How to Cover a Support Pole in the Basement

Updated September 24, 2020

How to hide a support beam in your basement?

Do you have ugly metal poles in your basement wondering what to do with them? Maybe you want to knock down a wall on the main floor but not sure what to do with a support beam.  Those unsightly support beams or metal poles don’t have to remain unsightly.  Here are your options:

1.  Pole Covers, Pole Wraps or Column Covers

The least expensive option to cover those poles are by using pole wraps, pole covers or column covers.  Whatever you want to call them, it will do the trick.

The big box stores carry a variety of inexpensive pole covers from faux wood to paint ready smooth covers.  Smaller speciality stores also carry more upscale type of covers.

Add-value-to-your-home-support-beam-covers
Photo: gardenweb.com
How-to-cover-support-beam-basement-addvaluetoyourhome.casementideacom

Photo: Basementideas.comSupport covers can be painted to cover and hide the ugly support beams.

how to cover a support beam, addvaluetoyourhome.ca
Photo: DIY Network.

You can also have custom made covers to compliment built-in custom cabinetry or do-it-yourself if you’re handy.

Click here to read from DIY Network: How to build a box around a support beam.

How to cover a support beam, addvaluetoyourhome.ca

Photo: Houzz

This homeowner had stone columns built around the support beams.  The stone columns add architectural interest to the room while hiding the necessary posts.

How-to-cover-basement-support-pole-addvaluetoyourhome.ca

Photo: brookegiannetti.typepad.com

This creative homeowner used old porch posts for their support beams! This would look great in a lake house or cottage or a country home.

how-to-cover-support-basement-support-beam-addvaluetoyourhome.ca

Source: Unknown

Using reclaimed wood to cover ugly poles is currently very trendy.

Related: Read 2021 Design & Color Trends

2. Use the Pole

Another popular way to “cover” support beams is too actually include the pole in the design.  Most common uses are as part of a breakfast bar, or family room bar, as a bookshelf, a room divider or a combination bookshelf/room divider.

how-to-cover-support-beam-addvaluetoyourhome.ca

Photo: Homeadore.com

Read: 5 Styling Mistakes to Avoid when Decorating

Covering a post and putting a bar there is a clever way of using the beams.

support beam, bar, houzz
Photo found on Houzz.com

The support beam becomes part of a trendy contemporary bookshelf.  It’s hard to tell if just one or are two beams are actually needed.

how-to-cover-basement-support-beams

Source: Unknown

Need design advise to help you with that support beam issue?e-design-online-staging-consults-decorating-add-value-to-your-home-debi-collinson

Check out my “Pick My Brain” 1 question or 1 hour online design consult here. 

support beam becomes a bookshelf, meccinteriors

Found on Meccinteriors

how to cover a support beam, addvaluetoyourhome.ca
Photo: Houzz

This clever design uses the support beams as a book shelf and room divider.

3. The Pole Becomes Part of the Design

When the posts become part of the design, you don’t notice that there are support beams in the room.

basement-renovation-princeton-design-collaborative

Renovation by: Princeton Design Collaborative of New Jersey.

The posts flow naturally throughout the space and it’s difficult to tell which post is decoration and which post is actually holding up the floor.

what do to with a support beam, addvaluetoyourhome.ca

Photo: HazelwoodBuildingContractors.com

With a support beam on either side of the kitchen island, and the beams incorporated into the ceiling, the support beam has become part of the design.

Related: Read 5 ways to make a focal point in a living space

Ashton Kutcher's parents basement, design Catherine Renae Thomas Design Co.

Design: Catherine Renae Thomas Design Co. Photo: Houzz.com

Ashton Kutcher surprised his mom for Mother’s Day with this basement of her dreams. (below) Designer Catherine Renae Thomas incorporates the support beams into the design so noone can really tell which beam is really necessary and which one isn’t.  The beams look like they were meant to be there and divides the various functions of the basement naturally. A very clever design!

It has become a very popular option on home renovation shows to show renovators removing support beams or load bearing walls on either the main floor and basement.  This is another option as well, but definitely the most expensive one. If you chose this option, you need to hire a structural engineer and general contractor who has loads of experience moving support beams to determine the best way from a both a structural point of view as well as an effective design.  Moving or removing posts improperly could result in the floor or ceiling sagging and affect the integrity of the structure of your home.    Sometimes, the cost does not warrant moving the post.  But don’t fret, we have just seen lots of great options to try in your home.

What idea are you going to do?

Need help designing that basement?hire-me-add-value-to-your-home-debi-collinson

You’re stuck! You need styling or decorating guidance! You’re starting to think about updating a room in your house. You have lots of different ideas, lots of pictures of what you want, and you’ve already started to collect some samples. But it’s just not coming together the way you would like it. You need 2 hours of guidance & direction! Check out my 2 hour styling package here.

About Debi Collinson. Home Stylist. Stager. Real Estate Investor.

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I help busy homeowners, just like you, to style their house to make it a stunning retreat, where they can live and enjoy their home. I help homeowners, make money beyond their wildest expectations from the sale of their house by guiding them when they’re getting their house to sell.

Hi! I’m Debi Collinson. Home Stylist. Stager. Real Estate Investor. It all started back in 2006, at the request of a realtor, where I nervously staged my very first home. But the sellers liked their newly styled home so much that they turned down an offer for full asking price. I went back to design school and the rest is history. In my spare time, LOL, I buy “fixer uppers” to fix up & either sell for a healthy profit or to rent. I’m currently living in my 8th “fixer upper.” Sign up to receive my e-mails of how to make your home stunning, how to sell your house for top dollar AND how to become financially independent one fixer upper at a time!

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2 Comments

    1. Hi – Can you please put the name of my blog on your link as opposed to source? My policy for linking is on the front page of my blog! Thank you so much for the shoutout! Debi

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