Soften Your Home With DIY Arch Kits That Are Super Simple To Install

Even when your room's design feels complete, you have one more chance to enhance the appeal even before you walk into the space. Fashionable entryways put the finishing touch on an attractive home, and arches are among the top options for those wanting a luxurious upgrade. Arched entrances soften the room, creating an openness and elegance that can work with several interior styles. It's an eye-catching changeup from the norm that's effortless to pull off with user-friendly products.

Traditionally, an arched entryway involves a wood frame and arching drywall. YouTuber Shannon Elizabeth shows how this can be straightforward if you make precise cuts and use the right tools and materials. Unfortunately, while this method lets you make a durable custom arch to suit your tastes, it's hardly the most convenient for the average DIY-er. But now, anyone can pull off an attractive overhaul with simple solutions. Make your own styrofoam archways, or take the easy route with ready-to-use kits. Grab a pre-made arch (such as this drywall kit from theSimpleARCH), and you can seamlessly integrate a rounded corner in a few hassle-free steps. Once you see the simplicity, you can imagine almost any arch style to give your room the inspiring introduction it deserves.

The exact process for setting up your DIY arches will vary depending on the product. Fortunately, they're all easy to use and only need a handful of extra materials. As Instagram DIY-er Deanna Mai shows us, some pieces have backings that run against the frame. You only need to attach these to the frame with construction adhesive. Apply the glue and position the arch, holding it in place with tape until the glue sets. You can then apply joint compound to the seams and sand it to smooth the transitions. With some paint to match the room, the arches perfectly mesh with the wall.

Drywall arches without sides or backing (i.e., simple curved drywall strips) work differently. You'll need drywall pieces to fill in the sides of the arch, and short 1x4 blocks may be necessary to hold everything on the entryway frame. YouTube channel Archways & Ceilings walks us through the general install process. Unlike in the video, you won't have to make the curved drywall strip if you use a kit like theSimpleARCH — you only have to add the wood supports, drywall sides, and compound to blend it all together. You may have to remove some of the drywall from the entryway frame to seat the arch. The strips are about ¼- to ½-inch thick, so they have to sit against the entryway's wood frame. The surface will then be flush with the surrounding drywall.

Clean, rounded shapes are far from the only option for your DIY arches. For instance, you can swap the curves for mitered boards at 45-degree angles to match a modern aesthetic. Or, you could add classy features with corbels. Although we normally see them under shelves and counters, these artistic details give entryways a creative stylistic direction. Ornate decorations offer traditional and vintage appeal, while heavy, natural wood adds a rustic look. With paint and other finishes, it's easy to get your favorite design to match the space.

DIY arches are also renter-friendly! Landlords typically don't want tenants ripping out and reapplying framing and drywall to install an arch. Kits and corbels, on the other hand, can go up and come down with little modification to the surrounding area. Sure, construction adhesives bonding the arch to the wall can make removal a chore. But, for an easy-to-remove alternative, you can use double-sided adhesives like Command strips. Attaching the frame to the arch surface, these make the pieces pain-free to uninstall without damaging the entryway. You can still cover the seams with joint compound; if you use corbels, a paintable acrylic-latex caulk can fill the gaps. Both will be easy to cut out and tidy up when you're ready to take the arches down. Clean and simple, these solutions are another clever way to update boring entryways and give your rooms a stylish upgrade.