Stained glass trending as people seek personality-filled decor

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There’s been an explosion of personality in home interiors of late, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and artisanal details leading the way. Ornamental iron work on staircases, mosaic tiles in the bathroom, hand-painted murals in the living room.

And now, stained glass accents. Stained glass first emerged in England during the seventh century and was a part of Gothic architecture in Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries. It found renewed popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries, courtesy of the art nouveau movement.

“In a world increasingly shaped by AI and digital replication, people are craving the tangible and the real, and stained glass embodies that,” designer Heather A. Phillips told Real Simple. “Each piece reflects a human touch, from the hand-selected colours to planning, sketching, cutting, and soldering.”

Although original stained glass is often detailed and richly coloured, today’s iterations can incorporate a more modern approach.

“In 2026 we’re seeing much simpler geometric stained glass, with softer colours and more contemporary shapes,” Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors, told Ideal Home. “So, it can now sit as comfortably in a modern kitchen or hallway as it does in a period home.”

In addition to its aesthetic charms, stained glass offers a practical benefit: privacy. It can obscure the view into a home when incorporated on outside doors and street-level windows.

Inside, stained-glass doors can conceal more utilitarian areas, such as pantries and laundry rooms. And in the kitchen, stained glass can give cabinets some oomph while keeping dishes, small appliances, and food hidden away.

“There are lots of places in a home where you want light but don’t necessarily want a completely clear view, and stained glass solves that problem in a much prettier way than simply frosting the glass,” said Davies.

If you want to play up the decorative aspect of stained glass, try using lighting that incorporates it. A Tiffany & Co.-style lamp will bring some retro charm. Sconces and chandeliers are other places where stained glass can, literally, shine.

“Part of the appeal of stained glass is the way it works with natural light,” Victoria Robinson, product manager at Hillarys, told Ideal Homes. “The colours and patterns shift throughout the day, so it brings a warmth and softness to a room that feels quite special.”

In Canada, there are many stained-glass professionals who can tackle a variety of projects. A recent roundup in Chatelaine cited Yaba Home & Decor in Toronto; La Vie En Verre in Edmundston, N.B.; Heart of (stained) Glass in Montreal; Sweetfern Studios in Peterborough, Ont.; and Copper and Came in Vancouver.

Or, if you’re looking for a more affordable or temporary option, consider stained-glass window film. Often made from sturdy vinyl and featuring a 3D printed pattern, it’s available at many outlets including Home Depot Canada, Amazon.ca, Wayfair Canada, and Etsy.

“Stained glass window films are available in countless colours and patterns, and one of the best things about them is that they’re simple to apply and remove,” says Better Homes & Gardens. “You can easily trim them to the desired size with a regular pair of scissors and there’s no professional installation or messy glue needed — the film usually adheres to windows using static cling and water.”