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Open openings instead of a door are a great way to visually enlarge a small kitchen, combining it with an entrance hall/living room/balcony, but maintaining the separation of zones. To improve the appearance of a U-shaped opening, you can make it arched.
Attention: most redevelopment options involving changes in the size or configuration of openings must be approved by the housing supervision authorities.
Advantages of the arch
The arch is an excellent option for people living in small apartments. With its help, you can increase the space of the kitchen, or combine rooms without the need to demolish a wall.
However, you need to remember that after installing the arch, returning to the usual doors will be problematic - you will have to redo the passage.
Photo gallery
Sources
- https://roomester.ru/dekor/dizajn-arok.html
- https://ars.ru/oformlenie-arki-v-sovremennom-interere-kvartiry-i-doma/
- https://www.ivd.ru/dizajn-i-dekor/kvartira/dizajn-interera-s-arkoj-iz-gipsokartona-50-primerov-s-foto-38551
- https://design-homes.ru/idei-dlya-doma/arka-v-dizajne-interera-osobennosti-foto
- https://Trizio.ru/arki-iz-gipsokartona-dizayn-foto-16
- https://J.Etagi.com/ps/arki-mezhkomnatnye-foto/
- https://mydizajn.ru/otdelka-arki-v-kvartire-materialy-i-varianty-dizajna/
- https://www.beinten.ru/arka-v-kvartire-osobennosti-oformleniya-vidy-dizajn-varianty-otdelki/
- https://BestDoor.guru/otdelka/arki.html
- https://prostilno.ru/otdelka/mezhkomnatnye-arki.html
Disadvantages of the arch
Often, apartment owners decide to demolish the door just because they liked the photo of the arch in the interior of a modern kitchen. However, before deciding on redevelopment, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances.
The kitchen is a source of odors, so when installing the arch, you should take into account that closing the door so that the apartment does not smell of food will no longer be possible. Another drawback is the lack of sound insulation.
For those who value the opportunity to be alone and do not tolerate noise well, it is better to consider the traditional option with a door.
Tips for use
In order not to spoil the repair, to eliminate additional expenses on finishing and building materials, you need to take into account some nuances:
- Drywall does not like moisture; too much moisture can cause it to fall apart.
- Complete drying of the finishing material takes at least 12 hours.
- To prevent rust stains from appearing on the surface over time, it is better to use galvanized screws or stainless steel fasteners for fastening.
- To prevent the plaster from spilling out, it is necessary to screw in the screws to a clearly indicated depth.
The finishing material must be selected and used strictly for its intended purpose. For example, for multi-level ceilings and curved structures, arched material is used, which can be given any shape, and for walls, a more dense wall material with a number of additional advantages is suitable. Sheets must be used within a few days of purchase.
For methods you can use to bend drywall, see the video below.
Types of arches in the kitchen
The arch in the kitchen can be of any shape, even the most unusual. However, the most common options are:
- Traditional arch (semicircle)
- Flat
- Arch in the form of a triangle
- Trapezoid arch
- Arch in the form of figures
- curved arch
Traditional arch
Those wishing to install an arch between the kitchen must take into account the structure of the house and its supports. The traditional semicircular arch is the best option.
It is considered the strongest, allows you to evenly distribute the load on the supports and do without complex installation and additional reinforcements.
Flat arch
Second most popular. The semi-arch is also durable and reliable. She looks quite stylish, but not too pretentious.
Note!
- U-shaped kitchen: pros and cons of the U-shaped layout. Methods of arranging furniture, dividing into working and dining areas. Photos and videos of design ideas
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- Short curtains for the kitchen - features of using short curtains in small and large kitchens. Advantages and disadvantages of fabric materials (photo + video)
Curved and polygonal arches
They look extravagant, but are not the best choice. Such arches distribute the load unevenly and will require additional reinforcement. Also, an arch of an unusual shape will not fit into every interior.
However, you can create your own kitchen design with an arch, in which case such an unusual solution will look harmonious.
How to make an arch using an “inset” interior arch with a rectangular vault
The easiest and most cost-effective way to make an arched rectangular opening with your own hands and frame it at the same time is to simply buy and install an inset interior arch with a rectangular arch as in the pictures below.
- Sometimes the inlay of an arched frame structure requires increasing the height and widening the rectangular opening. Another disadvantage is that the frame of the structure will be visible;
- It is not always possible to find a ready-made arch in the desired size and shape.
An example of what an interior arch between the kitchen and living room looks like in a classic interior is shown in the following photo.
You can see how to assemble and install a finished arched structure with your own hands in the following video instructions:
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What are arches made of?
Depending on the material, the types of arches in the kitchen are:
- From plasterboard
- Brick
- Wooden
- Plastic
Drywall arch
The most common option. This arch is very easy to make. Drywall is easy to work with and requires a maximum of 5 sheets per opening.
After installing the arch, it will look very unpresentable, however, this can be easily corrected with paint or decorative tiles.
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Installation of the frame and fastening of the side elements
First, we secure the metal profile guide at the top of the opening with dowels. Then the same guides are fastened on the sides - from the top corner to the end of the arched curve.
The side guides must be the same in length, otherwise the arch will turn out crooked.
Next we move on to making the arc-shaped profile. In a regular metal profile, cuts are made and it is bent. You will need two arc-shaped parts. To maximize the accuracy of the frame, we try it on to the previously made side parts. To fasten the profile with vertical guides, dowels are used, and with plasterboard, self-tapping screws are used.
Next, the side arc-shaped parts are attached to the frame with self-tapping screws. Now it's the turn of the curved element.
Plastic arch
Like a plasterboard arch, it is easy to manufacture and install. However, such an arch often looks cheap and will forgive the interior.
If the remaining rooms have a chic designer renovation, it is better to choose an arch trimmed with stone or brick.
Wallpaper
Learn how to wallpaper an arch below. This option for finishing the arch is the most affordable for the consumer. Another benefit is the wide range of prints and designs available, making wallpaper perhaps the most creative finishing option for your arch. In this case, you can choose one wallpaper for the arch and another for the rest of the room to highlight it, but the main thing here is not to overdo it with highlighting the structure, that is, you cannot choose minimalist wallpaper for the room and, for example, photo wallpaper with a picture of the sea. This means that one should smoothly flow into the other, i.e. the wallpaper can be different, but with the same design style.
Advice for installing wallpaper on an arch. When decorating the outer part of the arch with wallpaper, you should slightly bend the wallpaper inward and, stepping back from the corner literally a millimeter, cut off the unnecessary piece. Having done this on both outer sides, you should stick the wallpaper on the inside of the arch. If you do everything following this advice, then the joints on the wallpaper will look a little more natural, because there won’t be that random white stripe between the sheets of wallpaper.
It is very important to level the surface on which the wallpaper will be pasted in order to achieve an aesthetic appearance of the wallpaper pattern. This is done with ordinary putty.
To save mortar, you can only putty the joints of plasterboard plates, since the rest of this material is often perfectly smooth.
Let's talk about the disadvantages. Yes, we have washable wallpaper, thick wallpaper with a supposedly long lifespan, but this does not change the fact that the period of operation of any wallpaper, no matter how much it is praised by the manufacturer or seller, is still short. Often, it lasts about 2-4 years with careful use and proper care.
Wooden arch
It looks beautiful, but is best suited for a rustic style kitchen. After the brick arch, it is the most expensive in terms of cost of materials. Typically, arches are made from glued blocks of coniferous trees.
Looking at the interior of the kitchen with an arch in the photo, you can see that such a passage design can be done in any apartment.
Decorative elements and finishing materials
To decorate interior arches, various decorative options are used: paint, stucco, artificial or natural stone, marble, as well as panels and ceramic tiles.
Often these materials are combined with each other. This is how beautiful arches are obtained by combining travertine with marble or stucco. Moreover, the materials can be arranged both in a clear sequence and chaotically.
Arch made of natural stone
Leveling the room with arches
A bendable plastic corner is also used for decorative finishing. It not only emphasizes the shape of the structure, but also gives it strength. Additionally, the arch is decorated with thread curtains, wooden curtains, etc.
Additionally, the arch is decorated with thread curtains
The decor of the arches in the apartment is made from:
- Polyurethane. Smooth and flexible material is used to create the effect of stucco or pediments. In addition, it can be used to make a frame for arched structures.
- Stone. It looks impressive in the interior, but it is important that the frame of the opening is reliable, since a hollow arch will not withstand the large weight of the stone. More often, the original finishing is made of marble, granite, slate, shell rock or travertine.
- Tiles on an acrylic base. The material is distinguished by its ease of care, low price and effective appearance. It may resemble brick, marble or stone.
- Drywall. He is often chosen to create an arch with his own hands. The material is easy to work with and has little weight.
- Moldingov. They can be metal, marble, wood or polyurethane. The latter are distinguished by their acceptable cost, strength and durability.
- Laminate. It allows you to create the texture of real wood on the surface, but unlike natural wood it is lighter in weight and has a lower price.
- Brick. This design looks unusual. The masonry can be very different - both continuous and made in the form of separate bricks.
- Wood. Wooden arches are often used when decorating premises in a classic style. Their surface can be smooth or decorated with carved elements.
Wooden arches are often used when decorating premises in a classic style
Stucco molding and PVC decor
Stucco molding, as well as inexpensive polystyrene foam products in the form of various shapes and lace will help instantly decorate any arch. Due to their low weight, they are easily glued to the plasterboard base.
Wallpaper
Wallpapering is one of the most affordable ways to decorate arched structures. It will only require more skill and accuracy than on smooth walls so that the seams are not visible.
Plaster
Using decorative plaster, an arched opening can be given a different texture. The end part can be decorated with spotlights.
The photo shows an apartment in a modern style. An arched opening connects the room with a balcony. The interior is decorated with plaster with a wave-like pattern.
Mosaic
Modern mosaics are made from different materials, such as glass, ceramics, stone and others. Finishing can be done only on the inside or extend onto the wall.
Tree
As noted above, a frame is created from wood. It resembles a door frame, only without the door. They are usually made to order, in production. Such a product can no longer be decorated with stucco or stone, except perhaps to decorate the wall next to the frame.
Fits perfectly into the classic style.
Painting
One of the simplest, but nevertheless popular finishing methods. The arch in the wall may differ in color, thereby focusing attention.
Glass
It looks original, expensive and elegant. Most often, a frame is created with windows for glass; the result is a fairly wide arc, decorated with glass inserts.
You should not be afraid that careless handling of the product will damage it; the main thing is not to play with the ball at home.
Wood veneer
Veneer is a material that differs from solid wood at an acceptable cost. It is actively used for finishing rooms of all types and in furniture elements. Veneer is the thinnest wood “sheets” that are glued onto a base of MDF or chipboard.
Its “front” side has a wood texture with a unique natural pattern. Arches finished with veneer look noble and elegant. An original addition to them will be decorative niches, which are painted in discreet colors and provided with lighting.
Mirror design
Mirror is an amazing material. It looks impressive and helps to visually enlarge the room. In addition, the mirror details shimmer beautifully in the light.
Brick
Surprisingly, brick fits any style. For example, Mexican style, loft, Provence, neoclassical or classic, etc. This idea will allow you to decorate a corner without losing precious space.
Decorative rock
Natural or artificial stone will perfectly frame the opening, giving the interior a luxurious and complete look.
Plastic
Budget finishing option. Plastic panels can be miniature, only protecting the corner site, or in the form of wide strips, imitating, for example, a wooden or stone covering.
Gypsum
A plaster arch allows you to turn an ordinary doorway into a real work of art with the smallest details, and the cost will be very affordable. Gypsum finishing can be purchased ready-made or created with your own hands.
The photo shows a living room with an arch of an unusual symmetrical shape. The decoration is made of plaster and complemented with stucco moldings.
Liquid wallpaper
A convenient material for decorating arches made of wood and plasterboard structures. It has undeniable advantages. An arch in an apartment decorated with this type of decoration will remain beautiful for a long time.
- The surface made of plasterboard sheets is leveled and cleared of pronounced irregularities. Treated with antiseptic and primer.
- While the primer composition is drying, the dry mixture for liquid wallpaper is diluted in a separate container following the recommendations of the instructions on the packaging.
- The mixture is applied from the top point of the arc downwards. A small amount of wallpaper is placed on a spatula and distributed over the opening using leveling movements. The pieces protruding beyond the edges are removed with a stationery knife after the composition has dried.
Pros:
Glitter is added to dry mixtures of such wallpaper; after drying, pleasant shimmers will appear from exposure to sunlight. The contrasting color of the arch advantageously focuses attention on it.
- If surface damage occurs, it is easy to repair the damaged area.
- Easy to apply and no preparation difficulties when working with wallpaper.
- A large number of available flowers in stores.
Flaws
- Without a protective transparent coating, they do not tolerate exposure to direct sunlight.
Clinker tiles
The ideal solution would be clinker tiles. It looks like masonry, only the clinker brick is much thinner and will not take up precious space.
However, this option is limited in color, usually it is red-brown, but there are also light beige, sand, golden and other shades in a similar, warm range.
With shelves
The available design option will be part of the open passage, and will allow you to get unaccounted space for storing souvenirs, figurines, and hand-made items.
Varnish finish
If an arch made of solid wood is placed in the opening, with its good texture, this is the best option; There is simply no better solution. The only thing you have to think about is how exactly to make the decor.
There is a large assortment of varnishes - transparent and tinted compositions, in different shades. Some fully emphasize all the advantages of wood, while others can somewhat neutralize the existing disadvantages.
In principle, when installing just such arches, you can show the fullness of your imagination. Even a cheap species can easily be given the appearance of an expensive tree or transformed. There is enough technology; for example, artificial aging, brushing, bleaching and a number of others.
In some cases, it is much easier to cover the arch with a decorative film that imitates a wooden base. A more than good solution if low-grade lumber was used to finish the opening in order to save money.
Cork
Interior arches made of cork are the pinnacle of style. To maintain novelty, it is necessary to add bright touches to the decor.
Textile
Another original finishing method, but it is not practiced very often. Here, a lot depends on the interior of the room, and therefore there is no need to consider this option for arch design as the best design solution.
A significant drawback of any fabric is that it absorbs odors and moisture. This is the main difficulty of this finishing technique; The decor of the arch is largely determined by the place in the house where it is installed. Therefore, there are limitations in such decoration.
For example, at the entrance to the kitchen or hallway, it hardly makes sense to decorate the arches with fabric. In relation to an apartment with a standard layout, the only option is an opening leading to the living room.
With columns
In a large house outside the city or in a spare room, you can inlay the portals with columns. For a small room, such an idea would be inappropriate. When starting to build columns, you need to take into account that they must blend into the existing surroundings. Picturesque columns can be complemented with stucco.
Tile
Rarely used for finishing doorways, since the installation procedure is too complicated, requires special skills and a large number of narrow-profile tools. Ceramic tiles cannot be laid on plasterboard structures due to the large weight of the tiles together with the connecting mortar.
Installation requires thorough preparatory work. The final result, unfortunately, does not make a worthy impression. The arch looks heavy and is outwardly reduced in width. Tile belongs to the category of expensive materials.
painting
Handmade work is valued above all else. A custom country house project is created with hand painting. The style of painting can suit the overall decor and be in tandem with the furniture. In rare cases, it is recommended to attach a cliche.
With moldings
Simple and beautiful. Moldings can be polyurethane, metal, marble, or wood. A large selection of moldings allows you to carry out design work in accordance with the direction. Liquid nails are used to attach moldings. The elements protect corners and hide uneven surfaces.
Polyurethane molding is the most reliable. Advantages: lightweight, looks rich, can be used for a long time.
Backlit
Recessed lights, LED strip and recessed lights are appropriate for decorating the arc on the inside.
Plaster finishing
This option is the cheapest and has a number of advantages.
Firstly, you can do without builders and do the finishing yourself.
Secondly, lighting can be installed in the plaster arch if desired.
Thirdly, due to the plasticity of the material, it is possible to imitate any other type of finish.
Masonry
Such an arch looks rich, presentable and evokes associations with medieval castles. This type of masonry is very difficult to perform, so it is better to hire a specialist.
A stone arch will not be cheap, but will last for many years.
Dimensions of arched vaults
The size of the arched opening depends on the height of the ceiling in the room and the width of the doorway. For a room 2.5-3.2 meters high, choose an arch ranging in size from 2.2 to 2.6 meters. However, these figures are relative. Although it is not worth adjusting the arched passage to the very ceiling. This will ruin the appearance of the room.
The size of the arched opening depends on the height of the ceiling in the room and the width of the doorway
Narrow models are an alternative to single-leaf swing doors, and wide models are an alternative to double-leaf and accordion doors. Often narrow structures are installed between the corridor and the room, and wide ones are installed in the passages leading to the living room or dining room. They also help zone the room.
Arches help zone the room. Often, wide arches are installed in the passages leading to the living room. The illuminated arch looks impressive in the interior.
Brickwork
This arch looks original and brutal. As with masonry, it's best to trust a professional and not try to install it yourself.
Styles
Classic
Classic style is calm tones without sharp transitions, the absence of bright decor and ornate stucco. Therefore, it is better to give preference to an arch with soft, round arches and correct geometry. To decorate it, it is better to choose wood.
If you are interested in decorating arched doorways beautifully, photos of examples will help you get ideas for inspiration.
Modern
In a modern style, such as minimalism or hi-tech, decorative finishing may be completely absent. A simple doorway shape can be finished with the same material as the walls.
Romanticism
The romanticism style is often used when decorating studio apartments and “Stalin” apartments. Usually in such premises there are wide openings with double doors. Instead of them, you can install an arch. Its optimal width is one meter or more, and the distance from the ceiling to the highest point is 50 cm and above. If the last number is smaller, the structure will look like a regular door.
The characteristic features of arches in the romanticism style is the absence of a clearly defined arc. The back part of the structure is almost straight. In addition, there are no sharp corners, and the transitions to the side parts are rounded. Natural or artificial stone, as well as brickwork, are often used for framing.
The characteristic features of arches in the style of romanticism is the absence of a clearly defined arc
To frame an arch in the romantic style, natural stone is often used.
Loft
The ideal material for finishing an apartment in a fashionable loft style is brick and its imitation. The arch in a brick wall with the effect of scuffs and aging looks harmonious. In order to make the interior of the apartment lighter, the brick can be painted in a light shade.
Scandinavian
The interior of the apartment in the Scandinavian style is bright, light and not overloaded with unnecessary details. The arch can be made of bleached wood, plaster or painted brick. Scandinavian-style finishing is made mainly from natural materials.
Country
The rustic style is characterized by simplicity and the use of natural materials - wood, stone or laminate. They help make the room cozy and connect with nature.
Arches in a rustic style are characterized by simplicity and the use of natural materials
Modern
Interiors in the Art Nouveau style are characterized by bright colors, unexpected changes, and originality of shapes. Therefore, the arch must be appropriate - with a clearly defined arc and rounded transitions to the side parts. For decoration you can use painted stained glass windows and fabric drapery.
Arch in modern style with a clearly marked arc and rounded transitions on the side parts
East style
It is difficult to imagine the eastern interior of an apartment without an arched doorway of a beautiful round shape. The arch can be complemented with beautiful inserts and panels. The wall arch does not require additional elements.
Wood masonry
It looks impressive and is perfect for a kitchen designed in Provence or country style. The material itself is also quite strong and durable.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to lay out such an arch yourself, since there are many nuances in working with wood. It is better not to risk trying to work with fairly thin products and hire an experienced specialist.
How to bend drywall
One important detail: standard wall plasterboard does not bend well. For curved surfaces, they specially came up with thin ones - 6 and 6 mm thick. This bent part is easier to make from it. With a slight curvature, such a thin sheet can bend easily and without tricks. If you don’t want to buy thin GVL, there are two ways to bend the standard one.
The first is to take a needle roller and roll the cut section well on one side. You need to roll with force so that the plaster breaks. Then the leaf is soaked in water and left for two to three hours. After such procedures, it should bend quite well. You take it, fix it on one side, and gradually press it against the arch frame, bend it, gradually screwing it along the edges with self-tapping screws. The method is not bad, but if there is a lack of experience and insufficient processing of the gypsum, the sheet may burst. You will either have to mask the gap later, or start over.
Roll the strip with a roller with needles
The second way to bend drywall: on one side, make notches with a knife approximately every 4-5 cm. The notches should cut the paper.
This strip is also gradually fixed, breaking the plaster as necessary. It bursts along the cut lines with light pressure. Notches on one side make it easy to break the plaster
Installing the arch yourself
Many people wonder how to make an arch in the kitchen without turning to specialists. This is possible, but you will have to say goodbye to the door and dismantle it along with the door frame.
To make the space of the kitchen and the adjacent room look wider, you need to try to enlarge the opening itself during dismantling. However, if the wall is load-bearing, it is better not to do this to avoid cracks.
Next, you need to take measurements of the future arch and install its frame. The frame is made of aluminum. It is necessary to make cuts on the guides at equal intervals, bend them in the shape of the letter “P” and put them on the thickness of the sheet. The frame is fixed to the slopes with fasteners.
After installing the frame, you need to cut out two parts using a stencil. Then the arc of the arch is measured and aluminum guides are attached along its edge using self-tapping screws. To make aluminum bend better, you need to make cuts on it every 10 centimeters.
You need to lay a sheet of plasterboard on the arch frame and putty the insides. The void can also be filled with plaster.
To prevent the sheet of drywall from breaking in half, as in the case of an aluminum frame, you need to make cuts at regular intervals every 10 centimeters.
When the putty or plaster is dry, we can assume that the arch is almost ready. Now you can start decorating it by choosing one of the methods above.
Sizes and shapes
Of course, no one argues that large arches look better in spacious rooms. Arches can be part of the hall, kitchen, dressing room. In small apartments they will be less noticeable, and in some places they are completely contraindicated.
Most often, for city apartments, designers recommend arches of unusual shapes and sizes. The size can be adjusted using the previously mentioned drywall. Due to the fact that the weight of the arches does not affect the side walls in any way, the structure does not become loose over time.
In this regard, experts also recommend equipping figured arches with glass or a mirror. A mirror visually increases the space, and this will be useful in small rooms. As for glass, due to its physical property (it transmits light), it will be possible to additionally illuminate the room from the opposite side.
In recent years, the semicircular arch has been gaining popularity among customers, especially in the so-called Khrushchev buildings. The openings in houses of this type are not very large, and if you also reduce them with your own hands, then you can only walk into the room by lowering your head.
A semicircular arch is a kind of intermediate state between a rectangular structure and the usual round one. But at the same time, it, in turn, is also equipped with switches and lamps, which means, from a functional point of view, it is in no way inferior to them.
