How to Decorate a Column in Living Room: 12 Gorgeous Ways to Elevate Your Space

Columns are often a design dilemma — they stand awkwardly in the middle of living rooms, interrupting flow and leaving homeowners wondering how to work around them. But with the right design choices, that structural element can become a stunning focal point.

Key Takeaways

• Use your column to divide space or anchor furniture zones.
• Wrap it with stylish materials like wood, stone, or tile.
• Transform it into a functional shelf, gallery wall, or lighting feature.
• Add greenery or mirrors to reflect light and boost ambiance.
• Every design must align with the style and layout of your room.

Assess Your Column: Shape, Structure & Style Potential

Before choosing a decorating approach, assess your column based on the following:

Column Type

• Structural columns (load-bearing): Cannot be removed, must be reinforced if altered.
• Decorative or faux columns: Easier to modify, sometimes hollow or drywall-based.

Shape & Finish

• Round columns require curved wrapping methods (flexible materials, molding).
• Square or rectangular ones work with paneling, frames, and cladding.

Placement

Ask yourself:

• Is the column near a wall, floating in space, or centered?
• Can it serve as a visual divider or a functional element?

📌 According to Houzz, more than 70% of users with columns in open layouts chose to integrate them with visual zoning.

Use It as a Room Divider or Zoning Tool

Columns can effectively break up large spaces, especially in open-plan layouts.

Half-Wall + Column Combo

• Ideal between kitchen and living zones.
• Add built-in cabinets or bookshelves beneath for extra storage.
• Use white or light wood paint for a minimal transition.

Symmetrical Double Columns

• Create balance when placed between dining and lounge areas.
• Frame them with floor-to-ceiling curtains or modern metal screens.

Standalone Zone Marker

• Use a large rug and light fixture near the column to anchor furniture zones.
• Create a visual cue without physical walls.

Wrap It with Wood, Tile, Brick, or Stone

Column wraps completely change the look. Here are material options:

Wood Wraps

• Use pine, oak, or MDF panels for a rustic or modern farmhouse effect.
• Add crown molding for traditional homes.
• Sanded, stained finishes offer a cozy, tactile vibe.

Tile Cladding

• Glass tile or high-gloss ceramics make columns appear sleek and modern.
• Use vertical patterns to elongate short columns.

Brick Wrap

• Ideal for industrial or loft-style rooms.
• Use thin brick veneer panels for easier DIY installation.

Stone Veneer

• Natural stone adds a luxury, earthy texture.
• Works well near fireplaces or as part of a media wall.

Tip: Use light-colored stone for small spaces and dark tile for contrast in bright rooms.

Turn It into Built-in Storage, Media, or Bar

Give your column functional purpose:

Bookshelves Around the Base

• Custom wrap with open shelving for books, photos, or decor.
• Keep shelves light and airy, no deeper than 12″.

TV Mount or Media Hub

• Use square columns to mount a flat-screen TV.
• Hide cables inside or route through hollow framing.

Mini Bar or Wine Rack

• Add recessed shelving for wine bottles.
• Integrate a small granite top and under-cabinet lighting.

This approach blends form and function — turning an awkward space into a useful design feature.

Add Artistic Flair with Mirrors, Molding & Gallery Frames

Wrap with Mirrors

• Full-length mirrors on all sides for a glam look.
• Helps expand the room visually, perfect for small apartments.

Apply Molding or Wall Panels

• Add picture-frame molding for a neoclassical or French feel.
• Pair with chair rail height paint for elegance.

Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper or Murals

• Temporary, budget-friendly solution.
• Choose prints like floral vines, geometric lines, or stone textures.

Gallery Wall Display

• Surround the column with small, consistent frames.
• Use black-and-white photography or typographic prints for modern appeal.

Light It Up & Add Greenery

Nothing transforms a dull column like light and plants:

Lighting Ideas

• LED uplights installed at the base for architectural drama.
• Wall sconces or pendant lights to emphasize height.
• Wrap fairy lights or LED strips around slim columns for ambiance.

Greenery Options

• Wrap with faux vines or plant a climbing pothos.
• Use nearby tall houseplants like Fiddle Leaf Fig to frame the column naturally.

Color Blocking & Accent Painting

Sometimes, all a column needs is a splash of paint to stand out — or blend in strategically.

Single-Tone Accent

• Paint the column in a bold accent color (e.g., navy blue, forest green, charcoal).
• Choose a tone from your room’s color palette to tie it together.

Two-Tone or Ombre

• Create a gradual color fade from bottom to top.
• Can elongate short columns or add movement.

Chalkboard Paint

• Great for playful or creative homes.
• Let kids draw or write quotes seasonally.

Decorative Textures & Faux Finishes

If you're not wrapping your column with real materials, faux textures can still give a high-end look.

Venetian Plaster or Faux Stucco

• Adds an earthy, Mediterranean vibe.
• Apply with trowel and glaze for an aged texture.

Textured Paint Rollers

• Create faux stone or linen effects with specialty rollers.
• Great for DIYers wanting depth without actual material.

Metallic or Pearl Finishes

• Reflective paints like gold wash or pearl white can enhance lighting.
• Pair with uplighting for shimmer.

Tip: Use a satin or semi-gloss paint base to bounce light and highlight your decorative finish.

Architectural Additions: Arches, Frames, or Piping

Give your column a structural boost with design elements that add form:

Add an Archway

• Connect the column to an adjacent wall with a decorative arch.
• Especially effective in Mediterranean, Colonial, or Spanish Revival homes.

Install Floating Shelves

• Mount minimalist shelves to the column itself.
• Decorate with books, candles, or plants.

Exposed Piping or Industrial Frames

• Use metal accents or brackets for an industrial loft look.
• Paint them matte black, brushed nickel, or copper.

Use It to Anchor Furniture Layout

Don’t just decorate your column — design around it.

• Place your sofa or sectional to frame the column.
• Use a round coffee table near the base to mimic shape.
• Float a console table or bench behind/alongside the column for utility.

This helps it feel like part of the room, rather than a barrier.

Turn It into an Art Installation

Make your column a conversation piece:

Backlit Glass Panels

• Install vertical glass with LED backing.
• Display stained glass, resin art, or textured acrylic.

Vertical Canvas Mount

• Attach stretched canvas artwork spanning the height.
• Try a triptych layout (3 stacked panels).

LED Pixel Strips

• Set to dynamic or color-changing modes.
• Use a smart home controller (Philips Hue, Govee).

FAQs: How to Decorate a Column in Living Room

Below are the most searched and asked questions pulled from Google’s “People Also Ask” section:

What can I do with a pillar in the middle of my living room?

You can:

• Wrap it in wood or stone for texture
• Use it as a room divider
• Turn it into functional storage
• Paint it as an accent piece
• Add lights or plants for visual interest

How do you make a column look modern?

• Use minimalist materials like matte black tile or raw concrete
• Avoid heavy molding or ornate wraps
• Add hidden LED lighting
• Paint in a solid neutral or dark color

Can I hide a column in my living room?

You can conceal it by:

• Building shelves or cabinetry around it
• Merging it with a media wall
• Wrapping it in mirrors to reflect surroundings
• Using curtains, partitions, or false walls to obscure it

What paint color is best for decorating columns?

Depends on intent:

• Light colors for blending into the background
• Dark tones (navy, graphite) for contrast
• Metallic finishes for glam spaces

How do interior designers treat awkward columns?

Designers typically:

• Frame them with furniture layout
• Use symmetry (e.g., matching columns or visual twins)
• Disguise with function (e.g., shelving, art walls)
• Add architectural elements to tie into the ceiling or floor design

Decorating a column in your living room doesn’t have to feel like a design challenge — it can be an opportunity. From wood wraps and stone cladding to mirror finishes and functional shelving, there are countless ways to turn a plain column into a beautiful or practical feature. Whether your space leans modern, rustic, minimalist, or luxurious, the column can be wrapped, painted, lit, or planted to blend in or stand out. The key is to align the design with your room layout, personal style, and practical needs, creating a seamless, intentional look. With the strategies outlined above, any column — no matter how awkward — can become a stylish anchor in your space.