Load-bearing steel columns (replace/renovate)

[arena]

I have torn down a wall and there is an ugly and rusty steel pillar 65*65mm (I knew it before I tore it down...)
In the area, there are many similar houses and many have made modifications but in different ways.
Anyone knowledgeable who can give tips?
1) Some have removed it without replacement. (I dare not do this)
2) Replace it with a nicer stainless steel one, like round. But where the heck do you buy one?
3) Replace it with wood. But can wood bear the same load? What type of wood/dimension should I choose?
4) Cover the existing one. I've seen many examples of this, but it's hard to make it look nice!

 

[Torbjörn Einarsson]

Sand and paint? Maybe add some hooks and create a different kind of coat rack?

 

[PNO]

Ask the nearest workshop to bend two U-channels from 1mm stainless steel sheet, 33x65x33 internally and slightly over-bent so they fit snugly around the column. Press into place - done.

You can do something similar if you want the column to be "round" as well. Measure the diagonal of the column and ask a workshop to roll a stainless steel sheet into a tube with an inner diameter that matches the column's diagonal. If you can temporarily support and remove the column, you can slip on the tube and reinstall the column. Otherwise, make two halves and weld them together on-site. You can also mount halves by drilling and threading the column's corners and securing the halves with screws into the column or overlapping halves and pop riveting them.

Just find a good sheet metal workshop, and they will come up with a stylish solution (so not a construction sheet metal worker or blacksmith, but someone skilled in interiors and similar work in stainless steel).

Otherwise - wire brush and paint.

 

[Thomas_Blekinge]

I have a similar one on the terrace that supports the upstairs. I've cleaned it and painted it anthracite (after priming of course). Even my wife thinks it turned out nice.