Painted Arches: The Coolest New Paint Trick to Try

Featuring 5 stylish spaces that mastered the look.

Painted Arches

Add some serious drama and style to your home without having to pick up a hammer or pay for pricey pieces of crown molding. The internet is buzzing about painted arches — and you should be too. They’re the easiest way to makeover your space with only a little bit of paint. Fake the look of higher ceilings and more dramatic entries and exits by painting an arch on top of windows or doors in the same color. But don’t be afraid to mix it up and try different colors to create a fun, all-optical architectural detail that frames unique pieces of furniture, different zones in a room, or more utilitarian spaces. Think of painted arches like the new version of an accent wall, it’s a unique way to add a pop of color to a room that feels fresher than painting an entire wall – and it's an incredibly easy project to tackle. Painted arches mean less paint and mess than rolling out a whole wall and less stress than wallpaper. 

All in the Bag

Make an entryway or closet look extra stylish (even when it’s working hard to store your favorite bags) with a hook-framing arch. One of our most popular hues, Wing It, is neutral enough to match with a variety of other earthy colors but has just the right touch of blush to make it feel feminine.

Painted Arches

(Post: @prettyinthepines)

Warm It Up

A zen little nook gets a dose of warmth from our deep, orange-red Sriracha paint color. A bold and modern interpretation of the arch trend, don’t be afraid to try something other than a neutral paint color if you think it would benefit the look of the room. Balance bolder colors with dark, clean-lined neutral pieces for contrast.

Painted Arches

(Post: @herwoodhome)

Grab and Go

Again, add a little whimsy to a practical and small space in your home. Maybe there’s no room for a stunning piece of furniture, but you can create a station to stash bags and everything you need on your way out. Wing It for the win again here, playing up the rest of the pretty neutrals. 

Painted Arches

(Post: @peonyandhoney)

Double Trouble

Double the fun with double arches—this minimal, sunny bedroom gets a hit of color with the combination of two of our colors, Turbinado and Pop. Think of it like an easier to apply wall mural. If you’re looking for a more detailed and layered look incorporate wall hangings, shelving, or furniture pieces into the design.

Painted ArchesPainted Arches

(Post: @herwoodhome)

Curious to try this trend? It’s easy to do on your own!

How to create a painted arch:

  • Start by figuring out where you want to place your arch and how big it needs to be. Using a pencil and a straight edge, measure and mark where the sides of the arch will be. Use painter’s tape to create a template for the sides of the arch ensure a crisp line. 
  • To create the arch shape, tap a nail into place in the center of the section (between the two sides with the painter’s tape) you want to draw your half circle. Tie a piece of string around the nail and with your pencil in hand, use the string like a compass and gently trace your arch on the wall. 
  • Just like you would with trim, use an angled brush to cut in and create a clean edge on the arch. From there you can fill in the circle and the rest of the arch with a mini roller or larger roller depending on its size. If you’re overlapping colors, start with the lightest colors first then go over it with darker colors, it offers much better coverage with less coats of paint. 

Related: If you love this creative paint trick, you might also like 8 DIY Projects You Can Tackle in a Weekend!

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