The arched shape of the doorway in this living room is emulated in embedded wall molding and built-in shelves to create a ubiquitous look. Playing with the soft edges, wood textures, and foliage introduces lots of natural decor. Meanwhile, geometric shapes in the square picture frames and wire-frame chairs contrast with their clean lines.
20 Elegant Arched Doorway Ideas for a Sophisticated Home
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Published: December 27, 2023
Updated: January 2, 2024
Reviewed by Meredith Taylor, Interior Designer
When a home flows well, you can tell. The transitions between rooms feel seamless, each space is easy to navigate, and the entryways are beautiful. Doorways are one of the most optimal ways to ensure flow, as they offer a first impression and can make a space feel either open or more closed off. Arched doorways in particular are unique architectural features that can soften a space with their curved tops and add elegance and sophistication to your home.
Arches have been a common design element across the world for centuries, and it’s for good reason. The motif lends a sculptural moment to a home, visually separates spaces, and can even provide structural support. Plus, arches are easy to emulate in décor, wallpaper, and molding — allowing for a beautifully cohesive look if you have the shape in your doorway already. Curious about how it looks? Check out these arched doorway ideas for inspiration.
02 of Minimalist Arches
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A clean, minimalist design gets a dose of visual interest with simple arched doorways in this home. The arches complement the pared-back design as the curved form lends a sense of gentleness associated with minimalist design. Globe-shaped bulbs in the pendants above riff off the roundedness of the hallway openings.
03 of Brick Arched Doorway Ideas
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As a segue from the entryway into the central portion of the home, this brick arch doorway sets the tone for the rustic style of the space. The brick is scraped over with whitewash for extra texture. Plus, the white and terracotta color scheme matches the farmhouse-style kitchen decor below.
04 of Alcove Arch
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A basket arch shape creates a cute alcove in this kitchen. The doorway allows for a cozy nook to grab cooking items and serves as a seamless transition from the door into the heart of the home. Light-filling windows make the arch feel even more open and spacious.
05 of Symmetrical Arches
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Have a penchant for traditional design? Classic arched doorways will do the trick. In this home, outfitted with crown molding, heavily detailed tall baseboards, and geometric built-ins with crown trim, the symmetry of semicircular arches helps the space maintain its refined, sophisticated feel. The white hue allows the arch to blend effortlessly with the walls while contrasting beautifully against the mahogany floors.
06 of Earthy Living Room Arch
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An earthy oasis benefits from an arched doorway’s organic, rounded edges. The arch makes a stark distinction between the darkness of the entryway and the lightness of the living room, so it feels like a breath of fresh air as you move through it. The large windows are balanced by the height of the arch. Wooden floors, linen pillows, and potted plants offer softness to complement the shape.
07 of Enclosed Arch
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An arched doorway fits the bill to separate the kitchen from the pantry without feeling closed off. Open shelving inside enhances the spacious feel, while also offering a spot to display prettier kitchen accessories and decor. Meanwhile, the drawers below help hide away eyesores while still looking clean and modern.
08 of Colorful Archway Design
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A wide arch makes way to a candy-colored oasis in this funky home. The underside of the arch is painted pink to match the walls further inside, while the front surfaces are painted blue to match the walls behind it. This creates a more seamless transition to each room rather than an abrupt color change. A general rule of thumb is that if the rooms connected by an arch are two different colors, you should paint the underside a lighter tone to keep the space feeling more open.
09 of Wide Arch
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A segmental arch features a more subtle curve than other arch styles. Here, for instance, the top portion is just slightly rounded. This is an excellent option for a wider doorway, as it prevents the arch from overwhelming the space. The wider look also allows abundant light to pour through each room, making the home feel open and expansive.
10 of Contrasted Arches
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To create contrast, a segmental arch is placed next to a semicircular arch in this living room. The varying shapes allow for a more visually exciting experience, especially when combined with rectangular, French-style windows. The wide segmental arch beautifully frames the sofa, while the narrower semicircular arch acts as a more typical doorway.
11 of Sweeping Arch Entryway
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A sweeping basket arch makes a statement in this entryway, drawing the eye toward the ornate door design and wall molding. The wider arch allows more light to pour in from the large windows. Note that the doorway is constructed from a thicker wall section to provide the illusion of grandeur.
12 of Classic Arched Doorway
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Keeping in step with the clean lines and colors of the space, a classic pared-back arch provides a gateway to the basement. Since the stairs are next to a door already, creating an arched doorway — rather than another closed door — helps to create a sense of airiness versus feeling boxed in.
13 of Textured Arch for a Sophisticated Design
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If you want an arch motif but not necessarily an open doorway, wall molding is the way to go. Here, tall arches span the length of the room to create depth and texture. Since the space is coated in a hot pink, the architectural feature helps break up the sweetness with sophistication. The arches also provide an easy frame for plants and reading nooks.
14 of Arched Hallway with Barrel Ceiling
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To emphasize the expansiveness of your home, constructing an arched doorway from a thicker section of wall works wonders. The walkway in this home is so wide that a built-in shelf can fit within the arch itself, making a fun display for artwork and ceramics as you make your way through each room. The grand arch also does a great job of highlighting the lofty ceilings and iron doors.
15 of Tall Arch With High Ceilings
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Segmental arches also look great when narrow, as proven in this kitchen. The doorway extends taller than the door alongside it, emphasizing the ceiling height. Since the entrance is narrow, the arch allows more natural light to pass through from the kitchen. The tiling on the floor is square and clean-lined, so the rounded top of the arch helps soften the space.
16 of Framing Arch
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A wide semicircular arch provides a picture-perfect frame for the entryway in this kitchen. A rustic bench topped with pillows and an art installation above can be seen through the vignette. On the other side of the arch, taller furniture is set to the side so as to not block the view.
17 of Decorative Arch With Traditional Style
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Crown molding and wall trim instantly elevate a home’s style, but they can also upgrade architectural elements like an arched doorway. Here, ornate curved corbels frame the arch at each corner, with elaborate designs visible on the underside of the arch itself. This creates a lavish look to complement the Tuscan-style space.
18 of Hallway Arch
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A simple arch makes for a seamless transition out of the living room and toward the bedrooms. An arched doorway is a smart way to ease into a hallway, making the enclosed space feel more open. It also diversifies shapes, straying from the rectangular doors lining the hallway in favor of softer curves.
19 of Themed Bedroom Arch
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Rounded motifs proliferate this bedroom, and the doorway is no exception. The segmental arch inspires curves in the bedding, floor lamp, and even the mirrors, allowing for a cohesive theme that soothes the senses. Note that the doorway makes way to the bathroom — proof that even private areas can have open entries if desired.
20 of Regal Arched Entrance
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This room is designed with a harmonious look for a more sophisticated take on the arched doorway. The top arched curve of the room’s entrance ends just shy of the walls alongside it so that the flat edges meet each other. This allows for clean lines that match the wainscoting embellishing on the bottom half of the doorway — which is a great way to add flair. For a unified look, another arched nook and shelf are situated inside.
