10 Bright Ways To Use Glass In Your Home

Glass’s transparency makes it a very unique and versatile material. Beyond windows, there are many creative uses for glass. Below are 10 examples of ways to use glass in your home. 

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Let more light into your hallway with a glass front door

Hallways can often be quite gloomy spaces due to the lack of windows. A front door with glass panels in it can be a simple way to let more light in. This could be anything from a small single panel at the top to multiple panels running down the length of the door.

Some people assume that a glass front door can reduce privacy or security. However, this often isn’t the case. Many glass front doors use frosted or obscure glass that stops people from looking in. This glass is also often tempered or toughened to make it harder to break. Compare glass front doors to find the best option. 

Make rooms feel more spacious with glass furniture

Being able to see through glass furniture can add a sense of spaciousness to a room. This makes glass dining tables a great option for poky dining rooms. Glass coffee tables can similarly be squeezed into small living rooms without making the room look too cramped.

Many glass tables and desks are made from tempered glass to provide plenty of strength. A benefit of glass furniture is that it’s also easy to clean (although such tables can look dirtier quicker, so you may have to clean them more regularly than a standard table). Check out this Houzz guide to some of the best glass dining tables.

Keep kitchen walls clean with glass backsplashes

Want to stop food splashing onto your kitchen walls? A glass backsplash can be a great option for protecting your kitchen walls. It’s easy to wipe clean, and does not contain any grouting like tiles.

Another benefit of a glass backsplash is that it doesn’t conceal the wall behind. So if you’ve got a rustic exposed wall behind your oven that you want to show off or you’ve painted the wall a pretty color, you can continue to show this off.

Trap heat in with a glass shower enclosure

Glass shower doors can be a much more practical and stylish alternative to shower curtains. They’re easy to clean and they let more light in while you shower, plus they can make your bathroom feel bigger and more spacious.

However, they can also help to keep cold air out and trap warm air in while you shower. Glass shower enclosures are particularly effective at doing this. They could be a great choice for a bathroom that gets cold and drafty in the winter. 

Create more flow between your home and yard with glass patio doors

To help make the inside of your home and the outside of your home feel more interconnected, consider installing glass patio doors leading out to your yard. When open, they can make your patio or deck feel like more of an extension of your home. These doors can also let lots of light in and provide a view out into your backyard throughout the year. 

There are many companies like Renewal by Andersen that can install these glass doors for you, while also helping you to explore an array of different options. Some of the best glass doors are made from tempered double pane glass to provide security and energy-efficiency. Sliding glass doors tend to be the most popular option, but some people may prefer swinging glass doors or concertina glass doors. 

Show off the contents of cabinets with glass doors

Glass doors on cabinets can allow you to openly display the contents. Some people like having this feature on kitchen cabinets as it allows you to more easily see what food you have available. Glass cabinets can also allow you to show off certain prized possessions like crystalware, trophies and memorabilia. At the same time, you can keep these possessions securely stored away where they cannot accidentally be knocked over (or indeed burgled – some glass cabinets can be locked with keys).

Owning glass cabinets does mean that you have to keep the contents organized, which can have its pros and cons. You can’t stuff away items in these cabinets to get them out of the way, because they’ll look messy. However, you’re also less likely to cling onto clutter and keep your possessions orderly. 

Stargaze from inside your home with glass rooflights

Rooflights are windows installed in the ceiling of a room. They can be a great way to let more light into a room if you don’t want to/can’t install windows in the walls. However, they also have another overlooked benefit – on a clear night, you can stare up through them and watch the stars. This can make them a charming feature to add in an attic bedroom. 

There are many different styles of rooflight to consider from flat panes to domes. Some rooflights can be opened up to allow ventilation or have shutters attached to them to provide light control. It’s worth taking the time to explore all the different styles of rooflight to find the most suitable solution for your home. 

Add value to your home with a stained glass feature

A stained glass window is a great way to add value to a home. This is particularly the case with a custom designed stained glass window, which will help add some unique character to your home.

What types of windows are ideal for turning into stained glass windows? Generally, you want to focus on small windows that do not offer notable views. Small windows in and around your front door could be ideal for turning into stained glass windows – they can help make a great first impression and provide privacy. Bathroom windows are also great for turning into stained glass windows – these are typically small too and are the types of windows where you want to maintain privacy. Small windows around interior doors (such as transom windows) could also make great stained glass features. 

Increase overhead light transmission with a crystal chandelier

A crystal chandelier can immediately bring a sense of luxury to a room. However, these chandeliers have added practical benefits. They can help to reflect the light around the room more evenly, while carrying a beautiful sparkle.

Crystal chandeliers typically aren’t cheap, but also don’t have to cost thousands of dollars. In fact, you can buy smaller crystal chandeliers for less than $300. They are best suited to rooms with a lot of headroom – especially those that hang down quite far. In most homes, the best suited place is often above the stairs. This guide at Architectural Digest lists 17 styles of chandelier to consider. 

Shelter outdoor plants from harsh weather in a greenhouse

Glass can also have its uses in a backyard. Greenhouses are typically made from glass and can be a great solution for avid gardeners who want to grow fruit and vegetables all year round. They can protect plants from high winds, heavy rain and frost. Some people even add heaters and automated sprinklers to them to create a tropical environment for many types of exotic fruit. 

When choosing a greenhouse, consider one made from tempered glass to reduce the chance of panes breaking. You can design your own greenhouse, or buy a stock greenhouse that can be assembled yourself. A small greenhouse may be all you need if you haven’t got much room in your yard and only want to grow a few plants inside. Alternatively, you may want something bigger that you can walk around in (you could even build a greenhouse that doubles up as a conservatory. 

This is a contributed post.

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