Glass is a unique material that can transform a space both aesthetically and practically. The recent technological advances have broadened the possibilities of using glass for design in almost every industry. Historically, industrial glass was considered a facet of architecture. With the recent advancements, it has started playing a significant role in interior design too. The best interior designers in the business are working with glass installations to ensure a perfect balance between visual appeal and concept of minimalism. Glass can transform a gloomy and dark interior into a bright space with panoramic views. Besides that, it allows the sound and sight of nature inside.
There are various types of glass being used in interior design. The industrial glass can be transparent, translucent, tinted, engraved, acid-etched, sintered, etc. Glass can be used in a myriad of different ways due to the interplay of reflections, colors, and textures. It also offers an alternative to metal, wood, and stone. It is essential to use the right type of glass depending upon the project, such as designing for office or home space.
Benefits of Glass in Interior Design
Here are some ways in which glass can benefit design and designers:
- The features of glass invite the exteriors inside
Contrary to the term ‘interior design’, glass offers a chance to invite the outside word in. The designers aren’t restricted to the modern, human-made, and architectural aesthetics only. In design and architecture, glass features use the outside world as a visual stimulus, letting designers provide a sense of flow and creating a seamless link between exterior and interior spaces. For the designers who wish to increase the spatial aspect of the interior- glass is an invaluable feature. Glass can help with reduction, minimalism, decluttering, and refining of visual elements. In this regard, glazing is helping designers in reinventing spaces. Designers don’t need to create the illusion of a room when working with features that offer an aesthetic bond between outdoor and indoor spaces. A sizable glazed installation becomes a unifying visual anchor and enhances the designs drawn from nature. It helps the designers shift the focus from the interiors to the exteriors.
- Brings natural light into the design
Conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder are becoming widely recognizable. This reinstates the fact that natural light is vital for our psychological and physical well-being. Glazing can transform a brilliant looking space into a brilliant felling space. In areas such as the dining area, kitchen, and bathroom, where light is required, glass allows ample sunlight to enter. Apart from the practical benefits of light, glass features offer extensive aesthetic benefits. Natural light affects color perception and is often preferred when the design aims at capturing ‘true color.’ Natural light brings out lighter colors and can also be used in washing out a palette. Thus, glass features can offer an aesthetical and practical way of making colors look visually appealing.
- Eliminates practical restrictions
Designers always have to work within some practical frameworks depending on the project. Glass can help remove all kinds of practical barriers along with its aesthetic benefits. Modern glass features such as roof panels and sliding doors are used as access or entry points. Industrial glass can also help significantly in insulation, ventilation as well as preventing heat loss. For example, modern glass technology, such as solar gain coating, increases the insulative quality of glass. Cutting edge glass options such as operable glass walls are increasingly becoming popular in interior design as it adds to privacy.
- Timeless quality
Interior designers often want to balance timelessness and aesthetics. Anachronistic designs are appealing, but they are expected to go out of trend in a few years. Glass features might not precisely be trendy. However, minimal glazing offers a timeless quality. Glass links are combined with historical buildings because of the unobtrusive impact. Apart from this, industrial glass is the most reliable material to work with. Modern installations offer new life to interiors and are delicate and subtle options that aren’t going to degrade with time. While glass is associated with windows and doors, it can be effectively used in any fitting. Glass features enhance the contemporary feel of minimal and modern designs.
While there is much that can be said about glass in interior design, here are some different ways of using it today:
- Glass walls
- Glass floors
- Glass roofs
- Glass Canopy and tent
- Shower Partition
- Glass Pools
- Stained Windows and Doors
- Elevators
- Kitchen cabinets
- Glass Partitions
- Parapets
- Stairs
- Furniture
- Lamps and artifacts
The list is non-exhaustive. All in all, glass is the greatest asset for designers because it has infinite potential as a designing material for all kinds of spaces.