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Designing with Intent: The Power of the Arch in Contemporary Interiors

By Selina Zwolsman posted 04-06-2025 11:05 PM

  

Arches are enjoying a well-earned revival in modern interior design, offering designers a graceful alternative to rectilinear forms. Long valued for their architectural lineage and visual rhythm, arches introduce a sense of softness and flow, bridging the past with the present. 

In today's interiors, arches transcend traditional applications. Designers are integrating curves into joinery, splashbacks, wall niches, and paint treatments. These elements soften the space, encourage movement, and offer visual contrast to harder lines and materials.

KBDi were pleased to see so many beautifully resolved arches in this year's Design Awards program. The following entries show how curves can be used with creativity and purpose.

Maria Cerne | Studio Black Interiors, ACT
Maria Cerne of Studio Black Interiors (ACT) executed this elegant kitchen beautifully, drawing on curved forms and tactile finishes to create a serene, cohesive environment. The arched buffet bar echoes the geometry of the home's front door. This considered detail is a perfect example of holistic design and unity.
Bav Kizilkaya | A1 Design Studio, NSW

Bav Kizilkaya of A1 Design Studio (NSW) took cues from the home's broader architectural vocabulary. The black-framed stone splashback serves as a visual anchor, elegantly echoing other curves throughout the home—proof that repetition and rhythm can be a game changer in design.

Beyond their aesthetic charm, arches can define zones within open-plan spaces, providing a spatial cue without enclosure. When strategically positioned, an archway can preserve connection while suggesting separation.

Jennifer Backhouse | Let's Talk Kitchens and Interiors, Vic

Jennifer Backhouse (Let's Talk Kitchens and Interiors, Vic) used an attractive arched opening to reconnect a disused dining room with a freshly renovated kitchen. Retrofitting an arch in a solid brick wall took technical finesse but delivered spatial continuity and flow.

The impact of an arch can be amplified with material and colour choice. Contrasting hues, textured surfaces, or repeating forms can elevate a curve from mere embellishment to a striking design statement.

Bre Tarca | Eve Road Studio
Bre Tarca of Eve Road Studio embraced contrast with confidence, painting this arch in Porter's Explorer Blue. The cheerful palette energises the space and draws the eye to the entryway—a great example of form and colour working in tandem.
Birdblack Design, NSW

The Birdblack Design team used archways to honour cultural context while maintaining a modern edge. Inspired by their client's Sri Lankan heritage, these bold openings create movement, drama, and dialogue within the kitchen's layered design.

Back to School: The History and Geometry of Arches


Arches have been used in architecture for thousands of years, originating in Mesopotamia and reaching their pinnacle in ancient Roman engineering. The Romans perfected the true arch, enabling the construction of vast aqueducts, bridges, and monumental buildings like the Colosseum. During the Gothic period, pointed arches enabled the construction of soaring cathedrals and intricate vaulting. The Renaissance revived classical semi-circular forms, while Islamic architecture introduced horseshoe and ogee variations. Arches remained prominent throughout the Baroque and Neoclassical eras and experienced a resurgence in 20th-century modernism. Today, they're celebrated not just for structural efficiency but also for their elegance, versatility, and timeless appeal across architectural styles.


Understanding the geometry behind an arch is crucial to both its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. Below are four common arch types frequently used in interior architecture:

KBDi Four Common Arches

Semi-Circular Arch

A perfect half-circle, this arch is rooted in Roman tradition. It has an equal rise and radius, creating a bold, symmetrical curve that often requires greater clearance height.

Segmental Arch

Flatter and less dramatic than a semi-circular arch, this shape is formed from a segment of a circle. It's ideal for openings with limited head height and offers a more relaxed curve.

Three-Centred Arch

Also known as a basket-handle arch, this form uses three arcs to create a broader, more elliptical curve. It allows for generous width without excessive rise, making it ideal for doorways and wide transitions.

Four-Centred Arch

Often associated with Tudor or Persian architecture, this arch has a more pointed apex formed by four arcs. It offers a subtle, graceful silhouette well-suited to refined or formal interiors.

Each of these profiles offers unique opportunities for designers to influence spatial character, proportion, and visual movement.


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