A bright hallway with a mirror
A large mirror in a cramped hallway makes it look wider and brighter. It matters that a professional fixes it securely, and that it does not hang where a bag or a door can easily knock it.
Ideas
Projects and ideas: glass in the interior
Glass can make a room feel lighter and more spacious without taking up any floor space. A mirror opens up a narrow hallway, a partition divides a room while letting daylight through, and glass shelves almost disappear. Here are ideas worth thinking through in advance, and questions best discussed with a professional before any work begins.
A good idea with glass is one you have thought about twice: once for light and looks, and once for hands, children and cleaning.
How this section works: we describe common ways of using glass in the interior and what to bear in mind, without dimensions, calculations or fitting diagrams. Whether an idea suits your home, and what glass it needs, is for a professional to decide after a visit.
Glass in the interior
Six familiar ideas and what to look out for with each.
A glass partition
A glass partition separates a work corner or a kitchen while still letting light in from the window. Toughened or laminated glass is the usual choice, and the clear surface is marked with stickers so that it can be seen.
A shower screen
A glass screen instead of a curtain looks neat and does not collect mould in its folds. On the other hand, droplets and limescale show up on it, so it is worth a quick wipe with a rubber squeegee after each shower.
Glass shelves
Glass shelves almost vanish into a room and suit bathrooms and display units well. Do not overload them or put heavy things right at the edge, and check the brackets from time to time.
A display cabinet
A cabinet with glass doors keeps dust off books, china and keepsakes while leaving them on show. Open the doors gently, without yanking them, and have any chips on the edge looked at by a professional.
Old windows in a country house
Wooden frames with old glass give a house character. Windows like these deserve care: repaint the frames, keep an eye on the seals and never try to remove the old glass yourself.
Light, reflections and space
The main thing glass brings to an interior is light. A mirror opposite a window bounces some daylight back into the room, and a clear partition does not cut a dark corner off from the window. In a small flat this makes more difference than any new piece of furniture.
Reflections can also work against you: a mirror facing the front door doubles any clutter, and a clear door covered in handprints looks untidy. So before you hang a mirror or put in a glass door, picture what it will reflect and how often it will need cleaning.
Frosted and patterned glass is a compromise for anyone who wants light without complete openness. It is a common choice for bathrooms, studies and door panels.
Glass and everyday life
Test any idea involving glass with one question: how will children, guests and pets live with it? Clear doors and partitions are marked with stickers at eye level, shelves are placed where nobody will catch them with a shoulder, and a glass table is kept away from busy routes through the room.
Think about cleaning, too. The more glass there is in a home, the more often dust, droplets and fingerprints show. If you are not prepared to wipe a shower screen after every shower, frosted glass may suit you better than clear.
Leave the installation of any glass feature to a professional: they will choose a suitable type of glass and secure fixings, and explain how to look after the result.
Related sections
- Materials
Window glass, toughened and laminated glass, frosted glass, mirrors and glass blocks, plus our article catalogue.
- Planning
If glass cracks or a double-glazed unit mists up inside: what to do and what to ask a professional.
- Care
Looking after glass through the seasons, after building work and when moving, plus the safety essentials.
Sources
- General reference material on types of architectural glass
- Editorial material from this guide
Information about glass and mirrors is given in general terms, based on reference material on types of architectural glass and manufacturers' care guidance. Only a professional who sees your glass in person can judge how badly it is damaged and whether it is still safe to use.