6 Ways to Add Arches and Curves to Your Decor

An easy way to incorporate an arch into your decor is with a new mirror. Replacing your bathroom mirror with an arched version is a simple update you can do in an afternoon. The curve on the mirror balances out the hard angles of a square vanity and large windows. The bathroom mirror is the first and last thing you see in the bathroom, making it an automatic focal point. Choose a mirror with a thin frame in a complementary color to make it blend in or let the  arched mirror stand out by using a bold shade or different frame material. 

Look around your house for other areas to incorporate an arch mirror like over your mantle, in a gallery wall or near the front door. A full-length arch mirror makes a small room look bigger as it reflects a ton of light. It also provides the perfect spot to check your outfit of the day.

Another way to add an arch without undergoing major renovations is with an arch-shaped cabinet. Choose an open or glass-front bookcase with arched detailing if you want to display decorative items and small stacks of books. A round bookcase with solid doors helps you hide your collection of novels and knick-knacks when guests drop by. Your living room will look instantly cleaner without having to stash piles in another room.

Add an arch to any room with paint. This is a relatively small project that takes less than a gallon of paint and a few hours. Use a pencil and level to mark the wall where you want the arch. A string attached to a pencil at the mid-point between the two side lines helps you draw the perfect rounded arch at the top. Use painter’s tape on both sides to get a crisp line and freehand the top. The hardest part of a painted wall arch project is having the patience to let it dry so you can move furniture back in place. If you don’t want to paint, get the same look with an arch decal or patterned wallpaper. 

A floor lamp adds another layer of light in the room and gives it a cozy glow. Perfect for evenings, rainy days and slow mornings, an arc floor lamp simultaneously warms up the room and acts as a decor piece. The large, curved arm is the perfect complement to pieces like a tufted mid-century modern sofa or an angular coffee table. No matter which lamp you choose, the right light bulb makes all the difference. Soft white light bulbs under 3000k provide enough light to read and hang out comfortably without overwhelming the space with bright light. 

Look at your living room. What shapes do you see? If you see mostly straight lines and sharp corners, incorporating a few rounded pieces balances out your decor. The varied shapes help your eye travel around the room rather than focusing on a single point. The best rooms have a mix of shapes, colors and textures. Things like a round ottoman, a curved sofa or artwork featuring curves and swirls makes your room feel layered and interesting.

If you already have arched doorways or alcoves in your home, accentuate them! Use paint to draw attention to the arch. Painting the room on either side of the arch a different color makes the arch ways pop. You can also use wallpaper to get the same effect. If you already have alcoves built into your walls, paint them a slightly darker shade of your wall color to add dimension to the space.