20 Front Porch Column Ideas That'll Beautify Your Home
While your home's front porch columns provide structural support, it's important to note that porch columns serve more than purely a functional purpose. There are many different styles of columns to choose from, and you will want to think carefully about the overall design scheme that you wish to embrace.
If you're looking to revamp your existing front porch columns, there are many ways to do so without taking on a major construction project, whether you're looking to experiment with paint or take on a large DIY project.
No matter what, you certainly won't want to miss out on the 20 fantastic front porch column ideas below—there's something that will appeal to each and every style and home type.
Design by BarnesVanze Architects / Photo by Allen Russ
This farmhouse-style home features simple white wooden columns along with accompanying brackets. The columns serve a dual purpose here, as they also function as a place in which to hang lanterns that brighten up the walkway leading to the home's front door.
Design by Fowlkes Studio / Photo by Jennifer Hughes
This home features just one column on the right side; on the left side of the porch, an exterior wall eliminates the need for a second one.
Design by LaRue Architects / Photo by Casey Dunn
This 108-year-old Austin, Texas, home underwent a restoration which included repairing the classic white porch columns. The columns exist not just in the front of the home but extend to the side of it, too, as the porch wraps around. This kind of design creates a cohesive look.
Design by Merzbau Design Collective / Photo by Whit Preston
These wooden columns are made from Douglas fir and add a rustic touch to the outside of this home. Wooden beams are customizable because you have the option to paint them different colors if you want to refresh the look of your home's exterior.
Design by Mark Odom Studio / Photo by Leonid Furmansky
While we often associate front porch columns with homes that are more traditional in style, they're present in modern exteriors, too. This contemporary house features a covered porch area with steel columns.
Design by Mark Odom Studio / Photo by Andrea Calo
This historic Greek Revival style home features a front porch with eight columns. This style of home became especially dominant in the United States during the early to mid-nineteenth century, around the start of the Civil War, but it continues to remain popular today.
Design by Britt Design Group / Photo by Ryann Ford
Thick, concrete porch columns are present outside this one-story home and make a contemporary statement. This adds a sleek touch to the exterior with its shape and texture.
Mjolnir Construction
This front porch features black aluminum columns. Aluminum can be an excellent choice for the home's exterior given that it does not need to be painted and will not rust as time goes on. Instead of settling on the usual silver, go for black ones to create a sophisticated statement.
Maria Killiam
If you're not thrilled with your home's columns, note that you may not need to remove them even if you crave a brand-new look. These columns were originally made of brick but have since been covered with wood.
Design by LDA / Photo by Greg Premru
Stately Corinthian columns, a staple of classic Greek architecture, add an elegant touch to this classic home and feature accompanying ornate capitals. This style of column can be found on many historic buildings across the globe, including the Pantheon and the United States Supreme Court, to name a few notable examples.
Design by Norris Architecture / Photo by Sheri Oneal
Eight simple white columns add a sense of grandeur to this front porch. The lack of railings makes this space appear welcoming and open despite the many columns present. The columns are also placed in between the windows, which adds an aesthetic visual.
The Full Hearted Home
If you're looking to revamp your porch without undertaking a major renovation project, you can always re-stain your existing columns in the wood tone of your choice. These knotted wood columns add a cabin-like touch to this home's exterior.
You can also paint your columns the same color as your front door to make everything look cohesive. Alternatively, mix different colors to create a contrast.
Design by Butler Armsden Architects / Photo by Ethan Kaplan
If a dramatic front entry is what you desire, draw from a favorite historical building, museum, or monument and construct a colonnade like this one.
Design by Evens Architects / Photo by Karyn Millet
This exterior is similar in style to the earlier home that features Corinthian columns, but these columns are much simpler, corresponding with the home's exterior, which is free of excessive architectural detail.
It is important that the front porch columns you choose are reflective of the remainder of your home to ensure a cohesive look.
Design by Ike Baker Velten / Photo by Richard Powers
The red brick on this home's exterior is carried over to the front two entryway columns, which feature red brick bases. In lieu of brick, bases are oftentimes made out of stone, too.
Design by Ken Fulk / Photo by Douglas Friedman
A simple ranch style home features a thin column on the porch, which takes up minimal visual space and coordinates perfectly with the nearby bannister.
Design by Miyuki Yamaguchi / Photo by Patricia Chang
To enhance this home's Victorian style, the designer chose to add wooden brackets to the exterior columns. This approach is an excellent way to add flair to any front porch while making use of the columns already in place.
Design by Bockus Payne / Photo by Justin Miers
Outside this home, steel columns placed in groups of three add visual interest to the exterior, all while reflecting the house's modern style.
Jeff's Custom Painting
Simple wrought iron columns add charm to this ranch-style home's exterior. Wrought iron can be painted in any color of your choosing, though most homeowners opt to coat theirs in black or white.
Whittney Parkinson Design
Here is another instance where decorative brackets transformed plain white columns. Arch-like brackets in black pop against white paint and draw the eye upward.
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