Stunning Arched Doorway Ideas to Transform Your Home

arched door opening inspiration via BHG

As many of you know, last year we moved into a small 1950s house in Seattle and have spent the past twelve months planning a remodel of our galley kitchen. After exploring several ideas, both large and small, we settled on a plan that feels right for our home and budget. Last week the work finally began, and I’m excited to share the progress. (UPDATE: The kitchen is complete — see our galley kitchen reveal and new arched doorways in the linked update.)

We chose not to remove walls or relocate the kitchen. Instead we decided to work within the existing footprint and enhance the space. The room has been gutted to make way for new cabinets, flooring, countertops and appliances, but the basic layout — windows, appliance locations, doorways and walls — will remain the same.

UPDATE 2019: Come see the transformation of our home with two new archways in the kitchen!

Arch Details / Kitchen Details

inspiration via Old Seagrove Homes

Living with the kitchen for a year before starting the remodel proved valuable. Observing how the space functioned allowed us to identify meaningful improvements and prioritize where to spend our budget for the biggest impact.

I’ve always loved small houses and the creativity that comes from working within existing spaces to make them as charming and functional as possible. Designing this kitchen has been a fun process, and although the space is currently a construction zone, we’re eager to see the finishing touches go in over the coming weeks.

This week the contractor removed the two existing interior doorways and began framing new arched openings. The widths of the doorways won’t change much because of spatial constraints, but the arched tops will bring a subtle architectural character that we’re very excited about.

Interestingly, our interior wood doors already feature an arched molding detail, so the new openings will echo an existing design element and help unify the home’s aesthetic.

TRI Traci Rhoads Interiors

Doors can sometimes feel like barriers between rooms, while open arched openings create a graceful, inviting flow between spaces. They provide a sense of connection while still defining separate areas.

Below I’m sharing a selection of inspiration photos showcasing kitchens and interiors with arched openings. Many show grand, dreamy archways, but even modest, well-proportioned arches can lend charm and personality to a small house like ours.