Column Styles

Ruins of Corinthian Columns at Windsor — Ruins of Corinthian Columns at Windsor

If you are going to walk the walk, you should talk the talk.

I thought it would be helpful to do a quick round-up of column styles, so you have it all in one place. First thing to note is that technically it’s not referred to as “column styles” but rather “orders” as in the “orders of architecture.” But let’s keep it simple.

In classic Greek architecture, there were three styles, or orders, of columns, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.

The Romans added the Tuscan column, which is simpler than the Doric column, and the Composite column, which is more ornate than the Corinthian column.

Tuscan Column — Tuscan Column

Composite Column — Composite Column

Columns typically are differentiated by their capitals, and the column shafts can be smooth or fluted.

Doric

DORIC COLUMN: the simplest of the Greek columns, with a saucer-shaped base, and fluted shaft. Earliest versions had no base.

Doric Columns — Doric Columns

Doric Columns — Doric Columns

Doric Columns — Doric Columns

Ionic

IONIC COLUMN: characterized by a capital with paired, scrolling volutes.

Ionic columns at Tufts University — Ionic columns at Tufts University

Ionic Columns — Ionic Columns

Ionic Columns — Ionic Columns

Sometimes seen with a smooth column shaft.

Ionic columns with smooth shafts — Ionic columns with smooth shafts

Ionic columns with smooth shaft — Ionic columns with smooth shaft

Corinthian

CORINTHIAN COLUMN: most ornate of the Greek columns, characterized with a bell-shaped capital decorated with acanthus leaves.

Corinthian Column — Corinthian Column

Corinthian Columns — Corinthian Columns

Corinthian Columns — Corinthian Columns

Corinthian Columns — Corinthian Columns

Lamp with Corinthian Column Base — Lamp with Corinthian Column Base

TUSCAN COLUMN: similar to the Doric column but with an unfluted shaft and a simplified capital and base.

Tuscan Column — Tuscan Column

Tuscan Column — Tuscan Column

Tuscan Columns in a cathedral in Antwerp — Tuscan Columns in a cathedral in Antwerp

Composite Column in Stourton, England — Composite Column in Stourton, England

Composite Column — Composite Column

Composite column in Florence, Italy — Composite column in Florence, Italy

Design DictionaryLynn ByrneApril 16, 2013