These 20 Homes With Arched Doorways Are Way Ahead of the Curve

Arches date back to ancient days, but they can add refined elegance to any space—no matter the room, style, or era.
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Whether gothic, foiled, or rounded, arched doorways always make a statement. Below, we’ve rounded up 20 striking projects that highlight the decorative power of the arch.

1. Arches, Curves, and a Spiral Staircase Define a Sculptural Australian Home

The Glebe House by Chenchow Little architects is defined by its arched details and wedge-like form.  

The Glebe House by Chenchow Little architects is defined by its arched details and wedge-like form.  

The acclaimed Italian designers Ludovica+Roberto Palomba carved a serene retreat out of a 17th-century oil mill in Salento. 

The acclaimed Italian designers Ludovica+Roberto Palomba carved a serene retreat out of a 17th-century oil mill in Salento. 

The main entrance was transformed with a wooden grid and a glass curtain wall, allowing ample natural light to enter the space.

The main entrance was transformed with a wooden grid and a glass curtain wall, allowing ample natural light to enter the space.

Understated decor and a well-considered material palette preserves the striking features of an original trullo in Puglia, Italy, while bringing a rugged yet stylish utilitarianism to the property.  

Understated decor and a well-considered material palette preserves the striking features of an original trullo in Puglia, Italy, while bringing a rugged yet stylish utilitarianism to the property.  

At the entrance, a meeting space can be converted into a gallery showcasing the studio’s lighting collection. Playful hexagonal windows separate the meeting area from the workspace, and a chunky pink structural arch leads to a display and storage niche.

At the entrance, a meeting space can be converted into a gallery showcasing the studio’s lighting collection. Playful hexagonal windows separate the meeting area from the workspace, and a chunky pink structural arch leads to a display and storage niche.

Behind this villa’s classic Tuscan facade lies a cool, monochromatic vacation home.

Behind this villa’s classic Tuscan facade lies a cool, monochromatic vacation home.

The recently completed home—dubbed the Hawthorn House—was created for a couple who asked Edition Office directors Kim Bridgland and Aaron Roberts to apply rural design sensibilities to a more suburban context.

The recently completed home—dubbed the Hawthorn House—was created for a couple who asked Edition Office directors Kim Bridgland and Aaron Roberts to apply rural design sensibilities to a more suburban context.

Resting along the crest of a volcanic crater on the little-known island of Nisyros in the Aegean Sea, Villa Nemésis marries the mystique of ancient Greece with modern design. 

Resting along the crest of a volcanic crater on the little-known island of Nisyros in the Aegean Sea, Villa Nemésis marries the mystique of ancient Greece with modern design. 

Lime plaster walls lend rich texture to the interior, absorbing and reflecting sunlight that pours in through an archway that frames the front courtyard.

Lime plaster walls lend rich texture to the interior, absorbing and reflecting sunlight that pours in through an archway that frames the front courtyard.

A designer and her partner drywalled and plastered an arched motif in the main living area. The curved walls create separation between the open living spaces.

A designer and her partner drywalled and plastered an arched motif in the main living area. The curved walls create separation between the open living spaces.

In the light-flooded lobby of Sister City, mismatched chairs huddle around a wooden table, and an arched doorway is anchored by a slatted wall. White brick, open metal shelving, and a speckled tile floor complete the space.

In the light-flooded lobby of Sister City, mismatched chairs huddle around a wooden table, and an arched doorway is anchored by a slatted wall. White brick, open metal shelving, and a speckled tile floor complete the space.

In Kobe, Japan, exposed timber trusses and arched thresholds work together to create a dwelling that’s cheerful and full of whimsy.

In Kobe, Japan, exposed timber trusses and arched thresholds work together to create a dwelling that’s cheerful and full of whimsy.

Drawing on Wes Anderson’s distinctive visual style and Melbourne’s cafe culture, an Australian studio takes a fresh approach to a new cafe in Chengdu.

Drawing on Wes Anderson’s distinctive visual style and Melbourne’s cafe culture, an Australian studio takes a fresh approach to a new cafe in Chengdu.

Although the exterior material connects the new addition back to the house, it distinguishes itself in form with an arched, load-bearing roof. The high ceilings allow light into the new kitchen, dining, and work spaces.

Although the exterior material connects the new addition back to the house, it distinguishes itself in form with an arched, load-bearing roof. The high ceilings allow light into the new kitchen, dining, and work spaces.

An architect couple restored this Art Deco gem, gently modernizing it for work and family life. 

An architect couple restored this Art Deco gem, gently modernizing it for work and family life. 

Aside from the main entrance, there are no doors in the house. Instead, arched thresholds indicate the end of one area and the beginning of another.   

Aside from the main entrance, there are no doors in the house. Instead, arched thresholds indicate the end of one area and the beginning of another.   

With its stucco facade and steel-framed, arched windows, Plaster Fun House is an architectural anomaly amidst the cottages and 1960s brick residences of Torrensville in South Australia.

With its stucco facade and steel-framed, arched windows, Plaster Fun House is an architectural anomaly amidst the cottages and 1960s brick residences of Torrensville in South Australia.

Arches and gates criss-cross this 13,100-square-foot office, which is located in two historic buildings in Wroclaw, Poland, right across the street from the city’s Opera House. 

Arches and gates criss-cross this 13,100-square-foot office, which is located in two historic buildings in Wroclaw, Poland, right across the street from the city’s Opera House. 

Curved walls were the source of inspiration for the custom, undulating, 22-foot-long sofa, clad in blue velvet, which acts as a plush focal point in the space. Its blue tone contrasts with the crisp, white walls in a modern take on the typical blue and white color palette of the Greek isles.

Curved walls were the source of inspiration for the custom, undulating, 22-foot-long sofa, clad in blue velvet, which acts as a plush focal point in the space. Its blue tone contrasts with the crisp, white walls in a modern take on the typical blue and white color palette of the Greek isles.

Architecture and design studio LYGA used an intense blue-green paint for the arched threshold in the main living area to create chromatic richness and a romantic mood.

Architecture and design studio LYGA used an intense blue-green paint for the arched threshold in the main living area to create chromatic richness and a romantic mood.

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