Asked on Jul 20, 2014

Posts in living room?

Gayle
by Gayle
Will removing a post in the living room open up the space or make it appear just too big?
I took your advice and posted some pics. I know I will have to have a professional look at the blueprints prior to having it removed. Sometimes, that post just really bugs me!
From dining area into LR
From front door into LR
From LR into dining area.
  11 answers
  • Karen Fallowfield Karen Fallowfield on Jul 21, 2014
    It depends on the size of your space, but possibly yes. Also removing a post must be done by a professional because it is likely a supporting structure.
  • Hannah V Hannah V on Jul 21, 2014
    Hi Gayle! Could you upload a photo of your living room? That will make it easier for other hometalkers and myself to give you better answers and ideas! You can add photos by clicking the upper right drop arrow and select "edit" (see screenshot). Hope this helps! :)
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jul 21, 2014
    Need a pro. If it is a support, you could have the beam replaced with something more structurally sound to carry the load. Pretty expensive. Depends on budget and how much it bugs you. It would bug me, too, so if I could afford it, the beam would go..
    • Katie Price Katie Price on Jul 22, 2014
      @Marion Nesbitt You are confusing a post with a beam. Posts are vertical; beams are horizontal. The existing post might be replaced with a long beam (see my comment below), but you are right. That would be very messy, and expensive.
  • Z Z on Jul 21, 2014
    I can see why you don't care for it. If it were our home I'd want at the very least a half wall with the area needing the support to have a half post. Something on the line of the dividers in a Craftsman style home between living and dining rooms. Only you'd make yours fit the style of your home. http://artsandcraftshomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/1-1915-bunga-nys-fa06-dan-mayers.jpg
  • D Meconi D Meconi on Jul 21, 2014
    Removing it will make the space less "choppy" but, it is likely holding a support beam.
  • Vonzella Crawley Vonzella Crawley on Jul 22, 2014
    i love your room it is sop pretty I think whatever you would like to do will be great just follow your first thought it is almost always rite
  • Carol Carol on Jul 22, 2014
    I feel your pain, Gayle, as I have four of them in my LR. Unfortunately all four of mine are holding up support beams for the 2nd level of my house. Had a contractor tell me they would be messy & expensive to remove, so I have learned to live with them.
  • Gayle Gayle on Jul 22, 2014
    Luckily, there is no second story in this part of the house--just 14 foot ceilings above the partial wall the post is holding(?) up. I haven't priced the cost yet of removing the post, but comments from everyone have made me more inclined to find out. Thanks!
  • AvonelleRed AvonelleRed on Jul 23, 2014
    I think instead of removing it, and all of the expense that goes along with installing a better support beam running the length of that area, I would 'wrap' the post in some type of bookshelf idea. You could build out a square frame and add shelves on all four sides, or you could make it wider and more rectangular, like a partial wall, then have shelves on just the two long sides.
  • PattyV PattyV on Jan 15, 2015
    It's an ackward place for a pillar indeed. I also think because the beams that flow into the center are square that the round post looks out of place. If the pillar is there for support, I would have a carpenter come in and create a different surround for it. Possibly square in a really nice grain.
  • PattyV PattyV on Jan 15, 2015
    ...or, you can simply add another pillar to another side of the wall. I can't tell from the picture if this is possible.