How to Pick Stained Glass for Different Reasons and Rooms in Your Home

Decorating with stained glass is a great way to create a unique environment for the home or in the community. Stained glass windows and panels are appropriate for public houses (pubs), bars, and restaurants, churches, booths, sculptures for display both indoors and outdoors, window shutters, ceilings, cabinets, as privacy glass, doors, and as hanging suncatchers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Camera
• Fabric swatches
• Interior design books

1. Before adding stained glass panels or windows to a room, use a measuring tape to obtain the dimensions of the room or the area where the stained glass will be installed.

2. If you are opting to decorate your home or business with stained glass products, take a photograph of the space in mind and match your stained glass with existing decor, walls, and floor.

3. Determine what role your stained glass will play with the amount of sunlight the room receives.
   
   Opaque tints with a frosted look are good for making bathrooms, bedrooms, or entryways private. The light itself can create a warmth, light, and illusion of added space to a small and otherwise dull room.
   
   A tranquil scene and muted stained glass hues can turn a room into a calm retreat.
   
   In a very bright room, such as a living room, dining room, or den, stained glass can help tone it down and reduce the Sun’s glare.

Tips & Warnings

• Finding the right stained glass designs and options is something you will have to decide based on your available funds, space, décor, and needs.
• Affordable panels can be found at flea markets, estate sales, or outlet supply stores.
• For customized designs, use stained glass accents like suncatchers or small panels that can be attached to existing windows.
• For stained glass furniture, try a tiffany lamp on an end table, or stained glass cabinets in the kitchen.
• Take an existing themed pattern from curtains, drapes, wall paper, or other fabric swatches and incorporate them into stained glass patterns

Resources

• Decorating with Stained Glass
• Adding Stained Glass to Your Home
• Stained Glass
• Stained Glass Art