Roman Arch

• The Roman arch, also called a circular arch, is named for the civilization that perfected it. This style of arch, with its simple rounded top, is the most common type of arched opening. It is found in many types of residential architecture, including Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Victorian and even cozy Cape Cods and bungalows. Roman arches often open up living rooms to entryways, dining rooms or porticoes.
  
  

Gothic

• The Gothic, or lancet, arch culminates in a point at the top center. This arch style originated in the late Middle Ages in Europe and is found in churches and castles. American Gothic Revival homes built in the late 19th and early 20th century often have Gothic arches between rooms and in windows and doors.
  
  

Tudor

• Tudor and Tudor Revival homes usually have arched openings between rooms. The Tudor arch is similar to its predecessor, the Gothic arch, but smaller and flatter. The Tudor style home, with its stucco and beam exterior, originated in 1500's England during the reign of the Tudor monarchs. The style was widely copied in the United States, during the 1920s, influenced by returning soldiers from World War I, who popularized the Tudor Revival style. Tudor living rooms frequently have arched wall openings, wall niches, front doors and windows.
  
  

Windows

• Arched windows add a distinctive touch to a living room. Not only do they allow abundant sunlight to flow into the room, they create a focal point. A classical Palladian window has a grouping of three windows with an arch over the center unit. Variations may include one large arch flanked by two smaller arches or one large arch over all three windows.