5 tips for using the arch in interior design + photo

What first comes to mind when you mention arch? Of course, ancient castles from fairy tales that fascinate with their grandeur and beauty. But why not give your apartment a special atmosphere, using arch in design her the interior.

1. The variety of forms

Arch - This is an architectural element of a curved shape, which serves as the overlap of a through or blind opening in a wall or a span between two supports. She came to us from ancient Rome. Already in the III century BC arches were used as overlappings of large spans of various structures, such as bridges. For some reason, at that time, people thought it was much easier to build semicircular span, than the usual rectangular for us now. There is a very many forms arches, both simple and complex.

• Triangular arch. Its arch is made in the form of a triangle with an obtuse angle at the apex. Such an arch is often called a three-joint.
• Round or a semicircular arch has the shape of a half-arc and is the most common and often used element of modern of interior. This is a classic form of arches, which is also called Roman.
• Round gently sloping or the British arch is formed by a circle with a large radius, its arch is more gentle than that of a semicircular one.
• Arrow or a broken arch is equilateral, compressed and flat. Its arch is formed by two arcs that meet at a certain angle. Lancet arches in gothic architecture.
• Three-bladed the arch represents three semicircles with a raised central one, which, as it were, rests on the symmetrically located lateral ones.
• Horseshoe or Moorish arch, is a characteristic feature of Islamic architecture.
• Three-center The sectional arch resembles a semi-oval. It is formed by three circles, the centers of which are at different levels. The central circle is the highest and has the largest radius, its center coincides with the axis of the span, and the two side circles are located slightly above the axis, but have a smaller radius.
• Elliptical the arch follows the shape of a fragment of an ellipse. It is slightly flattened on top, which allows it to be used in rooms with low ceiling.
• Concave the arch is formed by two circles whose arcs are directed with the convex side inward.
• Pinnate the arch was liked by Russian architects; its cross-sectional shape resembles an overturned keel of a ship.
• Tudor Arch or four-center arch, has a gently sloping shape with a pointed top. These shallow arches were very popular in the Tudor era, after which they were named.

Despite the chosen form, the idea of ​​using arches in the interior is actively used by modern designers in any rooms. This is one of the most aesthetically and unobtrusive ways. combine two the rooms or separate a nook for relaxation.

2. Ways to use in the interior

Using an arch instead of standard doorways will help not only save usable area premises, but also visually expand the boundaries and create feeling of spaciousness. This technique is best used in small apartments. Arches can serve as a full-fledged overlapping role, and serve as a decorative element and be barely noticeable.Therefore, before choosing a shape and size, you must decide with her role in the general interior of the room.

• Dressing rooms with the help of an arch or its fragment is a classic design decision. Very often this element is used in hallways. When you enter any room, the first room you enter is the corridor. Given the features of the construction of many houses, not every apartment is able to boast of having spacious hall with a view of other rooms. To visually give room depth and open space instead of the doorway leading from the hallway, for example, to the living room, it is preferable to use a wide arch with a gentle arch. This design will allow fill up corridor light and revive boring and mundane interior.
• Creating a smooth transition. This technique is very relevant for moving from the hallway to the dining room. In some apartments, this transition is made in the form of a rectangle, over which there is an additional place for storage, that is, a mezzanine. If you are not sorry to sacrifice them for the general beauty and aesthetics of this section of the apartment, then feel free to use arches of various shapes. If the ceiling height is not very large, then you can use semicircular shallow form. Using an arch will help give this transition is more harmonious and airview. For greater effect, you can complement the arch supports in columns On the sides.
• Combination Loggias with a bedroom or a living room with a dining room with an arch will make your interior more modern and harmonious. In the case of combining the living room and kitchen, you can use the arch, one of the ends of which ends bar counter. Thus, at the same time, zoning premises.
• Niche Arch the interior looks like a small depression in the wall. This is very effective in this way. to allocate a berth, having equipped headboard shallow arch of non-standard shape. Recommended by select the width of the opening to the widththe beds, and also equip the arch arch with dim lighting. This will create a cozy atmosphere and serve as an additional light source. But not only in the bedroom is this design element appropriate. IN the bathroom alcoves will make the place for taking water procedures not so boring, but in the dining room easily separate the cooking area from the dining area or vice versa.
• Disguise the flaws. It often happens that after dismantling the interior partitions, a wide wooden beam remains under the ceiling. It is a supporting element, which is not recommended to be cleaned. You can hide it under stretch ceiling, but then the height of the room will be significantly reduced, but can be used as a frame for a small arch. You can leave the beam open, slightly ennoble it with varnish or paint and place a shallow arched arch under it. And you can mount the elements of the arch directly on it.
• Window openings, made in the form of arches, will give the room a special charm, and recall the old eras. Such windows in country houses or small country houses. Windows can be made to their full height and decorated with a lancet or horseshoe-shaped arch. The cost of such custom window frames will be higher than usual, but they will produce a unique impression. In ordinary apartments wide windowsilleaten from arched vault will create an additional cozy corner. The window sill can be decorated with a large soft pillow, and small shelves can be made on the side walls.

When choosing a suitable shape, remember that the arch must comply general style interior and complement it, and not contradict and be the main object of attention. Small roundings of doorways look no less impressive, which only repeat small fragment the arch.The wider the arched opening connecting the two rooms, the more harmonious these rooms should be. They should be made in the same style and preferably in a similar color scheme.

3. Arch material depending on the style of the room

The material from which the arch will be made determined by the style of the room, in which it will be located. Its width and height also plays an important role, because large structures should be not only beautiful, but also durable. The most common materials are:

• Drywall - universal material that allows you to quickly erect an arch vault of any configuration. Moreover, this is the most cheap of the materials used for this. The main thing is to complete the installation of the frame, and gypsum plasterboard not take much time and effort. Modern manufacturers offer special bending material for such purposes. When the base is ready, you can finish with any materials suitable in color and texture. This material is suitable for small arches that replace door or window openings. Choosing as finishes a rock or wood panels do not forget consider them weight and the load that they will transfer to the structure.
• Tree due to its versatility and attractive appearance, it fits any interior style. This material will fit perfectly as in classical, so in more modern interior and only emphasize it from the most advantageous side. Suitable for use in any room. With proper processing, this material does not need additional design, just open it clear varnish.
• Brick or a rock, used for the construction or decoration of the arched vault, will complement the interior in Scandinavian style loft, country, eco. Brick arch may become a distinctive feature accent wall, and stone will emphasize the stability and solidity of the owners of the apartment. Stone symbolizes reliability. and durability and will look beneficial in combination with a decorated stone fireplace area.

Material color must be echoed with the color of the furniture in the rooms, which will be united by an arched opening. If you follow this rule, the arch will look harmonious and appropriate.

4. Finishing and decor

Very often, to give the arches a special appearance and bring it as close as possible to the desired style, use various decor elements. It can be moldings and cornices, decorative stucco molding and point backlight. The last element is very often used to decorate drywall, less often wooden, structures. Skillfully selected lighting will create the right atmosphere in the room and highlight the functional area. Stucco elements are most suitable for classic style. They can decorate both the walls around the arch, and its arch. From small elements you can make whole compositions, the main thing is to know the measure. Gained great popularity moldings which look like a volumetric plank having a flat or more complex profile. Often this element adorns the walls around the arches, as it is very successfully combined with wallpaperso with paint, stucco or tree. The material of manufacture may be different. This is plastic, and wood, and metal, but the most versatile material is polyurethane, which has a dense white structure and can bend. This feature greatly simplifies installation and allows you to most accurately repeat the contour of a curved arch. A nice bonus will be affordable cost this decorative element. Round or rectangular arches look very rich columns. But this kind of finish is binding and only suits the classic style. If you want your arch to make a fuller impression, pay special attention wall decoration around her.Using artistic painting, you can create a whole composition that repeats the elements of medieval castles. Walls that look not just pasted over with wallpaper, but lined with relief decorative plaster also look very good.

5. Custom shapes of arches

In addition to the usual classic forms, many designers recommend using more interesting arches. unusual configurations. Gained great popularity round arches. It doesn’t sound quite real, but in practice it looks amazing. It will look much more interesting loggiacombined with the bedroom, it is with the help of such an element. It is very simple to make such a shape using drywall as a material. Metal profiles that are used as a frame will easily get the shape you need after trimming the edges. In addition, you can make shelves embedded in the side walls of the arch and equip them with lighting. There are varieties of arches of non-standard shapes, one of the sides of which, after installation, is as if continuation of the wall and already has several side shelves. To equip the doorway, you can use curly carved arch which will look more light and airy. Such an element will serve simultaneously as a translucent partition and a beautiful highlight of the interior. You can make such an arch yourself from wood or the same drywall, or you can buy a finished product. When buying ready-made archesgive big attention to materials of which they are made. If you prefer wood, be sure to specify which varnish was used to process it. Many types of varnish, which have increased strength and resistance to direct sunlight, cannot be used for internal work. They contain harmful volatile components that constantly evaporate and are harmful to health.

Remember that sometimes it’s better to show imagination and do something original than to use classic forms. It will help not only to do your interior really unique but it will also bring features characteristic of you to it.