Category: Design

When it comes to giving your house a sense of your own individual style, many think to decorate the walls or buy furniture. But one material many do not consider that can create a splash of uniqueness to your home is decorative glass.

Today, we’ll be breaking down the way glass can be used for all aspects of your house. From your windows to your furniture.

Your own personal style

Glass as a material has been used in art pieces for years and years. Glass has such a sleek look that fits any kitchen style you want in your house, rustic, marble or otherwise.

Using glass splashbacks in your kitchen not only has a pristine quality to it but allows for easier maintenance for cleaning. It also removes the hassle of scrubbing the grout in tiles.

Glass splashbacks are also versatile. If you’re worried about it breaking under the heat of your stove or oven do not fear, our glass splashbacks are heat resistant and durable so you can cook to your heart’s content while all the basics are covered.

They are also customisable, they can match any colour. So if your kitchen is all black or a specific shade of blue, we’ve got it covered.

Along with this, glass splashbacks can be more cut and shaped to fit your specifications. This feature, on the surface may be simple, but it can be just the thing your kitchen needs to pop with its colour and sleek design.

Check out our colour match service to find out more.

Taking your home to the next level

Utilising glass on your stairs as a staircase is a subtle way to create an effective sleek feature.  Glass staircases aren’t just for decoration either, it can elevate your hallway/landing and make it seem more spacious.

Using glass isn’t just an element that can just be used inside your house, glass can be used for balconies that take your house to a whole new level. 

Glass balconies don’t block the view of your house and their durability means you and your family are safe to enjoy the view. It doesn’t compromise the style of your house, glass can be moulded and shaped to flatter your space and create a sleek yet homely feel to a space that many homeowners don’t consider.

Top of the table

Using glass in your furniture is something a lot of homeowners are starting to incorporate. Say you have a coffee table that you want to protect from wear and tear while giving it a sleek finish, a glass top does that for you.

Don’t worry about it smashing, as mentioned before, the glass we use at Abelglass is durable and strong. 

It adds a three-dimensional aspect, turning a standard table into a conversational piece when guests come to visit. As well as this, glass shelving is a simplistic yet visually appealing aspect. 

The almost invisible effect glass shelving provides directs eyes to what’s on the shelves and gives off the impression of less it more.

Creating your own sanctuary

Your bathroom/shower room should be your hub of relaxation in your home, so making sure it feels that way is essential.

Using frosted glass for shower enclosures and shower screens gives a simple touch yet does so much. As mentioned before, the simplistic yet sleek design adds a touch of class to your room and elevates your bathroom/shower room.

A clear welcome

One essential piece of your house, arguably the most essential aspect of your home is your door. Using and incorporating glass into your doors maybe your patio doors or even your front door. 

Using glass doors not only looks effective and clean, but it also has environmental factors to it. It is a great way to preserve energy, allowing natural light to shine-free and make your house energy efficient. For more information visit our website abelglass.co.uk for more information on this.

As well as our splashback boards, we make our glass customisable to your taste and interior style. So there are just a few possibilities glass can present when incorporating it into your interior design.

Finishing touch

It is a subtle way to bring your house into the modern age. For instance, if your house has a rustic and vintage style to it and you want to incorporate more modern elements into it without ruining it, glass won’t compromise that. Our expert team and our amazing materials are a must for homeowners looking into this so if you’re interested please get in touch. You can give us a call at 01253 893355 or email us at enquires@abelglass.co.uk. 

Make An Entrance

A mirror is the best way to make the most of your entrance space. It’s often a small and dark area which is hard to dress, so making the most of any light by using mirrors is a smart choice.

To make the most of the light you need to hang your mirror opposite where the light enters the space. Extra points for hanging it on the longest wall as this will make the whole area look bigger. A custom made mirror which is the perfect size for your wall will always be the best fit. But, you can choose any size, shape or type of mirror. Just make sure that it fits with the rest of your decor.

Mirrored Bathroom Walls

Another room which is traditionally small is the bathroom or en-suite. Using mirrors will immediately change the perception of space and the room will appear bigger as if by magic.

A large mirror above the sink will look clean and reflect huge amounts of light back into the room. It looks especially good when it fits perfectly to the wall with no spaces around it.

Another option is to completely cover the walls of your bathroom with plate mirrors making the whole room feel bright. Make the most of the effect that the mirrors create by teaming them with light coloured walls and reflective accessories. A down-light at the top of the mirror or a strip light around the edges will help to minimise shadows.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

Using mirrors as a decorative accessory for the walls in your home means you can get really creative.

For maximum creativity, you can create a ‘mosaic’ of mirrors to create a really interesting piece of art for your wall. Using triangular shapes will create light and depth, magnifying the space.

A simple round mirror can look amazing if you choose an interesting way to hang it. The one above has been mounted using two leather belts and makes a great statement piece. If you have something in mind to hang a mirror why not a piece of mirror made to the exact size that you need to make sure it’s perfect.

Another really interesting way to use mirrors is to hang a variety of complementary mirrors as you would pictures or paintings. Choose mirrors which are similar shapes for a really cohesive look. You could also pick out shapes in your wallpaper or furniture by having mirrors made in those shapes like the ones in the picture below which mimic the artwork and wallpaper.

Mirrored Surfaces

Mirrors aren’t just for the bathroom or living area walls, they look equally amazing in the kitchen.

Using a mirror as a splashback in a kitchen looks AMAZING. You can have the mirror cut to the exact size that you need as you would a glass splashback. It reflects the light bouncing it around the room which is perfect for a darker room. The mirrored images also make the room look bigger and the reflective surface looks very contemporary.

A black glass splashback also creates a mirrored effect and creates similar effects by reflecting and magnifying the light making the whole room look larger.

Mirrored Furniture

Placing mirrors on the outside of sliding wardrobe doors is a great way to make the most of the light in your room and is really practical too. You can have pieces of toughened mirror created to the exact dimensions of your doors to give a really clean and seamless look.

Another trick is to place a mirror on a table and put a lamp on top of it. This will reflect the light coming from the lamp and create a lovely warm glow. Covering the top of a dressing or bedside table is also a great way to introduce light to a bedroom and make the most of your space.

If you are itching to try out these ideas in your home but need a mirror which is just right for your space then give our friendly team a call.

Bespoke Mirrors

We produce mirrors in all shapes and sizes. From simple bathroom pieces, unique pieces to add a focal point for your bedroom, or a large piece to give a more spacious perspective to a living room.

All of our mirrors are made to measure to create the perfect addition to your home. We work with you on all of the fine details, to ensure your design is uniquely yours.

Get in touch with our friendly and experienced team to discuss your perfect mirror.

Have you ever wondered how to increase natural light in your home?

Does your lounge or bathroom always seem gloomy no matter what you try? You’re not alone! This is a very common problem interior designers are asked to solve all the time.

A bright and well-lit space isn’t just inviting, it increases your overall mood too. So, if you’re sick of glaring lightbulbs and you want rooms which feel bathed in natural light then read on.

There are a number of ways in which you can make the most of the natural light coming into your home. Here’s our top five.

Number One, Glass Doors

The most effective way to bring more natural light into a room is by installing doors that let the light pass through. This might mean replacing solid panels with decorative glass or installing sleek and modern sliding glass doors.

Traditional hinged doors can also be entirely made of glass and suspended glass doors and panels can replace interior walls.  If you’re looking to brighten up a gloomy room then opening up space with glass doors and partitions is the perfect solution.

Bi-fold, French and patio doors are also a fantastic way to open up your space to the outdoors. There is a huge range available, take a look at some ideas here.

Number Two, Windows 

The position and size of the windows in your room have an enormous effect on the amount of light which flows into it. Depending on the size and style of your property, there are a huge variety of windows to suit any taste. From bespoke shaped or clerestory windows in hard to reach places to traditional sash windows for a period property windows are key. If you’re not sure what the possibilities are for windows in your home, contact an expert. Window design and manufacturers such as Abelglass can advise you on the perfect windows for you.

One more thing. Although obvious, by just cleaning your windows this will have a big impact on how much natural light enters the room. The cleaner they are, the more sunshine can enter.

Number Three, What’s Outside?

As mentioned in tip number two, windows are the best way of making the most of natural light. For this to be effective the light needs to be un-obstructed. Sounds obvious? It is, however, you’d be surprised at the number of homes with trees and plants blocking the light. Avoid planting trees on the southern side of your home, and trim any which are existing. Find out why here.   Make sure you trim plants or bushes which are in close vicinity to your windows. If the light can’t reach your windows, it won’t be able to brighten your room. Utilising space above your front door to add windows will also add more light.

Number Four, Mirrors

Allowing sunlight to bounce off reflective surfaces will double the amount of light in your room. Hanging a large mirror directly across from the largest window in your living room will have a huge impact. Similarly, a large mirror in a small bathroom will dramatically increase the feeling of light and space. In other more awkward spaces, you can hang an arrangement an of smaller mirrors to help brighten a dark hallway or ensuite.

Number Five, Flooring & Decor

Use light and bright wallpaper and paints, just make sure they have a warm tone to avoid a ‘clinical’ feeling. Matte finishes will also improve the feeling of natural light, as gloss paint produces a glare which actually reduces the sense of light. Another trick is to create a feature ceiling using gloss paint. Unlike gloss paint on the walls, this will reflect light and increase the feeling of space.

When your space needs additional light then paler wood flooring will help brighten up the room. Lighter colours are also perfect for well-used areas as scratches aren’t as obvious. Add metallics to your decor and accessories. Similarly to traditional mirrors, shiny surfaces will both reflect and increase the light in the room. Whether this means copper accents in your family room or a mirrored splashback in your kitchen, the possibilities are endless.

A Glass Desk For Our Newest Member Of The Team

Being very busy bees, we’ve welcomed some new members to the team. And being a glass design business, we couldn’t have them sitting at any old desk!

So the team put their heads together and came up with the most fantastic glass desk!

Not only is this desk beautiful, but due to its creative design, it’s also space-saving too. Made of frosted glass the screens add privacy, but also let in lots of light.

Is Your Office Due An Upgrade?

First impressions count and creating a professional image is important for any business. A well-designed office will create the right impression to customers and potential employees alike.

But it’s not just about how it looks. Research shows that the design of a workspace makes a huge impact on employees productivity.

“Modern offices know of the importance of light and design the space where people work to take advantage of the day’s natural light.” – The HubbleHQ

If you’re pushed for space but want to create the illusion of more light and space then glass furniture is the perfect solution.  An office facelift will improve the mood and productivity of staff. Something as simple as adding plants to the office is believed to increase work output by 15%.

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With our bespoke glass service, we can turn your office interior ideas into a reality.

Get in touch with our friendly team for a free no-obligation quotation.

Call 01253 839955  or email enquiries@abelglass.co.uk