If you’ve ever ogled an ultra-luxury modern home online or in a magazine, you’ll have noticed something – the generous use of architectural glass. Architects and designers can’t get enough of the material, thanks to its ability to flood interior spaces with natural light and provide unique interior features.
The explosion in the popularity of architectural glass panels is happening for two reasons. First, improvements in glass-making technology mean that the cost of buying large panels is coming down. Glass architectural features are more affordable and stronger than ever before, providing homeowners with ample opportunities to use them for interior design purposes.
And the second has to do with taste and fashion trends. Ever since the French and bi-folding doors became mainstream, copious amounts of glass for demarcation have been in vogue.
But how do you actually use architectural glass to transform your living space? What rules should you follow to get the best results?
Use Glass For Shelving
While we typically think of using architectural glass for the building envelope, there are plenty of other interior applications worth considering. Glass shelving is arguably one of the most spectacular, providing practical storage space while remaining remarkably unobtrusive at eye-level. It is especially welcome in cluttered kitchens where owners want somewhere to put their pots and pans without heavy, opaque cabinets cluttering every wall.
Add Glass Interior Partitions
Open-plan living has become extraordinarily popular in recent years. It seems like everyone wants their kitchens, dining rooms, and lounges to merge in the same space. Even so, sometimes you want some barriers between rooms, even if they’re transparent.
Here’s where architectural glass really shines. Placing it between different sections of your open-plan spaces creates a kind of hybrid effect. On the one hand, the entire area remains airy and grand. On the other, it makes your interiors feel more like those of a conventional house. You keep the sense of flow you get with an open plan while also creating a little more privacy. It’s the best of both worlds.
Add Glass Balcony Railings
Most architects will suggest that you install glass double doors at the back of your home – especially if it is south-facing. But you don’t need to be generic. What’s to stop you from replacing your existing balcony railings with a glass alternative?
When you think about it, glass barriers make a lot of sense in this context. If you have a balcony, you primarily use it for the view that it offers. Glass provides you with unobstructed lines of sight in all directions.
Use Glass For Mezzanine Barriers
Mezzanines are another feature of modern open-plan properties. Instead of waking up in a claustrophobic bedroom, you awake to the sight of the rest of your home, albeit from a privileged vantage point.
Most mezzanines use traditional wooden railings, but nothing is stopping you from using tempered architectural glass, instead. This way, you can maximize the light reaching even the most compact areas.
Link Two Parts Of Your Property Together
Is your property split into multiple buildings with courtyards in between? If so, you could benefit from building an architectural glass structure linking your property’s two parts together.
The fantastic thing about these structures is that the walls and ceiling are made entirely of glass. When you use them, you feel as if you’re sitting in a conservatory. And because the glass is fully weatherproof, you can treat the space as an additional room. It’s a fun place to work, have a cup of coffee, or use as a secondary living room.
Use Glass As Your Stair Rail
Let’s face it: your current banisters leave a lot to be desired. So why not swap them out for an all-glass stair rail that shows off your staircase at its best? Unlike regular staircases, you get an unimpeded view of the steps, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful pattern they make as they snake their way to the second floor. Plus, glass adds a tremendous amount of visual interest and character. People will love it.
Create An Industrial Look
Finally, you can use glass in your home to create a more industrial look – a style that is extremely popular right now. Architectural glass effects play a significant role here, helping to make your home look sleeker and more modern. It pairs exceptionally well with bare brick walls or even poured concrete, especially in basements and attics. No wonder it has become so popular in trendy, modern, celebrity-owned properties.
