Decorating Ideas for Large Wood Finials & Columns

Staining and Painting

• Large wood finials and columns can be tinted with wood stain or painted. Many have intricate details that lend themselves well to painting. If the finials and columns are already finished with a sealant, you will need to sand them first before staining them. After applying the wood stain, finish with a sealant or varnish that will protect outdoor finials and columns from the weather. If you are going to paint, apply a primer after you sand. Paint does not need to be sealed or varnished.

Plants

• Surround a column with plants to add beauty and set it apart from the area around it. Container plants with seasonal flowers such as mums in the fall or primroses in the spring add instant color to a wood column. Indoor plants such as Boston ferns, Chinese evergreens or graceful, elegant orchids add instant style when placed beside a column. To reach finials, train a climbing vine or climbing philodendron to wind up the post and wrap around the finial. Or surround the base of the finial where it meets the post with a ring of silk flowers. This is an excellent look for a young girl's bedroom -- if her bed has finials -- or for a wedding.

Seasonal Decorations

• Celebrate the seasons by decorating your wood finials and columns with seasonal decor. A smiling scarecrow leaning against your column with a pile of pumpkins at the base is one way to welcome autumn. Wrap a green garland interspersed with red poinsettias around your columns at Christmastime, and drape a small wreath around each finial.

Lighting

• Elaborately carved wood finials and columns are often inherently decorative. Sometimes, such items only need to be displayed properly. Highlight your column and finials with lights. A spotlight, placed near the base of each column, adds drama to the outdoors. Indoors, wrap columns with softly glowing, tiny white lights for a romantic look.