Wait – what? Is there really such a mythical light fixture that is the salvation for the design-crippled? Yes! Glass light fixtures can go with anything because they’re basically the epitome of neutral. Just like how the famous Louis Ghost Chair goes with virtually anything and everything you pair it up with, glass light fixtures – bearing the same qualities – will do too. Though we’re using absolute statements here, some form of aesthetic sense (minimal though!) is necessary to integrate glass light fixtures into your space. You must read this article if you’re thinking of getting one as there are some considerations and tips every virgin glass lighting owner should know before acquiring one.
ONE :: The Glass
When we think of glass, the first thing that comes to mind is the clear glass like the windscreen of cars or that of a test tube. While those glass are the best and easiest to mix around, there is also a variety of tinted glass in the market. Though colour combination consideration comes into play when we use tinted glass, these light fixtures are the best at adding colour and atmosphere into your space. Look at how the picture on the left uses a glass light fixture with a light blue tint to bring a very nautical vibe to the room! Loving it!
There are glass light fixtures that are only half glass. These help direct some attention to the light fixture without being too overbearing. Having a non-glass shade or a non-glass body are also great to further integrate the glass light fixture into the environment. If you are able to match the non-glass part to your room, it will comes off as well-thought out and tailored to your environment. We are adoring how the green shade (left) is pulling the entire light fixture into the theme of the space, it’s so cohesive. DIY alert! If you want to add a personal touch to your glass lighting feature, you can turn it into a showcase by adding little decorations and ornaments into the glass (right).
TWO :: Theme
Despite the elegance in glass, it is possible for glass light fixture to possess industrial or modern qualities. This is mostly due to the form of the light fixture itself and little to do with the glass. The malleability of glass makes it extremely easy to get many designs for the light fixtures. A popular theme most great cafes and beautiful homes use is the industrial theme. It is a sleek, minimalist and raw style and materials such as dark steel and concrete are commonly used to bring that character across. Glass light fixtures with a simple design will be right at home in the industrial setting. Go for white light and – BONUS! – the clear glass allows for strong Edison bulb design. What do we mean by a ‘strong Edison bulb design’? Check these out! The Scandinavian theme is another style we absolutely love for spaces. Check out this kitchen (right) which makes use of glass lighting without losing the Scandinavian touch.
Do I spy a pair of twins? If you are digging the light fixtures in these pictures, take some time to check out Screed’s HEIDI Transparent Glass Funnel Lamp, KJELL Glass Case Quadriplet Hanging Lamp and the IVAR Transparent Pot-Lid Lamp.
Other than following a theme, glass light fixtures can enhance certain features in the room. You can also match glass lighting with the oh-so-famous Louis Ghost Chair! Glass and mirrors are a perfect match as they have a common texture and glass does not have a strong appearance on mirrors! Other than mirrors, we can also see glass fitting well with crystals if you are going for the elegant and regal look.
THREE :: Redirecting Attention
If you have a piece of furniture you want to direct attention towards, you’re in need of a glass light fixture. The almost-invisible characteristics allows the attention seeking feature to work harmoniously with the rest of the space. They can also act as reinforcement for other light fixtures such as a chandelier that might not be bright enough to light up the entire room or a statement pendant lamp that isn’t able to brighten lower levels. However, this does not mean that the glass light fixture receives zero attention! They are also able to command attention without being too outright about it. If you contrast a clear object against an environment that is filled with solid colours, the clear object will standout. Check out the bubble light fixture in the pictures (middle and right) below: it makes great use of the clear quality of glass but does not make the light fixture overwhelm the other elements in the space.
FOUR :: Brightens-up A Room
It is common sense that light passes through glass – we hope that you’re aware of that. So if your light fixture has a glass shade, the light rays will not be as focused and as directed as more opaque shades. The glass will dispersed the light rays from the bulb throwing light all over the room. Also, the dispersed light will look softer and gentler as the same amount of light is able to pass through a larger surface area. The space will have a glowing brightness as opposed to a shining brightness – perfect for a peaceful and romantic ambience! Perhaps cafes owners will be interested in looking into this. A soft dispersed white light is also great for capturing the perfect #foodporn moments as shadows will not be as harsh (left).
The typical opaque light fixture will block natural light from passing through. If you’re planning to have a light fixture positioned near a window, it is best to use a glass light fixture as it will not obstruct natural light from entering the room. Check how the clear light fixtures above the table fills the void above the table while illuminating the room. It makes the room look clean and refreshing.
FIVE :: Decluttering
If you’re looking into making your study table, night table… look less cluttered, go for a glass lamp as it will remove visual bulk from the table surface. Its subtle and light presence doesn’t command too much attention from onlookers providing a clean finish to the space. It is also perfect for toning down spaces with harsh colours and loud patterns. The clear glass does not add more drama or chaos to the existing colour, preventing the room from being too overloaded and heavy on the eyes. Additionally, too much loudness and striking patterns can cause the room to be too groggy to look at. Glass light fixtures will add a sense of balance and calamity to the space.
BONUS DIY!
Quick 2 minute glass light fixture
- Get out a glass container! It can be a large wine bottle or an old vase you do not use any more.
- Get out your string lights. We’re pretty sure you have one or two lying around from previous Christmases. Or maybe you got some after reading our String Lights listicle.
Stuff the string lights into the glass container and viola! Done!
Quick 5 minutes candle light fixture (safety hazard time allowance!)
Martha Stewart found the perfect candle light fixture. It makes use of a few candles (purchasable from IKEA – varying sizes too!) and a giant glass container. This DIY is great for evening outdoor picnics or barbeque parties!
via Martha Stewart
With all being said, you are now ready to turn your space from dull drab to glassy chic! Dress your space with glass light fixtures so that you’ll have a wider selection of furniture to choose from. Remember that glass is a fragile material, therefore spaces with children should be extremely careful when positioning glass lamps. We won’t want any accidents for the sake of design!
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