Why Do California Homes Have So Many Arches?

California is a big state, so it's hard to generalize about architectural trends there. But there's one architectural feature that has been a trend in California homes and neighborhoods for a long time now, and it's worth digging into where it came from and why it persists. Arches appear in California doorways, windows, hallways, and outdoor structures largely because of the state's long association with Spanish culture and architecture.

Before California became a U.S. state in 1850, it belonged to Spain and then to Mexico. When Californian architects later wanted to develop a style that was distinct from the East Coast, they opted to pay homage to this local history. They created a style of architecture called Mission Revival, inspired by the missions that the Spanish had built in the 1700s. A few decades later, a similar style called Spanish Colonial Revival became popular, drawing additional inspiration directly from Spain. Both of these styles, now found all over the Golden State, have a defining feature in common: of course, plenty of arches, a hallmark of Spanish buildings.

These California home styles are also characterized by red clay tile roofs, pale cream or white stucco exterior walls, tower-shaped chimneys, and decorative iron gates and fences. The warm climate allows for lush exterior landscapes all year round, and the smooth arching shapes create an attractive contrast to the angular shapes of hedges or the organic forms and textures of trees and shrubs.

California houses, particularly those built in the Mission Revival or Spanish Colonial Revival style, might display arches in a number of ways. These arched features might be seen in interior and exterior doorways, windows, patios, walkways, foyers, stairways, gates, and arcades. Although arches have been criticized as a somewhat trendy architectural feature in some contemporary homes, California style incorporates the archway as a shape that defines the aesthetic and lifestyle of the region.

The arched doorways create a feeling of openness, connecting one room to another or indoors to outdoors. This helps create a sense of flow and makes interior spaces feel airy and spacious. Arched windows can lend a soft, romantic feel and add a bit of visual height compared to traditional rectangular windows. Exterior arched doorways might also include another compelling feature of this architectural style: wrought iron fences, gates, or decor. The heaviness of iron can seem lighter and more airy when designed with graceful shapes that enhance curving arches. 

Spanish Colonial Revival style also includes arcades: these are rows of arches that are supported by columns, either along walkways or as part of an entryway, porch, or patio. This is another way that the idea of flow, connecting one space to another, can be achieved using arches as design elements. The emphasis on outdoor living in this temperate region really lends itself to the use of arches to enhance the idea of a lifestyle that emphasizes nature and maximizes views of the landscape.