20 Front Porch Column Ideas That'll Beautify Your Home

white columns doric

Design: Norris Architecture / Photo: Sheri Oneal

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.

  • 01 of 20

    Opt for a Functional Approach

    farmhouse style porch

    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.

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  • 02 of 20

    Keep It Simple

    porch with just one column

    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.

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  • 03 of 20

    Restore Classic Columns

    classic white porch columns

    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.

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  • 04 of 20

    Make It Rustic

    douglas fir porch columns

    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.

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  • 05 of 20

    Take a Modern Approach

    modern steel columns

    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.

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  • 06 of 20

    Go Greek (Revival)

    classic historic home

    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.

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  • 07 of 20

    Try Contemporary Concrete Columns

    concrete porch columns

    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.

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  • 08 of 20

    Choose Aluminum

    black porch columns

    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.

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  • 09 of 20

    Revamp Existing Columns the Easy Way

    front porch column makeover

    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.

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  • 10 of 20

    Design a Stately Entrance

    corinthian columns

    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.

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  • 11 of 20

    Skip the Porch Railings

    white columns doric

    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.

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  • 12 of 20

    Grab Some Wood Stain to Revamp Your Columns

    stained porch columns

    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.

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  • 13 of 20

    Bring the Drama With a Colonnade

    classical looking columns

    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.

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  • 14 of 20

    Keep It Cohesive

    classic white porch columns

    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.

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  • 15 of 20

    Bring in Some Red Brick

    porch columns with brick

    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.

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  • 16 of 20

    Look to the Banister

    simple ranch house porch

    Design by Ike Baker Velten / 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.

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  • 17 of 20

    Add Extra Flair With Wooden Brackets

    victorian style columns

    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.

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  • 18 of 20

    Say Yes to Modern Steel

    steel columns

    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.

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  • 19 of 20

    Customize Wrought Iron Columns

    wrought iron columns

    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.

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  • 20 of 20

    Draw the Eye Upwards With an Arch

    column with arch detail

    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.