It’s all in the finer details and coloured steel beams are one of the latest design features to hit the world of architecture by storm.
Steel beams are a structural and functional element of any extended space. Traditionally, they are concealed within the final structure – however, this doesn’t have to be the case.
A trend that we’ve spotted in recent renovation projects is not just leaving the steel beams exposed but transforming them into a statement, colourful feature. KBB journo Becca Cullum-Green has got the lowdown…
Practicalities
From pretty pastel green to vibrant red, the options are seemingly endless and we simply can’t get enough. But, at which stage of a renovation should you be committing to this?
Alex Raher, co-founder of Delve Architects explains: “It’s important to decide this at an early point in the design process because it influences the structural possibilities for an extension – as an exposed column may allow for a longer steel beam span, creating a larger open plan space. It also might clash with important areas like a kitchen island, so it’s key to think about this holistically with the rest of the design.”
Curious to see just what’s possible? Take a look at some of our favourite renovations that feature colourful steel beams…
Pale blue beams
The playfulness of this space designed by Poulsom Middlehurst is characterised by its fun colour palette and quirky features. The pale blue steel beams mimic the colour of the sky and nod to the outside world.
Dusky pink steel beams
Incorporating coloured steel beams into your design is a great way of introducing a pop of your favourite shade. Dusky pink is a muted colour that suits a relaxed and playful scheme. The beams in this project pair perfectly with the marble waterfall island.
Rusty red
We love the vibrancy of the red exposed steel in this kitchen extension and the way that this energetic colour has also been used for the glazing and door frames. It contrasts beautifully with the timeless marble and oak kitchen island, neutral-painted walls and brass fittings.
Mint green steel beams
Choosing the right colour for your steel beams is vital but how do you pick the right one? Homeowner Rosalind Miller’s favourite colour is mint green so it was a no-brainer that this was what she was going to use for her structural elements.
“Be bold! Choose one feature that you want to highlight in a colour and use with confidence – perhaps it is a colourful island, a bright pendant, a bold yellow column or a painted exposed timber roof structure,” advises Alex.
Mustard column
There are lots of different structural elements that can be transformed into a colourful feature. The vertical steel column in this project has been painted a gorgeous mustard yellow to match the colour of the kitchen cabinetry.
Gorgeous green beams
Pair green steel beams with raw timber for an indoor-outdoor feel. The pops of green pay homage to the beautiful garden that lies beyond this extension as do the raw timber joists that are a real talking point of this design.
Pops of pink
It’s not just the larger steel beams that you can make a feature out of, you can expose the ceiling joists and paint these, too. But for all types of steel beams, you will need to use a specialist paint. “Exposed structure needs to be protected from failure in the event of a fire, to give either 30 or 60 minutes of fire protection and therefore needs to be coated in a specialist intumescent paint coating or finish before the final colour is added,” explains Alex.
Bright yellow steel beams
Hello yellow! This kitchen extension is brimming with life thanks to the exposed steel beams that run across the entire room, sized to allow for future attic expansion. The juxtaposition of the bright pops of yellow and matt black cabinetry is a match made in architectural heaven.
Nod to navy
Don’t let the bold colours steer you away from choosing exposed steel beams. If colour isn’t necessarily your thing, you can still introduce this design feature but keep the palette more muted to suit your taste. Navy is a sophisticated shade and it complements the industrial vibe of a steel beam perfectly.
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