Glass has a tendency to open up a room- more so than any other element. Whether it is through the use of mirrors, etchings, bevels or other features, glass brings light from the outside in and generates a warming effect. In addition, letting daylight into your home has holistic health effects as well. It not only makes you feel good, it also wards off depression and increases your productivity.
The options for decorative glass in your home are limited only by your imagination. Whether you want to add only a little bit of texture or you want to create something truly astounding, there is something for everyone. For example, glass can be used to open up a dark room or add privacy to open space. Not only are people looking for practical applications of the glass, they are also interested in the aesthetic value of each piece of glass.
By its very nature, glass possesses a range of characteristics unlike any other substance on the planet. With a wealth of colors and thicknesses, glass can arrive with crackles, bubbles or any number of variations, all of which add to its unique character. Thus, there are a wide variety of options available when it comes to decorative glass. There are beveled and stained styles that can be leaded with nickel, brass patina or iron. There are also hundreds of styles of glass patterns to consider within each type of glass. Decorative glass often has a texture to it, such as a soft wave, baroque, glue chip, granite, frosted, etched, grooved, arctic, hammered and a host of others.
Frosted glass, for example, can come in many variations of texture and transparency. The option selected depends on the application. For example, for a front door, a frosted glass may be a good choice to prevent those at your door from seeing directly into your home. Frosted glass is also very popular in bathrooms as well for use in tiles, decorative shower doors or even vessel bowls that can really make your space stand out. Many companies are also doing frosting applications on existing glass, which is a cost effective option for adding impact.
On the opposite end of frosted is clear glass, which obviously lets in the most amount of light and can be a great option for a room that needs a clean view. However, it does not mean that you can't add a touch of edginess to this type of glass. Bevels and metallic edges can add a little reflection that will accent the glass in a way that will create some room ambiance while still offering you a lot of visibility. Clear glass can also be used in combination with other types of glass to create interesting accents and variations.
Finally, stained glass can add an elegant touch to any room in your home. Often thought of as just for churches, stained glass is making its stand in homes because of the way it can be used to personalize an area through design. Stained glass is primarily used in windows, but can also be used in a variety of other applications, including doors, bars, cabinetry and mirrors.
Above all, using glass to accent a room can be a cost effective option during tough economic conditions. With its inexpensive applications, it presents a viable option for many homeowners to jazz up a room, regardless of style and taste.
