Stairs.  Entry group.  Materials.  Doors.  Locks.  Design

Stairs. Entry group. Materials. Doors. Locks. Design

» Arch options. Drywall arches: design ideas (70 photos). What styles are arches made of decorative stone suitable for?

Arch options. Drywall arches: design ideas (70 photos). What styles are arches made of decorative stone suitable for?

We all strive to make our home unique, original, and stylish. Special attention doorways deserve in the interior. In standard city apartments - small-sized and familiar Khrushchev-era apartments - instead of ordinary interior doors, folding or sliding doors are often installed, but recent years 5-10 Interior arches remain trendy: plastic, plasterboard, aluminum profile, natural stone, wood, brick, MDF boards.

Decorating the interior with arches is a popular design technique. By installing such a structure instead of a door, it is possible to significantly visually expand the space when every corner of the room can be seen from every point without any problems.

Arches are often decorated decorative elements: overlays, cornices, lamps, slats, banquettes, the design of which is in tune with the chosen style. In addition to the decorative function, designs can also have practical use: increase the size of the arches, hide seams and other defects.

Interior arch will be appropriate everywhere: between the kitchen and the corridor, the hallway and the living room. All this is possible thanks to the variety of shapes, colors, sizes arched openings and performance styles. In the photos presented, evaluate the design of the arches and the harmony of the interiors with them.

When thinking about the layout of the premises in the apartment, decide immediately how the transition between adjacent rooms will be designed. If it is necessary to maintain a certain style in the interior of an apartment, to combine adjacent rooms, in the absence of sufficient area and with a minimum of free space, interior arches of various shapes and sizes are increasingly being used.

This trend remains at the peak of popularity today due to the wide possibilities for decoration: you can easily find arches of any design and color, and if necessary, build similar structures with your own hands without the involvement of specialists.

We suggest starting with the main thing: choosing the appearance of the future arch, and photos with options for interior arches in the interiors of different rooms and interior spaces will help you with this.


Rectangular interior arches, photo

Materials

When choosing the material for interior arches from which the entire structure will be constructed, it is important to take into account the durability of the coating, strength, as well as its resistance to special conditions some rooms: for example, arches in the kitchen should not be deformed by steam, and arched openings that are located in direct sunlight should not fade, maintaining their original color.

Note! Some materials are flammable: you should always remember safety, especially if you are decorating the interior of a children's room.


Interior arches made of plasterboard in an apartment, photo

What types of interior arches are there depending on the materials used?

For home you can choose different designs from the given list:

  • drywall- the most common option for arches. It easily takes the desired shape: if necessary, the plasterboard sheet can be bent or, having outlined the outline, cut to the required size. This material can have different thicknesses, so you don’t have to worry about the strength of the structure. In addition, steam, moisture, sunlight and other factors will not affect the appearance of an interior plasterboard arch;
  • Interior arches made of plasterboard for the kitchen, photo
  • wooden Interior arches are the next most popular option. It is not easy to give such structures an unusual shape: ready-made interior arches made of wood do not differ in special design or color variety, except for the relief cut on the surface. But you can make an interior arch out of wood with your own hands, giving it the desired look and providing additional decorative finishing that would match big picture design and decoration of the premises. Craftsmen advise installing wooden arches in spacious rooms - due to the fact that the wood always looks quite massive;

  • Beautiful interior arches, photo
  • interior arches made of plaster They are separate curved structures, decorated with columns along the edges. When installing these elements near the walls using special glue, you will only have to putty the connecting area or cover it with a mixture of plaster. After all these manipulations, the arch is repainted in the chosen color and treated with varnish for protection;

  • Types of interior arches, photos
  • made of foam you can create an imitation of columns with an upper transition in the interior. Such arches are popular due to their low cost, although they also have a major drawback: low resistance to mechanical damage and fragility. Foam arches are fixed with glue, after drying they are puttied and painted to obtain the required decorative effect. In addition, it is not necessary to paint them: a white interior arch is considered a classic and will suit any design;
  • arches made of plastic today they are not as popular as before, but in some interiors you can see such options. These are designs of simple shape, often they are devoid of decorative details and are more suitable for minimalism than for those styles where it is necessary to emphasize certain features and character traits stylistic directions;

  • Interior arches - modern design with a widened opening, photo
  • arches from chipboard and fibreboard- a budget and quite successful option for an apartment. Such materials allow the use of a variety of decorative coverings, they are flexible, bend well, undergo shape correction, and do not lose their appearance over time.

Important! A more competent solution would be if you choose interior arches with a door connecting the room being decorated with the adjacent one, since all existing transitions should be decorated in the same or similar color scheme.


Arched interior doors, photo

Shapes of interior arches, their types and features

If you are seriously wondering how to assemble interior arches, you should definitely understand the varieties of their shapes.

Planning and choosing the appearance and ideal dimensions of each individual interior arch is necessary, taking into account architectural features and room layout.


Important! The use of certain forms of arches (primarily curvilinear forms) is an excellent technique that allows for zoning of space.

Arches for interior doors are divided into several groups, the division occurs depending on the appearance of the vault: arches with a vault in the form of an ellipse, Florentine (having the shape of a semicircle), segmental arches, parabolic arches, three-centered, arches with a horseshoe vault, arches with shoulders , arches with a round vault and others.

A specialist consultant will tell you which option is best to choose when purchasing: keep in mind that such arches should not overload the interior design and contradict the chosen style direction in general design interior

We invite you to find out more details about existing types interior arches.

Florentine- one of the varieties of semicircular arched structures, with an elongated profile, traced stone finishing not really doorway, and beyond. This method of designing transitions between rooms is ideal for classic, Mediterranean style, Provence.

IN modern styles are popular semicircular arches. Simple, but smooth and refined geometry will make the interior lighter and fit perfectly into living rooms.

Advice: Do you want to visually raise the ceiling level? Choose an arch with a semicircular arch extended upward.

Arches segment type– these are curved structures in which the radius of the semicircle exceeds half the width of the doorway being processed. If it is not possible to stretch the opening upward, the arch will have to be done exclusively by rounding the corners.

When designing segmental arches, consult with specialists, since such a design must have the correct proportions.

Arches three-center type- a simple option for residential premises. They can be lowered: similar designs are common in the transitions between the kitchen and living areas.

Also distinguished pseudo-three-centred arched openings with a flat top level and slightly rounded corners. Such arches will become a worthy analogue to rectangular structures, which are not always able to emphasize sophistication home design. Three-center arches are suitable for country, classic and Provence interiors.


DIY interior arch, photo

Arches parabolic shape, unlike three-center ones, are more elongated upward - and compressed as the height of the structure increases. Popular in Moroccan and Arabic styles.

Advice: structures with a clear elongated top should not be installed in rooms where the ceilings are low.

Elliptical arches will be appropriate in art deco, art nouveau, as well as classic designs. They allow you to divide a room into two zones and create a harmonious opening between interiors, even where there was no transition before.

Non-standard interior arches - horseshoe-shaped or round - are suitable for decorating a loggia connected to the living room. The need to create such structures is explained by the fact that it is impossible to completely demolish the window sill area. This way you will provide a sufficient level of durability to the load-bearing walls and at the same time emphasize the new design of the room.

Arched structures round shape are suitable for modern design trends, and horseshoe-shaped types are more appropriate in the Mediterranean nautical style, in Provence and other destinations. If desired, they can be made asymmetrical or equipped with additional decorative elements. Among these varieties are arches with shoulders: in them the width of the opening exceeds the dimensions of the arch.

You can also give preference to arches in Venetian style with a semi-circular design and carvings or go for trefoil-shaped designs.

In home interiors, you can also install interior arches of new styles: give them any shape at your discretion, even the most delicate or ornate, using the services of specialists or creating the design yourself.

If you are not yet ready to experiment, rectangular interior arches, as well as square-shaped interior arches, will be the best solution. In addition, at any time you can choose a door that matches the style and shape.


Square interior arches, photo

Decor and design of interior arches

There are several popular methods for decorating interior arches. Using curtains is the simplest and most a budget option. For example, in this way you can decorate the arch between the corridor and the kitchen in order to partially isolate the room and prevent the spread of steam throughout the apartment.

When using decorative columns, beautiful interior arches are obtained. It is enough to install them on the sides of the structure to give your room a completely different, updated look.

Remember! Even small columns can visually change the proportions of a room: there are not many interior design styles in which antique columns are appropriate.

Depending on the size, finished interior arches are decorated with niches or additional shelves, which will add functionality to this opening design.


Interior arches with shelves, photo

To decorate an interior arch with your own hands, you can use additional finishing and decorative materials. Choose how to decorate the interior arch, taking into account the style of the interior: if these are more traditional directions, select elements made of wood or use thematic stucco molding, for modern design It is recommended to use finishing materials that imitate brick, masonry and other surfaces.


Interior arches made of stone, photo

Built-in lighting is also popular today: it can be mounted in two ways - from the sides or at the level of the arch. This design of interior arches will allow you to fill the interior with new bright shades.


Interior arches made of plasterboard with lighting, photo The difficulty of caring for arches in an apartment will depend on the material chosen, and the conditions in the rooms in which they are installed will also affect. For example, it can be difficult to clean the arches between the kitchen and the hallway from dirt: dust and dirt brought from the street will accumulate on the hallway side, and grease on the kitchen area.
Arch between the kitchen and hallway, photo

At the same time wet cleaning and application detergents withstands most materials. There are some care nuances when caring for natural wood:

  • To clean wooden surfaces, you should not use a cloth that is too wet: excessive moisture can cause the material to deteriorate even with protective varnish treatment;
  • use polish to keep the wooden arch clean for a long time;
  • wood should not be subjected to additional staining. In the factory, such arches are painted in several layers using a spray gun. Therefore, the coloring is even and uniform over the entire surface. It is impossible to achieve this effect with a brush.

Read about how to choose and which one is suitable with examples and modern models that will help you decide on the selection and ideal sizes for your room.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself in advance with how to install interior arches different types: Wooden structures should not be subjected to impacts. On such material, even scratches will be difficult to disguise (even if you choose an arch made of durable rocks - at a minimum, you will scratch the varnish coating).


Interior arches for the kitchen, photo

Advice: If the arches are damaged, use a stationery marker of a similar shade, spot-touching the damaged areas after using it, carefully remove excess strokes with a damp cloth. Treat deep scratches with special sealants, and after drying, paint the sealed areas to match.

Video

Several design options for interior arches in rooms can be seen in the video below:

Now you are ready to install the arch in your home. All you have to do is choose a design, decide on the desired shape and material. Therefore, we advise you to look again at the pictures of interior arches, look through the photos in the photo gallery and think about which design will best emphasize the style of your room.

Photo gallery

Whatever material the arch is built from, it will become a real decoration only after. If you have ordered a general project, then the professionals will suggest how to finish the arch in the apartment so that it is in harmony with design concept the entire space. But you can also choose the decor you like and also cover this architectural element with it.

Arches decorate not only the door, they effectively mark a niche in the wall and make our window exclusive. Hence the different requirements for finishing: interior arches experience heavy loads, which means their decor must be not only beautiful, but also durable.

Finishing materials

The market offers numerous materials for designing a through opening:

  • classic - wallpaper;
  • decorative rock;
  • facing brick;
  • tiles or ceramic;
  • decorative plaster;
  • mirrors;
  • textile;
  • mosaic;
  • traffic jam

Corners for arches

We carefully mark with corners the vulnerable places - arched corners. Let us clarify that only their hard cladding does not require such protection. In a different design, it is the corners that will prevent mechanical damage to the opening and preserve it aesthetic appearance.

Plastic arched corners are available in various widths, but convenient size– 10×20 mm. At the same time, we will glue its wide side with liquid nails inside the arch, and the narrow side to the facade.

Advice! It takes a long time to press the corner to the base, so we’ll secure it with masking tape for about 12 hours.

Wallpapering

Pasting on the arch

  • First we putty and level the base.
  • Then we’ll prepare the glue: use a drill attachment to stir it.
  • We glue the strip vertically next to the opening and bend the edge 3 cm onto the arch. Similarly, we glue the second strip next to the first.
  • We glue the next strips also with an allowance.
  • Now, using scissors, we cut out the corners in these allowances to avoid folds, glue them to the arch, smoothing them out.

At the last stage we will paste over the vault:

  • First of all, we will cut a strip along the width of the arch, but let the length be longer to match the pattern;
  • glue this strip at the top of the arch and then go down, smoothing it from top to bottom, and then to the edge.

The advantages of this decor include a variety of colors and patterns for any interior and taste, as well as the price of finishing. However, wallpaper is short-lived: it turns yellow, loses its freshness and novelty. And, unfortunately, they deteriorate from moisture.

Cork finishing

Today it is very popular to decorate openings with cork - an environmentally friendly, warm, natural material.

Only roll view optimal for this design. We will also need acrylic or contact glue. Easy to work with.

How can you decorate an arch in an apartment with cork? In fact, this is an ordinary wallpaper sticker. To increase its strength, we will then coat the cork with varnish.

Advice! For the arch in the kitchen, we will buy cork rolls coated with wax - it repels moisture.

Application of decorative plaster

Finishing features

  • Its advantages: easy and simple application, durability.
  • Disadvantages of decorative plaster: restoration is difficult, the relief is difficult to wash or clean.

To decorate with decorative plaster, we will need relief rollers or stamps.

Note that using ready-made slow-drying mixtures will make the work easier: we will have time to make a relief on the wet plaster.

Work order

  • Distribute the mixture over the surface– the instructions will indicate the thickness of the layer (but more than 1.5 cm).
  • Now we create a relief using relief rollers or stamps. By the way, rollers save us material and time, unlike stamps.
  • Then we prime the dried relief.

After 20 hours we paint according to a special scheme:

  • to emphasize the relief, first apply dark paint with a roller with a longer pile;
  • second layer: apply light paint with a roller with a shorter pile or rubber - now only the tops of the relief are painted.

Stone finishing

The beautiful design of an arch with stone or tiles can be symmetrical in eco or country style, or asymmetrical in deconstructivism or modern style.

Laying tiles

  • As usual, we will first plaster, prime the surface and make notches.
  • We will prepare the solution from cement, lime, sand and glue, or (if the instructions allow) we will fix the tiles with liquid nails.
  • The overlap sticker will save us from caulking external corners– in the first row we will glue them end to end, and in the second row – with a shift inwards.
  • And so in every odd row we align the edge of the tile precisely with the border of the opening, but in every even row we attach it with an overlap.

Masonry along the arc of stone

  • Place on a carefully prepared surface.
  • First, we try on the tiles and mark the cut line from the inside.
  • Draw along the drawn line several times construction knife and break off the unnecessary part with pliers, and then smooth it with a file.
  • We close the seams within a day.

Facing plastic

Note! You don’t have to prime or putty the base, but build the frame right away. But during work, it is worth checking the level of inclination and parallelism of the finish more often.

  • We build a frame for any plastic panels, for example, from wooden slats.
  • We attach them on both sides of the arch polyurethane foam, and temporary spacers will hold the structure while the foam hardens.
  • Now we cut the plastic parts to the required sizes and mount them vertically or horizontally on the slats using a stapler and large staples.

Conclusion

The decisive moment is for which any wallpaper, decorative plaster, lining, cork, laminated or parquet board, artificial or natural stone. Their use has its own nuances, indicated in the instructions.

It is easier and more economical to veneer a trapezoid arch, because it is the vaulted semicircle that is difficult to finish. Elastic and bendable materials will ideally form arched roundness. The video in this article will clearly introduce us to the nuances of arch finishing.

Trying to move away from generally accepted standards and give the interior elegance, apartment owners and country houses change the usual doors to arches. This is no longer a new, but still popular design highlight. The arch in the doorway can be purchased ready-made or made with your own hands. It comes in a variety of configurations, so it allows you to realize any idea.

Shapes of arched openings

Interior door arches are selected not only based on taste preferences, but also depending on certain parameters: ceiling height and. The structures are made of plasterboard, wood, MDF, PVC. The easiest way to work is with drywall, as it is the most flexible material.

There are currently a large number of different types arches that vary in shape. The most common are:

Arched openings also have various designs and based on this they are divided into several varieties:


Taking a closer look at your interior and choosing the desired model arches, you can begin the step-by-step work.

Step-by-step instructions for making your own

In order not to spend extra money on finished products, you can do the finishing of the arched opening yourself. To do this, you need to follow a clearly established scheme.

Carrying out the necessary measurements

Any construction process requires precision, which is achieved by taking preliminary measurements. You need to start from the opening itself, so first measure its width and height. The size of the span between the walls of the opening is equal to the width of the arch. In order to make a semicircle as accurately as possible, this indicator must be divided by two.

Before making an arch, you need to decide on its future configuration. If you are going to do it in a classic style, then first level the walls. Otherwise, the design will look ugly. Remove all defects from vertical surface You can use putty or plaster using beacons.

Creating a load-bearing frame

To install the frame, you should perform a series of sequential steps:

  1. Along the lines of the opening, a contour of metal profile. Vertical guides are installed indented from the surface of the interior wall. The size of the indentation is equal to the thickness of the drywall sheet and the plaster layer (about 0.2 cm).
  2. We install two such profiles parallel to each other on each side.

    To construct the frame, two profiles are installed in parallel

  3. Having finished working with the profiles, we begin installing the first sheet of drywall. If its thickness is 1.25 cm, then it is recommended to screw it with 3.5x35 self-tapping screws. If the thickness of the gypsum board is no more than 0.95 cm, use smaller screws.

    Drywall is secured using self-tapping screws

  4. Cover the second side of the frame with plasterboard.

  5. Make a metal profile in the shape of an arc. To do this, cut the side walls of the profile every 7 centimeters with special scissors. As a result of these actions, it is easier to give it the required shape. For an arched structure, two such blanks will be required.

    An arched arc is made from the profile

  6. Install and secure the arched profiles to the main part of the frame.

    The arcuate profile is attached to the main part of the frame

  7. To ensure that the arches are securely fixed, they are attached with hangers to a straight guide located on top. The number of hangers depends on the width of the opening. Usually three pairs are enough.

  8. In increments of 0.4-0.6 m, attach reinforcing crossbars around the perimeter of the frame, fixing them on the guides of two contours.
  9. As a result of the above actions, a reliable metal structure in the form of an arch from a profile. In the future, it will be covered with plasterboard or plywood.

If it is assumed that the columns of the arches will not be too thick in thickness, then 2 arches can be replaced with a wide profile. Cutting and folding is done in exactly the same way. Only in this case the installation of crossbars is not required.

Sometimes wooden slats are used instead of a metal profile. The frame installation technology does not change significantly.

Bending plasterboard sheet

After installing the frame, they take on the bending of the gypsum board. Experts recommend using drywall designed specifically for arched structures. It easily takes the desired shape if the material is kneaded in the longitudinal direction.

If you decide to use regular drywall, you will have to tinker with it. The installation element is cut out to the required size in the form of a rectangle. They bend it in two ways: wet and dry.


Bend manufacturing diagram

The wet method takes a lot of time and cannot be rushed. To prevent the material from cracking when bent, it is moistened with water and punctures are made. In this form, the sheet of drywall is left to lie for some time, and then it is bent onto a template of the desired configuration.

The dry method refers to the application of cuts parallel to each other on the back side of the plasterboard. The cut goes deep into the sheet, affecting the outer cardboard layer and plaster. Layer of cardboard with front side remains intact.

With the dry method, the bend of the installation element takes the correct shape. It is important to know that cutting through gypsum boards is best done with a jigsaw rather than a hacksaw. Then the edges will not be torn.

Rough sheathing of the frame

If the bending was done using the wet method, then first of all you need to wait until the sheet of drywall is completely dry. The material is fixed first with adhesive tape and then with self-tapping screws. The minimum step between them should be from 5 to 6 centimeters.


Perforated corner prevents edge chipping

After fastening the sheathing, the edges of the plasterboard sheet are cleaned. And in order to prevent chipping of the curved edge, a perforated plastic corner is installed on it.

Leveling with putty

To make the surface smooth, you need to finish the arched structure. First, apply a primer, and after it dries, putty. To reinforce the second layer and strengthen the corners, fiberglass mesh is used.


Fiberglass mesh reinforces the corners of the arch

The last third layer of putty is applied to the mesh. After about 10 hours, it dries, after which you can begin sanding the uneven areas. If the work is done well, the surface will be free of roughness and unevenness, and the heads of the screws will not be visible in it.

Methods for finishing arches

Those who want to decorate the arches themselves will have to work hard, cutting out each part separately. However, many do not look for complications and choose the simple path - they purchase factory-made structures from prefabricated elements.

Ready-made and prefabricated linings

There are two types of factory-made overlay: wooden and foam.

Foam elements

Foam arches are often preferred as an alternative gypsum products. The advantages of such designs are as follows:

  1. Quick installation. The installation speed is much higher than arched structures made of plywood or gypsum plasterboard.
  2. Low price.
  3. Easy transportation. Polystyrene foam is a fairly light material, so you don’t need to hire movers to deliver the product to your home.
  4. Light weight. Arches of this type can be installed even on very weak structures.
  5. Various forms.

Foam arches are assembled from ready-made elements and cut locally to fit the dimensions of the opening

The negative aspects of an arched foam structure are: fragility, toxicity, and rapid flammability.

Wood elements

Wooden arched structures do not require advertising. They look rich and rarely do not fit any interior style. However, it should be understood that the word “wooden” does not mean that all components are made of pine, oak or other solid wood.


The arch can be made from natural wood, MDF, chipboard or plywood

Arched elements are also made from inexpensive MDF, laminated chipboard, and veneered plywood. The desired option is selected individually based on taste and wallet thickness.

Wooden elements are ordered from a catalog and then cut to length before installation

Installation wooden structures It's easy to do. In construction stores, arches are sold both assembled and disassembled. The first option is considered more reliable, since the work was performed by a specialist.

Decoration with finishing materials

Currently, there are many ways to do it beautifully and neatly. The decor is selected so that it is in harmony in color, texture, material with home environment. The most popular options are:

  1. Simple coloring. The arch will look elegant and complete if you simply paint it white, Brown color or to match the walls. This finish is often complemented with decorative elements and lighting.

    Plain paint looks great when combined with lighting

  2. Wallpapering. This is the fastest, most affordable and easiest process. For these purposes, vinyl or non-woven options are best suited.

    Slopes highlighted with wallpaper are a very stylish design move

  3. Finishing with wooden and plastic lining. The method guarantees not only a wonderful aesthetic appearance, but also ensures the durability of the structure, protecting it from moisture and mechanical damage.

    The option with lining is perfect for interiors with wall decoration made of the same material

  4. Decorative plaster. The surface of the arch is beautiful, textured and durable. True, such finishing sometimes needs to be restored, and it requires some care.

    This method looks especially advantageous in deep arches.

  5. Stone. An arch in a house made of natural or artificial stone can only be installed with the help of a professional. The decoration captivates the eye and makes the interior unusual.

    The torn edges of the arch can become the highlight of any interior

  6. Cork– it’s quite expensive, but environmentally friendly pure material. It is easily susceptible to mechanical damage, so to extend its service life it is recommended to cover the cork with wax.

    Cork finishing brings a sense of eco-friendliness and comfort to the interior

  7. Clinker tiles. This finish will last for many years. It does not attract dirt and does not require special care.

    Finishing with clinker tiles – limitless space for interesting solutions

Projects of modern apartments often include decorative arches near the walls or in the passages between rooms. Few owners know that with proper and successful design arched design, the interior of the house can be changed beyond recognition. It is this design element that allows you to place bright accents

Purpose of arches in the interior

All designs comply important functions in interior design. Decorative arches in this sense are no exception. By replacing interior doors with graceful arched passages, you can make any room more spacious. In large apartments, arches can be used to create spectacular accents in the interior.

So, decorative openings in the interior help solve the following problems:

  • Freeing up space in the apartment, expanding the view;
  • Zoning rooms and at the same time – their visual unification;
  • Support of a single style in apartment design.

Which form should I choose?

The main design differences between arches in an apartment are shape and material. In this section we will deal with the first of these indicators. Which arch shape is best to choose for your interior.

Arched openings can be divided into two types:

Active – structures of complex shape that can become an accent in the interior;

Passive - simple and functional models, most often installed in hallways and interior openings.

Classical

The most common option for an interior opening in construction is the classic arch, in which top part made in the shape of a regular semicircular arc. This form will suit any interior and is quite simple to build with your own hands.

Rectangular and square

Openings with right angles are another traditional solution for the interior of the apartment. It is appropriate to install them in narrow corridors or hallways, where an ordinary semicircular structure will look massive. Rectangular arched openings and niches go well with almost any room design. They look especially good in a laconic interior in the loft, minimalism, and hi-tech styles.

Elliptical

Doorway in Art Nouveau styleby design they represent half an ellipse located transversely with a clearly visible transition of a straight line to a rounded section. Such designs look stylish and elegant. They are perfect for the interior of bright rooms in Provencal or maritime style, and will look ideal at the entrance to the living room or spacious kitchen.

Trapezoidal

In simple interiors, openings made in the shape of a trapezoid look good. They will fit perfectly into the loft style and will support the rigor and simplicity of the lines in a classic-style living room. It is worth noting that such an arch is quite difficult to make with your own hands - it is better to have all the details made to order from professional carpenters.

Half-arch

A semi-arch looks like a wide classic arch, divided in half. This design option is quite easy to install and will become ideal solution for decorating narrow interior passages. It is worth noting that the semi-arch is not suitable for all interiors; you need to be especially careful when combining it with the design of the rooms.

Unusual shape

When using soft, plastic materials - such as drywall and foam, the arched opening can be given almost any shape. You just have to make sure that this design will not stand out from the overall interior design. Arches of unusual shape look especially good in spacious rooms.

Choosing materials for finishing with your own hands

The material from which the interior arch will be built is also very important indicator its durability. When choosing materials for a future structure, it is worth considering the strength of the coating, as well as its resistance to the conditions of a particular room. For example, arches in the kitchen should not be deformed by steam or exposed to greasy contamination, and structures that stand near windows should not lose color when exposed to direct sunlight.

Drywall

Arched plasterboard structures are the most common in construction. This material is easy to install and transform. To give the drywall the desired shape, the sheet can be bent or cut anywhere. Sheets vary in thickness, so you can choose an option

Tree

Interior arches made of wood have high strength and durability. They look very good in classic interiors. Nevertheless wooden arch not easy to install with your own hands, the lineup such products are also no different great variety. The way out of this situation is to individually manufacture and install a wooden opening for the room design. This design can be ordered from specialized workshops or made yourself if you have certain skills in working with wood. Designers recommend installing arches made of this material in spacious rooms, since wooden crafts always look massive.

Brick and stone

Arched brick openings look great in fashionable loft and modern interiors. Depending on the chosen design and texture of this material, they can “age” or “modernize” the design of the entire room. Of course, it makes no sense to use real building bricks - the structure from it will turn out to be too bulky. Most often, special decorative bricks in the form of small panels are used to decorate arches. It can be laid on a frame made of plaster or foam plastic, making an imitation of real masonry.

The same recommendations apply to arches using decorative stone. It is worth noting that arches made of brick and stone look most successful in spacious hallways, corridors and kitchens. However, if the interior allows, such a structure can be placed in other rooms.

Arch decor

It is best to decorate the finished arch in the same style as the rest of the interior of the rooms. This element should not stand out significantly against the background of the overall design of the apartment.

As for the color of the design, it can be matched to the shade of the walls, if the arch does not stand out from the general space with the help of doorways (like brick and wooden models). If additional panel finishing is used, it is worth combining the color of the arch with interior doors and other functional elements apartments.

How to decorate an arch in an apartment yourself? There are several simple and inexpensive ways:

  • Wallpapering is the most easy way DIY arch decorations. It is recommended to use the same wallpaper that is used to decorate the entire room. In this case, the arched opening will not stand out from the overall interior space and will not require additional finishing. If the structure is located in the transition between rooms, it is worth decorating it on both sides;
  • Painting door slopes- another simple way to decorate an arched opening with your own hands. It is worth noting that to paint arches made of plasterboard and polystyrene foam, you must first level the surface.
  • Decoration with tiles, stone, brick. This option not only looks great in the appropriate interior, but also allows you to mask all the irregularities that may arise when self-construction designs. Brick and stone with an expressive texture will cope especially well with this.
  • Decoration – painting by hand or using stencils.
  • Installing shelves, changing the arch design. Today it is very popular to create in wide doorways decorative and functional shelves and other structures. This option is most applicable to arches made of plasterboard and other plastic materials. It is best combined with a rectangular or semi-arch.

Of course, professional designers are ready to offer many more ways to design an arch than those listed above. However, in this material We tried to combine those options that can be done with your own hands using economical means.

Using textiles for decoration

When installing arched openings as a replacement interior doors, owners often face the question of zoning premises. How to separate and decorate the entrance to a room if it is an open arch? Home textiles are perfect for these purposes.

It is worth noting that curtains will be more appropriate when decorating arches of a simple shape - rectangular, semicircular or elliptical. It is better to select textiles to match the color of the window curtains or the color of the walls in the room. You should not buy heavy and complex fabric options - two-layer, draped and shiny. Let it be enough blackout curtain in one shade.

Light in decoration

Wall arches and niches made of plasterboard look most impressive when illuminated. It is she who will highlight this area of ​​the room and the pieces of furniture standing in this part.

In spacious rooms with high ceilings Hanging lamps with small shades will look great in arches. This option is suitable for decorating the kitchen and living room, for highlighting functional areas, such as a table, bar counter, sofa or TV.

If lighting is required for an interior arch, it may be limited to built-in lamps in small quantity. This option will also look good near mirrors or in combination with glass furniture.

In the gallery of our website you can see photographs of arches in the interior of apartments and best ideas their design. Some of these designs were designed by professional craftsmen, others were ordinary people who decided to do the repairs themselves. Looking at them, you can be convinced that with very little effort, you can easily change the appearance of your home beyond recognition.

Photo gallery

In the field of interior design, the interior arch ranks special place. Replacing the usual doorway, it can not only attract attention, but also become the main detail of the interior. The use of a beautiful arch in design has long been not uncommon; with its help, the interior acquires elegance and nobility.

Depending on the interior design, you can choose the arch according to its shape and design. Subject to stylistic transformations in various design directions, the arch itself invariably remains the main alternative to interior doors. With the help of an arch, openings are made not only in living rooms, but also in office and many other rooms.

photos

Types and forms

Let's consider the types of interior arches:

  • Classic. The classic opening is a semicircle, the radius of which is equal to 1/2 of its width. This form is the embodiment of strict elegance and purity of lines. The construction of this arch is possible only in a room with ceilings of 3 meters and above.

There is a version that the semicircle is distinguishing feature oriental and antique style, capable of adding weight and significance to the interior.

  • Arch portal. This is a rectangular opening without doors; it does not require additional labor during installation, but it is not suitable for every room. This form will fit perfectly into a laconic, simple interior with linear decor. The effectiveness of the result depends on the materials chosen for decoration.

One of the most spectacular examples is a portal made of wood with lighting along the arch.

  • Modern. This form is something between classic and portal. The vault of the arch is less round, but far from straight; its upper part is presented in the form of a circle segment. The radius of curvature can be anything, the main requirement is that it does not exceed half the width of the portal itself.

Modern is suitable for decorating openings in rooms with low ceilings, for example, in apartments of standard high-rise buildings. The design gives the room an elegant, discreet look.

  • Ellipse. This shape differs from the previous one only in the larger radius of rounding the corners. The elliptical model is the most versatile; it fits perfectly into absolutely any interior design and is appropriate for any ceiling height. The height and shape of the bend depends only on your wishes and the initial data of the room. Also, the elliptical arch is ideal in combination with columns.
  • Romance. The romantic design is a rectangular arch, rounded at the edges. It is ideal for decorating wide openings, as well as rooms with low ceilings. This form will look equally impressive both in a small, modest room and in a spacious one, made in a palace style.

  • Trapezoid. A very non-standard solution for designing a doorway in the form of a trapezoidal arch is guaranteed to add exoticism to your room. Proper presentation with the help of correctly selected interior items, harmoniously combined with the shape and material of the arch, will arouse genuine interest and delight. This arch is simple to make and no less impressive than rounded openings.

  • Half-arch. A semi-arch is an example of asymmetrical openings that combine 2 forms at the same time. For example, it could be a portal and romance, a portal and classic, a portal and an ellipse. The design of this shape is based on a quarter circle. Asymmetry will help hide errors in calculations if they arose during installation.

In addition, the non-standard shape will decorate the doorway, add sophistication to the room and allow you to bring any original idea to life.

  • Copyright. Thanks to a wide range finishing materials, the arch can be made of absolutely any shape and bend. This is a solution for those who want to make their home unique and inimitable.

Non-standard arches can have broken lines, combine several styles at the same time, and be supplemented with windows, lighting and other details.

  • Construction features. When building a private house, arched openings are designed and built initially, whereas in apartment buildings the presence of arches is the exception rather than the rule. It should be remembered that the arch is a curved ceiling between the supports and has a functional meaning: it carries the load of the wall.

When remodeling an apartment with the introduction of arches, their location is absolutely appropriate in interior walls, if they are not load-bearing.

  • Arches in load-bearing walls. Right above door frame there is a lintel, if the wall is load-bearing, then you cannot remove the lintel, this can lead to unpredictable consequences. In a load-bearing wall, the arch can only be the height and width of the doorway. In this case, the height of the opening cannot be increased, you can only expand it.
  • Arches in panel house. The same applies to using an arch instead of a door in a panel house. Doorways in the panels are recesses made in advance according to GOST and it is not recommended to violate the integrity of the panel.

In these two cases, romantic-style arches with a small radius of rounding corners, ellipsoidal or portal are made.

  • Arched opening in a solid wall. Converting a doorway into an arch is not difficult, but punching a passage in a solid wall where there has never been one is a very labor-intensive process. It is much easier to remove the partition wall completely and build a new one with an opening.

The structure of the arch and its design

The device directly depends on what tasks this design will perform:

Zoning of premises when dividing rooms

An interior arch is an elegant and stylish solution for open-plan zoning. She divides the home into functional areas and is used if there is a need to visually divide the space. Arches, custom-made or ready-made, are designed to mark the boundaries of two or more zones, but not to separate them, but to visually unite them, thereby expanding the space.

Some rooms can do just fine without classic doors and will only benefit if they are replaced with an arched opening. Usually this is the kitchen and dining room, dining room and living room, living room and hallway, bedroom and living room. When they are combined, the space expands and the feeling of enclosure goes away.

A bright accent in the overall design of the space

If you are the owner of a strict and laconic interior in a classic style or, on the contrary, have furnished your home in the Empire style, but you lack an unusual detail that can attract all the attention and amaze with luxury, an arch will help with this.

It should be rich, decorated with elegant stucco with floral ornament, walking in an arc. If the arch is high, classic, it is better to order full-fledged columns Corinthian order, the most luxurious and majestic. The Corinthian column is decorated with carved flutes along its height. Its elegant capital with carved grape leaves and curls will become the most significant element in the interior.

For lower profile arches, romantic, ellipse, modern and even semi-arches, good choice columns of the simplest and most devoid of frills of the Doric order will become. Its discreet architecture will nevertheless create an antique accent in the room.

Wanting to give the opening main role in the decoration of rooms, it is distinguished due to the contrast of color or material, decorating it with colored mosaics and enamel.

Elimination of defects during construction

If your premises are ugly ceiling beams or ventilation pipes, they can be covered with plasterboard and an arch of a non-standard shape can be completed. In addition, in old houses it is often necessary to mask uneven ceilings and walls.

Hiding under the arch construction defects, you will not only eliminate the imperfections of your interior, but also with the help of non-standard beautiful design give it a new sound.

Utilitarian purpose

If the arch is installed in load-bearing wall, its panels are quite wide, they have recesses in them, which are used as bookshelves, as well as niches for decoration. In round arches with great depth, recesses are made, poufs are installed and seating areas are organized.

A group of through windows is often built next to the arch itself, which increases the passage of light between rooms. The windows can be decorated with stained glass motifs or be through and serve as shelves for souvenirs and decorations.

Dimensions

The parameters of the arches directly depend on the architectural specifics of the room. The width is limited by the preference of the owner, the height is determined only by the ceiling level. In a room with a height of 2.5-3.2 m, an arch with dimensions of up to 2.2-2.6 m, respectively, will fit perfectly. However, these numbers are relative. There is no point in adjusting the vault of the arch to the very ceiling, it will ruin the whole look.

A small opening in a large, wide wall will create dissonance, so it is important to carefully measure the room and calculate the parameters of the future arch. It should fit organically into the interior.

Materials

The following materials are used in the manufacture of arched structures:

  • Brick. To make a brick arch, you need to mount a frame from reinforcement, drill holes in the wall and drive in metal pins and weld the frame to them. The whole process is very labor-intensive and the resulting structure is heavy, which is why the “brick” finish, made from various types artificial facing stone.

  • Drywall. This material is universal and pliable for the construction of rounded arches. The construction of any interior solutions from plasterboard is quick and easy to implement. The weight of such structures is small and will not put additional load on the wall. In addition, this is a good solution for one-room apartments where there is not enough space to install doors.

  • Tree. Often, when choosing a material for decorating an arched opening, they choose wood. Designs made from this noble material will add status to your interior. Openings built from wood are very beautiful and durable.

Arches made of solid oak are a luxurious pleasure that you can easily make with your own hands, with minimal skill in working with this wonderful material.

  • Laminated MDF. This material has rightfully become widespread and has received consumer recognition due to its low cost, variety of textures and colors, and attractive appearance. Also, laminated MDF is very practical and versatile. You can use it to assemble complex designs, as well as order standard models. In addition, the ability to order products of non-standard sizes and configurations makes this material especially attractive.
  • Veneered MDF and eco-veneer. An MDF veneered arch looks stylish and expensive, as the material most accurately conveys the texture and shades of solid wood. It is made of MDF board and lined with oak veneer. Possible shades: wenge, bleached oak, walnut, oak with patina, color Ivory. Eco-veneer arches are also beautiful in appearance and have high performance qualities.

  • Polyurethane. Polyurethane is an elastic polymer that is widely used in finishing and construction. Possessing high strength and resistance to external influences, it is durable, and most importantly, has a very low cost. This polymer makes it possible to make products from it with the maximum complexity of details, and in decorating arches it successfully replaces gypsum.

  • Plastic. Plastic products are very popular and allow you to repeat non-standard forms arches that cannot be made of wood without great expense. Plastic panels have not only a decorative function, but also a functional one. They protect the edges of the opening from damage and are moisture-resistant, durable and fire-resistant. Plastic, unlike other finishing materials, melts and does not burn.
  • Tile. A simple arched opening of a classical shape without any details, lined with tiles, is very impressive. Particularly impressive are tiles that imitate the surface and texture of stone. Its advantages: low cost, wide range of colors, moisture resistance and durability.

That's not all possible materials for the manufacture and decoration of arches, but the most common and effective.

How to make an arch with your own hands?

To make an arch with your own hands, you need to have basic skills in working with building materials, select easy-to-install material and obtain competent instructions. Let's look at a simple and easy-to-use way to build an arch in your home.

Drywall arch

We will need:

  • Drywall of 2 types. For walls with a thickness of 12 mm and for the arch arch - 6 mm.
  • Profile for racks 60x27 mm, and for the contour of the arch 28x27 mm.
  • Self-tapping screws and screwdriver.
  • Fiberglass mesh.
  • Putty.

Stages of work:

  • First you need to measure the opening into which the arch will be built. Standard height doors are 2 m, to build an arch we need to raise the height of the arch to 2.5 m by removing part of the wall above the opening.
  • Many types of arches significantly reduce the opening, so in some cases it needs to be slightly widened. We select in advance the shape of the arch that will organically fit into the parameters of the room.
  • To do this, we attach paper above the door, on which we outline the height and bend of the arch. If the width is more than 120 cm, it would be better to make a slight bend, choosing the modern shape, with its small radius of curvature. If the width of the opening is larger, then it would be more correct to choose a romantic shape; it does not require raising the height and rounding its corners will be enough to design an arched opening.

  • Having measured the parameters of the opening and calculated the length of the radius, using a compass we draw a semicircle on the drywall and cut it out with a jigsaw.
  • Then we build a frame from timber or metal profile.
  • We assemble a rectangular opening from a rack profile.
  • We cover the structure with plasterboard with a cut out circle using self-tapping screws, slightly recessing their heads into the surface.
  • We make cuts on the walls of the arched profile with metal scissors every 3 cm. Then we fasten the profile along the arch arch with self-tapping screws, bending it in the shape of a semicircle. This needs to be done from both ends.

  • Next, we make the lintels of the vault. We measure the depth of the arch and subtract 1.5-2 cm. This will be the length of the jumpers.
  • We cut them from the profile and put them on self-tapping screws. Jumpers are necessary for the strength and stability of the structure.
  • From thin drywall you need to cut out a part that will cover the vault from below. This is a rectangle, the width of which is the length from one edge of the end to the other, that is, the depth of the arch.
  • We measure the length using a tape measure or sewing measuring tape, from one lower point of the arch to the other.
  • We also attach the resulting sheet to self-tapping screws.