Should I paint my interior columns?

Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the appearance of your home without putting in a lot of effort. Colors of paint can drastically alter the ambiance and interior design of the space. Paint can be used to make a big statement with bursts of color, or it can be used as a soft backdrop to a more muted interior. 

Interior columns often are an important consideration when painting. They are among the prominent features of the look of the house or room. Painting them right goes a long way in setting the desired tone of appearance be it a working environment, a church, or a home.

If the architectural elegance of interior columns isn't enough, you can further enhance their appearance by choosing paint colors. Column style may give an opportunity to work with existing interior trim detail. You can opt to make your columns stand out by using a bright color to make the space "pop." 

Considerations before painting

Once you’re done selecting paint colors, there are considerations before you paint interior columns.

Stand in the room and assess how the available light falls while choosing paint colors for your columns. Color palettes are usually coordinated with the trim or molding that makes up the column construction. 

These are frequently neutral colors such as white, ecru, light tan, or beige, to mention a few. Because the columns command a commanding presence in more dynamic schemes, you can employ them to generate contrast between walls and trim colors.

Wood is a lovely visual feature, but if the furniture, flooring, balustrades, banisters, or trim work are dark in tone, they can absorb light from the room. Take a look at how the light reflects off your walls, floors, and countertops. This is especially effective when using lighter or warmer colors to increase the natural light that enters the room.

Finally, when choosing paint colors for your interior columns, make your decision quickly. According to science, our visual receptors respond promptly to reflected light waves, sending messages to the brain at the same rate. 

Long debates about the hues you prefer simply result in the colors appearing to be indistinguishable. Bring fresh eyes to your choices, and be prepared to take notes on your first thoughts. In less than a minute of observing colors, you can make the most precise identification. You are making a decision based on the light quality rather than the color. Color subtleties are discernible due to our intuitive nature.

How to Paint Columns 

Columns may be majestic and elegant if you have them inside your home. However, because they are impossible to notice and cannot be moved, they can often make decorating difficult. Fortunately, no matter what design you want, there are methods to make your column appear to be a purposeful feature of your decor! 

1.   To make the columns blend in, paint them the same color as the room.

If you want your columns to have a subtle, majestic appearance, paint them the same color as your walls. This is a fantastic method to make your room feel larger because the columns will not visually break up the room. 

If the columns are in the center of a room, paint them the same color as the wall next to them; for instance, if your walls are a light shade of blue, you could paint the columns that color as well. 

2.    If you want the columns to stand out, choose a contrasting hue.

Try painting your columns a color that contrasts (but yet complements) the walls to bring attention to them. When you glance about the room, your gaze will be pulled to the columns. If your walls are cream, for example, you may paint them a rich, warm color of brown. If they're light grey, consider a darker slate hue instead. Consider painting the columns the same color as the accent wall to connect the area together. 

3.    For a classic look, go with white or cream.

White and cream columns have a regal appearance because they are reminiscent of the ancient marble columns found in Grecian and Roman architecture. Painting the columns white can instantly make your home look more sophisticated, regardless of the style of columns you have or the other colors you use in your home. 

If your other decor is predominantly cool colors, such as blues and teals, choose a cool white. If the rest of your home is adorned in warm colors like pinks, corals, and yellows, stick to warm whites and creams.

4.    Use a brush if you're painting your columns a solid color.

It will be easier to paint your columns with a paintbrush for the most part. You can use any brush you like, but for most interior home projects, a 2 12–3 in (6.4–7.6 cm) brush is best. Work in small pieces, always applying new paint to the freshly painted wet edge. Allow the paint to dry completely before applying a second layer if necessary. 

Use a paintbrush with synthetic bristles if you're working with latex or water-based paint and a natural-bristle brush with oil-based paint. You can use a roller if you have a wide, square column. Narrow or round columns, on the other hand, must be painted with a brush for a crisp, even application.

5.    Apply layers of paint to produce a faux marble effect.

If you want more accurate reproduction of marble, paint the entire column a solid color with a brush. Then, dab a slightly lighter shade over the original hue using a sponge, followed by a layer of a slightly darker color. 

Once completed, the column will have a faint marble look. Although this technique does not provide the veined appearance of real marble, it is a good way to dress up an interior column.

Painting interior columns can be disruptive and time-consuming especially when the room has several tall columns; however, with careful analysis of design and preference, an elegant idea is born. The result is just perfect! The outlook is just as you wanted, creating just the right mood.