How to Make Your Home the Envy of the Block with Interior Domes

Interior domes can help rescue your home from boring design

Just look around and you’ll see that this world is filled with domes and arches. Architecture was never meant to be boring. So, let’s pull ourselves out of this rut and draw some inspiration from the domes around us. Have you ever seen the Capitol building in DC? How about Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London? The Great Stupa at Sanchi? The Loftolla Mosque in Iran? From this diverse list, you can see that all domes are not created equal. But these domes are all visible from the outside, which not only makes them more difficult to construct, but it also adds a pretty penny to your construction costs. Instead, let’s draw inspiration from these architectural masterpieces and look at installing interior domes in your new home or remodel.

Rise

All of the exterior domes we’ve mentioned are half circle domes, which means that they are very pronounced. But, that doesn’t mean that your interior dome must be a half circle. In fact, if you’re looking to cover a larger space, a soft rise may be the best bet. The soft rise creates a domed effect, but it doesn’t have to be completely circular. A soft rise interior dome can be oval in shape, so it can cover more space without having to take up too much attic space. On the other hand, if you want to draw attention to a small space in the center of the room in an entryway, there’s nothing like a half circle. So, you have two choices here, and the one you choose will be the one that meets your design specs.

Installation

Installing interior domes has never been easier. Previously, every arch had to be constructed by hand by a master craftsman. Today, we do all the hard work for you. Our prefabricated arch kits arrive at your doorstep ready to be installed. And, this may be the best part, installation is a breeze. Even do-it-yourselfers are fond of installing our interior domes because the process is easy and it makes them look like pros. What could be better than that?

Design

Design isn’t exactly our forte, but we’ve installed enough interior domes to learn a thing or two about what people like. Some people prefer to leave the dome painted the same color as the ceiling with a simple light ring installed to draw attention. Others opt to take advantage of the break in their otherwise boring ceilings and do something grandiose. Maybe they’ll commission an artist to paint a mural or add some cool lighting effects. Many opt to decorate the space around their interior domes also, to ensure that their efforts are seen by all. In these examples, you can see different painting techniques applied to a half circle and soft rise dome. If these aren’t exactly your taste, don’t worry. You’re free to design your arch as you’d like. Check out our photo gallery for some more inspiration.

While your home may never achieve international fame like the Capitol building or Saint Paul’s Cathedral, with some well-placed and designed interior domes, you can bet it will be the envy of your friends and neighbors. 

Modern Living Room Design Spotlight: Magic Between Curves and Edges

Use this modern living room as inspiration for your next masterpiece

Don’t you just love checking out the artfully designed homes that grace the pages of the top home décor magazines? We do too, but we love it even more when we get to work on a home of that caliber. Of course, all the homes we create ceilings and arches for are special in their own way, but some stand out a bit more than others. This modern living room design is a shining example of the magic that lies between a curve and a straight line.

You probably already know that we love curves. Barrel vaults, groin vaults, coved ceilings and archways. Well, those are kind of our things. But, as you’ll see in this living room, our curves can play very nicely with straight lines too.

Let’s start with the ceiling. You can’t see the entire thing from these images, but there’s enough to see that it doesn’t have any straight edges. This is a perfect example of how something as simple as a coved ceiling can open up the room. Of course, it helps that it’s an extraordinarily high ceiling, but the cove almost makes it disappear.

Next, you’ll notice how the person who designed this modern living room alternates between arches and straight lines in the entryways. It starts with archways outside, moves on to very stark lines around the patio doors and continues with elliptical arches that serve as dividers for this massive space.

Look up and you’ll find more of the same. The stark lines of the accent windows are offset by more elliptical curves on the second floor. Take a closer look and you’ll realize that it’s no coincidence that the television is sitting against a backdrop of rectangular blocks. This was a well thought out design and we’re proud to say that we’ve had a hand in implementing it.

This modern living room design relies almost completely on the contrast between curves and lines, but if your thing is a bit more bold, we’ve got you covered there too. Here is just one example of the interesting accents that our curves can create in your room.

This radius ceiling accent was painted red and set against a rectangular black backdrop for optimal impact. Radius curves are a popular choice for drawing attention to light fixtures and breaking up an otherwise boring ceiling. That’s why their perfect for modern living room designs. And again, even though this design has a little more pop, it plays on the same concept of lines and curves. 

When you’re designing your modern living room, try alternating curves and edges to create your desired look. If you need more inspiration, check out our design gallery. 

Groin Arch vs. Barrel Vault

Can’t choose between a groin arch or barrel? Here are some things to consider.

Are you torn between which arch to choose for your ceiling. If you ask us, you can’t really go wrong either way, but still, there are some things you may want to consider before making your decision.

Style

Style is the most obvious consideration. Although a groin arch is made up of intersecting barrel arches, the look is very different. A groin arch will give your space a more gothic look, while a barrel vault is much more smooth and simple. It’ll give you the feeling that you’re walking through a tunnel whenever you enter your barrel vaulted space. With a barrel vault, you have the option of having an intricate mural painted on its inside. You could do the same with a groin arch, but it’ll seem busier. Most groin vaults aren’t heavily decorated because of their more intricate design. With all that said, though, a groin arch will create a more unique and awe-inspiring effect.

Budget

Because a groin arch is made up of intersecting barrel arches, there’s a bit more involved in its creation. Of course, that translates to a bit more in cost too. Those who add groin arches to their homes say it’s well worthwhile, but that choice is yours to make. If you’re looking for an extremely opulent ceiling, there’s nothing that will compare to the groin vault. There is one possible workaround, though. Going back to the style consideration, if you happen to be an artist or know one that would be willing to do a pro bono painting on your barrel vault ceiling, you can create a similar jaw-dropping effect with a custom-painted mural.

Timeframe

If you were having these arches custom built, time would be a consideration. A groin vault would probably take longer to craft than a barrel arch because a barrel arch is simpler in design. But with our prefabricated kits, there is absolutely no difference. From the time you place your order, your groin or barrel vault will be shipped to your doorstep, or at your jobsite, within five days. Period.

Effort to Install

Our prefabricated ceiling kits are so easy to install that it doesn’t make too much of a difference between barrel and groin. The biggest disparity of time and effort is going to be with installing drywall. Instead of dealing with the one curve you would have to drywall with a barrel vault, you’re going to have four with a groin arch. If you’re paying someone to do the drywall, the groin vault will cost more.

There are definitely a few things to consider before you decide to go with a groin arch over a barrel, but it’s your choice to make. Have a look through some of the pictures in our gallery to see what both look like when they’re installed and painted. If you’re wavering, a little eye candy should help seal the deal.

Design Ideas for a Barrel Arch

A barrel arch is simple by design, but it doesn’t have to stay that way…

Designing a new house or remodeling an old one is just plain fun. The possibilities are only limed by your budget and imagination. And if the sky’s the limit as far as budget goes, you can really have some fun. A barrel arch is extremely simple in design, so there’s a lot of wiggle room when it comes to creativity. You can either leave it simple – and it will still be stunning – or you can jazz it up with things like paint and lighting. Here are some ideas for boosting the dramatic effect of your barrel vault.


Install multiple arches

A barrel arch is really just a series of arches, so you can take it as far as you want and still have a simple barrel vault. But, try installing two or even three arches side by side for some instant drama. Most people let side-by-side curves stand on their own merits, but some choose to add a little more in the way of decorative elements. It’s all up to your own personal taste.

Paint a mural

If you’re an artist or even just an art enthusiast, your barrel arch is just begging to be painted. A subtly curved ceiling makes the perfect canvas for someone wanting to showcase her artistic talents. Plus, it’ll create an effect that is uniquely yours. Commission an artist to paint a mural on your ceiling and you can pretty well guarantee that your home will stand out from the others in your neighborhood.

Add impact with simple painting

If you don’t have an artist on speed dial, you may want to just consider painting the interior curve of your barrel arch a different color. It could be a stark contrast to the rest of the room or ceiling, or it could be just a shade lighter or darker. Either way, the difference will be enough to make your barrel pop.


Light it up! 

Just by adding some simple light fixtures, you can draw attention to your barrel arch without going overboard. Many people choose the barrel arch over a groin arch because they value simplicity. For those, a mural would be too over-the-top. But, some recessed lighting or even a chandelier can add just the right amount of pizazz.

 If you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration, be sure to check out our photo gallery. As you can see, there are a lot of options when it comes to designing a barrel arch. Just because you have the same curve in the same spot as your neighbors doesn’t mean it has to look the same. Use your imagination and have some fun!