Beautiful arched designs are used for elegant interiors. There are many interior design elements that can give a room an impeccable aesthetic appearance. There is something special about sculptural and architectural interiors. A beautiful arch can completely change the decor, be it simple or pompous. Photo examples in this article perfectly demonstrate this idea.
The essence of the design
An arch is a shaped frame around an opening. Indoors, the structural element is used to decorate doors and windows. Arcs are suitable for zoning space. From the outside, arches often complement the main entrance to a building, a passageway through the walls of a structure.
Historically, arched types of structures have existed for over 4,000 years. Many architectural monuments cannot do without these elements.
Arches often act as load-bearing structures. In addition to the structural function, the stunning decorative aesthetics of the arched composition are noticeable.
Decoration with stone and tiles
An equally relevant way to beautifully design an arch is to decorate it with facing materials, which include: tiles, natural or artificial stone, imitation brick. Less commonly, the opening is decorated with tiles or mosaics.
An important advantage of this method is the introduction of arch decor into absolutely any style. The combination of stone can be completely different: with paper, textiles (wallpaper), plaster, paint.
When finishing an opening using this method, gypsum materials are usually used, but clinker and porcelain stoneware raw materials are not excluded. Due to their high strength and durability, they are usually located at the entrance to the house, or on the balcony area.
In order to decorate an arch with stone, that is, its original cladding is of high quality and reliably serves its household, you need to make the surface perfectly flat, and then select a good, appropriate glue composition.
The cladding can be made with an individual non-standard pattern, so it is first recommended to apply markings for further precise orientation of the masonry.
You can also line the opening with natural durable stone, but this will be a very expensive repair. Moreover, it is worth considering that the arch must be located in the opening of only a load-bearing wall or a solid partition.
Functions of arches in the living room
The arch in the interior of the living room is not created by chance. The design has a number of advantages that improve the functionality of the room:
- visual expansion of space;
- improving the illumination of the area;
- improving interior aesthetics;
- performing a delicate division of the area.
A room with an arch becomes more interesting and sophisticated. The effect looks organically in interiors of different styles. With the help of an arch, you can delicately connect or divide the space of the living room and adjacent areas.
Hall style
Design ideas for the living room in popular styles.
Modern
Openings with a distinctly strict, laconic and simple design, devoid of any frills in decor and forms, will give a modern interior a feeling of real freedom and additional space.
The photo shows a rectangular entrance arch in the interior of the hall in a modern style.
Classical
Traditional or figured arches are an almost obligatory element of the classical style. The passages have a noble color and texture; they are often decorated with gypsum stucco, moldings, golden or silver ornaments, side columns and half-columns, sculptural details or carvings.
Scandinavian
This style involves the use of simple and slightly strict forms, minimal decor and all shades of white. An excellent solution can be large and wide arched openings painted in light colors.
The photo shows the interior of the hall in a Scandinavian style with a wide white arch.
High tech
Simple designs, painted in the color of the wall decoration or decorated with mirror, metal and glass inserts, spotlights, LED strip or other modern design in monochrome shades, will be the best solution for a high-tech interior.
Provence
For Provence, rectangular structures made of stone, wood, MDF, fiberboard or other materials of natural origin would be appropriate. Also, arches are often decorated with floral patterns or artificial aging is used.
Types of arches
A classic arch is a repetition of the outlines of a standard opening with rounded lines at the top. The traditional idea of this element has not changed for years.
The design of the arch in the living room can be varied. It is not necessary to repeat the classical Roman design. You can make a shallow extended model. This option is ideal for open-plan rooms when dividing the room into zones.
A special living room, divided by an arch, is obtained by using the French model. In this case, a door is inserted into a rounded arched opening.
In modern interiors, solid wooden panels are rarely used. It is popular to make transparent closing sections.
Curtains and curtains
Since ancient times, an arched doorway has been decorated with ordinary curtains, but even now this design option, although less common, is acceptable. The entrance is masked with light tulle, a curtain or a thick curtain, which will serve as the door itself.
Usually, the doorway is masked with bamboo curtains, beautiful threads, and decorative beads. This method is very easy to do with your own hands, using a cornice above the opening to fasten the curtains. There are cornices of a curved configuration that coincide with the very shape of the opening.
It is no secret that the arch serves as a continuation of the wall, which is why, when designing it, it is necessary to take into account the decoration of the walls.
Curtains for the kitchen - 120 real photos of new designs. Options for the ideal combination of modern curtains in the kitchen interiorHow to diversify your home interior: DIY decor and beautiful design ideas
- How to hang curtains - step-by-step instructions with photo examples and recommendations. Exclusive curtain design solutions from experienced craftswomen
As you know, wood is the most noble and wear-resistant raw material, which is successfully used to decorate classical household items. It is better if the design is simpler, but very elegant in shape. It is also possible to hang a wooden arch with an elegant curtain with gilding, which will successfully highlight the classics.
Tree
You can make an unusual arch from wood. The design looks warm and cozy. A wooden arch will fit perfectly into different interior styles.
Smooth and carved surfaces can be used. Working with wood will require skill, but the results are worth the difficulty.
A short summary
Arches are an excellent replacement for doors. Visually, they do not reduce space, but on the contrary, they can add it.
They can also hide minor imperfections in your living room layout.
If you decide to make an arch at home, then choose it using your personal preferences and then you will get the most successful result.
Arch design in different styles
Viewing a photo of a living room design with an arch will indicate the possibility of using the element in different styles.
You don't have to be a classicist. There are options that fit organically into the interiors of other areas.
Advantages and disadvantages of installing arches
Advantages of erecting partitions:
- in combined rooms, a semicircular decorative partition will allow you to define a conventional boundary when zoning the space;
- fits well into any interior design of the living room, bedroom, corridor or other rooms;
- arched partitions decorate door openings. This will add spaciousness to the room and give a feeling of freedom;
- a decorative solution will visually lengthen the room, which is important for rooms with a low ceiling;
- thanks to the variety of shapes and sizes, the decorative element fits harmoniously into any style of the house;
- Arch partitions are easy to install, so you can install them yourself, without the help of specialists. The only exceptions are complex, multi-level structures.
Disadvantages of decorative elements:
- To install an interior arch, you will need to completely dismantle the door and part of the wall adjacent to the opening. It is much easier to build a structure indoors;
- if sound insulation is important to you, you will have to refuse to install the arch;
- It is not advisable to install open ceilings in personal rooms: children’s rooms and bedrooms;
- a kitchen interior with an arch may not always be appropriate, since the smells of cooking food will spread throughout the entire room.
Village destinations
For a typical country house, the absence of doors is an expected solution. You can refuse traditional wooden panels with glass. Using a curtain is considered normal. A wooden bow combined with floral fabric looks cute.
The chalet style also suggests rustic simplicity of lines. A rough arch made of warm wood will come in handy here. If in country it is permissible to add carving to an element, then in a chalet this is unacceptable.
Be sure to observe symmetry and consistency in the design of interior details.
Arch location
Using an arch, you can zone the space in a separate living room. This technique is often used when a room performs multiple functions.
An arched opening can separate the children's and adult areas in a one-room apartment. With the help of an arch, it is easy to separate the bedroom from the general relaxation space in a single room.
Often there are plasterboard arches between the kitchen and living room. The arc perfectly zones the combined space.
Sometimes, when separate kitchens and living rooms are adjacent, the doors are specially removed and the opening is made arched. This allows you to delicately arrange rooms. The kitchen gains visual space, the living room gains convenience and a modern look.
Arched windows
Making arched windows is an interesting move for the living room. The design easily supports a chic design. With window openings of this type, the appearance of the living room will instantly change. This option is most relevant for rooms with a bay window.
Arched windows are often a targeted choice for country property owners. A single opening is not made arched. Usually the idea affects the entire style.
A living room with an arch is an interesting move in room decor. A variety of modern materials and technologies make it possible to create different interiors with arched vaults. The choice is not very limited by style, there are many design ideas.
Photo of arches in the living room
Please repost