Close up the wall entirely.

If you want to keep an opening how about something metal? If it isn't load bearing you could just open it all up.

Have a professional take a look and get a definitive answer about it being load bearing or not. I would want to get rid of the posts and the soffit area above them.

I actually love them, I am not a huge fan of spindles, but these remind me of Parcheesi pieces, they are so solid and shapely.

Talk to a structural engineer and find out how many posts are actually needed for support. I'd be willing to bet you only need one on either end. Then just change the style to something squarer.

The soffit could be covering up a beam that is actually taking the load. I bet the spindles are purely decorative. In order to get advice about what to replace them with if that's what you decide to do, let us know what style the rest of the house is. But I think the opening is an awkward size and should be changed somehow - either removed or covered up completely. What is on the other side of it?

If it is load bearing wall, I would like it all closed up, rather than the opening with the spindles.

Here's an idea, adjusted to your opening, of course.

The door on the right (green - also being replaced!) is the front door. Where the spindles are, opens up to the living area/family room and I like that it is open. If I closed it up completely, I think it would close off too much. I would tear the wall down entirely but that’s out of my budget at the moment. Im not sure what a ”soffit” is but I think within the context, i was able to figure it out! The top of the spindles, the little wall above does cover up a beam that runs horizontally. I assume the spindles may be there to help support it? For the record, I have not confirmed if this is load bearing- I am just assuming.

p.s. I appreciate everyone’s input/feedback!!! You guys are awesome.

And this is whats on the other side, a hallway leading to bedrooms.

Some option to go with plant cubes or shelving

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Greenco-Decorative-4-Cube-Intersecting-Wall-Mounted-Floating-Shelves-White-Finish/834642818

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/wade-logan-meyerson-51-h-x-49-w-geometric-bookcase-w004970958.html?piid=1482065721

https://www.target.com/p/35-34-geometric-block-wall-decor-wood-metal-patton-wall-decor/-/A-79119346

Or just replace columns with vertical wood planks. As for me I would remove this pony wall completely and go with planks all the way from ceiling to floor.

Casa di Marco & Roberta · More Info

Those are so horrible looking, I just can't.

open up the wall above and see if it's load bearing.

https://www.diychatroom.com/threads/load-bearing-wall-will-i-be-ok-removing-these-3-studs.206164/

If you have joists running on top of the header, it could be a bearing load. you could replace it w/a beam and remove the entire thing.

or, you could support it with a better header and one post on the end

open it up even more. lower the lower wall, open up the center portion. try something like this:

At the very least, replace them w/some 1x1 or 1x2" wood slats

knock down the entire bottom portion too and do some 1x4"'s (if you need the support) like this

Those are not structural support columns, all the painted wood that you see is strictly decorative trim. Besides, look at the beam that is covered with drywall above it all. Take them out if you want.

Reminds me of the "Send Me No Flowers" interior

If it’s not structural, which we suspect it isn’t, go for the design ideas that match the decor/era of your house. It could be the most interesting “hello” when guests arrive. Celery and Beth gave you a ton of ideas.

It seems like they are original to the house. Had some very similar in a stained finish in a prior home. What is the era of the house? Maybe you just need to paint them a different color that fades away-- Will any of the solutions look appreciably better? I have seen where people do just take them out-- several times while house hunting, and I cringe every time I see it, as it looks so unbalanced. Unless this is the last thing you want to change about your house to make it "perfect" -- I'd pass :) Just my opinion!