skip to main content

Design Dilemma living room Remodeling

Column Dilemma - how to solve?

last month

Hi everyone,

We move into our new house next month and are trying to make a few updates before then. One of the biggest problem areas for us is this archway with half columns between the living room and the sunroom. It’s very craftsman style, which is great - but we’re hoping to leave a little more modern.

We thought we would just close in the wall so that the column was included into the wall, but think it would block a lot of natural light coming into the living room (which is already pretty dark).

Does anyone have any thoughts?

If we take the columns out completely (they’re not structural), we’re unsure if there is hardwood underneath the wall, which opens a whole other can of worms!

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

littlebug zone 5 Missouri
last month
Since you have determined that they are not weight-bearing, you could just remove the columns but not the pony walls.
Jo- lee Rose
last month
I also vote that remove the columns as the close in the views to your back yard.

Had you considered raising the opening of the wall height to even out the ceiling with the height of the top of the arch to give the room more connection with the home and not look like an add on afterthought? Would also make the room look bigger and brighter. Take out the window sliders and put in French doors to the outside. Change out the low level - room eating ceiling fan and put an interesting fixture.
Related Discussions
tree dilemma solved!
Q
Comments (3)
Nice pictures. Draping a sheet behind the tree makes the grafts easy to see. Your graft will take and you will now have the confidence to do your own whenever the opportunity arises. Al
...See More
How do you store your messy papers? I must (!) solve this.
Q
Comments (45)
I don't want to hijack Elizabeth's thread, but I am going through the same, only have a much worse problem. My projects get really big, and I realize that in the past the boxes or baskets I have used haven't been deep enough. I was a The Old Time Pottery last weekend, - they've got a number of stores in Atlanta and I don't know if they are elsewhere. They were selling "lingerie chests" with drawers that are about the size needed for 8.5 x 11 papers, or folded legal size paper. So I bought the only 2 they had (one was their floor sample, already assembled!) and have started sticking projects in that. I have already realized I'll probably need paperweights to keep the larger piles from getting out of control and sticking so the drawers can't open. The chest is about 45" high, and the drawers look square - I would say about 14" x 14". I am planning on using these drawers and maybe if I need them some boxes. I've tried baskets before, and realize that one reason they don't work for me is that they are so heavily textured that the papers get caught by the woven strips, or it's uncomfortable for me to stick my hands in. So far, I've scoooped up the project piles on my morning room table, which serves as a desk. As long as the drawers remain easy to open (i.e., good, lasting construction of cheap furniture, as well as controlling the piles by dividing into sub-projects, if needed), this might work for me.
...See More
Need help to solve pergola lighting dilemma
Q
Comments (8)
If using the tiny Christmas type gold string lights, just wrap them around the pillar on the way up, and add a string to wrap down a corresponding pillar to make it look even. I know, far from perfect, but ... If using the heavy-duty café lights, tape or carefully staple the cord in a very straight, flat line going up the column. Or if that looks too tacky, just learn to live with the cord. Life comes with cords... (sigh). Another thought -- use lights that have batteries as a power source, or solar lights. I used solar lights on my deck and they work surprisingly well. The brand is Gama Sonic and some models have as much as 130 lumens output.
...See More
Not sure about furniture brands? This pic helps solve the dilemma.
Q
Comments (24)
I have fond memories of renting a Fiat 500 in Italy and driving it from La Spezia to Maranello / Modena where I spent the day at the Ferrari factory and museum. Originally I had a Alfa Romeo booked, but when I got to the rental car agency at the port the only thing left was a Fiat 500 with a manual gearbox (how typical is that for Italy - "you need a car? we have a car - there it is"). I had the Fiat 500 going flat out over the hills of Tuscany both there and back, don't think I ever lifted. I was so glad I rented the GPS too, I don't read Italian road signs! Of course the best part of that day was when I rented a Ferrari 599 for two hours in Maranello and took to the hilly backroads in it. Now THAT is a car. My two rentals for that day
...See More
Sammie J
last month
Squaring off the arch would help...
btydrvn
last month
To keep it as simple as possible..remove the columns…and try something smaller there……perhaps just three dowels lined up at the end of dividers …at the point where the curve starts…or remove the curve…creating a square opening …the height of the curve….after living there a while you will know whether having that smaller space separated that way ….limits the use of the space…or offers a cozy separate spot that works for you
houssaon
last month
I think you could also replace the columns with thinner ones in either a natural wood or white. About half the current size might work. The current ones are very chunky.

More like these.
Chesapeake Entry Way · More Info
PRO
Flo Mangan
last month
Kate- looks like a pretty home. Not sure what styling you are going for inside but I would raise that opening as high as possible and add panels on each side with interesting “see thru material”. Here amid one “concept”. If you are leaning more traditional you can use same principles but do more traditional side panels. Lots of possibilities!
arcy_gw
last month
Reminds me of that children's book if you give a moose a cookie: If you do more than remove the columns then you have floors, ceiling and arch to contend with plus you no longer have much of a delineation between the dining and living spaces. How much do you dislike what's there???
PRO
Flo Mangan
last month
If you are careful, you could remove the pony wall and columns. Then construct a base about the height of your molding and make the footprint of this “box” the same as the existing structure. Then you can paint it to coordinate with whatever panels you decide on over it. How do you plan to use both rooms?
PRO
Flo Mangan
last month
Depending on your styling you could also get a pair of large pots to place on the new bases. You could do long wood slats. Or panels of distorted glass. Kind of endless options.
3onthetree
last month
Have you removed the enclosure to check on structure? It seems very odd how large the girth is, very out of scale, like they have posts with plumbing running down one. Also, the wall is very wide, like it used to be an exterior wall.
ci_lantro
last month
I would square up the walk through opening and increase the height to the top of the arch. Then drywall over the two side openings. You gain a bit more light by raising the opening and don't lose a lot of light because the side openings are not large.

Related Stories

HOLIDAYS 10 Holiday Organizing Dilemmas and How to Solve Them

By Laura Gaskill

Looking for ways to hide gifts, store coats and stay on top of your to-dos? We can help

ENTERTAINING Extendable Tables Solve Dining Dilemmas

By Rachel Grace

More really is merrier for holiday and everyday entertaining when your dining table adjusts to fit your guests

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Common Design Dilemmas Solved!

By Sophie Seeger

Here’s how to transform the awkward areas of your home into some of its best features

CONTAINER GARDENS Solve Your Garden Border Dilemmas With Planted Pots

Set your containers free from the patio — placed among plantings in the ground, they fill unsightly gaps, let you experiment and more

REMODELING GUIDES Houzzers to the Rescue: Users Solve Design Dilemmas

By Vanessa Brunner

The proof is in the painting — and the pond. As Houzz users hit 100,000 discussions, see some of the results of their advice and ideas

GARDENING GUIDES How Succulents Can Solve Your Garden Problems

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

This large group of undemanding, water-wise plants offers pretty and practical answers to your gardening dilemmas

REMODELING GUIDES Have a Design Dilemma? Talk Amongst Yourselves

Solve challenges by getting feedback from Houzz’s community of design lovers and professionals. Here’s how

Design Dilemmas: 5 Questions for Design Stars

By Annie Thornton

Share Your Design Know-How on the Houzz Questions Board

HOUSEKEEPING Dishwasher vs. Hand-Washing Debate Finally Solved — Sort Of

By Mitchell Parker

Readers in 8 countries weigh in on whether an appliance saves time, water and sanity or if washing by hand is the only saving grace

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Great Room Solves an Awkward Interior

By Mitchell Parker

The walls come down in a chopped-up Eichler interior, and a family gains space and light

Sponsored

Hartley Homebuilding and Exteriors

11 Reviews

Loudoun County's Award Winning Custom Home Builder- Best of Houzz 2016

More Discussions

Galley Kitchen Remodel - what do's or don'ts and make sure's?

34

Half wall to define entryway?

29

Anyone have/ heard of Manhattan Quartzite?

6

Bathroom Layout/Remodeling Advice

3

Bonus Room Ideas

5