Like most other architectural elements, front porch pillars and the porch itself serve an important practical role.
Also dubbed the veranda, the porch is there to protect the home’s entrance, as well as provide residents with the space to pause before entering.
Pillars are more often than not an inevitable part of the porch design, and while they’re mainly meant to support the weight of the roof, with time we became much more focused on their aesthetic contribution.
Let’s go through some inspiring ideas!
1. Farmhouse Style In White
If you like to keep it traditional – with a twist – go for simple wooden pillars in white.
They’ll open up your porch much more than if they’re a darker color and make any seasonal decor stand out even more.
2. Victorian Vibe
The carved wooden pillars you can see in the above picture sport a recognizably Victorian vibe.
They promote an aesthetic that’s equally warm and rustical and also elegant.
3. Clean Lines
For the modern appeal, make sure you have your front porch pillars designed in a clean, modern way.
This design choice will make your porch look neat and relaxing, and quite different from the status quo.
4. Classic Column #1
Classic columns inspired by ancient Greece and Rome are still a staple of posh luxury and will never go out of fashion.
5. Classic Column #2
There are variations to this universal model, of course.
Some classic pillars are entirely smooth, others come with texture.
6. Classic Column #3
Either way, on top or the bottom (or both), the pillars contain a small platform that consists of a wide rounded part and a simple cubical finish which serve to give it some more dimension and additional stability.
7. Fusion
If you can’t make up your mind between the stone or wood pillars, why not combine them?
This adds some dynamic to the porch, both in color and shape.
8. Plump Pillars
To achieve a somewhat cuter design, go for the chunkier pillar shape.
Rounded elements overall help soften their surroundings.
9. Soft Blue
By all means, you don’t have to be stuck with white pillars if you’d like to introduce some color to your porch.
Go for a soft blue color that will make your space appear relaxing and remind you to just breathe.
10. Colorful Design
Play with various options to achieve the most fun design you can think of.
11. Simplicity
Simple white pillars, however, are the undefeated classic for an elegant American porch.
If you’d like to make your home’s entrance look posh yet traditional, cultivate this simple design.
12. Rustic Modern
Much like in all things design, there are many different styles to choose from – as well as combinations of the same.
Many modern homeowners don’t like to completely surrender their home to only one design style, instead, they opt to be moderate and get the best of both worlds.
All-out rustic design may be overwhelming to some people, so softening its effect with some modern elements is a great idea.
13. Traditional Rustic
Of course, if you’d like an unapologetically rustic porch for yourself, go ahead and have it designed that way.
14. Intricate Design
Some porch pillars are purely functional, with little to no regard for the aesthetic, while others are all about the looks.
Think of various carvings and intricate textures you would like your porch pillars to contain. What would they be?
15. Rounded Arrangement
It’s not all about the pillar itself – sometimes the placement is crucial.
For instance, in the above picture, the porch appears soft, breezy, and elegant thanks to the round pillar arrangement.
16. Arcades
If you wish to be so extra, go ahead and arrange your pillars into arcades.
They offer a particularly antique and romantic touch wherever they’re placed.
17. Romantic Accents
Perhaps you like to be subtle with the design or you simply choose to be budget-friendly – either way, focusing on accents rather than the design overall is just the thing for you.
Use intricately designed corner details and small textures to help romanticize your porch.
18. Cottage Green
A particular color that’s got us in a chokehold (me, at least) is the pale olive that makes everything appear lovely and cottagecore.
To promote this vibe on your porch, opt for arguably the most beautiful shade of green.
19. Elegant Design
Back to pillar placement – arrange your porch pillars in a graceful and smooth way to make the whole space ooze elegance.
20. Black Pillars
With Halloween at the doorstep, how could I not include this?
Depending on the color of your exterior walls overall, you could very well benefit from having black porch pillars.
Though they’ll really come to pay off during October and make your spooky decoration pop!
In Conclusion
While implementing some of the aforementioned porch pillar ideas would require major renovation, most of them are down to imagination and a good eye for color.
Pick one that best suits your tastes and turn your home’s entrance into a proper welcoming haven.