Although arches can be a great way to make a room stand out, it is difficult and costly to have an arched door or build an alcove. You can add some curvy appeal to your space by painting a few archways. Here are some ideas on how to paint an arch and how to incorporate it into your decor.
Tools and materials
You will need a pencil and painter’s tape. A thumbtack, sturdy string, or a piece of scrap wood that is long enough to reach half of your arch will be needed.
Scale and proportion
You don’t have to follow rigid rules to place an arch. Using paint to create one is a great way to get rid of structural concerns. Keep in mind scale and proportion. To make it proportional, a centered arch should not exceed one-third of the wall’s width. It can be extended to the top if you wish it to. However, you should leave enough wall color around the edges to allow you to see the shape and not blend into the background. For height, the arch should not be too close to the ceiling or wall.
Place your arch
Once you have determined the arch width you want, measure from each wall to ensure it is properly placed. You can use the corner of the wall to be arched and mark the center. Draw the sides of the arch at an equal distance from the center mark.
Draw your arch
After you have marked the sides of the arch, mask them with painter’s tape. The top portion of an arch is the most difficult to draw, but there are tricks that can help make it easier. You can easily draw a curve using a pencil and a piece string. Mark the wall by marking the center of the mark you made. Attach a pencil to the string. Next, measure the length of the arch and trim it to the required length. Secure your string to the arch’s center point with a thumbtack and draw a half-circle, keeping the string taut.
This same task can be done with a scrap piece of wood. You will need to drill a hole at the end. Next, measure the arch’s width and drill another hole. Secure the scrap with a thumbtack through the hole in the middle of the arch. Stick your pencil through the second hole. Move the wood in half-circles across the wall using your makeshift compass. To guide you, you can draw the half circle on a piece cardboard.
Your arch can be painted
After your arch has been drawn on the wall, place your drop cloth down and paint it. If you are skilled at painting straight lines, you can either use your brush to cut along the line or painter’s tape for masking the edges.
