3 min readFrom the halls of the Taj Mahal to the vaults of Notre Dame, arches have been a beloved architectural detail for centuries. Today, they’re a real hot-button topic. Now a favored silhouette for everything from bookcases to coasters, the arch has been overrun by big-box retailers, diluting the charm and elegance it once symbolized—allegedly.
In their over 4,000-year history, arches have evolved from mere support structures to bespoke architectural elements. Ahead, we’re taking a closer look at the origins of arches and the role they play in interior design today.
History of Arches in Architecture and Interiors
Arches date back to around 2000 BCE, in the earliest recorded civilization. Nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Mesopotamian builders utilized arches to support their ancient drainage system. Born out of a pure need, original applications focused almost entirely on function; their pleasing form was an unforeseen but welcome bonus.
It wasn’t until the Romans began adopting and reinforcing the design with concrete that arches found a real fanbase. They became the defining detail on some of ancient Europe’s most enduring cultural sites, including the Roman Colosseum, France’s Arc de Triomphe, and horseshoe arches of Spain’s Great Mosque of Córdoba, building a legacy of opulence and an air of triumph.
Later, arches would become a staple of Gothic architecture, bringing beauty and height to churches and cathedrals, such as France’s Notre-Dame, which uses arches to frame stained-glass windows and bolster spires toward the sky. With so many beautiful examples of how arches add flair to architecture, it’s hard to imagine anyone not wanting to see them in their homes, but like all things, they have their applications, and it’s not in your midcentury modern design scheme.
“An arch can be a great way to add visual interest and break up spaces that might otherwise be very linear,” says Rachel Reider, principal designer at the Boston-based design firm, Reider + Co. “You have to be mindful of the other architectural elements in the space to make sure it feels cohesive.”
Best Design Styles for Arches
Arches bring a particular ambiance that is hard to replicate with any other detail. When applied correctly, they’re a sign of elegance and refinement, but when plopped in the middle of an all-too-modern design scheme, they can feel out of place—tacky even.
“While rectangular openings are practical, an arch turns an opening into an architectural event,” says Milysan Kikos, founder and principal designer at Los Angeles-based design firm Me Design Group. “Even in a newly built home, a properly proportioned arch can create an old-world sense of construction rather than the feeling that drywall is attached to studs. There is an emotional association that is hard to separate from the form.”
Put simply, plastering the silhouette all over a space isn’t enough to channel the aura of arches. “Arches are so alluring because they soften a space. We’re often surrounded by things with hard corners, so that contrast is really nice,” says Bridget Tiek, principal designer at Tiek Byday. “I shy away from adding them architecturally in single instances—it typically needs to happen more than once for it to make sense!”
How Designers Incorporate Arches
All said, there’s nothing wrong with arches. The real issue lies in their overuse and misplacement. Even the most beautiful details can still be overplayed. If you’re hoping to incorporate arches into your designs, there are a few styles they’d fit beautifully and flow naturally into. Gothic and Victorian-style homes are known for their use of arches, as well as Art Deco design schemes and classic Spanish architecture—a fan favorite of Tiek. “They (arches) are typically built into the environment already, so it's easy to pair it with furnishings and millwork,” she adds.
For Kikos, it all comes down to using the correct architectural grammar. “Arches aren't universally ‘good architecture,’” she says. “They work when they belong to the architectural language of the building. In the wrong house they can feel pasted on or decorative.”
In addition to their Spanish adaptations, she loves to see arches in Mission, Romanesque, and Moorish designs. “The curve isn't an embellishment added afterward. It's embedded in the architectural grammar,” Kikos says.
