How to Decorate an Archway in Your Home

by Lauren Lerner | Feb 28, 2024 | Interior Design Tips, Modern Interior Design Ideas

Updated October 2026

To decorate an interior archway, pick one move and commit to it: paint or limewash the arch in a contrasting color, outline it with trim or a plaster return, light it, or frame it with a plant, mirror or piece of art. Which one works depends on your home’s style and how much the arch is already doing. Lauren Lerner, principal designer at Living with Lolo, tells Scottsdale clients that an arch should read as architecture first and decor second. This guide covers style, color, materials, styling and upkeep, plus what the latest buyer data says about arched doorways.

Choosing the Right Style For Your Archway

Every home has a story, and each archway within it has a role in the narrative. Whether your tale is one of timeless elegance, minimalist efficiency, playful rebellion, or down-to-earth charm, your style choice should align with the broader theme of your home’s interior. A classic arch might be best suited for homes with Victorian or Spanish revival influences, while a modern home could showcase angular, sleek archway decor that echoes its contemporary lines.

What the Data Shows About Arched Doorways

Arched doorways get a 14.4% boost in daily buyer engagement on Zillow listings, according to the Zillow Buzz Index released April 2026. That ranks them in the top tier of more than 600 home features Zillow analyzed. Houzz reported that online searches for "arched cabinets" tripled in a single year, as covered by Florida Realtors in April 2025. The curve is showing up in cabinetry, mirrors and furniture, not just doorways.

In Scottsdale the arch is a regional tradition, not a passing trend. Spanish Colonial, Santa Barbara and Mediterranean homes in Paradise Valley, Silverleaf and Arcadia are often built around plaster arches. That gives an arch decorated with restraint a long shelf life here. The Living with Lolo team often keeps an existing arch quiet with a soft limewash, then lets the room beyond it carry the color.

Color Schemes and Theme Harmony

The colors and themes you choose should harmonize with the adjacent spaces and the broader decor of your home. A gentle, neutral palette can help maintain a sense of flow, while a boldly colored archway can act as a statement piece. Think about using thematic elements for cohesion; beach-themed archway decorating ideas could integrate tones of blue and green accents.

Exploring Materials and Textures

Noble wood brings warmth, metal can convey an industrial edge, and fabric drapes can add a touch of royal opulence to your archway. For the truly daring, living walls or climbing vines can bring the outside in, blurring the line between interior and exterior spaces. Textures play a crucial role, too; mixing materials like rough stone with smooth glass can create a textural interplay that’s visually and tactilely pleasing. If this feels like a lot of decisions, the Living with Lolo interior design services team can help you choose finishes that suit the whole house, not just the opening.

Integrating Decor Elements Creatively

An archway is like a page in a decorating story that begs to be written on. Mirrors can amplify light and add depth, artwork can tell a story or imbue a space with emotion, lighting can cast dramatic shadows, and plants can add a vibrant, natural touch. Tip: if you’re unsure where to start with these archway door ideas, think of your archway as a gallery wall in progress but in 3D.

Personalization and Keeping Up With Trends

Your home should reflect your personality, and your archway is no exception. Customized elements, family heirlooms, or even a commissioned mural can make it unmistakably your own. Still, keeping an eye on current design trends can keep your decor feeling fresh and relevant. Remember: a trend is a guideline, not a rule.

Maintenance and Care: The Invisible Art of Archway Love

No matter how beautiful your decor is, neglect can turn even the most regal arch into a Cinderella at midnight. Regular cleaning, occasional light touch-ups, and preventive maintenance can ensure that your archways look their best and last a lifetime. Plus, it’s a great excuse to give that arch some much-deserved attention.

You now know how to decorate an archway in your home. If you’re planning a larger update, Living with Lolo is an interior designer in Scottsdale and a licensed general contractor (ROC #347577), named Phoenix Magazine Best Interior Design in 2024, 2025 and 2026. You can also browse the Living with Lolo portfolio for finished projects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Decorating an Archway

How do you decorate an interior archway?

Decorate an interior archway by choosing one focal move: paint or limewash the arch in a contrasting tone, add trim or a plaster return to outline the curve, install a picture light or sconces on either side, or frame it with a plant, mirror or art. One strong choice reads better than several small ones. Lauren Lerner usually starts with the wall finish, because color and texture change how the curve reads from across the room. Styling comes after that.

What color should I paint an archway?

Paint an archway either one or two shades darker than the surrounding wall for a soft outline, or in a fully contrasting color to make it a statement. Warm whites, clay, terracotta and sage suit most Arizona homes because they work with natural desert light. In Scottsdale homes, the Living with Lolo team often uses limewash or Roman clay on arches. The slight movement in those finishes softens the curve and hides the small dings that high-traffic openings collect.

Are arched doorways still in style in 2026?

Yes, arched doorways are still in style in 2026. According to the Zillow Buzz Index released in April 2026, listings with arched doorways get a 14.4% boost in daily buyer engagement, placing them in Zillow's top tier of more than 600 features analyzed. The arches that age best are the ones that match the architecture of the home. A plaster arch in a Spanish Colonial home looks intentional. An arch added to a strictly modern home without a reason can feel like a trend.

Can you add an arch to an existing doorway?

Yes, you can usually add an arch to an existing doorway, but it is a construction change, not a decor project. The opening has to be reframed, and if the wall is load-bearing, the header may need to be engineered and permitted. Get a licensed contractor to check the wall before you commit. Living with Lolo is a licensed Arizona general contractor (ROC #347577), so design and construction for this kind of change happen under one team.

Who can help design archways in Scottsdale?

Living with Lolo, the Scottsdale interior design and design-build firm led by Lauren Lerner, designs and builds archways as part of remodels and full-home projects across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Silverleaf and Arcadia. The firm holds Arizona ROC license #347577 and was named Phoenix Magazine Best Interior Design in 2024, 2025 and 2026. You can book a discovery call to talk through your project.

Lauren Lerner

Lauren Lerner is the founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo, Scottsdale’s luxury interior design and licensed design-build firm. Named Phoenix Magazine Best Interior Design three consecutive years, Lauren leads projects from concept through construction for high-end homes in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix.

livingwithlolo.com/

About Living with Lolo

Living with Lolo is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based luxury interior design and construction firm. The company specializes in full-service interior design, design-build remodeling, and construction-led renovations for high-end residential homes in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix. Living with Lolo manages both interior design and licensed general contracting under one roof, guiding projects from concept through construction and white-glove installation.