[TYPO3-english] content element

[polycarp royal]

Hey, 

I want to have two, three content elements on one page. Have tried pacing them as dictated in typo3 i.e one on the left and other right but they seem to disappear when they are not on the 'normal' or 'border' columns. I ideally want to have a form on the left column and a search or login box on the right. I'm using typo3 6.2.17

Any ideas what I'm not doing right? thanks