Arch Madness

When arches first appeared a few years ago, I was thrilled. After all, I too have arches in my house. But now it seems like we’ve taken them too far. Arch hallways, arched hoods, arched doorways, arched mirrors, arched built-ins, rounded islands, curved sofas, arched shower niches, and scalloped millwork. Arches on arches and a side of more arches!! It had me thinking, has this trend gone too far and are we on the backend of its bell-curve? 

 

The short answer? Yes…and no (damn). 

 

First, the criticism is becoming more common (I knew I was on to something). For example, designers are already calling out overused “arched mirror” and hyper-curated soft-modern interiors as feeling repetitive and trend-driven rather than timeless. Arches are beautiful when authentic to the architecture. Fake decorative arches slapped into builder-grade homes can feel forced. 

 

Interior architectural features should be consistent with the rest of the house. Because not EVERY opening needs to look like a Mediterranean church!! And that’s the real key because arches done in context (e.g., Tudor with subtle barrel transition or Spanish Revival home with arches) have real impact but a 2004 suburban two-story with arched niche, arched pantry, arched mirror, arched headboard…starts feeling like a McDonald’s. 

 

Simply, one great arch > seven random arches. So, I concede, the trend is not “dead”…but it is maturing. Let’s go back to my bell curve comparison. I’d say:

See, I’m spot on. The trends that survive long-term are usually the one tied to human psychology rather than aesthetics alone. Curves make spaces feel safer, softer, and more welcoming. But hyper-stylized “TikTok arches” or “Instagram Insp” risk becoming the next barn doors (ugh, another trend over-used). 

 

The irony? I love arches—truly! The best arches feel inevitable. Architectural. Like they belonged there all along. That’s the divided line between trend…and timeless.