Decorating the basement of your home can be challenging, especially when you have poles and pillars to work around.
These structural elements are necessary for support but can disrupt the flow and aesthetics of the space.
With some creativity, you can transform poles and pillars from an eyesore into an eye-catching focal point.
Today let’s look at some unique ideas to decorate basement poles and pillars in stylish, functional ways.
With the right decoration, your basement poles can become conversation pieces that add character to the room.
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Drape Fabric Over the Poles
One easy way to soften the look of basement poles is to drape decorative fabric over them.
Use a printed or textured fabric like velvet, burlap, or cotton in a color that complements your décor.
Drape the fabric artfully using clips, staples, command hooks or ribbons to create vertical interest.
You can use floor-length swaths of fabric for a dramatic look or shorter lengths to showcase portions of the pole.
This is an affordable project that makes a high visual impact and helps poles blend into the room.
Accent the draped fabric with decorative details like tassels, garlands or pom poms.
Wrap fairy lights around the pole underneath to create a illuminated effect when the lights shine through the fabric.
This is an great option to add color, texture and creativity to otherwise plain poles.
Wallpaper the Poles
For a fun and quirky vibe, decorate your basement poles with removable wallpaper.
Choose a bold print or interesting textures like faux wood, brick or natural stone.
Metallic or mirrored wallpapers could also lend an edgy, modern feel.
Tailor the wallpaper to your room’s style – playful patterns for a kids’ area or sophisticated prints for an adult lounge space.
Measure the circumference of the pole to determine how much wallpaper you’ll need.
Cut the wallpaper to size, brush on adhesive and wrap around the pole, smoothing out any bubbles or wrinkles.
The wallpaper can cover all or just portions of the pole.
For extra flair, wrap ribbon or rope details over the wallpaper seams.
Wallpaper allows you to customize poles in any color or pattern imaginable.
Display Collections on Shelves
Turn a basement pole into a display area by affixing shelves.
This is a great way to show off favorite items like framed photos, artwork, trophies, collectibles or plants.
Stagger shelving at different heights around the pole to create an interesting composition.
Floating shelves only attached to the pole retain openness, while shelving anchored to the wall and pole provide ample surface area for larger objects.
Paint or finish the shelves to blend in with your décor.
For example, stain wood shelves for a rustic cabin vibe or paint shelves bright colors for a kids’ playroom.
The shelves around the pole become a decorative focal point and display space in one.
Arrange accent lighting above or within the shelves to highlight special objects.
Make a Padded Pole Cover
For basement playrooms, transform unsightly poles into a fun padded play structure.
Sew a cover out of foam, batting and brightly colored stretchy fabric.
Add velcro or snaps to the rear opening so it can tightly fit over the pole.
The padding allows kids to safely play near, lean on and enjoy the pole without harm.
Get creative with the fabric cover by making it resemble a clown, rocket ship or animal with fun appliques.
You can also segment the pole padding into colored stripes or patterns using fabric glue.
Leave the bottom portion uncovered to anchor it in place.
Padded pole covers lend a playful spirit to kids’ basement spaces.
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Incorporate Lighting Effects
An easy way to make poles more attractive is to incorporate lighting.
Wrapping string lights around a pole creates ambiance and a focal point in any room.
For a more dramatic statement, position floor lamps or sconces with directional lighting to spotlight the pole.
Install LED strip lighting along the pole vertically to illuminate it.
Some systems have color-changing lights that enable you to customize the color to match your décor or mood.
For additional visual appeal, affix sculptural light fixtures or lanterns directly to the pole at varying heights.
Lighting makes an ordinary pole stand out in a beautiful way.
Build Custom Cabinetry Around the Pole
While challenging, one option is to construct cabinets, shelving or paneling around the pole to make it feel integrated.
This is perfect for creating a home office, media area or any space needing storage.
Custom millwork conceals the pole within the cabinetry design, turning it into an asset rather than eyesore.
Include doors, drawers, open shelving or cubbies for storage.
Top with a decorative crown molding to finish and polish the built-ins.
If carpentry is outside your skill set, have a professional build custom cabinetry tailored to your pole’s specifications and your room’s layout.
Though more expensive, you’ll gain ample usable space and a one-of-a-kind feature.
Just be sure to leave proper clearance from the pole.
With strategic cabinetry, you can completely disguise a pole.
Showcase Photos or Artwork
Another way to decorate a pole is to affix framed photos, prints or artwork to it.
This transforms the pole into an artistic display area.
Simply attach frames at various heights using hardware like picture rail hooks.
Arrange and angle the frames in an aesthetically pleasing composition.
Black and white gallery-style photo collages, for instance, look chic on a pole.
Consider framing meaningful fabric like wedding apparel or baby onesies to add personalization.
For a playful pole in a kids’ room, display their colorful artwork.
You can continually change out the pictures on display for an ever-evolving art pole.
Photos and artwork make a pole feel curated and part of a room’s décor.
Surround with Greenery
Filling the space around a pole with lush greenery is an easy way to help it recede.
Use a trellis attached to the pole to train climbing vines like ivy or philodendron up the pole.
Their leafy coverage minimizes the harshness of the pole.
For fuller foliage, arrange potted plants like ferns or palms around the base of the pole.
The green plants essentially camouflage the pole into the backdrop.
Adding a fountain or other water feature near the pole enhances the garden oasis vibe.
If natural light is lacking for live plants, install grow lights above them.
The surrounding greenery softens poles and adds life to a basement space.
This is an affordable, natural option to disguise poles.
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Transform it into a Home Bar
Make your basement pole the life of the party by turning it into a home bar for entertaining.
Install shelving, cabinetry or a counter anchored around the pole to provide ample beverage storage and serving space.
Attach an overhang above to mount pendant lights and glassware racks.
You can also recess a wine fridge right into the pole.
Include fun wall décor like a chalkboard drink menu, vintage bar signs or a magnetic strip to hold bottle openers.
Wrap the bar area around the pole with comfy barstools on one side for seating your guests
The pole bar creates a centralized crafter cocktail or wine tasting station even in tight basement spaces.
Construct a Spiral Bookcase
Bookworms will love using the pole as an anchor for a tall spiral bookcase.
These units wrap vertically around the pole to maximize every inch of space.
Browse options with multiple shelves of different depths and widths to display books attractively.
Stagger and angle books of different sizes to keep things visually interesting.
Paint or finish the spiral bookcase to blend into your color scheme.
For a cozy library theme, furnish the area with a comfy chair and reading lamp.
The soaring bookcase becomes a focal point that makes use of the pole’s floor to ceiling height.
It also provides ample storage for large book collections in basement spaces.
Add Pop Art Murals
An eye-catching idea is to transform the pole into a pop art mural.
Use paint, decals, wallpaper or fabric to cover the pole with fun prints and graphics.
Opt for bold solid colors or patterns like white polka dots, comic book scenes or mod flowers.
Contrasting geometric shapes also make for cool murals.
Incorporate iconic pop culture images like retro product logos, movie posters or music imagery.
Keep the vibe whimsical and lighthearted.
Consider a poem painted in a spiral around a kids’ basement pole.
Get the whole family involved in the mural design.
The colorful pole art infuses cheerful energy into the room.
Wrap with Textural Materials
For an easy DIY, simply wrap your basement poles with textural materials to give them a unique look.
For a nature-inspired pole, use jute rope, twisted twine, bamboo or rattan mats.
Adhere the materials vertically using a strong glue.
Leave gaps between the pieces for visual interest.
You can also wrap with salvaged wood planks, tin roofing tiles or burlap.
Affix tiles, mirrors or sea glass in mosaic patterns with grout or adhesive mesh backing.
The textural materials add depth, dimension and an artisanal vibe to plain poles.
Display your favorite textile collections by wrapping poles with quilts or embroidered fabrics, securing with binding strips.
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Disguise as a Play Structure
Make basement poles a source of entertainment and excitement for kids.
Transform them into play structures like a fireman’s pole, basketball hoop pole or ring toss pole.
Add padded mats or soft surfaces below for safety.
Disguise a pole as a jungle gym with rock climbing grips, hanging swings or a rope ladder leading to a small platform house up top.
For imaginative play, decorate a pole to resemble a ship mast, castle tower or rocket ship pole.
Paint the pole bright colors and add matching props like a ship’s wheel, castle flag or control panel.
The pole play structures give kids an interactive experience while disguising poles in theme-based decor.
With limitless possibilities, basement poles can be transformed from an eyesore into an incredible design asset.
Hopefully these 13 creative ideas have sparked inspiration for your basement pole décor project.
Use your imagination to invent novel ways to make poles stand out in stylish fashion.
