Having pillars in the living room can be a tricky design challenge. They formulate an important part in the integrity of structure but can challenge the visual balance of your surrounding. The good news? With a touch of ingenuity and some savvy decor tactics, you can take these structural essentials and make them design features.
So, if you’re ready to get rid off that awkward pillar and make it into a gorgeous center point, let’s go for it!
| Decorating Idea | Description |
|---|---|
| Wrap the pillar with mirrors to create a modern look and enhance brightness in the room | |
| Add floating shelves around the pillar to transform it into a functional space for decor and books | |
| Surround the pillar with tall plants to soften its edges and add greenery to the space | |
| Build custom furniture like bookcases or entertainment units around the pillar to integrate it into the room | |
| Paint the pillar in a color that either camouflages it with the walls or makes it a bold feature | |
| Use gold accents or paint on the pillar for a sophisticated look, turning it into a stylish feature | |
| Decorate the pillar with hanging plants for added color and vibrancy in the room | |
| Create a cozy reading nook near the pillar with a chair, table, and lamp for functional use | |
| Use wall art or decor items on or around the pillar to make it visually appealing and artistic | |
| Consider constructing a false wall around the pillar to create additional space and design opportunities |
Thinking and Planning Like an Architect
Why Pillars Are Essential
Pillars are quite popular with most of the homes. A lot of it is so it can carry the weight of the structure evenly while keeping the building stable and safe. Without them, ceilings, walls and floors might collapse or sag. Put simply, they’re non-negotiable, architecturally speaking.
But while essential to safety, such measures often seem like an afterthought in the design process. A column in the center of a living room can cut off the movement through the space, lending an air of claustrophobia or a sense that the room is awkwardly, if not comically, split in half.
Enduring External Pillars
Visible pillars pose a unique set of challenges for homeowners:
Invalidating the Optical Voyage: A pillar can cutoff the vista across the area, creating the area seem segmented or crowded.
Hard to Decorate Around: A pillar can be hard to fit seamlessly into your decor, especially if it clashes with your living room’s style.
Wasted Space: Pillars can feel like a nuisance sometimes, occupying precious real estate that can be used to position furniture and art.
But don’t worry — these challenges are hardly insurmountable. With a few clever decorating tricks, you can make that pillar a design asset, not a liability.
How Using Mirrors in Interior Design Can Be Beneficial
Mirrors are a decorator’s best friend. They’re adaptable, practical and chic and can help you solve design problems — such as needing to hide visible pillars.
How Mirrors Expand Light and Space
One of the best advantages of mirrors is they create the illusion of space. By reflecting light, mirrors can make a room feel larger and more luminous, a valuable effect when working with smaller or darker living rooms.
For example:
A mirror facing a window will double the natural light, giving the room an airy feel.
Mirrors can also visually “double” the size of a room, counteracting the cramped feeling a pillar might create.
Here are some potential human-like variations of that sentence:Psychological Effects of Looking at Mirrors
Mirrors not only improve the physical look of a room, they can also alter our experience of a space.
Increased Brightness A room that is well lit is inherently more upbeat and inviting, and mirrors have light-reflecting properties that lend to this sensation.
Symmetric Balance: Mirrors can also balance out asymmetrical designs and bring in an air of orderliness and peace.
Living Room Mirror Styles
There are many different styles and types of mirrors to choose from, and your aesthetic preferences will be a large determining factor:
Trying to find out about Frameless Mirrors: Great for sleek designs, it’s minimalistic and modern.
Decorative Framed Mirrors: To add a touch of elegance or vintage appeal.
Antique Mirrors : Achieve a rustic or timeless ambiance.
Mirrored panels: used for big spaces pillars or walls.
Creative Decorating Ideas To Hide A Pillar Using Mirrors
Now that we know why mirrors are a great decorating tool, let’s discuss some specific ways we can use them to disguise a pillar in the living room or turn it into a feature.
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Mirrors Surrounding the Pillar
Mirroring your columns is a very good way to obscure the pillar.
The picture shows mirrored panels around the entire surface of the pillar. This provides an uninterrupted, polished surface that melds with the room.
Pros:
Makes things brighter and gives the feeling of more space.
Reflects its surroundings to make the pillar “disappear.”
Cons:
Can be very expensive if you need to order custom mirrors.
Has to be cleaned regularly to keep it streak-free.
3.2 Creating a Gallery Wall
If you love an eclectic or artsy aesthetic, try making the pillar a gallery wall filled with mirrors and artwork.
How to Do It:
Combine mirrors of different shapes and sizes with framed art or photographs.
Arrange the pieces asymmetrically for a contemporary appearance, or symmetrically for a more traditional ambiance.
Pro Tip: Make sure you select frames that will go well with your living room’s existing decor.
Using Mirrored Shelves
Of combine functionality and style, install mirrored floating shelves around the pillar.
Benefits:
Offers storage or display space for books, vases, or small decorative items.
Mirrored panels reflect light, maintaining a visual openness to the space.
Installation Tip: Use brackets or invisible mounts to avoid people knocking the shelves, which could lead to injury.
Those mirrors give the illusion of more space and reflect the light in the room.
For an easier fix, lean or mount an oversized mirror up against the pillar.
Placement Ideas:
Place the mirror to reflect a lovely view or a well-decorated corner.
Make it a functional element by checking out your outfit and also using it as a pillar camouflage.
Why It Works: The mirror deflects attention from the actual pillar, making it seem intentional.
Decorative Mirror Frames
Sometimes, a knockout frame is all it takes to elevate a pillar to a statement piece.
Design Ideas:
Pick fancy frames for a romantic, vintage, or bohemian look.
If you prefer a minimalist look, choose sleek, modern frames.
You can use wood, paint, or even decorative tiles to create DIY mirror frames.
More Decor Ideas that Work with Mirrors
Mirror is a great option, but it’s not the only way to beautify a pillar. For a complete and stylish look, mirrors can be paired with other decor elements.
Incorporating Plants
Plants, in particular decoration around a mirrored pillar make the place seem more alive and softer.
Suggestions:
Arrange potted plants around the triangular base of the pillar.
For vertical interest, use hanging planters or vines.
Best Plants to Choose: Snake plants, pothos and ferns are maintenance-free and keep well indoors.
Accent Lighting
You may enhance the effect of mirrors using lighting and create a nice overall appearance.
Ideas for Lighting:
For a glowing effect, install LED strip lights around the pillar.
Backlighting mirrors: Use wall sconces or pendant lights to accentuate the depth of the mirrored surface.
To achieve a cozy ambiance, select warm white; to evoke a contemporary vibe, cool white (TIP: Avoid cold lighting).
Color Coordination
Paint can also help integrate the pillar with your living room’s design.
Tips:
For a more subtle cohesive look then paint the pillar the same color as the walls.
Use contrasting colors to make the mirrors pop and accent feature.
Palettes: Mirrors match neutral colors, such as beige, white, or light gray, but bold colours are also a creative option.
When it comes to hiding a pillar: Practical Considerations
There are several practical considerations to remember before jumping into your mirror-based design project:
Measuring and Planning
The mirrors and other decor elements need to measure up exactly, so take detailed measurements of the pillar.
Get your design idea down on paper before locking it into a document.
Structural Integrity
Do not drill into the pillar without consulting a professional first, as it may compromise the stability of your pillar.
Opt for items you can stick or hang when you can.
Maintenance
Mirrors should be cleaned regularly for their reflection.
But you’ll need to invest in a streak-free glass cleaner to keep them looking pristine.
Practical Application and Example of Use
Transformations of real-life can inspire your own project. Here are a few examples of it:
BeforeAfterAn ugly, gray pillar awkwardly splitting the room. A mirrored pillar that reflects natural light, and one that seamlessly melds into the decor. An unwieldy, uncool post in a period sitting room. A pillar in the gallery style with mirrors and framed tangible art work, which gives personality and charm.
Numerous homeowners have shared these testimonials about how mirrors assisted in their changes in lifestyles. One homeowner mentioned their mirrored pillar turned into a conversation piece during gatherings, while another loved that it made the room feel twice as big.
Conclusion
Pillars can feel like a design headache initially, but if you deal with them in the right way, they can actually work for you instead of against you. Mirrors are a very flexible tool that can hide, enhance, or even warp a pillar into an attractive focal point.
From mirrored panels to artful gallery walls, there are no lack of decorating ideas for how to camouflage a column in the living room. Combine these concepts with complementary decor such as plants and accent lighting for a stylish, coherent look.
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