How to Cover a Basement Pole to Be Rustic

Paint the exterior of the pole to look like a tree trunk. This approach to covering a basement pole is particularly appropriate for people who love murals and have an outdoors-inspired sense of rustic style. You could paint the pole only -- covering it with textured brown paint to simulate tree bark -- or extend the mural along the floor and ceiling, adding roots and leafy branches. Metal poles may require multiple coats of paint in order to achieve opaque color. Avoid painting poles that get hot -- like hot-water pipes -- to avoid any risk of heating paint and releasing unpleasant fumes.

Wrap the pole with tightly coiled rope in order to create the visual effect of a fixture on a ship. Rope is commonly used in rustic decor because rope has many uses in real rustic settings, such as ranches. Since basements tend to be damp, you may want to use rope that has been treated for marine applications. Secure one end of the rope on the pole a few inches above the floor. Wrap the pole from the floor upward, keeping the rope taut and pushing down the previous wraps periodically to ensure the entire pole is concealed. Secure the top end of the rope just as you did the bottom end.

Cover the pole with a rustic mosaic of thin stone tiles or faux stone, securing each tile with transparent epoxy. This approach creates an effect like a natural stone pillar or even a tree trunk, depending on the size, shape and color of the tiles you use, but it is not suitable for pipes because the epoxy and stone outer "shell" would make repairing or replacing the pipe extremely difficult. When you use epoxy, wear a high-quality respirator and ventilate the basement as well as possible, opening all doors and windows and maximizing air flow.