clutter of partitions, making it more spacious and bright.
Accenting
Use as a decorative element is an excellent option for how to use columns in the interior. There are many ways to implement your plans. The basic rule is to choose the right material and method of cladding that blends favorably with the rest of the room’s design.
One of the options for executing the plan could be decor using finishing materials and attracting attention with the help of artificial lighting.
For example, install a lamp at the bottom or top of the element. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that the light saturation should not be excessive. It is not necessary to illuminate the entire surface of the column; it is enough to direct the beam at one of the protruding faces.
This technique is beneficial regardless of its shape, rectangular or rounded.
Practical use
In addition to aesthetic functions, decorative columns can also play a practical role. In particular, they are easy to adapt to specific needs, combining beauty and style with needs. There are many options for execution. Let's look at a few of the most popular solutions:
- Use it as a place to place the TV.
- Organize a magnetic or slate board on it, which will be useful to every family member, and especially children.
- When the column is located next to the wall, away from the passage area, it can be used to easily fix the hammock. This method will turn this area of the room into a full-fledged place to relax.
In a similar way, you can use it as one of the points for supporting the fastening of other built-in furniture (kitchen island, bar counter, dining table).
- Arrange a plasterboard structure around it and make niches for storing books, photo frames and other decorative elements.
Important! The need to construct support columns most often arises during the construction of a large country cottage. In this case, you can take care of the location problem in advance and build the project in such a way as to use them profitably in the future.
