3 min readStained glass often brings to mind Gothic cathedrals or European castles, but this centuries-old art form is quietly making its way into some of today’s most beautifully designed homes. No matter the glass style—contemporary, traditional, or abstract—it creates an interior atmosphere that’s nearly impossible to replicate. While you can mimic moody lighting in rich, saturated tones, nothing quite compares to the effect of light filtered through stained glass.
Ahead, designers share where and how they’ve incorporated handmade stained glass into their clients’ (and even their own) spaces, along with tips on what to consider if you’re thinking of introducing this age-old architectural detail into your home.
Looking to add instant drama without a major overhaul? Start your stained glass journey here. Consider this your cue to keep reading.
Keep Anything Original
Many new builds lack the intricate ornamentation and charm that we love seeing in older spaces. Sarah Jacoby feels the same way, and it’s quite evident in this historic Brooklyn home.
“When we saw the original stained glass in this home, we wanted to find ways to express it through our design and color palettes we chose for the interior,” she suggests. While some designers’ first order of business in a renovation is removing those old elements, Jacoby embraces them, and the stained glass is the perfect example.
“We think it's important for that legacy to continue after our interventions while introducing updates that can make the spaces more functional,” she adds.
Give Every Window the Treatment
Designers tend to have the most fun when decorating their own homes, and Dafna Kikuchi, founder of Daf&Co. is hardly an exception. In her Dallas office, she swapped the three windows’ original glass with a custom-stained alternative.
“I love to see the way the light changes throughout the day when it’s filtered through the stained glass,” she notes. “In addition to being colored, some of the pieces are seedy, so it has a dreamlike quality because you can’t clearly see through it.”
Her choice to go the stained glass route isn’t just beautiful, though; it’s practical as well. “Since these windows face the street, I’m grateful for the privacy the lack of translucence provides,” she adds.
Enlist Punchy Colors
The place where you’ll most likely find stained glass is traditionally in an entryway, but in this foyer, by Prospect Refuge Studio founder Victoria Sass, the windows are anything but traditional.
“It’s a relatively low-touch way to add drama and character while maintaining the original window,” she explains. “We designed it to give the homeowner privacy at the front door without sacrificing light.”
Not only did she not have to sacrifice the natural light, but she made it more beautiful with these colorful panes.
Go the Bespoke Route
Luckily for Jules Gallop, cofounder of English firm JAM Design Works, her clients had good taste: They wanted subtle references to the Art Deco movement scattered throughout their home, and nowhere is that more evident than in the kitchen, which features a completely bespoke stained glass window.
“The brief was to introduce more light and visual interest into the room, while also creating a strong sense of character, and I chose the backsplash as the opportunity here,” Gallop explains.
Gallop also incorporated an LED panel behind the pane to give it a jewel-like, luminous quality. “It was quite a considered architectural addition!” she adds.
Keep It Subtle
While some stained glass installations are dramatic and eye-catching, others are on the more subtle side. In this California home, designer Vanessa Alexander teamed up with architect Michael Imber to create a moody yet pared-back stained glass moment that never gets old.
“We approached stained glass in a more restrained way, favoring subtle tones, texture, and light over bold color so it feels refined rather than overly decorative,” Alexander says.
“This quieter interpretation ties directly into the overall design of the home: a pared-back take on Spanish Colonial architecture that emphasizes warmth, authenticity, and simplicity.”
Hang It in the Sunniest Window
In this contemporary kitchen, Elisa Lento infused plenty of character and charm, courtesy of her newest addition: a stained glass panel that hangs in the sunniest window.
“The stained glass transom allows sunlight to filter through in a whimsical, almost storybook way, bringing in color without sacrificing brightness,” she explains.
What’s more, she happened upon it by accident. “I was looking for something that fit the scale of the window and worked with the natural light while still giving a collected, timeless feel. The stained glass ended up being the perfect solution.”
