Help, There's an Arch in My House! Do I Love It or Lose It?
Arches: ugly eyesores or adorable design features to play up? We'll help you make the most of yours
Noni Edmunds
9 June 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Interior Designer for Style Precinct in Melbourne. Im passionate about creating the living spaces you will truly love and enjoy everyday.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Interior Designer for Style Precinct in Melbourne.... More
Have you been staring at that arch in your living room or at a facade that features enough arches to rival a Roman aqueduct? If you answered ‘yes’, you might be wondering if these features are a valuable design classic or an ugly eyesore you should remove. A professional designer can help you decide. But before you remove that arch or square it off, consider the costs involved and whether a little imagination could transform it. Take inspiration from the following strategies to make your arch a triumph of style.
Arch-itectural style
Arches are an integral design feature of some architectural styles and that’s often why we love their character. Some styles that feature arches include French provincial, Spanish and Mediterranean, Gothic, Tudor, Art Deco and more.
More recently, 1970s and later homes have also featured arches. Arches allow large structural spans for open spaces without the interruption of vertical supports or columns. After the introduction of steel to buildings, arches became less important as a structural support and more important to decorative style.
Arches are an integral design feature of some architectural styles and that’s often why we love their character. Some styles that feature arches include French provincial, Spanish and Mediterranean, Gothic, Tudor, Art Deco and more.
More recently, 1970s and later homes have also featured arches. Arches allow large structural spans for open spaces without the interruption of vertical supports or columns. After the introduction of steel to buildings, arches became less important as a structural support and more important to decorative style.
The shape of an arch, and whether it is pointed, full, partially curved or flattened, will help identify the style. Full Roman-shaped arches adorn this heritage-listed Melbourne terrace that is Victorian-Italianate in style. As a designer, I would not dream of changing these arch features as they are integral to the beauty and grace of the facade. (The local council, as you’ve probably guessed, agrees.)
Tip: Take cues from the proportions of the shapes found in your existing building style when designing new features.
Tip: Take cues from the proportions of the shapes found in your existing building style when designing new features.
Keep it simple
Spanish Mission and modern houses from the 1970s often had decorative arches incorporated into the interiors. These homes are now popular choices for updating. It can be easy to refresh arches in these homes: smooth dark, heavy brick walls with render; remove and replace outdated wall claddings and coverings; repaint with a white or neutral colour palette; and install newly designed doors and windows.
Tip: Use steel-framed doors and windows for a contemporary look and a slim-profile frame within an existing arch.
Find an architect near you on Houzz to help you modernise your home’s period features
Spanish Mission and modern houses from the 1970s often had decorative arches incorporated into the interiors. These homes are now popular choices for updating. It can be easy to refresh arches in these homes: smooth dark, heavy brick walls with render; remove and replace outdated wall claddings and coverings; repaint with a white or neutral colour palette; and install newly designed doors and windows.
Tip: Use steel-framed doors and windows for a contemporary look and a slim-profile frame within an existing arch.
Find an architect near you on Houzz to help you modernise your home’s period features
Combine with modern elements
Another approach is to update an arch by mixing in modern or contemporary elements. Here, a modern bathroom coexists beautifully with an arched window. The French-provincial-style home features white shutters on its arched window, which provide character and privacy.
Another approach is to update an arch by mixing in modern or contemporary elements. Here, a modern bathroom coexists beautifully with an arched window. The French-provincial-style home features white shutters on its arched window, which provide character and privacy.
In this home, light surfaces are combined with modern furnishings to update the Mediterranean-style interior. The addition of a simple black-framed sliding door to the arched doorway gives it a contemporary look.
A double-arch opening is re-energised with fiery colours in vintage chairs and a patterned floor rug to modernise this Spanish-inspired interior.
Blend it in
Here, an arched doorway links to the modern kitchen beyond. Paint the walls in a single dark colour and add slim-profile black steel-framed doors to give the room a new lease on life.
Here, an arched doorway links to the modern kitchen beyond. Paint the walls in a single dark colour and add slim-profile black steel-framed doors to give the room a new lease on life.
Arches with decorative details frame this focal point at the end of the hallway. The use of white on all walls and ceilings keeps the focus on the selected furniture and artwork, ensuring the home’s traditional and modern elements combine.
Tip: Paint decorative architectural details the same colour as your walls for a seamless look.
Create a contrast
If you’d prefer your arches to stand out rather than blend in, create a frame and highlight the architectural details by painting your walls in a contrasting colour. Add modern elements and pattern for that extra wow effect.
If you’d prefer your arches to stand out rather than blend in, create a frame and highlight the architectural details by painting your walls in a contrasting colour. Add modern elements and pattern for that extra wow effect.
The steel-framed arched French doors are an elegant addition to this bathroom, contrasting with light-coloured surfaces for a timeless style.
Tip: Black-framed doors and windows allow focus on the outside view.
Browse photos of arched windows
Tip: Black-framed doors and windows allow focus on the outside view.
Browse photos of arched windows
The alfresco dining area of this French-provincial home is framed by an arched portico. A contrasting strong blue on the wall of the outdoor kitchen draws your attention within.
Reinvent the facade
Another approach is to take inspiration from the arches of history rather than attempting to modernise them. Here, the addition of elegant wall lanterns and black steel-framed doors creates a beautiful entrance with the existing series of arched openings. Feature planters with clipped topiaries reinforce the shape of the arches and add symmetrical balance.
Another approach is to take inspiration from the arches of history rather than attempting to modernise them. Here, the addition of elegant wall lanterns and black steel-framed doors creates a beautiful entrance with the existing series of arched openings. Feature planters with clipped topiaries reinforce the shape of the arches and add symmetrical balance.
You can add extra character and charm with a new addition. This renovation includes a new verandah with arch details on column supports.
Tip: Seek professional advice from a structural engineer if you are removing or changing the openings of a arch.
Tip: Seek professional advice from a structural engineer if you are removing or changing the openings of a arch.
Another approach is to combine straight and curved lines. The exposed brickwork on this home reveals the original structure of the door and window arches. A squared-off frame has been inserted, combining arched and straight-sided forms.
Your turn
Have you taken an arch from drab to fab? Tell us how in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more renovating advice? Read this before you draw up your designs – Expert Eye: 5 Design Features to Keep and Which to Ditch
Your turn
Have you taken an arch from drab to fab? Tell us how in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more renovating advice? Read this before you draw up your designs – Expert Eye: 5 Design Features to Keep and Which to Ditch
What are you working on?
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Hey there, can anyone lead me in the right direction on who I should contact to install arches inside and outside my hone?
I’m in Melbourne and am obsessed with the Spanish colonial style
Hi Tim
Arches are a structural element and need to be carefully planned if you are adding them in. Otherwise if you have them already in your architecture, assess how they will look best to become a feature. Arches are being reborn and reloved again to complement all the straight lines buildings have. Best wishes