Design Features
The beauty of the arch is that it can be made in accordance with any style of the apartment, it will look harmonious both in the classic interior and in modern directions.
- For a compact room, it is better to use a minimalistic arch; in a spacious apartment, the opening can be of an unusual shape.
- The classic and universal color for the arched opening is considered white.
- Using an arched opening, it is convenient to divide the apartment into zones, only partially isolating the premises.
- The arch in the interior will emphasize the features of the style and will also perform a decorative function.
Installation location
Doorway
The most common method of using arches in an apartment is as interior partitions. Thus, the premises are visually separated from each other, but retain a common space. Most often, the interior arch combines the living room area with the kitchen area.
The arch above the doorway of the front door is the beginning of the interior of the apartment and the continuation of the front door. Finishing can be imperceptible or vice versa to focus on yourself, for example with the help of artificial or natural stone.
Division of a room into zones
An arch can also divide one room into two different zones. For example, the bedroom has a sleeping area from the dressing room or sitting area. The arch above the bar visually separates the kitchen area from the living room. Even a slight indentation above the ceiling will visually divide the room.
Decorative arches on the wall
A good interior decision to betray the apartment's personality. Graceful arches will support the interior in any style. A flowing arch can frame a picture, mirror, photographs or wallpaper with a different background.
Niche Arches
A beautiful way to beat the useful space in the wall. In the niche can be installed several shelves, TV, small sofa or work desk. An arch of the desired shape will emphasize the style in the interior of the apartment.
Window
Window openings in the form of semicircular arches will decorate and make the classic interior of the apartment more tender. It is more appropriate to use such windows in country and private houses.
Form Views
In the form of an arc
The classic version is suitable for any type of layout, it has a horseshoe shape and affords an even semicircle.
Square and rectangular
The arched opening has right angles and is suitable for interior decoration in any style. Width and height depend on the area of the apartment. A high rectangular arch will visually make the room taller.
Elliptical
An ellipse-shaped arch looks very original in the interior of the apartment, it has an oval shape, but with obtuse angles at the rounding point. For an arch with this shape, wide rooms are well suited.
Trapezoid
It has the shape of a trapezoid, four obtuse angles. Ideal for the interior of the apartment in a modern style.
Semi-park in the apartment
The semi-arch, also called the Thai arch, combines two types, a portal and a classic. On the one hand it has a right angle, on the other a rounded shape of any radius.
Unusual shapes
In addition, arches can be of completely unusual shape, for example, in the oriental style in the form of a dome. This option looks great in any color and will be a real "highlight" of the apartment. The lancet shape will make the room taller, and the shape of the horseshoe wider.
Arch materials
Drywall
The most common option, at a low price, with its help you can create an arch of any shape. Drywall construction is much easier to install, unlike monolithic arches made of brick and stone.
Installation is carried out using a metal frame and sheets of drywall. After the design is assembled, it needs finishing. To do this, putty and grind it. After that, they begin to trim in accordance with the interior design.
Tree
Stone and wood are noble materials and are not so easy to handle. The wooden arch goes well with different styles, but requires regular maintenance. In order for the material not to crack, you should purchase a tree treated with special coatings.
An analog of a natural tree can be MDF. The material is much cheaper, does not require special care and is not subject to decay.
Brick
The brick structure is more suitable for a living room in a country house, since it is quite massive, but if you want to see it in a city apartment, then you can do with brick veneers.
Gypsum
The gypsum arch allows you to make a real work of art with the smallest details out of an ordinary doorway, while the cost will be very affordable. Plaster decoration can be purchased in the finished version or create it yourself.
Plastic
Polyfoam is the most affordable material from all of the listed, it is easy to cut out the arch frame from it, a special mesh is used to increase strength. Polyurethane arches are characterized by high strength, wear resistance, resistance to moisture and external influences. In addition, the material is simply attached to the glue.
Finish options
Decorative rock
Decorative stone is much cheaper than natural and easier to work with. In a city apartment, decorative stone will be the best solution also thanks to the saving of space. The material has a wide color palette and a wide variety of shapes. Suitable for finishing the entrance and interior arches.
Decorative brick
Ideal material for interior decoration in loft and provence style. The material may be piece or in the form of panels. The light color of the brick is suitable for finishing a more delicate interior, as well as for an apartment with a small area. Dark brick allows you to fully reveal the idea of the interior in the loft style.
Tree
The color of the tree can change the nature of the interior. Light or bleached wood can decorate both the classic and modern interior of the apartment. Dark shades, such as wenge, will stand out against the light background of the walls and focus on the arch itself.
Wallpaper
The arch can elegantly and not elaborate fit into the interior, having a common finish with the surface of the walls. You can also interestingly beat a wall with an aperture pasting it with photo wallpaper.
Mosaic
Modern mosaics are made of different materials, such as glass, ceramics, stone and others. Finishing can be done only on the inside or go to the wall.
Plaster
Using decorative plaster, an arched opening can give a different texture. The end part can be decorated with spotlights.
Painting
One of the simplest, but nonetheless popular finishing methods. The arch in the wall may differ in color, thereby focusing attention.
Tile
It can have absolutely any color and texture and can overlap with other details in the interior. Strength and ease of care can be considered a big plus.
Mirroring
Mirror is amazing stuff. It looks spectacular and helps to visually enlarge the room. In addition, mirror details shimmer beautifully in the light.
Plastic
Budget finish. Plastic panels can be miniature, only protecting the place of the corner or in the form of wide stripes imitating, for example, wood or stone coating.
Bung
Arched openings with cork trim along the inside line will look interesting, this will become an unusual highlight that can be seen in other interior details.
Glass
Elegant way. Part of the arch may have a glass insert. Glass can be frosted, transparent or stained.
Design and decor
With columns
Decorating the arch with columns will be appropriate to look in the interior of a spacious apartment or country house. The shape of the columns repeats the general style in the interior and can be complemented by decorative elements, such as stucco moldings.
With moldings
A beautiful and easy way to finish. A wide variety allows you to choose the option suitable for the interior of the apartment. Moldings are fastened with liquid nails, can hide irregularities and protect corners.
Backlit
The interior arch can be decorated with spotlights or recessed lamps, the lighting is mounted on the inside. The arch in the wall can be decorated with LED strip.
Figured design
The arch can have a completely unusual and unique shape that will adorn the walls and interior openings. Flowing forms can correspond to the classical or oriental style. Straight lines or shapes, complemented by metal details, are suitable for a modern interior.
Painting
Hand-painted will make the interior unique. The style of writing can be completely different, but it should overlap with the general situation in the apartment. Stencils can become an analogue of hand painting.
Stucco molding
Stucco moldings correspond to the classic and bohemian interior in the apartment. They can become an elegant detail and only complement the finish of the arch or almost completely cover the area of the opening.
With shelves
Shelves can be part of an arched opening. This technique not only looks interesting, but also gives an additional useful place for storage in the apartment.
Curtains on the arch
Dense textile curtains will help isolate the room from the common space. Filament curtains perform more decorative function. Materials can overlap with other textile items in a room or apartment.
Corner Decor
Bendable corner is a minimalistic and concise way to decorate the arch and protect corners from damage. The color can be close or identical with the wall decoration or contrast with the general background.
Unusual and original design
An arch can also have an unusual shape, for example, an asymmetric shape or be decorated with unusual details.
Photo in the interior of the rooms
Hallway and corridor
The arch in the hallway can be located above the front door or separate the hallway from the living room and other rooms of the apartment. The entrance arch should protect the corners from pollution. The interior opening can be rounded at the top without affecting the walls.
Kitchen
The arch will be a good idea for decorating the kitchen, combined with the living room. The room will remain common, but will be visually divided into recreation and cooking areas. The bar counter installed in the arched opening will be a continuation of the kitchen.
Living room
In the hall arches can decorate the walls, forming small niches. You can install shelves in them, hang pictures, photographs or leave them empty.
Bedroom
An arch can divide a bedroom into two zones. An area of sleep and activity, such as a dressing room, dressing table or sitting area.
Children
The interior arch in the children's room may have an unusual shape and be decorated with additional elements. For example, artificial vegetation, toys and lanterns.
Bathroom
The option of finishing the bathroom with an arch will be appropriate to look in a spacious room. An arch can separate a bath or decorate a countertop with a sink and a mirror, creating additional lighting with spotlights.
Balcony and loggia
A large arch visually separates the balcony from the room, while maintaining a common space. This method is suitable for rooms with combined loggias and balconies.
Styles
Classic
A classic interior will be decorated with an arch with regular symmetrical shapes. Finishing can be made of plaster, wood or plastic panels. Elegant decorative details, such as stucco molding, will not be superfluous. But there should not be many, only in the form of an elegant addition.
Modern
In a contemporary style, such as minimalism or hi-tech, decorative trim may be completely absent. The simple shape of the doorway can be finished with the same material as the walls.
Loft
The ideal material for decorating an apartment in a trendy loft style can be considered a brick and its imitation. The arch in a brick wall with the effect of scuffs and aging looks harmonious. In order to make the interior of the apartment lighter, the brick can be painted in a light shade.
Scandinavian
The interior of the apartment in the Scandinavian style is light, light and not overloaded with unnecessary details. The arch can be made of bleached wood, plaster or painted brick. Scandinavian-style decoration is predominantly made from natural materials.
Country and Provence
Two directions are united by provincial cosiness. Provence style is lighter and more elegant.
- Country style arch can be finished with stone, brick or wood, emphasizing the texture of natural material.
- Arch provence can be made of the same materials, but with light-colored finishes, for example painted brick or bleached wood with the effect of aging.
East style
The eastern interior of the apartment is difficult to imagine without an arched opening of a beautiful rounded shape. The arch can be complemented by beautiful inserts and panels. The wall arch does not require additional elements.
Features in a small apartment
In standard small-sized apartments, studios or Khrushchev, the arch will save space.
- In a one-room apartment, the arch will separate the sleeping area from the living room;
- Blackout curtains isolate one room from another;
- In the studio apartment, the arch will separate the kitchen from the living room;
- In standard Khrushchev, an arch can become a passage to another room or kitchen;
- In a narrow apartment with the help of an arch with a curtain, you can save space by abandoning the door.
How to make an arch do it yourself
Before proceeding with the repair, it is necessary to determine the size and material. Strictly designated sizes do not exist, the opening should be comfortable in daily use. The standard dimensions of the doorway are 70-80 cm wide and about 2 meters high. They can be changed, making them wider or narrower.
The most common way to make an arch is made from drywall.
- For the construction of the structure will require several sheets of drywall of different thicknesses, guides, rack profile and reinforced arched corners.
- Guides are attached to the walls and ceiling using self-tapping screws with plastic dowels.
- After a semicircle is cut out of drywall, it can be attached to the guides.
- A guide profile is attached to the inside of the drywall, repeating the line of the formed arc.
- A strip equal to the depth of the doorway is cut out from the drywall and attached to the guides using self-tapping screws.
- After the work done, the arch is ready for facing.
Photo gallery
The arch will give the interior individuality, help preserve the space, while competently dividing the apartment into zones. There are a lot of options for how to make or decorate the arch, which will help maintain the interior of the apartment in the desired style.