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What a Difference an Arch Makes!

By Margaret Woda

Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

February 20, 2013 10:37 PM

Adding architectural pizzazz to your home interior doesn't have to be complex or expensive. It can be as simple as adding an arch to a doorway.

Arch collage

This is a cosmetic improvement that doesn't involve any structural change to an existing opening. The kit ordered online from Arch-Rite.com for this 44" opening was less than $50 (including shipping), the licensed contractor charged $300 to install it, and the entire project was less than a week from order to completion. I think this is a lot of bang for the buck!

Arch kits come in many sizes, ranging from 35 inches to 75 inches. You're looking at an eye-brow arch, but half-round and ellyptical arches are available, too. In fact, they have kits for installing a dome ceiling. If you're pretty handy and want to do the work yourself, check out the short how-to videos for each type of arch. They're available on the Arch-Rite website and on YouTube.

This could be THE stand-out selling feature for your home when it goes on the market for sale... a feature that will set it apart from many similar homes in the same price-range.

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Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Athina, so affordable, too. While it's a project that could be done by a weekend warrior, I doubt it would get done so quickly... For only $300, I would recommend a contractor.

Mary, It does add character, doesn't it?

Nick, It looks like it's always been there, doesn't it?

Michelle, I love 1920's era homes. They do usually have character! This was a 1940's WWII era apartment, so it didn't have an ounce of character before the arch. LOL.

Ed, so true... I can't find anywhere in my house where it would work, but it sure does here.

Judi, lucky you! 'Must be beautiful.

Feb 21, 2013 12:46 PM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Margaret, I love this idea to set a home apart. How much easier could this be?

Feb 21, 2013 12:48 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Pat, i imagine this would be a nice addition to some of the properties in your area.

Tammie, it doesn't get much easier than this, does it?

Feb 21, 2013 01:33 PM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Margaret - That is an amazing change for such a small amount of money.

Feb 21, 2013 02:22 PM

Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

That is really cool. Margaret. But, I will note it makes the space look smaller. But overall, it's a great look and very reasonably priced.

Feb 21, 2013 07:40 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Christine, I agree!

Debbie, it is cool, and it doesn't make the space look any smaller in real life. In fact, another benefit is the fact that the crown molding would now continue above the doorway and run the whole length of the living room and dining room, which kept the space from being cut in half. It also frames the hallway and makes the eye go to that back wall, where there is now furniture in the right scale and artwork.

Feb 21, 2013 08:20 PM

Debbie Cook

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

I love arches inside and outside homes - This is terrific! I would have thought you would have to hire someone and it would have cost at least $700-$!000. What a difference an arch makes!

Feb 22, 2013 04:38 AM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Ed, if they worked in every house, more would have an arch... And they wouldn't be anything special. LOL. Judi, that sounds like a very charming room! The home my daughter owned in Texas had arches in doorways and as headers on built-ins, so she's very excited to add one to her DC condo.

Feb 22, 2013 06:28 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Feb 23, 2013 11:20 AM

Bobbie Smith

Stroudsburg, PA

570-242-1891

Architectural details certainly do make a difference. And like you say, they do not have to be expensive. Little touches here and there. (wider molding, archways, decorative rails, etc) Glad kathy shared this one with us.

Feb 23, 2013 08:57 PM

Ginny Gorman

RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI

Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Margaret, this is an amazing product and thank you for sharing it with us here...

Feb 23, 2013 09:02 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Kathy, thank you! That explains the flurry of activity here.

Bobbie, I'm glad, too!

Ginny, I hope you can find a way to use it in your home or a listing.

Feb 23, 2013 09:11 PM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Margaret,

I saw this in Kathy's post this morning on her Ah-ha moments for the week and loved it! Architectural details do add interest and value..they make a difference..great tip!!

Feb 23, 2013 10:18 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Dorie, isn't it an improvement? There's not much you can do in a 1940's era apartment/condo, but this isn't a structural change so you can get away with it.

Feb 23, 2013 10:26 PM

Joanna Cohlan

Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY

Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hi Margaret, how interesting that you can do an arch so inexpensively! And to think I was hoping for an orthotic for my shoes!!!

Feb 23, 2013 10:32 PM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great post, I can see why Kathy chose it to include in her wrap up this week. Thanks for sharing!

Feb 23, 2013 11:00 PM

Kevin J. May

Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL

Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Good for Arch-Rite to devise this architectural element in kit form Margaret however I've been doing the same thing for years with 1x4's and drywall.

Feb 24, 2013 12:27 AM

Charita Cadenhead

eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL

Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

I happen to like arched doorways but some people don't. I think the arch can compliment any room or entrance.

Feb 24, 2013 01:19 AM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Joanna, Let's see... Orthotics or Arch, that is the question.

Kristin, glad you find it helpful.

Kevin, there's no doubt an arch can be created by a skilled contractor or handyman without a kit, but the majority of real estate agents (and our clients) can't claim to be either. For us, discovering the kit by arch-rite is a real bonus!

Charita, this is something we don't see a lot of in my market, which is comprised of mid-priced tract homes, so it's a plus when we do see one.

Feb 24, 2013 08:47 AM

Larry Atkins

State Wide Realty Co. - Farmville, VA

Veteran Owned & Operated

Good Morning Margaret,

This arch definitely transforms a room! Excellent post, showcasing a simple idea to improve a home. These arch kits sounds like an excellent route for those on a budget.

Feb 24, 2013 10:49 PM