How to Build Wall Arches

Cut through the paint joining the trim around both sides of the doorway to the wall and the doorjamb. Insert a pry bar between the trim and the wall, then push the end of the pry bar away from you to pull the trim off the wall.

Pull out the nails holding the doorjamb to the wall studs, using the claw end of a hammer. Remove the nails both along the sides and on top of the doorway. Pull the doorjamb assembly out of the doorway. Remove the baseboards on either side of the doorway, using the pry bar.

Attach 1-by-4-inch blocks to the upper corners of the door opening, driving 3-inch wood screws through the blocks and into the walls. Cut two pieces of drywall that are the same width as the door opening and measure 15 inches tall. Place the pieces of drywall at the top of the door opening, and drive 2-inch wood screws through the drywall and into the wood blocks.

Insert the columns from the wall arch kit into the sides of the door opening. Rest the arch template from the kit on the top of each column. Trace around the outside of the template, marking the drywall at the top of the door opening. Trace the template on both sides of the door opening, then remove the columns.

Cut through the drywall along the line you traced on it, using a drywall knife. Apply drywall tape and then compound to the new drywall’s seams and the screw heads. Wait for the drywall compound to dry before applying at least one more coat.

Sand the dried compound patches with fine-grit sandpaper until it is smooth. Brush a coat of primer on the drywall patch and allow it to dry completely.

Position the archway from the kit on the top of the doorway. Insert the columns from the kit into the sides of the doorway, then push the arch onto the tops of the columns. Drive finishing nails through the arch and the columns, inside the doorway, to hold them in place.