Introduction
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. It’s where meals are prepared, families gather, and memories are made. However, many kitchens have limited space or awkward layouts that make the most of the available area challenging. This is where a thoughtfully placed support post can provide helpful benefits.
Support posts are vertical columns that help bear the load of the ceiling and upper floors in a home. They are typically found in corners or along walls in rooms. While they serve an important structural purpose, support posts located in a kitchen often feel intrusive and obstructive. But with careful planning and creativity, that bothersome post can become a useful kitchen asset.
In this article, we will explore ways to make the most of a kitchen support post. From using it for extra storage and prep space to concealing it with cabinetry, a range of solutions will be covered. With an open mind and some DIY skills, that support post can be transformed into a functional and attractive element in your cooking space.
Clever Solutions for Making the Most of a Kitchen Support Post
Here are some innovative ideas to consider when looking to maximize a kitchen support post:
Utilize it for Open Shelving and Extra Storage
One of the easiest ways to make use of a support post is to install open shelving. This creates instant storage and display space perfect for cookbooks, decorative items, or daily essentials. Shelves can be positioned at varying heights and depths around the post depending on your needs. Just be sure to leave adequate room for circulation.
For a more enclosed storage option, have cabinetry built around the post. You can customize it with drawers, cupboards, and pull-out racks to hold everything from pots and pans to spices and food storage containers. Get creative with storage solutions like spin shelves, wall-mounted utensil hooks, and vertical knife blocks. With some custom carpentry, that post can house all your kitchen gear.
Add a butcher block counter
Installing a butcher block countertop on one side or around the entire perimeter of the post can provide extra prep and serving space. This is ideal for chopping vegetables, kneading dough, setting out appetizers, or creating a mini eat-in dining area. Opt for a quality hardwood butcher block that can withstand daily use. And consider including features like overhangs or cutouts to maximize functionality.
Incorporate banquette seating
For kitchen support posts located near walls, transform the surrounding area into a cozy banquette dining nook. Build bench seating into the walls on either side, leaving space to walk between the banquette and post. This creates a perfect breakfast spot without sacrificing floor area. Include comfy cushions, storage under the seats, and a drop-leaf table for maximum comfort and utility.
Conceal with a freestanding hutch or china cabinet
An easy way to camouflage an unsightly post is to place a narrow hutch or china cabinet in front of it. Choose a piece with glass doors to prevent totally obscuring the post. Freestanding hutches provide both concealed storage and display space for dishes, glassware, or decorative items. For a built-in look, have a custom hutch or cabinet designed specifically for your post.
Integrate a wine rack
For the wine lovers out there, a support post presents the perfect opportunity for installing a wine rack. Opt for an open metal design that fits snugly around the post. Or utilize the post cavity by building in customized shelving meant for storing bottles. Incorporate glassware storage above or decorative wine barrel staves on the exterior of the rack. A wine rack adds stylish function to an otherwise challenging space.
Create a space for coat hooks or towels
Make use of awkward narrow spaces around your post by adding coat hooks or towel bars. This creates a handy landing spot for hanging up keys, coats, towels, and potholders. For a more finished look, frame out a recessed cubby with trim molding and include hooks or rods inside. You can even customize the storage to your needs, like installing drying racks for dishes or pots.
Design Ideas for Seamlessly Incorporating a Kitchen Support Post
Once you’ve determined the best functional uses for your kitchen post, it’s time to focus on the aesthetics. With careful design choices, that unsightly column can disappear into the background or even become a focal point. Here are some ideas for seamlessly working it into your kitchen décor and layout:
Strategically place appliances and fixtures
Look for ways to disguise the post by placing full-height elements like refrigerators, stoves, and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in front of it. A thoughtfully positioned appliance or fixture can make the post visually recede. Just be sure not to totally obstruct it – you still want to access the storage and surfaces surrounding it.
Incorporate matching trim and moldings
To help the post blend in, finish it with trim, panels or molding that matches the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. Custom wood panels that coordinate with the cabinets create a built-in, unified look. For a more finished feel, box out the post with additional framing before adding trim. Matching the trim details goes a long way in hiding structural posts.
Add lighting fixtures
Strategically placed lighting is a great way to distract the eye and draw attention away from an obtrusive post. Opt for slender sconces or pendant lights that mount directly to the post. Positioning lamps and under-cabinet lighting near the post also helps diminish its presence. Just avoid extremely ornate fixtures that would call more attention to the column.
Paint or finish the post to match the room
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Painting or refinishing the post to coordinate with the color scheme and materials already found in the kitchen is an easy way to diminish its presence. You can match existing cabinetry finishes like stained wood or bright painted colors. Just be sure to properly prepare the post prior to applying any paint or finish.
Embrace the post as a unique design element
Who says a kitchen support post has to fade into the background? With the right décor you can cleverly highlight the post and make it a striking focal point. Use bold wallpaper, unique trim details or decorative paint techniques only on the post area. Add whimsical touches like shelving embellished with brackets. Let the post stand out while serving practical purposes.
FAQs About Maximizing Kitchen Support Posts
Many homeowners struggle to make the most of an existing kitchen support post. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are the standard dimensions of kitchen support posts?
Kitchen support posts typically range from 4 to 8 inches square. However, the dimensions can vary based on the home’s construction and load requirements. Inspect your specific post size and layout when planning your design.
How can I determine the load capacity of my kitchen post?
Consult your original architectural plans to identify the intended purpose and load capacity of the posts. If unavailable, have a structural engineer assess the post to determine its strength before adding shelves or cabinetry. Never exceed the recommended weight limits.
Are there building code requirements for kitchen support posts?
Kitchen posts must meet minimum requirements outlined in the International Building Code for dimensions, spacing, materials and fastening. Building codes prohibit modifying structural posts in ways that could impact their load-bearing function. Check local regulations before altering your post design.
What are the best materials for kitchen shelves and cabinets around posts?
Opt for durable wood, metal or plastic laminates specifically designed for kitchen use. Stay away from particle board or low-quality materials unable to withstand moisture and heavy daily use. Only install cabinets and shelving that can handle the intended contents without sagging.
Can I completely enclose or remove an existing kitchen support post?
Never attempt to enclose a post in cabinetry without providing ventilation, or remove a load-bearing post altogether. This can severely compromise the structural integrity of the home. Certain posts can be boxed out using stud walls but should be done by trained professionals only.
Conclusion
With an open mind and dash of creativity, homeowners can transform problematic kitchen support posts into functional elements that improve storage, workflow and aesthetics. Utilizing the ideas in this guide will help you see that post as an asset rather than a hindrance. Just be sure to always prioritize safe design and construction by consulting experts if needed.
What’s your strategy for tackling bothersome support posts? With the right approach, you can gain an extra storage area, seating space or decorative accent. Don’t let the post become an eyesore bringing down the whole kitchen. Make the most of what you have and create a kitchen that meets both your practical and stylistic needs. That unsightly column can be an opportunity in disguise!
