How Renovators Added Arched Doorways During Their Remodels
Planning to open up your kitchen, connect adjoining rooms, or give your home a fresh look? An arched doorway could be the detail that brings your design together.
Whether it’s a wide opening between living spaces or a curved entrance to a cozy bedroom, the possibilities go well beyond a traditional doorway. See how six homeowners incorporated arches into their renovations.
Key takeaways
- Broad structural arches can connect adjoining rooms and allow more natural light to pass between them.
- Painting an archway or changing its height can make an opening more prominent without changing the entire room’s design.
- Original arches may be hidden behind older renovations, while existing decorative niches can sometimes become useful passageways.
- Planning arched openings alongside kitchen remodels, layout changes, and other renovation work helps ensure they suit the finished home.
1. Structural arches open up a narrow Queens townhouse
A 1920s townhouse in Glendale, Queens, had a narrow ground floor divided by walls that made the living and dining areas feel cramped. Natural light struggled to reach the interior, and the homeowners wanted a more open layout without losing the building’s Art Deco character.
During the Queens townhouse renovation, architect Can Vu Bui and the design team replaced restrictive walls with broad structural arches. The new openings connected the living and dining spaces, creating longer sightlines and allowing daylight to reach farther into the 600-square-foot ground floor.
The arches also took inspiration from the home’s existing doors, which had gently curved tops. Muted green, ochre, and blue paint highlighted the openings, while custom curved millwork and built-in storage carried similar shapes throughout the space.
Because the project involved changing structural walls, redesigning the staircase, and adding storage, the arches were planned as part of the larger ground-floor renovation. For homeowners considering a similar layout change, working with an architect and experienced general contractor helps determine which walls can be modified and how the new openings will affect adjoining rooms.
Planning to renovate? Get free cost estimates from our partner GCs!
Get matched with our vetted general contractors and receive at least 3 quotations for free! You can also find endless home renovation inspiration, detailed guides, and practical cost breakdowns from our blogs.
2. Dark-painted archways add character to a prewar apartment
Cher and Matt wanted their Upper East Side apartment to feel peaceful and welcoming while still reflecting their personal style. The apartment had ceilings measuring 10 feet, 2 inches, giving them an opportunity to introduce taller, more noticeable architectural features.
As part of their Upper East Side apartment remodel, they added archways and raised the door heights from seven to eight feet. The taller openings better suited the ceiling height, while dark, moody paint inside the arches created a contrast with the home’s mostly neutral living spaces.
The darker openings give each transition a distinct look without introducing bold colors across entire walls. Combined with the apartment’s lighter wood floors, white walls, and earthy furnishings, the arches provide some of the architectural detail Cher wanted.
Their renovation also involved dividing a large bedroom, expanding the bathroom, and updating the narrow kitchen. Planning the doorway heights and finishes alongside those changes helped establish a consistent design throughout the apartment.
3. Hidden original arches reappear in a West Village studio
Sometimes, a renovation reveals architectural details that homeowners didn’t know existed.
That happened when Taylor began updating her 320-square-foot West Village studio in a building dating back to 1915. The apartment had dark teal walls, dated paneling, and finishes that made the already small space feel even more enclosed.
During her West Village studio renovation, Taylor and her general contractor discovered original arched doorways concealed behind layers of drywall and wall paneling. The curved pass-throughs were an unexpected find, revealing some of the apartment’s original architectural character.
The newly uncovered arches suited Taylor’s plans to create a brighter interior. White walls, updated lighting, new flooring, and refreshed kitchen and bathroom finishes brought the apartment up to date while the original openings remained part of its design.
For anyone renovating an older home, this project is a good reminder that existing architectural details deserve a closer look during demolition. An experienced contractor can help assess what has been uncovered and whether those features can be preserved as the surrounding rooms are updated. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. Renovate expertly with Sweeten
4. An arched doorway connects a Brooklyn kitchen and dining room
Meredith wanted to preserve the personality of her 1941 Brooklyn townhouse while changing its layout to suit her family. The home had several original architectural features worth keeping, including decorative arched niches.
One niche sat between two closets, with its back wall adjoining the kitchen. During her townhouse renovation in Brooklyn, Meredith and her contractor opened the back of the niche, creating a passage between the kitchen and what became the dining room.
The change established a clear view through the house while preserving the original curved shape. Rather than removing the niche and replacing it with a rectangular opening, the renovation gave an existing feature a new purpose.
Meredith also opened a similar niche upstairs to improve circulation. Both changes became part of a much larger remodel that included reworking the staircase, updating the kitchen, and changing several other rooms.
This approach is worth considering when renovating an older townhouse or apartment with decorative alcoves and unusual wall openings. Before deciding where new doorways should go, it helps to look at whether any existing architectural features could be adapted to connect rooms more effectively.
5. An archway separates sleeping and living spaces without closing them off
Janet and Jerry wanted their under-600-square-foot Crown Heights apartment to feel more open and spacious. Their goal was to turn the cramped one-bedroom into a loft-like home inspired by Scandinavian and mid-century modern design.
During their brownstone renovation, they exposed the living room’s original wooden ceiling beams, giving the room more height. The adjacent sleeping area received a lower ceiling and a new archway that distinguished it from the main living space.
The curved opening creates a visible transition between the two areas without requiring a fully enclosed bedroom. It also relates to other rounded details in the apartment, including the mirror above the restored fireplace and the light fixtures.
Other changes, including a skylight above the relocated stairway, helped bring additional daylight into the home. Together, these decisions created a more open interior while maintaining separate areas for relaxing and sleeping.
An arched doorway can also be useful in a larger renovation where homeowners want to combine rooms but still maintain some definition between them. A bedroom alcove, reading area, or adjoining sitting room can remain connected to the main space while having a recognizable entrance of its own.
6. A Moroccan-style archway gives an open kitchen a distinctive entrance
Heather and Eric wanted their Gramercy apartment to feel more personal than a typical New York starter home. The 850-square-foot co-op had a cramped galley kitchen and a dated layout, so they planned a renovation that would introduce more open space and architectural detail.
At the time of their Gramercy apartment renovation, they reframed the entry walls to create a more defined foyer. A newly built Moroccan-style archway marked the passage toward the kitchen, adding a distinctive curved shape to the redesigned entry.
The kitchen itself underwent extensive changes. The couple replaced the cabinets and appliances, moved the refrigerator, and opened part of the former galley kitchen to create a bar counter for breakfast and entertaining.
The archway became part of that larger layout change. It gave the entrance more architectural detail while maintaining a connection to the kitchen and surrounding living areas.
For homeowners considering a kitchen remodel that also involves changing nearby walls, it’s worth thinking about the entryway at the same time. The shape and placement of an arch can be planned alongside the kitchen opening, cabinetry, and circulation paths so the different parts of the renovation fit together.
Choosing the right arches for your home renovation
These six projects show how arched openings can improve a home’s layout while adding architectural character. Structural arches opened up a narrow Queens townhouse, while original features in the West Village and Brooklyn were preserved or adapted. In Crown Heights and Gramercy, new arches helped define spaces and complement the redesigned interiors.
If you’re considering arched doorways as part of a larger renovation, here are a few things to think about:
- Room-to-room flow: Consider where an arch could connect adjoining spaces, improve sightlines, or allow more natural light to pass through.
- Existing architectural details: Look for original arches, niches, or decorative openings that could be preserved or adapted during the renovation.
- Size and proportions: Think about how the width, height, and shape of an arch will relate to nearby walls, ceilings, and doorways.
- Structural considerations: Work with your renovation team to determine whether an opening requires structural modifications, permits, or additional support.
If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, reconfigure several rooms, or renovate your entire home, it’s worth discussing these design choices early in the planning process. Sweeten connects homeowners with vetted, experienced general contractors who can help incorporate arched openings into a larger renovation while coordinating the other changes throughout the home.
Ready to renovate? Start here for free!
Here you can learn more about our services and locations. Alternatively, browse more home renovation inspirations, processes, and cost guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is an arched doorway?
An arched doorway is an opening with a curved top that connects two rooms or creates an entrance to a space. It can be an original architectural feature or a newly built opening designed to improve the home’s layout and appearance.
Are arched doorways still in style?
Yes, arched doorways remain popular in both traditional and modern home renovations. They add architectural character, soften the appearance of straight walls, and create attractive transitions between rooms.
Is an arched doorway expensive?
Yes, installing an arched doorway can be expensive, especially if the project involves modifying a load-bearing wall. Costs depend on the opening’s size, the materials used, and whether structural modifications or additional framing are required.
