Decorating Guides
How to Use Glass to Visually Expand Space Within Your Home
Do you want your home to look bigger? Find out how glass gives interiors a spacious look and brings in the outdoors
Glass has emerged as one of the most popular building materials and is generously used within the interiors and exteriors of modern homes. This material stands out because it is transparent, it permeates light and makes the indoor space seem brighter and more spacious. Here are 10 ways in which one can integrate glass within different areas of the home and expand its visual boundaries.
Bi-fold and sliding glass doors should be used in areas that open out into a balcony, courtyard or a lawn. These types of partition doors create a larger openable section in comparison to conventional doors and create a perfect indoor-outdoor connect.
Tip: Go for good-quality hinges or track systems, which will ensure hassle-free maintenance for the glass doors.
Tip: Go for good-quality hinges or track systems, which will ensure hassle-free maintenance for the glass doors.
2. Glass partitions
Glass partitions can replace the conventional brick walls and blur the boundaries between two adjacent areas of a home. Here, in this example, just see how glass brings in a sense of openness and visually integrates the interiors to give it a cohesive look.
9 Glass Dividers That Help Make More Room
Glass partitions can replace the conventional brick walls and blur the boundaries between two adjacent areas of a home. Here, in this example, just see how glass brings in a sense of openness and visually integrates the interiors to give it a cohesive look.
9 Glass Dividers That Help Make More Room
3. Fixed and openable windows
Fixed and openable windows are two of the most practical ways to create a sense of continuity between the indoors and the outdoors.
In this example, a clerestory window is strategically positioned in the bedroom so that it maintains some level of privacy and draws the eyes upwards.
Look for windows in Houzz products
Fixed and openable windows are two of the most practical ways to create a sense of continuity between the indoors and the outdoors.
In this example, a clerestory window is strategically positioned in the bedroom so that it maintains some level of privacy and draws the eyes upwards.
Look for windows in Houzz products
Just see how a large picture window looks out at the panoramic view outside to make it a part of the bathroom design.
See more bathroom designs
See more bathroom designs
4. Structural glazing
Structural glazing is used as the external skin of modern building facades. The glass facade brings in ample natural light throughout the day and maximises the outdoor views. However, one drawback is that a glass facade traps a lot of heat within the building and may result in higher cooling costs.
Find a Houzz professional to advise you on structural glazing
Structural glazing is used as the external skin of modern building facades. The glass facade brings in ample natural light throughout the day and maximises the outdoor views. However, one drawback is that a glass facade traps a lot of heat within the building and may result in higher cooling costs.
Find a Houzz professional to advise you on structural glazing
Just see how an L-shaped floor-to-ceiling glazing separates the seating area from the lawn without creating any visual or spatial block.
Should Glass Be Used on Home Facades in India?
Should Glass Be Used on Home Facades in India?
5. Glass skylight
A glass skylight can form an interesting feature within the design of bungalows or farmhouses. It not only brings in more light than a window but also visually expands the height of the home by giving a mesmerising view of the sky.
Note: Glass skylights are difficult to maintain because of their hard-to-reach location and will need professional cleaning.
A glass skylight can form an interesting feature within the design of bungalows or farmhouses. It not only brings in more light than a window but also visually expands the height of the home by giving a mesmerising view of the sky.
Note: Glass skylights are difficult to maintain because of their hard-to-reach location and will need professional cleaning.
6. Glass flooring
Glass flooring can emerge as a bold addition to any home, as it visually integrates two floors. In this dining area, light comes from the skylight and penetrates into the lower levels of the home. Also, the flooring offers views from below and above.
Tip: Go for safety glass which is made by sandwiching a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) layer with strong adhesion between two sheets of glass. Glass is usually slippery, so it advisable to go for textured glass so that its surface is slip-resistant.
Glass flooring can emerge as a bold addition to any home, as it visually integrates two floors. In this dining area, light comes from the skylight and penetrates into the lower levels of the home. Also, the flooring offers views from below and above.
Tip: Go for safety glass which is made by sandwiching a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) layer with strong adhesion between two sheets of glass. Glass is usually slippery, so it advisable to go for textured glass so that its surface is slip-resistant.
7. Glass cubicle
Install glassed-in bathroom enclosures to separate the wet and dry areas of the bathroom. In this example, the glass cubicle brings in an element of lightness and makes the bathroom feel more spacious.
Note: Toughened glass is used for the shower cubicles; it can be customised as per the shape and size of the bathroom.
Install glassed-in bathroom enclosures to separate the wet and dry areas of the bathroom. In this example, the glass cubicle brings in an element of lightness and makes the bathroom feel more spacious.
Note: Toughened glass is used for the shower cubicles; it can be customised as per the shape and size of the bathroom.
8. Glass staircase
Here, in this glass staircase, the floating treads bring an element of lightness and create a floating effect. The open treads transmit light to different levels of the home.
Here, in this glass staircase, the floating treads bring an element of lightness and create a floating effect. The open treads transmit light to different levels of the home.
9. Glass balustrade
Install a glass balustrade within the balcony, terrace or staircase. Glass railings bring lightness as they are practically invisible and offer uninterrupted views that allow light to filter through. In this example, just see how glass is used across the length of this house to give the space a high-end modern look.
Install a glass balustrade within the balcony, terrace or staircase. Glass railings bring lightness as they are practically invisible and offer uninterrupted views that allow light to filter through. In this example, just see how glass is used across the length of this house to give the space a high-end modern look.
10. Mirrors
In compact homes, glass mirrors can be cleverly installed on the walls to create an illusion of extended space, especially if there is no way to increase the space. Mirrors create reflected images of the interiors, which gives a sense of depth and brightness, and effortlessly doubles the space.
Read more:
Do You Know About the Different Types of Glass?
What Are the Different Applications of Toughened Glass?
Tell us:
Which type of glass would you like to consider for your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
In compact homes, glass mirrors can be cleverly installed on the walls to create an illusion of extended space, especially if there is no way to increase the space. Mirrors create reflected images of the interiors, which gives a sense of depth and brightness, and effortlessly doubles the space.
Read more:
Do You Know About the Different Types of Glass?
What Are the Different Applications of Toughened Glass?
Tell us:
Which type of glass would you like to consider for your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
Frameless glass doors can be used within the interiors as it is a great way to bring in a sense of continuity. These doors create a free-flowing indoor space with no visual blocks.