Our contemporaries are increasingly undertaking grandiose redevelopments in their apartments, filling old interiors with new structures such as plasterboard niches, glass partitions and the like. Doorways are not left unattended either. Their traditional rectangular shape is replaced with an arched one. The general decor of the door area is also changing. Instead of the usual platbands, the arch is finished with decorative stone. Most often, they get rid of extra doors in rooms with high traffic, for example, in the kitchen or living room. And this step is completely justified. Remember how many times a day you have to open the doors to these rooms. There is also no point in having a door that is constantly open, so it is quite logical to get rid of it, replacing it with such a magnificent design as an arch.
finishing the arch with decorative stone
By the way, an interior arch is a great way to add originality to your home interior. She is always the center of attention. Someone, looking at it, will remember the Arc de Triomphe, for someone it will remind the entrance to a mysterious cave or grotto - everything will depend on the specifics of the decoration of the surrounding space. In general, the use of arched openings in the design adds space and comfort to the house.
Variety of arches
Using an arch is a good way to make the interior more expressive and comfortable. For design, both the method of decorating the structure and its appearance are important. There is no clear gradation of arches, but according to the level of influence on the interior, they are usually divided according to the complexity of the form. Some designs are designed for functionality. They are distinguished by a standard, no-frills shape and modest decor. Depending on the designer’s idea, such an arch, trimmed with stone, can take one of the following forms:
- Classic. The shape of the arch follows the arc of a circle (semicircular) or oval (ellipse). The classic form is valuable because it fits organically into any interior, so it can be found in a wide variety of style solutions.
Symmetrical solution Source j.etagi.com
- Portal (rectangular). A laconic opening of a large size organically zones the space and looks good in both classic and modern designs.
- Semicircular. The arch follows not an arc, but half a circle, so the arch turns out to be quite wide. The design looks good in spacious rooms and is not suitable for all styles.
Portal with decorative finishing Source mdstone.pro
Some arches play a more significant role in the interior, since they have a more complex structure, often with additional details. Arched structures diversify their design thanks to the following forms:
- Lancet (Gothic). The form, originally from the Middle Ages, is rarely used, since its implementation requires very high ceilings. The decoration can be colored or stained glass.
Arch over the dining area Source vitospb.ru
- Romantic. The arch takes the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners.
- Curly. The arch may be classic, but the sides are not made vertical, but take on a more complex, curved shape.
- Modern (or British). The arch is obtained from a small arc of a fairly large circle. As a result, the arch acquires a characteristic graceful shape and looks good in low rooms.
Modern form Source dizainexpert.ru
- Trapezoid. In the upper part, instead of a vault, there is a rectangle with cut corners.
- Eastern. It has a complex, openwork shape: keel-shaped, horseshoe-shaped, three- or multi-lobed.
- Asymmetrical (half-arch). In the traditional version, this is a creeping arch, but there are also modern varieties with straight and rounded corners (sometimes called Thai).
Semi-arch with a sliding door Source agentremonta.ru
About the types of decorative stone
Decorating a passage with an arched structure is a practical solution for a unified space. Most often, the arch is built from plasterboard, after which it is lined with a suitable material.
Facing the arch with decorative stone of natural origin (marble, sandstone, granite, shell rock) looks impressive. However, in residential premises finishing with natural (wild) stone is extremely rarely chosen. The limiting factor is its high cost and heaviness: not every wall can withstand the weight of stone cladding. Both the processing and the cladding process itself cause difficulties. That’s why street arches are laid with stone; strong and durable material will last for decades.
Semicircular arched design Source hzcdn.com
Since the cost of natural materials will not fit into every construction budget, preference is given to artificial substitutes with a more attractive price and less weight. Additional advantages include a wide variety of colors and textures, as well as ease of maintenance (any product without abrasives will do).
Zoning the kitchen-living room Source grassfire.org
Construction stores have many high quality decorative cladding options. The imitation is indistinguishable from natural materials, and its composition is based on natural, environmentally friendly raw materials: cement, expanded clay, clay. The following types of decor are in demand:
- Decorative stone with a gypsum (alabaster) base. A popular finishing material is often chosen for the design of portals. The reason lies in its cheapness and light weight, as well as in the variety of variations - there are imitations of almost any natural texture. To increase the durability of the gypsum stone surface, after installation it is treated with a protective varnish or painted.
Arches in the corridor Source agentremonta.ru
- Decorative ceramic brick. An arch made of decorative brick is chosen for certain styles (for example, loft, chalet). The finish, imitating brickwork, is varied in color, texture and thickness (it ranges from 5-20 mm).
- Sand-cement tiles. The finish is stronger than plaster, is not afraid of water damage, and imitates brick and stone textures. It is often combined with other materials: corners that are more often exposed to impacts and need reinforcement are lined.
Brick cladding Source roomester.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing materials and related work
- Porcelain tiles. The material copes well with loads, is not afraid of moisture and temperature fluctuations, the glossy surface creates a beautiful decorative effect. Ceramic tiles can be used for both interior and exterior finishing work.
- With acrylic base. Lightweight finish that reliably imitates the smooth and untreated surface of natural stones. Popular tiles are imitation of noble granite, travertine and marble, as well as more affordable slate and shell rock.
Country style Source hzcdn.com
How to design an arched opening in an apartment
An arch is not only a very convenient, but also a beautiful element of the interior. In addition, it gives free rein to imagination - for such openings you can use different finishing materials, ranging from ordinary paint and plaster to expensive decorative brick.
The most popular ways to design an arched opening in an apartment are as follows:
- Wallpapering. This is the simplest and most economical way to decorate an arch, which can be done by the home owners themselves. Thanks to the wide selection of designs, colors and textures of this material, you can create a unique design that will complement any interior. If the owner of the apartment is doing the renovation, then he will need a typical set of tools: the wallpaper itself, a special glue for gluing it, a brush for application, as well as a pencil and ruler for measurements.
- Use of decorative brick (stone). This is the best solution that will decorate any interior. Both natural and artificial stone can be used for decoration. These types of materials look almost identical, so the difference is only in the cost of materials and installation nuances. Wild natural stone is many times more expensive and also has a lot of weight, which greatly complicates the decorating process. In contrast, faux brick is not only cheap and available, but also easy to install.
- Plaster. This is another simple and economical way, which also allows you to decorate the arch beautifully and originally. The texture and method of applying plaster allows you to apply an unusual relief or use different colors to decorate the doorway.
- Mosaic or decorative tiles. These are not the most popular design options for arches, but for some interiors they may be optimal. The entire process of finishing an opening with small details of tiles or mosaics takes a lot of time, the material is expensive, and the end result does not look entirely appropriate in modern interiors. For this reason, such methods are used extremely rarely.
Methods for decorating an arch can be completely different, and the final design directly depends on the imagination of the owners of the room or designers.
It is also useful to read: What plaster is suitable for interior decoration
Subtleties of choosing decorative stone
The industry produces decorative stone in the form of tiles; collections are selected by style and have appropriate names (for example, “Spanish Courtyard”). Size ranges vary depending on style. For example, the following dimensions are typical for smooth tiles:
- Planar cladding: width 10-25 cm, length 10-30 cm, thickness 1.5-2 cm.
Arched structure with old brick cladding Source hzcdn.com
- Corner parts: width 8-10 cm, length 20-25 cm. Due to its small thickness (1.5-2 cm), this decorative stone is suitable for interior cladding.
The material, whose surface imitates wild stone, is characterized by increased dimensions:
- Flat cladding: width 5-30 cm, length 10-50 cm, thickness 4-8 cm.
- Corner parts: the length of the sides ranges from 10 to 30 cm, thickness 4-8 cm. Corner elements allow you to carefully design the corners of the arched structure.
Interior in white Source agentremonta.ru
In order for the decorative stone to stick well, it is chosen taking into account the base on which it will be glued. If the arched structure is made of plasterboard, flexible acrylic tiles will be the best option, but you can choose gypsum-based tiles. If the arch is made of brick and covered with a layer of plaster, heavy products made of sand-cement mortar are suitable for its decoration.
Large detailing is the accent of the interior Source agentremonta.ru
When calculating the amount of material for an artificial stone arch, the following principles are used:
- Tiles are purchased based on careful measurements of the finished structure and calculations based on these measurements.
Elegant solution Source dizainexpert.ru
- When choosing the shape (proportions) of the material, the curvature of the arch is taken into account. The smaller the radius of the arch, the greater its curvature, and the narrower the tile should be: it is easier to fix a narrow element on a curved arch.
- Decorative tiles with water-repellent properties perform better in operation. If the material you choose does not have this feature, it will have to be coated with a water-repellent compound.
A piece of antiquity in a modern interior Source cloudinary.com
- Material should always be taken in reserve (for cutting, color selection and scrap); Usually 5-10% is added to the cladding area. It is not recommended to save on stock: if there is not enough material, tiles purchased later from another batch will most likely differ in color (variation is allowed due to technology).
Arched entrance to the dining room Source jetsetter.com
Arch in stone frame
The arch can be finished in different ways:
- Lepnina.
- Forging.
- Carved.
- Stone.
an arch with decorative stone looks appropriate in a living room with a beamed false ceiling.
Each of these methods is good in its own way, but interiors where the arch is decorated with decorative stone are best perceived .
This method of decoration opens up wide opportunities for designers to realize their ideas. If you want to stylize the entrance to a cave or castle, use a granite-like stone. Need an entry into the underwater world? Line the arched space with blue-green translucent stones. Do you want a fairy tale? Style the opening like a dragon's mouth. This will be a spectacular entrance to a boy's nursery. As you can see, there are plenty of ideas for playing around the arched space. But which option to choose will largely depend on what type of decorative stone will be used.
narrow arch with decorative stone in the hallway
How to choose a stone color
The same tile will look different in a room with windows facing south or north. Therefore, when choosing a shade, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the perception of the color of a decorative stone is influenced by external factors. When choosing cladding, remember the following techniques:
- Color, if possible, should be assessed in several stages: in natural and artificial light, in the sun and in the shade.
Color options Source yandex.net
- The texture and color of the tiles are chosen taking into account the surrounding materials, whether it be plaster, wallpaper or something else.
- The shade is chosen taking into account the style and color palette of the interior, but two fundamentally different options are possible. The decoration of the arch with decorative bricks can be made to match or contrast with the surrounding materials.
Matching finish Source blogspot.com
- The finish will look more interesting in a non-uniform color, with splashes of color and shade transitions.
- Before laying, all the tiles are mixed, and then the future cladding is laid out on the floor. Parts are selected according to size, combining long and short fragments. Pay attention to the shades, achieving a natural combination and alternating tiles with different colors on the front surface.
In a gray-beige palette Source dveri-mezhkomnatnyedoma.ru
Laying stone
The stone is laid from the bottom up, and you need to start from the corner joint of the wall and the arch. Before laying, apply adhesive solution to the stone using a spatula. Make sure that the glue covers the entire surface of the stone and does not contain voids.
It is not recommended to apply the glue too thickly, as this may cause the masonry element to slip.
Tapping decorative stone after installation
When laying each stone (except for those that form an arched vault), be sure to check that its position is horizontal. You can level the stone by lightly tapping it with a rubber mallet. Once aligned, press the stone firmly against the wall for a few seconds, thereby giving the glue a chance to “set.”
Spacers in decorative stone after installation
After laying the stone, be sure to “tap” it with the handle of a screwdriver or spatula. This way you will be able to detect voids formed in the adhesive layer. If they are found, it is necessary to remove the stone from the wall, clean it of any glue residue and repeat the installation again.
If you want to lay a stone without jointing, then all subsequent stones are laid close to the previous ones. If you plan to make decorative seams between the stones, then between the elements you need to insert plastic or wooden wedges - spacers, which can be easily removed after the glue has dried.
Decorative stone arch and style
An arch made of decorative stone is a specific interior element; its shape and depth vary depending on the tastes of the owners in organizing the space. However, the cladding parameters (color, texture, area) must be consistent with the surrounding environment.
Cozy interior solution Source theplancollection.com
An unsuccessfully selected decorative stone can spoil the impression of the most elegant interior. Depending on the style of the room, the cladding of the arch takes the following form:
- Classic. The question of how to decorate an arch with decorative stone is most easily resolved in a classic interior, which is characterized by a desire for luxury and proportionality. Finishing the arch is desirable only in the upper part. For it, choose tiles with a noble texture of marble or travertine, differing by two or three tones from the surrounding walls. To frame the doorway, it is permissible to use columns or half-columns.
Luxury of the classics Source stroy-podskazka.ru
What styles does the arch with a recreation center combine with?
In order for the design to look harmonious, it must be done taking into account the interior of the house.
For example, for a classic style, a non-rough finish in a reasonable amount from a plain-colored building is suitable.
Pure Gothic style is extremely rare, but its elements are very common. The cultural center looks great against the backdrop of stained glass windows and forged elements. An arch lined with rough stone will create the atmosphere of a castle. An arch with elements of brick or different-sized masonry looks advantageous. A stone arched structure is also suitable for country style.
In an African-style house, the arch should be copper, brown or yellow. In Scandinavian style, it is better to use light natural shades. To emphasize the relief of the cultural center, multi-level lighting needs to be installed in the arch.
African style
For a vintage style, an arch lined with smoked “old” brick is suitable. A techno-style arch should have a rough texture. The “damaged” wall, on which brick and reinforcement are visible, looks very original.
Briefly about the main thing
Arched structures remain exotic for European interiors, despite the fact that this architectural element was popular back in Ancient India. In modern houses and apartments there are arches of different designs, but their cladding with decorative stone causes difficulties in choosing the appropriate option.
Specialized stores offer decorative stones of various appearances with a gypsum, sand-cement, or acrylic base. It is made in the form of tiles of different proportions and thicknesses, with different decorative properties: shade, texture and relief.
The tiles for arch design are selected taking into account the shape of the structure and the material from which it is made. It is also important that the decorative stone matches the style of the interior.
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Tools for work
Among the tools needed for work, we will highlight a cutting device, a level or plumb line, a tape measure, a spray bottle, wedges, a brush for cleaning metal, and a spatula.
As a consumable material for decorating the arched structure, you will also need special glue.
Professionals recommend carefully studying the recommendations of glue manufacturers, which are indicated on the packaging.
Advice! Try to select glue taking into account the weight of the stone so that it does not fall off immediately after you complete the finishing work.
Work must be carried out at an air temperature of more than five degrees. Before fixing the stone, it is advisable to check it for the presence of cement laitance (foamy layer). If it is detected, it is important to clean the back side using a wire brush.
The fact is that such a film significantly reduces adhesion, which can lead to the tiles peeling off.
To ensure that the adhesive mass is homogeneous, you can use a construction mixer.
Advice! You should not apply too thick a layer of adhesive, as the tiles will slide off the wall and you will not get the desired result.
