Stained Glass Isn’t Just Found in Churches Anymore

A different kind of wall art.

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Once upon a time, if you wanted to see stained glass, you had to go to church. Or at least buy a Tiffany lamp. Inspiration for bringing the feature home was decidedly limited to these old-school references—emphasis on was. If you’ve been picking your brain for a unique art installation to add to your walls, there’s no better time to try the Technicolor style than now. 

We’re seeing it more and more in the homes of our favorite designers—not just in the form of mini suncatchers but as full-on doors and windows. In its holiday trend report, Etsy specifically called out stained glass as a look to watch: Searches for it on the platform are up 69 percent in the past six months. There are tons of glass artists on Instagram you can commission bespoke works from—we’re partial to Debbie Bean’s and Lesley Green’s work—and a seemingly endless amount of motifs to try—none of which resemble the overly elaborate creations of stained glass past. It may not be a new idea, but its latest iterations definitely feel fresh.

If You’re a MoMA Regular…

Try an abstract pattern with color subtly woven into the mix à la this window found at the Emily Henderson–designed Fig House in Los Angeles. If you have a couple street-facing windows in your home, pop in a few vibrant panels to seriously up the curb appeal (and give you some privacy).

If Painting Has Never Been Your Thing…

yellow and green stained glass entryway wall
Photography by Laure Joliet

Ditch the roller and masking tape for an accent wall crafted entirely from glass. Designer Rachel Craven put hers in the entryway, looking outside, but we also like the idea of it in a dining room. Weekend brunch is that much more of a luxury with speckles of green and yellow light adorning the walls around you. Who needs a chandelier?

If You’re Not Ready to Commit…

blue front door with round cut outs of stained glass
Photography by Mariko Reed

Don’t! This little corner in the home of Joanne and Luke Bartels proves that the smallest moments can be the most impactful. “Luke made the front door, and we got the glass rondels from a company in the Midwest called Blenko Glass,” Joanne tells us. 

If You’re on a Budget…

kitchen with stained glass colorful panel
Photography by Mandi Johnson

You’d never guess this kitchen window is a DIY, but that’s the case with this panel from A Beautiful Mess (get the how-to here). Set aside a weekend, gather the necessary supplies (mostly different shades of glass paint), and go wild with color combinations—a tonal gradient would look especially striking. 

If You’re an Antiques Fair Regular…

white kitchen stained glass window
Photography by Bri Ussery

Oftentimes, you can find whole sheets of stained glass at flea markets and vintage stores, so if you come across one you love, grab it. Bri Ussery held onto hers for years before finally hanging it in the window of her newly renovated kitchen. No construction required—all she had to do was secure it via a couple wall hooks. 

If You’re Not One to Shy Away From Making a Statement…

colorful stained glass wall in kitchen
Photography by @_itsbeautifulhere

Forget a window and turn an entire set of French doors into a stained-glass mosaic. This design, captured by Georgia Hopkins, makes a narrow galley kitchen sing. Play up the old-school charm with butcher block counters and rustic pendant lights to make the whole room feel like one big kaleidoscope. 

See more nontraditional art we love: Modern Textile Art Is the New Macramé 12 Rad Mirrors That Double As Art It’s High Time We Treated Our Glassware Like Art

Elly Leavitt

Writer and Editor

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latest cultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.