No pictures posted @HU-371560545

My crystal ball is lost. We need pics and IMO you never guess about what is load bearing always have it checked .Post pics here in a comment it might be very obvious one way or the other .

I don't know if it's loadbearing but removing it would reduce the appeal of the home tremendously.

Unfortunately we live in an area where original doesn't add value and we are not looking to resell anytime in the near future. We live in a town of less than 500 people, no gas station, no grocery store,no ANYTHING. The awful beige carpet was here when we moved in and is being taken care of during this project.

Removal is criminal.

I sort of agree they are part of the original house but very heavy looking IMO . I guess if they are safe to remove this is your home do what you like. I do not always think original is how we live now kitchens and bsathroom are great examples of get into the 21st century. Get those checked then do what you need for your home,

That is very unlikely to be load bearing.

I am not a fan for the same reason that they are unlikely to be load bearing. You have a big heavy post sitting on a less heavy shelf side. It may be pretty, but it is also pretty faux.

I agree with Pal - I think it has the potential to make furniture placement more difficult so make sure you have a plan for that

The two center columns and half walls are not load bearing. Any load bearing timbers would be in the full height walls if there are any, and all the wood work is finish trim built out after construction so it can all come down.

Removing the center columns and half wall won't be a problem but fixing the ugly after removing them will be extensive. All the finish trim was built in place so if you desire to keep the trim around the opening it will require adding missing pieces and matching the stain. Or you can rip off all the trim and finish it off with sheet rock or do any type of trim work you so desire. .

The other issue you'll have is the hardwood floor was installed after the half walls were built so the floor under them will need to built up to match the level of the original floor before new carpet is installed. If you wish to restore the hardwood floors the missing pieces would need to be matched and professionally repaired if it can be repaired.

all of this can become rather expensive in the long run to fix the ugly after the storm but it's your house and your money so do as you please. The best part, if it turns looking really bad I'm not the one who will see it every day after day after day.

I agree with everyone that it will remove the character of the home, but for me personally, I want a more open free flow through our home. They are beautiful, but they make it way more difficult to maneuver bigger things through the house and make me feel more closed off. I also understand that it eliminates more wall space, but we currently don't use it for much anyway and with it having shelves on the opposite side, you can't put anything in front of it anyway. I'm hoping removing them will let more natural light into our living room as its only windows face the north which is shielded by a large front porch, so the only light we get comes from our front entry which has a small doorway leading into the living room and then from our dining room and kitchen, which are opposite these half walls. The plan is to keep the casing around the opening and to VERY CAREFULLY remove the columns and shelves. We are not intending on destroying them.

I love them, and most certainly would leave them. If you just bought the house, maybe it would be good to live with it for 6 months, and see how it works for you. Once you live with things a while, you will know for sure which is the right decision for you. I dont think its blocking much light, so removing, it wont give you more light.

We actually bought the house 3 years ago and I loved them initially, but that slowly faded and now my preferences have changed. It's a very difficult decision as I know they're beautiful and don't want to ruin the charm but I also don't want to live with something I don't LOVE just because somebody else loves them.

Sell them on Facebook Marketplace.

The columns will look even better once the carpet comes up. “Openness” is over rated — you have the perfect amount now.

You have enough character in your home, so getting rid of those won't harm it a bit.

Poof! Gone!

Best Wishes!

I think it's difficult to say for sure what is and isn't load bearing without taking a look in the attic over that doorway. I agree the main posts don't look like they are load bearing since there isn't much wood beneath the posts and what is beneath the posts is off center.

While I also like the look as it is, I think, as the owner of the house, you should do what makes your home work for you. I don't think comments like one above saying "removal is criminal" have any place in a well moderated and constructive discussion. I'm beginning to doubt some of the so-called pros here as I have seen other "pros" also making very unhelpful comments that don't respond to the question as posted by the original author.

The trim around the opening should look nice when you get done and match the other openings I see in your photos.

I'd leave it alone but paint it out in white. In fact, I'd do that for all the wood trim around the windows and doors, too. Lightens things up while retaining the craftsman architectural integrity.

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I would never ever paint any of the trim white! White is boring, white lacks any character and when suggested by a designer signifies a limited imagination with no creativity.

White is used to mask low cost fixtures and trim in a sea of white with a cold institutional feeling. Search the colors originally used on the walls in these old craftsman homes and you'll feel the warmth and inviting and then you'll appreciate what you have.

I think the wood trim and millwork is the best part of your home. I don't really see what you gain by eliminating it.

They’re the best feature of your home, at least in these photos. Getting rid of them is a huuuge mistake, but that’s just my opinion. Removing them won’t give you more light, at least I don’t see how -try improving the lighting with new fixtures or lamps. Get rid of the carpet, freshen the decor, embrace the valuable and irreplaceable details that make your home special.

I think your mind is made up but I’m going to say this anyway. You’re focusing on the wrong things. The columns are charming and interesting and part of the history of the house that should be preserved. All that aside, it’s the carpet and clutter that are making the space feel heavy. Maybe try to address the decor first (Houzz can help with this!) and then see if you still want to remove the columns.

Be prepared to match the flooring once you remove it.

My vote would be to not remove it. Love the character of the home. It brings a charm that is not seen in newer homes. I would paint it out to get the light that you so crave. You can still decorate in many different styles keeping it in place.